Young Critics Circle Releases 2011 Citations

Haruo, Adolfo Alix Jr.’s tale about a Yakuza member seeking to lead a new life in Manila, got the nod of the Young Critics Circle as the best film of 2011. Rodolfo Vera bagged the best screenplay award forNiño, a story about a once-elite family coping with inevitable decline. Other winners include Diana Zubiri for best performance in Bahay Bata, Señorita for best editing, Teoriya for best cinematography and visual design, and Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paafor best in sound and aural orchestration.

The Film Desk of the Young Critics’ Circle will hold the 22nd Annual Circle Citations for distinguished achievements in film on April 19, 2012 at the University of the Philippines Jorge B. Vargas Museum in Diliman, Quezon City.

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for this year’s YCC Annual Circle Citations:

The Film Desk of the Young Critics’ Circle

22nd Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2011

Best Film of the Year:

Winner: Haruo directed by Adolfo Alix, Jr. (Forward Entertainment and Annex Inc.; Yoshiyuki Ohira, producer)

Nominees:

Bahay Bata directed by Eduardo Roy, Jr. (Cinemalaya Productions; Almond Derla, Demy Derla, Marlo Derla, executive producers; Ferdinand Lapuz, producer)

Señorita directed by Vincent Sandoval (Autodidact Pictures; Vincent Sandoval, Darlene Malimas, producers; Jose Marie Gochangco, executive producer; Abdallah Tabbara & Jonathan Lee, associate producers)

Best Screenplay:

Winner: Niño (Rodolfo Vera)

Nominees:

Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (Alvin Yapan)

Bisperas (Paul Sta. Ana)

Haruo (Jerome Zamora)

Señorita (Vincent Sandoval and Roy Sevilla Ho)

Teoriya (Zurich Chan)

Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Winner: Diana Zubiri in Bahay Bata

Nominees:

Arthur Acuña in Niño

Fides Cuyugan Asensio in Niño

Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino in Niño

The entire cast of Bisperas

Vincent Sandoval in Señorita

Alfred Vargas in Teoriya

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design

Winner: Teoriya (Dexter Dela Pena, cinematographer; Paul Marquez, production designer)

Nominees:

Bahay Bata (Ogi Sugatan, cinematographer; Harry Alcasid, production designer; Armand Samonte, art director; Tessa Aquino, costume)

Bisperas (Roberto Yniquez, director of photography; Rodrigo Ricio, production designer; Tessa Aquino, costume)

Haruo (Albert Banzon, director of photography; Roland Rubenecia, production designer)

Señorita (Ruel Dahis Antipuesto, director of photography; Armi Rae Cacanindin, production designer)

Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration

Winner: Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (Arnold Reodica, sound designer and engineer; Christine Muyco and Jema Pamintuan, musical scorers)

Nominees:

Bahay Bata (Albert Michael Idioma, sound designer and engineer; Toni Muñoz, musical scorer)

Niño (Albert Michael Idioma, sound designer; Jerrold Tarog, musical scorer)

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Winner: Señorita (Cherliebebs Gohetia)

Nominee:

Haruo (Aleks Castañeda)

YCC drew its selection from both regular and non-regular releases comprising the entirety of Philippine cinema output in 2011. Films considered for discussion were those that had three or more screenings before a paying or non-paying audience in any public venue. Thirty-five films were initially long-listed by the group, which was later narrowed down to a shortlist of eight. Only short-listed films earn the privilege to be nominated for any of the six categories. YCC does not confer nominations on artistic or technical merit if the film does not qualify in the short list.

The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not sound engineering alone but musical score as well.

Established in 1990, YCC is composed of members of academe who, through the years, have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema. Coming from various disciplines, they bring an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of film. Current members are from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University.

Members of the YCC include Eloisa May P. Hernandez (chair), Tessa Maria T. Guazon (vice chair), Patrick D. Flores, Eulalio R. Guieb III, Jayson Jacobo, Skilty Labastilla, JPaul Manzanilla, Jema Pamintuan, Choy Pangilinan and Jaime Oscar Salazar; on leave: Flaudette May V. Datuin, Noel D. Ferrer, Nonoy L. Lauzon, Eileen C. Legaspi-Ramirez, Gerard R. A. Lico, Jerry C. Respeto, Neil Martial R. Santillan and Galileo S. Zafra.

