‘Triangle of Sadness’ nominated for Oscars Best Picture, but Dolly de Leon snubbed

By Kristofer Purnell Philstar.com

FILIPINA actress Dolly de Leon was snubbed in the recently announced nominations for the 2023 Academy Awards, which would have been a historic nod for a Filipino actor.

Despite being well-received by critics and audiences for her portrayal in the 2022 Palme d’Or winner “Triangle of Sadness” by Swedish director Ruben Östlund, De Leon was not nominated in the Best Supporting Actress category.

Nominated instead by members of the Academy Motion Picture Arts and Sciences were Angela Bassett for “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever,” Hong Chau for “The Whale,” Kerry Condon for “The Banshees of Inisherin,” and “Everything Everywhere All At Once” co-stars Jaime Lee Curtis and Stephanie Hsu.

Notably snubbed from the category like De Leon were Janelle Monáe from “Glass

Onion: A Knives Out Mystery,” Carey Mulligan from “She Said,” and “Women Talking” co-stars Jessie Buckley and Claire Foy. De Leon was also previously snubbed at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Award nominations, often regarded as a major precursor for the Academy Awards with the Outstanding Cast winner often going on to win the Oscar for Best Picture and winning actors replicating their honors.

De Leon, Bassett, Curtis, Condon and Mulligan were nominated at the 2023 Golden Globes, with Bassett coming out victorious for her second Golden Globe.

The same five actresses, along with Chau, are vying for the same category at the British Academy Film Awards, where De Leon’s successful nomination was a first for a Filipina actress.

“Triangle of Sadness” however is one of the 10 films vying for Best Picture, with Östlund also receiving nominations for Best Director and Best Original Screenplay.

It was ineligible for the Best International Feature Film category as Sweden opted to submit “Boy From Heaven,” which also premiered at Cannes, though it wasn’t nominated but did make the shortlist.

Artists with Filipino heritage that have been nominated at the Oscars include actress Hailee Steinfeld, cinematographer Matthew Libatique, makeup artist Frederic Aspiras, visual effects pioneer Ariel VelascoShaw, and filmmakers Ronnie del Carmen, Pia Clemente, Trevor Jimenez and Bobby Pontillas.

Winners include singersongwriter H.E.R. and songwriter Robert Lopez in the Best Original Song category (Lopez has won twice), while production designer Paul Denham Austerberry won in 2018 for “The Shape of Water.”n

Eligible San Diegans urged to join the 540,000 already protected with bivalent COVID-19 booster

MORE than 540,000 San Diegans have protected themselves, their family and friends by getting a bivalent COVID-19 booster since it became available in September 2022. County health officials are urging more to do the same as we start the new year.

The COVID-19 virus is still widespread in our neighborhoods and county. County public health officials are specifically urging people 65 years of age and older – the group most at risk from serious complications, including death, of COVID-19 – to get a bivalent booster.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and California Department of Public Health a recommend bivalent booster for everyone six months of age and older. Numerous studies have reported that the bivalent booster is more effective in protecting people from serious complications from COVID-19, including the newest Omicron variants that now make up four of every 10 cases in the U.S.

“It’s very important that San Diegans not let their guards down and continue to protect themselves by getting vaccinated if they haven’t been already,” said County Public Health Officer Wilma J. Wooten, M.D., M.P.H.

“The virus is still circulating in the region.

We’re still seeing high percentages of positive COVID-19 tests and detecting high levels of the virus in wastewater. Vaccinations, including bivalent boosters, can help protect you from getting seriously ill or even dying.”

The County Health and Human Services Agency reports 519,371 San Diegans chose u PAGE 10

Drag Race PH winner

Precious Paula Nicole to perform at drag convention in Los Angeles

By HannaH Mallorca Inquirer.net

PRECIOUS Paula Nicole, winner of “Drag Race Philippines” season one, was tapped as one of the performers at “RuPaul’s DragCon” which will be held in Los Angeles, California, in the United States on May 12 and 13.

Precious will perform with fellow “Drag Race” franchise winners Jaida Essence Hall (RuPaul’s Drag Race season 12), Kylie Sonique Love (All Stars 6), Danny Beard (Drag Race UK season four), and Spankie Jackzon (Drag Race Down Under season 2) at the event, according to a statement from U.S.-based World of Wonder (WOW) Productions on its official website.

“Get ready to meet all the winners, baby! Danny Beard, Spankie Jackzon, Precious Paula Nicole, Jaida Essence Hall, and

Kylie Sonique Love are all joining the festivities,” WOW was quoted as saying.

The Filipino drag performer represented the Philippines at the “RuPaul’s DragCon” event in London, United Kingdom earlier this month. During the event, she was spotted with “Drag Race” stars Jinkx Monsoon, Trinity the Tuck, and Blu Hydrangea, among others.

Precious also stunned fans with her “Lakambini”-inspired costume at the event.

Precious was crowned the winner of “Drag Race Philippines” season one after lip-syncing to Gloc-9’s hit song Sirena” against first runnerup Marina Summers in October 2022.

The Philippine franchise of the hit reality show opened a casting call for its upcoming second season, which ran until December 2022. n