Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit

For the 2020 TV series of the same title, see Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit (TV series).

Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit (English: Count the Stars in the Sky) is a 1989 Philippine drama film directed by Elwood Perez from a story and screenplay written by Jake Cocadiz, with Jigs Recto as the co-writer of the latter. 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
Screenplay by	Jake Cocadiz Jigs Recto
Story by	Jake Cocadiz
Produced by	Lily Monteverde
Starring	Nora Aunor Tirso Cruz III
Cinematography	Ricardo Jacinto
Edited by	George Jarlego
Music by	Lutgardo Labad
Production company	Regal Films
Distributed by	Regal Films
Release date	August 17, 1989 (1989-08-17)
Running time	127 minutes
Country	Philippines
Language	Filipino

Produced and distributed by Regal Films, under the helm of founder-producer Lily Monteverde, 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

Main article: Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit (TV series)

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]