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Raymond Red’s Himpapawid Tops YCC Honors For Distinguished Achievement in Film in 2010

Raymond Red’s Himpapawid swept five of six categories of the annual awards of the Film Desk of the Young Critics’ Circle for film year 2010. The tragic drama of a deranged hijacker pushed to his limits by modernity’s dehumanizing and oppressive social relations was voted Best Film of the Year and conferred recognition for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Visual Design, Best Film Editing and Best Performance for Raul Arellano. It won over two other nominees for the best film category: Remton Siega Zuasola’s Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria and Jerrold Tarog’s Punerarya (an episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll 12).

Tarog’s Punerarya, which garnered nominations in all categories, scored in Best Sound and Aural Orchestration, and the film’s lead performer Carla Abellana tied with Arellano for Best Performance. Zuasola’s Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria got nominations in all categories, except in performance.

YCC cites Himpapawid for intelligently plunging into the ironies and complexities of interstitial spaces left open by the tensive relations between social injustice and individual redemption. The film’s trope of escape, flying, fleeing and migration frames the desperation and angst of characters negotiating the countryside’s abjection, the city’s inhumanity, and society’s decaying institutions. While all characters are eventually trapped in several labyrinths of debilitating alienation, the film succeeds in investigating the poignant circularity of humanity’s convoluted fall – which draws us into reframing the materiality of the human condition, in general, and the impoverishment of Filipinos, in particular, all in terms simultaneously dialectic, cyclical and spiral.

Only Himpapawid, Punerarya and Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria made it to YCC’s short list, which is composed of films that got the nod of majority of the members of the organization. Only short-listed films earn the privilege to be nominated for any of the six categories. YCC does not confer nominations on artistic or technical merit if the film does not qualify in the short list. This is one of the major departures of the YCC from all award-giving bodies in the country.

Established in 1990, YCC is composed of members of academe who, through the years, have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema. Coming from various disciplines, they bring an interdisciplinary approach to the analysis of film. Current members of the organization are from the University of the Philippines, Ateneo de Manila University and De La Salle University. The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not sound engineering alone but musical score as well.

Schedule for the awards presentations has yet to be arranged.

Here is the complete list of winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards:

The Film Desk of the Young Critics’ Circle

21st Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2010

Best Film of the Year:

Winner: Himpapawid directed by Raymond Red (Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media, Filmex Inc., and RSVideo Production; Raymond Red, David Hukom, Roger Garcia and Butch Jimenez, producers; Jimmy Duavit and Oli Laperal, associate producers)

Nominees:

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria directed by Remton Siega Zuasola (Cinema One Originals and Panumduman Pictures; Jiji Borlasa and Beverly Tañedo, producers; Ronald Arguelles, executive producer; Sherad Anthony Sanchez, supervising producer)

Punerarya (episode of Shake, Rattle & Roll 12) directed by Jerrold Tarog (Regal Entertainment; Lily Monteverde, executive producer; Roselle Monteverde-Teo, producer; Sarah Pagcaliwagan, associate producer; Manny Valera, supervising producer)

Best Screenplay:

Winner: Himpapawid (Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media, Filmex Inc., and RSVideo Production) – Raymond Red

Nominees:

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (Cinema One Originals and Panumduman Pictures) – Remton Siega Zuasola

Punerarya (Regal Entertainment) – Onay Sales and Aloy Adlawan


Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Winners:

Carla Abellana in Punerarya (Regal Entertainment); and
Raul Arellano in Himpapawid (Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media, Filmex Inc., and RSVideo Production)

No other nominees in Best Performance


Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design

Winner: Himpapawid (Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media, Filmex Inc., and RSVideo Production) – Raymond Red, cinematographer; Danny Red, production designer; Cesar Hernando and Ronald Red, design consultants

Nominees:

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (Cinema One Originals and Panumduman Pictures) – Christian Linaban, cinematographer; Kaloy Uypuanco, production designer; Victor Villanueva, art director; Syrel Lopez, costume

Punerarya (Regal Entertainment) – Mackie Galvez, director of photography; Benjamin Padero, production designer


Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration

Winner: Punerarya (Regal Entertainment) – Lamberto Casas Jr., sound designer and engineer; Jerrold Tarog, musical scorer)

Nominees:

Himpapawid (Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media, Filmex Inc., and RSVideo Production) – Diwa de Leon, musical scorer

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (Cinema One Originals and Panumduman Pictures) – Vanya Fantonial, sound designer; Jerrold Tarog, musical scorer


Best Achievement in Film Editing

Winner: Himpapawid (Pelikula Red, Pacific Film Partners, Ignite Media, Filmex Inc., and RSVideo Production) – David Hukom, Jay Halili and Raymond Red

