37th Gawad Urian awards nominees announced

MANILA, Philippines- The nominees for the 37th Gawad Urian Awards have been announced.

Three members of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino were present during the announcement namely its President Grace Javier Alfonso, National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera, and Mario Hernando.

Most nominees are independent films or starred in one.

Lumbara denied that the organization was focused on independent films and explained that “sa pagsusuri sa mga pelikula na pipiliin, higit na nagugustuhan ng mga kasapi ng manunuri ang mga indie films na pinapalabas.”

Alfonso echoed the sentiment, adding that that they watch every film. She also said that indie films being included in the nominations means that “nag-e-expand na rin ‘yong space para sa independent film makers. Ang mga tao ngayon ay nagugustuhan na rin ang mga indie films, nagkakaro’n na rin ng audience.

“At natutuwa rin ang mga manunuri na napapansin ang mga pelikula na mayro’ng gustong sabihin, na medyo talks about the complex life idea. So hindi  siya formula, hindi siya predictable, at naipapadala ang gusto nilang mensahe.”

Hernando further explained that “ang manunuri kasi kinikilingan ang mga pelikulang kakaiba, orihinal at medyo experimental.

“‘Yong tinatawag nating mainstream movies, marami rin magaganda sa kanila, pero mas formula ito, mas predictable, mas kumbaga ginagawa ng maraming film makers. Hindi tulad sa indie, sila ay nagsisimula ng isang landas para tahakin ng ibang film makers.”

The Vilma-Nora rivalry

Another thing that was noted by the press is Nora Aunor up against Vilma Santos again for the best actress award.

But Hernando assured the public that the other nominees have a chance of taking home the "Best Actress" plum.

“But that doesn’t rule out naman the possibility that other actresses could turn out a more fantastic, complicated performance. Kaya everyone here has equal chances.”

But what worries him are the  reaction of fans of Nora and Vilma who seem to take personally the rivalry of the two actresses.

That’s why he asks their fans to “respetuhin na lang nila ang bawat isa, ‘wag na silang mag-awayan. Kasi parehong magaling ‘yong idolo nila, na idolo rin naman nating lahat.”

Meanwhile, here is the full list of nominees for the 37th Gawad Urian awards:

Best Picture:
Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan
OTJ
Transit
Ekstra
Riddles of my Homecoming
Badil
Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti
Porno
Dukit

Best Actor:
Mark Gil (A Philipino Story)
Joel Torre (OTJ)
Mimi Juarenza (Quick Change)
Sid Lucero (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)
Ping Medina (Transit)
Jhong Hilario (Badil)
Alex Medina (Babagwa)

Best Actress:
Nora Aunor (Mabuti)
Vilma Santos (Ekstra)
Angeli Bayani (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)
Cherie Gil (Sonata)
Eugene Domingo (Instant Mommy)
Rustica Carpio (Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap?)
Agot Isidro (Mga Anino ng Kahapon)
Vivian Velez (Bendor)
Lorna Tolentino (Burgos)

Best Supporting Actor:
Junjun Quintana (A Philippino Story)
Art Acuna (Kabisera)
John Arcilla (Metro Manila)
Joey Marquez (OTJ)
Yul Servo (Porno)
Carlo Aquino (Porno)
Victor Basa (Lauriana)
Cesar Montano (Alamat ni China Doll)
Archie Alemania (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)
Bor Ocampo (Dukit)

Best Supporting Actress:
Angel Aquino (Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita)
Angel Aquino (Porno)
Mitch Smith (Angustia)
Ruby Ruiz (Ekstra)
Jasmine Curtis-Smith (Transit)
Raquel Villavicencio (Dukit)

Best Direction:
Erik Matti (OTJ)
Lav Diaz (Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan)
Jeffrey Jeturian (Ekstra)
Peque Gallaga and Lorie Reyes (Sonata)
Arnel Mardoquio (Riddles of My Homecoming)
Hannah Espia (Transit)
Alvin Yapan (Mga Anino ng Kahapon)
Whammy Alcazaren (Islands)
Chito Rono (Badil)
Mes de Guzman (Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti)
Adolf Alix Jr. (Porno)
Bing Lao (Dukit)

Best Screenplay:
Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan
OTJ
Badil
Transit
Babagwa
Porno
Death March
Bing Lao  (Dukit)

Best Production Design:
Sonata
Riddles of my Homecoming
OTJ
Ekstra
Porno
Shift
Dukit

Best Music:
Lauriana
Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan
Riddles of My Homecoming
Sonata
Dukit

Best Cinematography:
Riddles of My Homecoming
Transit
OTJ
Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan
Porno
Islands
Dukit

Best Editing:
OTJ
Riddles of My Homecoming
Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan
Porno
Transit
Dukit

Best Sound:
OTJ
Ekstra
Transit
Norte Hangganan ng Kasaysayan
Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti
Death March
Dukit

Aside from awarding the winners for each categories, they will also give the Natatanging Gawad Urian Award to film director Mike de Leon.

The 37th Gawad Urian awards will be hosted by Piolo Pascual, Bianca Gonzalez, and Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino member Butch Francisco, and will air on June 17, 10P.M. at Cinema One channel.