The Film Academy of the Philippines (FAP) held its 29th Luna Awards last July 10, 2011 in the Quezon City Sports Complex. Attended by prestigious actors and actresses, directors, screenwriters, production designers, and prominent people in the entertainment industry, the event was indeed a great success. Though the Luna Awards are still on the brink of getting up on its feet, they are back on the stage for good. Sudden financial cutbacks caught them offguard in the past years, but slowly, they are on their way back to the top.

The program went on smoothly and was graciously hosted by Robert Arevalo and Boots Anson Roa . The night was also serenaded by Aileen Papin with hit songs Sana’y wala ng Wakas and Ikaw.

“The Luna Awards is not mere entertainment. Its main function is to promote and preserve the Filipino art and culture” cited Leo Martinez, Director General of FAP as he welcomed the guests that marked the beginning of the awards night.

The 29th Luna Awards was filled with laughter, great talents and fond memories as special awards were presented to the following:

Congresswoman Imelda Romuladez-Marcos - Golden Reel Award
Armida P. E. Siguion-Reyna - Fernando Poe Jr. Lifetime Achievement Award
Chiquito - Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award
Paquito Diaz – Lamberto Avellana Memorial Award

Mayor Herbert M. Bautista – Plaque of Appreciation
Mayor Jejomar Erwin S. Binay – Plaque of Appreciation
Senator Kiko N. Pangilinan – Plaque of Appreciation

FAP Luna Awards also recognized outstanding achievements by awarding the following:

Best Picture – Emir
Best Director – Chito S. Rono (Emir)

Best Actor – Dolphy (Father Jejemon)
Best Actress – Lorna Tolentino (Sa ‘Yo Lamang)
Best Supporting Actor – Yul Servo (Rosario)
Best Supporting Actress – Anne Curtis (In Your Eyes)

Best Screenplay – Elmer Gatchalian (Rosario)
Best Cinematography – Neil Daza and Lee Meily (Emir) and Carlo Mendoza (Rosario)
Best Production Design – Joey Luna (Rosario)

Best Editing – Jerrold Tarog (Emir)
Best Musical Score – Albert Chang (Rosario)
Best Sound – Connie Valdriz, Sandy Aguinaldo, Lynnel De Mesa and Ronald de Asis (RPG Metanoia)


About the Film Academy of the Philippines

Established in 1981 as mandated by Executive Order No. 640-A, the Academy has been able to forge an alliance among the various guilds of the movie industry. Serving as the umbrella organization, the Film Academy oversees the welfare of the guilds thru an assortment of subsidies, projects and opportunities that would bring about the upgrading of the knowledge and expertise of the guild members.

The principal function of the Academy is to give awards in recognition of the artistic and technical excellence of the performances and to accentuate the value of quality works of the people behind the outstanding films shown during the year. The Annual Luna Awards is intended to provide the necessary motivation in enhancing the craftsmanship of movie industry workers that will eventually uplift the quality of local films.

The Academy also assists in the staging and managing of the annual Metro Manila Film Festival from which proceeds the Film Academy gets a share. Delegates to foreign film festivals are primarily sent thru the intercession of the Academy. The Academy also spearheads the collaboration of the movie industry with government agencies in order to gain opportunities for the guilds and its members.

The policy-making body of the Film Academy is the Board of Governors which is composed of guild presidents and heads of affiliate organizations. The Director-General is the head of operations who is assisted by his Deputies and the Executive Secretary.