Nominees:

Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (Cinema One Originals and Panumduman Pictures)

Punerarya (Regal Entertainment) – Renewin Alano


Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle 2011: Eulalio R. Guieb III (chair), Flaudette May V. Datuin, Patrick D. Flores, Tessa Maria T. Guazon, Eloisa May P. Hernandez, Jayson Jacobo, Jema Pamintuan, Choy Pangilinan and Jaime Oscar Salazar; on leave: Noel D. Ferrer, Nonoy L. Lauzon, Eileen C. Legaspi-Ramirez, Gerard R. A. Lico, Jerry C. Respeto, Neil Martial R. Santillan and Galileo S. Zafra.

YCC drew its selection from both regular and non-regular releases comprising the entirety of Philippine cinema output in 2010. Films considered for discussion were those that had three or more screenings before a paying or non-paying audience in any public venue.

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YCC Bares All The Year's Best For 2009

YCC AWARDS
YCC bares all the year's best for 2009

The Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle formally announces the winners of the critics' group's annual awards for distinguished achievement in films of 2009. Three films all from debuting directors lead the recipients of top honors for various categories.

Ralston Jover's Bakal Boys (Children Metal Divers) won Best Film of the Year and Best Cinematography and Visual Design. Armando Lao's Biyaheng Lupa (Soliloquy) bagged Best Screenplay and Best Sound and Aural Orchestration. Pepe Diokno's Engkwentro (Clash) clinched Best Achievement in Film Editing. The sixth award - for Best Performance honor - went to Janice de Belen in a lead role for Last Viewing.

Established in 1990, YCC is the academe-based critics group. Its members are attentive observers of Philippine cinema who constantly bring into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not just sound engineering per se but musical score as well.

YCC drew its selection from both regular and non-regular releases comprising the entirety of Philippine cinema output in 2009. Some titles had to be dropped out of consideration if they failed to have a total of three or more screenings before a paying or non-paying audience in any one or more public venues within the given calendar year.

In thorough deliberations leading to final voting last 16 September 2010, “Bakal Boys” – the story of children who scavenge for scrap metal in the murky waters of Manila Bay to make a living – emerged as the clear frontrunner as it is the only selected film to figure in all six categories of this year’s YCC roster of honor.

The other three Best Picture nominees – “Last Viewing”, “Biyaheng Lupa” and “Engkwentro” – got less number of nominations but were rewarded just the same with their own respective awards.

This year’s Best Screenplay category proved to be strongest yielding the most number of nominees compared to the rest. Three of the Best Picture contenders were joined in the said category by two more titles, namely, Veronica Velasco’s “Last Supper No. 3” and Alvin Yapan’s “Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe”.

The same three Best Picture contenders also landed slots in the Best Performance category with eventual winner De Belen’s individual performance from “Last Viewing”pitted against another individual performance by a virtual non-actor – Meljun Ginto – from “Bakal Boys”, the ensemble performance by the entire cast from “Biyaheng Lupa” and lastly, that by the novel tandem of elderly stars – Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio – from Brillante Mendoza’s “Lola”.

YCC is set to issue critical essays for public dissemination expounding on the merit of its choices for this year’s conferment of honors officially billed as 20th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film. Among previous films in recent years to attain YCC’s topmost distinction are “Inang Yaya” (2006), “Foster Child” (2007) and “Adela” (2008).

A list of complete winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards presented by categories is as follows:

Young Critics Circle Film Desk Awards

20th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2009

Best Film of the Year

Winner: Bakal Boys directed by Ralston Jover (Apogee Productions; Albert Almendralejo and Bessie Badilla, Producers; Celso de Guzman, Line Producer)

Nominees:

Last Viewing directed by Roni Bertubin (Davis Entertainment; Liza Davis, Executive Producer; Ferdinand Lapuz, Antonio de Guzman Jr. and Olivia Madrigal, Producers; Roberto OJY Yap, Associate Producer)

Biyaheng Lupa directed by Armando Lao (Quantum Films; Joji Alonso, Josephine Bautista-Tence and Armando Lao, Executive Producers; Jocelyn D. Bracamonte and Ferdinand Lapuz, Producers)

Engkwentro directed by Pepe Diokno (Pepe Diokno, Producer; Joji Alonso, Associate Producer; Amor Olaguer, Line Producer)



Best Screenplay

Winner: Biyaheng Lupa (Quantum Films) – Armando Lao

Nominees:

