# Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit

Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit is a 1989 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.
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.

## Release

Bilangin ang Bituin sa Langit was released in the Philippines on August 17, 1989.

## 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 | FAMAS Awards | Best Picture | | Won |
| 1990 | FAMAS Awards | Best Director | Elwood Perez | Won |
| 1990 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1990 | FAMAS Awards | Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Won |
| 1990 | FAMAS Awards | Best Supporting Actress | Gloria Romero | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Music | Lutgardo Labad | Won |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Production Design | Raymond Bajarias Ray Maliuanag Gerry Pascual Freddie Valencia | Won |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Director | Elwood Perez | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Picture | | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best in Cinematography | Ricardo Jacinto | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Editing | George Jarlego | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Screenplay | Jake Cocadiz | Nominated |
| 1990 | Gawad Urian Awards (Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino) | Best Sound | Joe Climaco | Nominated |
| 1990 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Picture | | Won |
| 1990 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Won |
| 1990 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Won |
| 1990 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Director | Elwood Perez | Won |
| 1990 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Original Screenplay | Jake CocadizJigs Recto | Won |
| 1990 | Film Academy of the Philippines Awards | Best Production Design | Raymond Bajarias Ray Maliuanag Gerry Pascual Freddie Valencia | Won |
| 1990 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Actor | Tirso Cruz III | Won |
| 1990 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Production Designer of the Year | Ray Maliuanag | Won |
| 1990 | Star Awards for Movies (Philippine Movie Press Club) | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Nominated |
| 1990 | Catholic Mass Media Awards | Best Actress | Nora Aunor | Nominated |

## TV adaptation

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".