Nora, Eddie Garcia nominated in Asian Film Awards

 MANILA, Philippines -- Philippine film veterans Nora Aunor and Eddie Garcia are nominated for top honors in this year's 7th Asian Film Awards.

Dubbed the country's "Superstar," Aunor is nominated as Best Actress for her portrayal as a Badjao midwife in the internationally acclaimed film "Thy Womb" by Brillante Mendoza.

Aunor will be competing in the category with actresses Cho Min-soo for her role in "Pieta" (South Korea); Golshifteh Farahani, "The Patience Stone" (Afghanistan); Gwei Lun-mei, "GF*BF" (Taiwan); and Hao Lei, "Mystery" (China).

Composite picture of Eddie Garcia and Nora Aunor

The Filipina actress, whose career spans five decades, was recently honored with the same award at the local Metro Manila Film Festival, also for her role in the same film.

Last year, Aunor and Mendoza were also recognized for their work in "Thy Womb" in various international film festivals, including those held in Toronto, Venice and Dubai.

Garcia, meanwhile, is nominated in the 2013 Asian Film Awards as Best Actor for his portrayal of an elderly gay man in the independent film "Bwakaw" by Jun Robles Lana.

The veteran actor will compete in the category with actors Joseph Chang, for his role in "GF*BF*" (Taiwan); Choi Min-sik, "Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time" (South Korea); Tony Leung Ka Fai, "Cold War" (Hong Kong); and Liu Ye, "The Last Supper" (China).

Last year, "Bwakaw" was pushed by film critics and fans alike to compete in the Best Foreign Feature Film category of the 85th Academy Awards (Oscar).

The Oscar bid was preceded by numerous recognitions for the film and Garcia, including his Best Actor win at the 2012 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and the film's screening at last year's Toronto International Film Festival.

At the 6th Asian Film Awards last year, actress-comedienne Eugene Domingo won the People's Choice award for her performance in the Marlon Rivera film "Ang Babae sa Septic Tank". Filipina actress Shamaine Buencamino, meanwhile, took home the Best Supporting Actress award for her role in "Niño".

Presented by the Hong Kong International Film Festival Society, the 7th Asian Film Awards will announce the winners in Hong Kong on March 18.