Last Viewing (Davis Entertainment) – Romualdo Avellanosa

Ang Panggagahasa kay Fe (Rolyo Productions) – Alvin Yapan

Last Supper No. 3 (Beinte Singko Mil Productions) – Veronica Velasco and Jinky Laurel

Bakal Boys (Apogee Productions) – Ralston Jover and Henry Burgos



Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design

Winner: Bakal Boys (Apogee Productions) – Ruben de la Cruz and Carlo Mendoza, Directors of Photography; Deans Habal, Production Designer

Nominee:

Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno) – Emman Pascual, Director of Photography; Leeroy New, Production Designer



Best Achievement in Film Editing

Winner: Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno) – Ralph Crisostomo, Miko Araneta, Orlean Tan

Nominees:

Last Viewing (Davis Entertainment) – Lee Mi Soon

Bakal Boys (Apogee Productions) – Charliebebs Gohetia, Kats Serraon



Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration

Winner: Biyaheng Lupa (Quantum Films) – Ditoy Aguila and Nolet Clemente, Sound Engineers; Gian Gianan, Musical Director

Nominees:

Engkwentro (Pepe Diokno) – Mark Laccay, Sound Designer

Bakal Boys (Apogee Productions) – Mark Locsin, Sound Engineer; Teresa Barrozo, Musical Director



Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Winner: Janice de Belen in Last Viewing (Davis Entertainment)

Nominees:

Duo Performance by Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio in Lola (Centerstage Productions)

Ensemble Performance by the Entire Cast in Biyaheng Lupa (Quantum Films)

Meljun Ginto in Bakal Boys (Apogee Productions)


Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle: Prof. Jason P. Jacobo (President), Dr. Eloisa May P. Hernandez, Prof. Gerard R. A. Lico, Dr. Patrick D. Flores, Nonoy L. Lauzon, Dr. Flaudette May V. Datuin, Romulo Baquiran Jr., Noel D. Ferrer, Dr. Galileo S. Zafra (on leave), Dr. Eli R. Guieb, Dr. Jerry C. Respeto (on leave), Prof. Neil Martial R. Santillan (on leave), Eileen C. Legaspi-Ramirez.

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YCC Bares Winners of Annual Film Awards for Distinguished Achievement in 2008

YCC bares winners of annual film awards for distinguished achievement in 2008

The Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle formally bares its choices for distinguished achievement in films of the past year. Adolfo Alix Jr.’s “Adela” made a clean sweep of all the honors for all the categories of the annual awards.

The gritty dumpsite drama of a grandma awaiting a visit from immediate family members on her 80th birthday was voted Best Film of the Year and conferred recognition for Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography and Visual Design, Best Film Editing, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration and Best Performance for veteran actress Anita Linda in the title role.

Established in 1990, YCC is the academe-based critics group with members coming from various disciplines. Through the years, they have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema constantly bringing into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.

The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not just sound engineering per se but musical score as well.

“Adela’s” clean sweep of YCC awards is the third time for a film to achieve such honor after “Masahista” (2005) and “Inang Yaya” (2006). It won over the only other nominee—Brillante Mendoza’s “Serbis”—in the topmost category. Joining “Serbis” is “Yanggaw” in the roster of nominations for all the three technical categories while nods for Best Screenplay also counted “Imoral”—another Alix megger written by Gerry Gracio—aside from “Serbis” as scripted by Armando Lao. Anita bested nominees in the singular acting category that shows her to be the only female. Said nominees are Paolo Paraiso in “Imoral,” Ronnie Lazaro in “Yanggaw” and Carlo Aquino in “Baler.” “Adela’s” victory also marks the second time for a digital feature to clinch the Best Cinematography and Visual Design prize after “Death in the Land of Encantos ” (2007).

In picking “Adela” for top honors, YCC cited the film’s departure from the usual “catastrophic and sensational depiction of poverty.” Impoverishment is reckoned in terms not only of “economics but also of emotion and imagination.” The here-and-the- now “small sufferings of a senior citizen” living independently are set against “the backdrop of the greater suffering of a nation” plagued by corruption scandals in high places and a social system that generally neglects the welfare of constituents in the margins of society.

Awarding ceremony with forum to follow is slated on Wednesday, 11 March 2009, at 2 o’clock in the afternoon at the Pulungang Recto of the Faculty Center in UP Diliman.

