(From left) Jason Abalos, Sid Lucero, Cherry Pie Picache, and Emilio Garcia received the top acting awards for their 2007 films Endo (Jason), Selda (Sid and Emilio) and Foster Child (Cherry Pie).

The hosts of the evening were veteran actress Boots Anson-Roa and Butch Francisco. The host of Startalk used to be president of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino from 1989 to 1991.

As recipient of the Natatanging Gawad, Kidlat Tahimik is best remembered for creating the film Mababangong Bangungot (Perfumed Nightmares) that premiered in New York in 1981. According to the MPP, Kidlat represents non-commercial filmmaking for the past 30 years. Kidlat showed up in a toga and graduation cap because he considered the lifetime achievement award as his Ph.D in filmmaking.

Kidlat Tahimik, a.k.a Eric de Guia, delivered a monologue that had him talking to an imaginary "Inang." He mentioned that he is creating a movie titled Sex in the Terraces.

According to Rustom Padilla, he donned women's clothes in order to promote his character called Binibining Gandang Hangin. He will be starring in a show that will be staged in February 2009 at the Music Museum.

In the 30th edition of the Gawad Urian, Rustom Padilla won as Best Actor for ZsaZsa Zaturnnah Ze Moveeh, while Mark Gil won for Rotonda.

Father and son, Mark Gil and Sid Lucero, hugged each other as Jason Abalos looked on. Sid and Jason tied for the category Best Actor for their respective movies Selda and Endo. Sid told PEP that he hugged his dad to mean, "Dad, I hope you're proud of me."

Sid Lucero (in barong Tagalog) told PEP that he still had a taping for his teleserye Ligaw na Bulaklak right after the awards night. He recalled that at the time Selda was shown, the movie Brokeback Mountain had just come out on the big screen.

Regarding his role as a jailed convict in the movie Selda, Sid pointed out, "I did everything the way that Direk Paolo [Villaluna] and I talked about it." Sid is currently working on the film Independencia, which will be directed by Raya Martin. "It's a period film about a family who are forced to live in a forest."

When asked why he mentioned Judy Ann Santos in his thank-you speech, Urian Best Actor Jason Abalos said, "Nag-usap kami ni Judy Ann last August sa U.S. at sabi niya malayo raw mararating ko. Sabi ko naman, 'Hindi ko hinihingi iyon, gusto ko lang tumagal ako dito.' Sabi niya, 'Sipagan mo lang.'"

This marks Jason's second acting award for Endo. He was also cited by the Young Critics Circle for his role as a restless contract worker.

Gina Pareño handed out the Gawad Urian for Best Actress, the award that she won last year for the movie Kubrador. According to the creators of Kubrador, they will follow up their award-winning film by releasing the film Parangal.

Urian Best Actress Cherry Pie Picache said that this award meant so much to her. "This work [Foster Child] is really special for me and ang tanging bala namin dito yung passion mo for your craft. I was humbled to receive this in their company. Double celebration rin kasi nanalo si Gary [Tria, the father of her child] para sa Tirador." Gary was one of the four people cited for Best Cinematography in the Brillante Mendoza film.

When asked if she wants to spend the rest of her life with Gary, she replies, "Sana. We're working on that. We're doing okay and we're happy as a family."

Last year's recipient of the Gawad Urian for Best Supporting Actor, Rafael Rosell, attended the event to present the prestigious award. The member of the Coverboys was cited for portraying the jilted lover of Andrea del Rosario in the Cinema One movie Rome and Juliet.

Emilio Garcia is now a Grand Slam actor for his movie Selda. He received the Best Supporting Actor award from the MPP.

Meryll Soriano was present at the event to hand out the Gawad Urian for Best Supporting Actress. She was cited last year by the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino for her role in the Cinemalaya film Rotonda. This year's winner was Angela Ruiz of Tirador but she was unable to attend the event.

Tirador actor Coco Martin (in photo) went up the CCP stage to join Armando "Bing" Lao in accepting the award for Best Film. Brillante Mendoza's film is about small-time crooks operating in Quiapo during the feast of the Black Nazarene. 

Allan Paule and MPP member Grace Javier Alfonso presented the award for Best Production Design. The award went to Death in the Land of Encantos directed by Lav Diaz, with Dante Perez as production designer.

Kidlat Tahimik held up his bamboo camera in triumph as MPP members Grace Javier Alfonso and Prof. Bienvenido Lumbera looked on happily.

Joey Ayala entertained the crowd with his interactive songs. Aside from the folk singer, another ethnic- inpired number was performed by the band Project Ganymede.

Glaiza de Castro of Still Life was one of the nominees for the category Best Actress. She competed against Ina Feleo of Endo, Cherry Pie Picache of Foster Child, Judy Ann Santos of Sakal, Sakali, Saklolo, and Lorna Tolentino of Katas ng Saudi.

Lav Diaz recently attended the Venice International Film Fest to receive the Orizzonti prize for his eight-hour film Melancholia. 

Selda directors Paolo Villaluna and Ellen Ramos directed Emilio Garcia (left) and Sid Lucero (right) in the indie film that tackled same-sex relationships among jailed convicts. Ara Mina also starred in the indie film Selda.

Among those who attended the awards night last October 1 were (from left, first row) Ina Feleo, director Andoy Ranay, and Eugene Domingo. Second row: (from left) Glaiza de Castro, designer Mary, Cherry Pie Picache, and showbiz reporter Gretchen Fullido.

Gawad Urian awardees (from left) Endo screenplay writer Jade Castro, Jason Abalos, Emilio Garcia, Cherry Pie Picache and Sid Lucero pose with filmmaker Kidlat Tahimik who holds up his bamboo camera.

Gawad Urian awardees Sid Lucero and Cherry Pie Picache are flanked by members of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (from left) Mario Hernando, Dr. Nicanor Tiongson, Dr. Bienvenido Lumbera, Grace Javier Alfonso, MPP president Miguel Rapatan, Rolando Tolentino, Butch Francisco, and Lito Zulueta.