Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit
Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit is a 1989 drama film directed by Elwood Perez and produced by Lily Monteverde. The film stars Nora Aunor and Tirso Cruz III and it chronicles the turbulent life-long relationship between Noli (Aunor), a poor and hard-working barrio lass, and Anselmo (Cruz), her childhood sweetheart.[1]
| Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit | |
|---|---|
 Official theatrical poster | |
| Directed by | Elwood Perez |
| Produced by | Lily Monteverde |
| Screenplay by |
|
| Story by | Jake Cocadiz |
| Starring | |
| Music by | Lutgardo Labad |
| Cinematography | Ricardo Jacinto |
| Edited by | George Jarlego |
Production company | |
| Distributed by | Regal Home Video |
Release date |
|
Running time | 125 minutes |
| Country | Philippines |
| Language | Filipino |
Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit won both the FAMAS Award for Best Picture and the FAP Award for Best Picture. Nora won Best Actress for this film in Urian, FAMAS, and FAP while Tirso won Best Actor in PMPC Star, FAMAS, and FAP.
Plot
Noli (Nora Aunor), is an intelligent girl but a poor farmer's daughter. She dreams of going to college to become a doctor. To realize her dreams, her father, Damian, mortgages his farm to a rich land owner, Dona Martina (Gloria Romero). But the old woman and his son, Anselmo (Tirso Cruz III), look down on Noli's family and sneer at her ambitions. Perseverance pays off and Noli is able to finish college and claims back their property from Dona Martina. Noli and Anselmo fall in love with each other. But Dona Martina resents the relationship. Noli gets pregnant, does not tell Anselmo and instead marries Arturo despite the objections of his sister, Margarita. Then Arturo commits suicide when he finds out that the child is not his. Years pass and Noli's daughter, Maggie, grows up to be a beautiful but rebellious young lady with her a mother's looks but with exact opposite character. She falls in love with Jun, who turns out to be Anselmo's son. Things soon become complicated.[2]
Cast
- Nora Aunor as Doña Magnolia "Noli" Dela Cruz vda. de Zulueta and Maggie Zulueta
- Tirso Cruz III as Dr. Anselmo Santos and Anselmo Santos Jr.
- Gloria Romero as Doña Martina Santos
- Miguel Rodriguez as Señor Arturo Zulueta
- Ana Margarita Gonzales as Margot Zulueta
- Perla Bautista as Cedes Santos
- Vangie Labalan as Matilde
- Beverly Salviejo as Connie
- Rolando Tinio as the principal
- Manjo del Mundo as Noli's Brother
Production
The production of Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit lasted nearly three years, with Regal Films announcing its completion on August 12, 1989.[3]
Release
Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit was released in the Philippines on August 17, 1989.
Critical response
- This is the quintessential Tagalog movie and a loving tribute to the "Golden Age of Philippine Cinema." - Mario A. Hernando, Malaya Newspaper, 1989
- Aunor is a prime mover here. It’s a relief to see her come out of semi-retirement in fine form, still eons away from the calculated angst of Sharon Cuneta. Aunor as a heroine is in a class by herself. No one, not even Vilma Santos, can quite strike the chord this Superstar, with her chocolate skin and sad eyes, does in the Filipino audience—for all her years in the movies and on TV, she has retained an admirably disciplined lack of guile as an actress. Her character—the brown-skinned peasant triumphing over the mestizo aristocrat—is laden with cliches, some of which Aunor has lived in real life. But Aunor was never one for predictability. Just when you expect her to resort to hysterical drivel, you gaze into her eyes, the eyes of an old woman, and feel a chill run down your spine. - Melissa G. Contreras, “Guy and Pip Grow Up,” Chronicle Weekend Guide, August 19, 1989
Awards and recognition
| Year | Group | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1990[4] | FAMAS Aawards | Best Picture | Won | |
| Best Director | Elwood Perez | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Won | ||
| Best Supporting Actress | Gloria Romero | Nominated | ||
| Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won | |
| Best Music | Lutgardo Labad | Won | ||
| Best Production Design |
|
Won | ||
| Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Nominated | ||
| Best Director | Elwood Perez | Nominated | ||
| Best Picture | Nominated | |||
| Best in Cinematography | Ricardo Jacinto | Nominated | ||
| Best Editing | George Jarlego | Nominated | ||
| Best Screenplay | Jake Cocadiz | Nominated | ||
| Best Sound | Joe Climaco | Nominated | ||
| Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Picture | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won | ||
| Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Won | ||
| Best Director | Elwood Perez | Won | ||
| Best Original Screenplay |
|
Won | ||
| Best Production Design |
|
Won | ||
| Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Won | |
| Production Designer of the Year | Ray Maliuanag | Won | ||
| Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Nominated | ||
| Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Nominated |
TV adaptation
In 2020, GMA Network remade the film into a TV series. It stars Nora Aunor who is also part of the original film as Cedes, Mylene Dizon as Magnolia "Nolie" and Kyline Alcantara as Margarita "Maggie".[5]
References
- "Nora Aunor Filmography". Archived from the original on 16 May 2013.
- "BILANGIN ANG BITUIN SA LANGIT... The Quintessential Tagalog Movie". Retrieved 24 January 2013.
- Libo-on, Eddie (12 August 1989). "Guy bounces back". Manila Standard. Standard Publishing, Inc. p. 24. Retrieved 9 January 2019.
- "Bilangin ang bituin sa langit (1989): Awards". IMDb. Retrieved February 15, 2020.
- "Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit: Star-studded adaptation | Teaser". GMA Network. January 6, 2020. Retrieved January 5, 2021.