Star awardees posed for a souvenir shot after the awarding ceremony, which took place at the University of the Philippines Theater in Diliman, Quezon City.

Last March 23, twenty-four trophies were given away during the 23rd Star Awards since two males were called as Movie Actor of the Year—Piolo Pascual (not pictured) for Don't Give Up On Us and Jericho Rosales (third from left) for Pacquiao The Movie.

Other awardees honored by the Philippine Movie Press Club (PMPC) that night were (from left) Movie Supporting Actor of the Year Allen Dizon, Female Face of the Night Heart Evangelista, Movie Actor of the Year Jericho, Movie Child Performer of the Year Tala Santos, and Inang Yaya co-directors Veronica Velasco and Pablo Biglang-Awa Jr., who shared the Digital Movie Director of the Year award.

 

(From left) Jericho Rosales, Heart Evangelista, Iza Calzado, and Dingdong Dantes were the hosts of the 23rd Star Awards—which had the theme "A Night of Winners, A Night of Champions, A Night of Triumph."

The opening number that night was performed by Frenchie Dy (left, wearing a yellow gown) and Aicelle Santos. The X-Trail Dancers served as the back-up dancers of the two champion singers.

(From left) Jed Madela, Frenchie Dy, Aicelle Santos, and Gerald Santos ended their medley of songs by singing "We Are The Champions."

Indeed, the four singers are all champions—Jed is the 2005 grand champion in the World Championships of Performing Arts, Frenchie Dy is the grand champion of the second Star in a Million search, Aicelle won in the 2006 Astana Music Festival held in Astana, Kazakhstan, while Gerald is the grand champion of Pinoy Pop Superstar.

Trivia host Ryan Agoncillo had pre-taped his segment called "Best Global Movie Triumphs." In one of his segments, the TV host-actor pointed out that over the years, Regal Entertainment had produced seven movies that were chosen as Movie of the Year while Viva Entertainment had six Star Awards for the said category.

Sam Milby took home two Star awards that night—New Movie Actor of the Year and Male Star of the Night. He left the UP Theater at around 10:30 p.m. because he still had to travel to Antipolo to shoot an episode for his teleserye Maging Sino Ka Man.

With sparkling blue diamonds in her hair and wearing a gown that showed off her hourglass figure, it didn't come as a surprise that Kim Chiu was selected as Female Star of the Night.

New Movie Actress of the Year Maja Salvador gave a noticeable performance as Joya in Star Cinema's Sukob.

Jaya lent her powerful voice in interpreting "Walang Hahadlang," the theme song of Ligalig. She also performed a duet with Ogie Alcasid for the song "Sana Malaman Mo," which was composed by Ogie and Mr. Louie Ocampo for the movie Don't Give Up On Us.

Ogie Alcasid expressed his gratitude for Mr. Louie Ocampo, who called him one day to write the lyrics for the song "Sana Malaman Mo." Their composition was hailed as the Movie Original Theme Song of the Year during the 23rd Star Awards for being used in the movie Don't Give Up On Us starring Judy Ann Santos and Piolo Pascual.

Viva Hot Men member Allen Dizon was named as Movie Supporting Actor of the Year for his role in Twilight Dancers. This Star award marks his first acting milestone in the showbiz industry.

"Thank you for trusting in me, PMPC [Philippine Movie Press Club]. Malaking bagay ang magagawa sa akin nito. I will treasure this," said Gina Pareño in her acceptance speech for the award Movie Supporting Actress of the Year. She bested Pops Fernandez (Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah: Ze Moveeh), Liza Lorena (Inang Yaya), Cherry Pie Picache (Twilight Dancers), and Jodi Sta. Maria (You Are the One) for the said category.

Pablo Biglang-Awa, Jr. and Inang Yaya line producer Noemi Peji received the award for Digital Movie of the Year for their indie project. Noemi maintained her poise even though the strap of her left sandal broke as she was walking towards the microphone to give her acceptance speech. She even managed to joke: "Kaya n'yo yun?" According to her, their decision to make Inang Yaya was a good choice.

Ulirang Artista Awardee Mr. German Moreno recounted the pains and sacrifices that he had to go through before making it big in the showbiz industry. "Noong ako'y sidewalk vendor, may mga taong tumatapak sa akin. Noong ako'y janitor, mayroon pa ring ilang mga taong tumatapak sa akin. Noong ako'y papunta sa showbiz, mayroon pa ring taong tumatapak sa akin. Nang mapunta ako sa telebisyon, mayroon pa ring mga taong tumatapak sa akin. Lahat ng pagtapak na iyan, tiniis ko. Titiisin ko ang lahat kung ang kapalit naman niyan ay ang karangalan na ito na binibigay ng PMPC," said a grateful Kuya Germs.

 

He was recognized for outstanding projects, notably his creation of the Walk of Fame in Eastwood and the Paradise of Stars in the Mowelfund grounds in Quezon City.

As one of the hosts that night, Jericho Rosales (nominated for Pacquiao The Movie) was seemingly oblivious to the fact that his name was called as Movie Actor of the Year—an honor that he shared with Piolo Pascual (nominated for Don't Give Up On Us). In his acceptance speech, the singer-actor said: "I've been to several award shows as a nominee not expecting anything. Even if I went home empty handed, the trophies are in my heart."

 

When Echo (Jericho's nickname) was interviewed by the press after the awards night, he pulled his lady love Heart Evangelista close to him and declared that she was the only trophy that he needed in his life.

Judy Ann Santos was caught up in traffic en route to the venue, which is why her brother Jeffrey accepted the Movie Actress of the Year award from the PMPC. He told the audience: "She wants to thank PMPC for giving her this award and Star Cinema for giving her the chance to win this award. Pinaparating rin po ni Juday na sana daw yung page-enjoy natin sa panonood ng Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo ay pareho ng enjoyment they went through when they were making this film."

 

Concert comedy queen Ai-Ai delas Alas entertained the crowd by performing a medley of Madonna songs that had her changing costumes no less than four times. She was at first wearing a hood and cape at the start of the song "Like a Prayer" but when it shifted to a fast pace, she took it off and revealed a silver and violet corset top that showed off all her curves.

When Direk Joey Reyes was called twice in a row for winning Movie Original Screenplay of the Year and Movie Director of the Year, he told the audience: "Again, maraming salamat sa Star Cinema for your ceaseless trust sa akin bilang isang director. Maraming salamat, Judy Ann Santos at Ryan Agoncillo. Maraming salamat sa lahat ng aking production staff na sa napakaraming taon ay tinitiis ang aking kabaliwan...As I've said before, there is no such thing as a best director. There are only directors who try their best to keep you entertained. I share this with all the other nominees. It just so happened that I'm the only one who is holding the trophy right now. This is as much yours as this is mine. Mabuhay ang pelikulang Pilipino!"

As a finale to the 23rd Star Awards for Movies, Kuh Ledesma gave a sentimental rendition of the love song "Till I Met You."