It was Cruz’s performances on Star Cinema’s A Second Chance and the indie film Honor Thy Father that earned him two nominations in the aforementioned category.
“Kaya rin nasama ang A Second Chance kasi hindi siya usual love triangle eh. It talks about the problem ng mag-asawa na nawalan ng hanap buhay. Iba rin ang acting that was called for from John Lloyd there. It’s not the usual John Lloyd,” said Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino president Dr. Grace Alfonso during a recent press conference for the highly acclaimed award-giving body.
According to Alfonso, double nominations are not rare in Gawad Urian. In fact, she cited Angel Aquino back in 2014.
The seasoned actress was nominated under the Best Supporting Actress category for the films Porno and Ang Huling Chacha ni Anita, which had her bagging the award for the latter.
Cruz is set to compete with Jericho Rosales for Walang Forever, John Arcilla for Heneral Luna, Ricky Davao for Dayang Asu, Dennis Trillo for Felix Manalo, Sid Lucero for Apocalypse Child, Jun Jun Quintana for Water Lemon, Luis Alandy for Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan, Anthony Falcon for Anino Sa Likod ng Buwan, Francisco Guinto for Ari: My Life With A King and Lou Veloso for Da Dog Show.
The box office hits Heneral Luna and Honor Thy Father each earned nine nominations for various categories.
The Best Actress category have nominees namely Nora Aunor for Taklub, Jennylyn Mercado for Walang Forever, LJ Reyes for Anino sa Likod ng Buwan, Angeli Bayani for Iisa, Mercedes Cabral for Da Dog Show, Alessandra de Rossi for Bambanti, and Anika Dlonius for Apocalypse Child.
The awards night will be held on June 21 at the Kia Theater and will be aired live on Cinema One.(M.M. Belmonte, push.com)