Actor, satirist, and advertising creative Manuel Urbano Jr., best recognized by audiences as “Mr. Shooli,” will receive this year’s Gawad Plaridel on Wednesday, October 11 at the University of the Philippines (UP) Film Institute Cine Adarna.
“Urbano 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 his remarkable contributions to multimedia commercial advertising which are distinguished for their humane values and Pinoy humor,” the organizers said in a statement.
Now at the age of 84, Urbano remains active, harnessing the power of social media platforms. His endeavors include spearheading anti-disinformation campaigns on his personal YouTube channel, where he continues to engage and educate his audience.
The Gawad Plaridel is UP’s highest award for outstanding practitioners, paying tribute to exemplary media practitioners who embody both integrity and excellence across varied fields.
The award is named in honor of propagandist Marcelo H. del Pilar, also known by his pseudonym “Plaridel.”
In keeping with tradition since Gawad Plaridel’s inception in 2004, recipients deliver a lecture on important issues pertaining to their field or craft.
Past recipients include Eugenia Apostol (2004), Vilma Santos-Recto (2005), Fidela Magpayo (2006), Cheche Lazaro (2007), Pachico Seares (2008), Kidlat Tahimik (2009), Eloisa Cruz Canlas (2011), Rosa Rosal (2012), Jose Lacaba (2013), Nora Aunor (2014), Ricky Lee (2015), Francisca Custodio (2016), Tina Monzon-Palma (2017), Jessica Soho (2018), and Bonifacio Ilagan (2019).