A list of complete winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards by categories is as follows:

Young Critics Circle Film Desk Awards

19th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2008

Best Film of the Year

Winner: Adela directed by Adolfo Alix Jr. (Bicycle Pictures and Visitfilms; Noel D. Ferrer and Adolfo Alix Jr., Executive Producers; Arleen C. Cuevas, Producer; Maxie Evangelista, Line Producer)

Nominee: Serbis directed by Brillante Mendoza (Centerstage Productions and Swift Productions; Didier Costet, Executive Producer; Ferdinand Lapuz, Producer; Antonio del Rosario and JC Nigado, Supervising Producers; Renato Esguerra, Associate Producer)

Best Screenplay

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Adolfo Alix Jr. and Nick Olanka

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Armando Lao

Imoral (Videoflick; Bicycle Pictures) – Gerry Gracio

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Albert Banzon, Director of Photography; Adolfo Alix Jr. and Jerome Zamora, Production Designers

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Odyssey Flores, Director of Photography; Carlo Tabije and Benjamin Padero, Production Designers

Yanggaw (Cinema One) – Herman Claraval and Lyle Sacris, Directors of Photography; Donald Camon and Michael N. Español, Production Designers

Best Achievement in Film Editing

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Aleks Castañeda

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Claire Villa-Real

Yanggaw (Cinema One) – Borgy Torre


Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration

Winner: Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms) – Mark Locsin and Jojo Jacinto, Sound Engineers; Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia , Sound Designers

Nominees:

Serbis (Centerstage Productions; Swift Productions) – Emmanuel Clemente, Sound Engineer; Gian Gianan, Musical Director

Yanggaw (Cinema One) – Joey Santos and Eduardo Velasquez, Sound Engineers; Von de Guzman, Musical Director


Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role

Winner: Anita Linda in Adela (Bicycle Pictures; Visitfilms)

Nominees:

Paolo Paraiso in Imoral (Videoflick; Bicycle Pictures)

Ronnie Lazaro in Yanggaw (Cinema One)

Carlo Aquino in Baler (Viva Entertainment)

Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle 2008-2009: Dr. Galileo S. Zafra, Dr. Patrick D. Flores, Prof. Eloisa May P. Hernandez, Dr. Gerard R. A. Lico, Nonoy L. Lauzon, Dr. Flaudette May V. Datuin, Eileen C. Legaspi-Ramirez, Romulo P. Baquiran Jr., Noel D. Ferrer, Eli R. Guieb III, Dr. Jerry C. Respeto, Prof. Neil Martial R. Santillan, Jason P. Jacobo.

YCC drew its selection from both regular and non-regular releases comprising the entirety of Philippine cinema output in 2008. Some titles had to be dropped out of consideration if they failed to have a total of three or more screenings before a paying or non-paying audience in any one or more public venues; or if they had already qualified for consideration in the previous year.

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YCC Bares Winners Of Annual Film Awards

YCC bares winners of annual film awards for distinguished achievement in 2007

AWARDS RITES SLATED IN LATE APRIL OR EARLY MAY

The Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle formally declares its choices for distinguished achievement in films of the immediate past year. Voted Best Film of the Year is Brillante Mendoza’s Foster Child. The Seiko Films production—about an urban-poor family who makes a living by providing for a fee a temporary home and care to abandoned babies pending their adoption—also won Best Screenplay.

Foster Child is joined by Jade Francis Castro’s Endo from ufo Pictures to be the only two films to slug it out for the topmost award. But in contrast to two major honors for Foster Child, Endo bagged the bigger booty of triple plums: Best Editing; Best Sound and Aural Orchestration and the much coveted Best Performance for Jason Abalos. In what some may deem as an upset win, the heartthrob lead of Endo bested Foster Child stars Cherrie Pie Picache and Eugene Domingo and one other surprise nominee, Ron Capinding, lead actor of Still Life (Sining Ko Ito Productions) .

Best Cinematography and Visual Design went to Lav Diaz’s nine-hour digipic, Death in the Land of Encantos (Sine Olivia). The dramatic film won for the only category for which it was nominated beating Foster Child, Still Life and Tirador (Centerstage Productions) . The last—another megger from Brillante Mendoza—with strong nominations for three technical categories completed the elite roster of limited titles to figure in this year’s derby. Awarding ceremonies is slated sometime in late April or early May.

Established in 1990, YCC is the academe-based critics group with members coming from various disciplines. Through the years, they have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema constantly bringing into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.

The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not just sound engineering per se but musical score as well.

