Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit

1989 Nora-Tirso tandem drama film by Elwood Perez

Jake Cocadiz
Jigs Recto

Story byJake CocadizProduced byLily MonteverdeStarring

Nora Aunor
Tirso Cruz III

CinematographyRicardo JacintoEdited byGeorge JarlegoMusic byLutgardo Labad

Production
company

Regal Films

Distributed byRegal Home Video

Release date

August 17, 1989 (1989-08-17)

Running time

127 minutesCountryPhilippinesLanguageFilipino

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 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.

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 Dela Cruz
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.^[2]

Release

Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit was released in the Philippines on August 17, 1989.^{[citation needed]}

Critical response

Mario A. Hernando of Malaya Newspaper said that the film was "the quintessential" and "a loving tribute to the 'Golden Age of Philippine Cinema'" while Melissa G. Contreras of Manila Chronicle said that Aunor is a "prime mover in the movie" due to the emotions she showed in her character.

Awards and recognition

Year	Group	Category	Nominee	Result
1990^[3]	FAMAS Awards	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	Raymond Bajarias Ray Maliuanag Gerry Pascual Freddie Valencia	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	Jake Cocadiz Jigs Recto	Won
		Best Production Design	Raymond Bajarias Ray Maliuanag Gerry Pascual Freddie Valencia	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".^[4]

References

^ "Nora Aunor Filmography". Archived from the original on May 16, 2013.
^ Libo-on, Eddie (August 12, 1989). "Guy bounces back". Manila Standard. Standard Publishing, Inc. p. 24. Retrieved January 9, 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.