The University of the Philippines Diliman College of Mass Communication will be awarding this year’s Gawad Plaridel on October 11 at 2 p.m. at the UP Film Institute’s Cine Adarna to actor, satirist, and advertising creative Manuel Urbano Jr., popularly known on television, film, and the Internet as “Mr. Shooli.”
Urbano Jr. will be feted for both his unforgettable social commentary in numerous performances across time and media as a peculiar Mongolian figure pondering on Philippine realities, as well as for his remarkable contributions to multimedia commercial advertisements which are distinguished for their humane values and Pinoy humor.
At 84, he continues his work via social media and even participates in anti-disinformation campaigns through his own YouTube channel.
HIGHEST AWARD
The Gawad Plaridel is the university’s highest award for outstanding practitioners known for their integrity and excellence in the different fields of media (print, radio, television, cinema, and new media).
Named after the great propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar, whose nom de plume is “Plaridel,” the award comes with a trophy sculpture depicting the editor of La Solidaridad, a sculpture by National Artist Napoleon V. Abueva.
Since the establishment of the award in 2004, the Gawad Plaridel laureate has customarily delivered a lecture on important issues pertaining to his/her/their field or craft.
PAST AWARDEES
Past recipients of the Gawad Plaridel include Eugenia Apostol (2004), Vilma Santos-Recto (2005), Fidela Magpayo (2006), Cheche Lazaro (2007), Pacheco Seares (2008), Kidlat Tahimik (2009), Eloisa Cruz Canlas (2011), Rosa Rosal (2012), Jose F. Lacaba (2013), Nora Aunor (2014), Ricky Lee (2015), Francisca Custodio (2016), Tina Monzon-Palma (2017), Jessica Soho (2018), and Bonifacio Ilagan (2019).
For more information, contact the Gawad Plaridel Secretariat at gawadplaridel@up.edu.ph.
Image credits: Photos sourced from Facebook Page of Mr. Jun Urbano
