Atsay (1978)

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1978 Metro Manila Filmfest Entries

Battle of Superstars article from Expressweek - Pelikula, ATBP blog

Atsay Movie Reviews from The Urian Anthology Atsay by Mario Bautista, The Philippines Daily Express, 1978 Atsay and Rubia Servios by Isagani Cruz TV Times, 1979 Atsay Review from Sari-saring Sineng Pinoy

Notes on Atsay Nora's entry to the 1978 Metro Manila Filmfest directed by Eddie Garcia. That year, the film fest decided to give just one award for performances, no best actor or actress or supporting actor or actress award but the Best Performer Award. Vilma Santos, having won the Best Actress award at the 1977 filmfest for Burlesk Queen, was a favorite to win that year's award. After all, she was playing a rape victim in Rubia Servios, a Lino Brocka movie. Nora Aunor was awarded the Best Performer award for her performance in Atsay. It was said that Vilma and her entourage walked out of the awards ceremony when Nora's name was announced as the winner. Nora said at her acceptance speech "Mali ang hula nila" By the way, Amy Austria who played a supporting role in Atsay, was also a nominee for the Best Performer award. Two years later, her performance in Brutal will beat Nora's Bona in the same festival.

In a recent article that came out regarding the 2002 Metro Manila Filmfest controversy, the incident between Atsay and Rubia Servios was again discussed. According to the article, a few days before the 1979 Metro Manila Filmfest Awards Night, Vilma Santos was a guest at Inday Badiday's TV show. Among the guests that day were several psychics. Ate Luds asked them to predict who will win the acting award and everyone said Ms Vilma Santos. Don't know whether the psychics were being polite since Vilma was present or they just don't know how to read their 'crystal ball'.  This is why when Nora was announced the winner, she remarked "Mali ang hula nila".