The following is the roundup of complete winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards officially billed as the 18th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2007:

Best Film of the Year
Winner: Foster Child directed by Brillante Mendoza (Seiko Films; Robbie Tan, Executive Producer)
Nominee: Endo directed by Jade Francis Castro (ufo Pictures; Ned Trespeces, Michiko Yamamoto, Emmanuel de la Cruz and Raymond Lee, Producers)

Best Screenplay
Winner: Foster Child (Seiko Films) – Ralston Jover
Nominee: Endo (ufo Pictures) – Jade Francis Castro, Michiko Yamamoto and Raymond Lee

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design
Winner: Death in the Land of Encantos (Sine Olivia) – Lav Diaz, Director of Photography; Dante Perez, Production Designer
Nominees:
Foster Child (Seiko Films) – Odyssey Flores, Director of Photography; Ben Padero, Production Designer
Still Life (Sining Ko Ito Productions) – Dan Villegas, Director of Photography; Cris Silva, Production Designer
Tirador (Centerstage) – Brillante Mendoza, Julius Villanueva, Jeffrey de la Cruz, Gary Tria, Directors of Photography; Deans Habal, Harley Alcasid, Production Designers

Best Achievement in Film Editing
Winner: Endo (ufo Pictures) – JD Domingo
Nominee: Tirador (Centerstage) – Charliebebs Gohetia

Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration
Winner: Endo (ufo Pictures) – Corinne de San Jose Cruz and Mark Locsin, Sound Engineers; Owel Alvero, Musical Director
Nominees:
Still Life (Sining Ko Ito Productions) – Joey Santos, Sound Engineer; Wincy Ong, Musical Director
Tirador (Centerstage) – Ditoy Aguila and Junel Valencia , Sound Engineers; Tere Barrozo, Musical Director

Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role
Winner: Jason Abalos in Endo (ufo Pictures)
Nominees:
Cherry Pie Picache in Foster Child (Seiko Films)
Eugene Domingo in Foster Child (Seiko Films)
Ron Capinding in Still Life (Sining Ko Ito Productions)

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YCC Awarding on March 8

The Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle invites you to the 17th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2006 on March 8, 2007, Thursday, 2:00p.m. to 5:00 p.m., Faculty Center Conference Hall, University of the Philippines, Diliman.

“Inang Yaya” directed by Pablo Biglang-Awa and Veronica Velasco makes a clean sweep of the Young Critics Circle honors for all categories, namely, Best Film of the Year given to the directors; Best Screenplay; Best Cinematography and Visual Design; Best Editing; Best Sound and Aural Orchestration and Best Performance for lead actress Maricel Soriano.

Established in 1990, Young Critics Circle is the critics group with members coming from various disciplines. Through the years, they have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema constantly bringing into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.

The awarding will be followed by Sine Sipat: Recasting Roles and Images – Stars, Awards and Criticism where the Young Critics Circle Film Desk and the winners will have a dialogue with the audience.

The event is open to the public. For queries, you may email yccfilmdesk@ yahoo.com.

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YCC bares winners of film awards

THE Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle formally announces the winners of its annual film awards. “Inang Yaya” directed by Pablo Biglang-Awa and Veronica Velasco makes a clean sweep of the YCC honors for all categories, namely, Best Film of the Year given to the directors; Best Screenplay; Best Cinematography and Visual Design; Best Editing; Best Sound and Aural Orchestration and Best Performance for lead actress Maricel Soriano.

From the past year’s total local film output of 49 regular releases and more productions including digitals that had multiple screenings in any public venue that a paying audience has had access, “Inang Yaya” produced by Unitel Pictures emerged as the sole nominee and ultimate winner for most of the categories for the YCC film awards.

Only two other films managed to figure in YCC roll of honor this year by scoring nominations: “Kubrador” (MLR Films) with nods for Best Cinematography and Visual Design and Best Editing and “Kaleldo” (Centerstage) with Cherry Pie Picache in the roster for Best Performance. Nominated as well for Best Performance is the entire acting ensemble of “Inang Yaya.”

Awarding is on Thursday afternoon of March 8 at 2 p.m. at the Faculty Center Conference Hall in UP Diliman.

Established in 1990, YCC is the critics group with members coming from various disciplines. Through the years, they have become attentive observers of Philippine cinema constantly bringing into the analysis of film an interdisciplinary approach.

The organization departs from many conventions of other award-giving bodies both here and abroad in bestowing cinematic honors. For instance, the award for Best Film of the Year is reserved for the director such that no separate prize for direction is needed. The Best Performance award is most coveted as it is conferred on a screen performer whether male or female, adult or child, individual or as part of an ensemble, in leading or supporting role. To uphold a more dynamic and encompassing way of looking at films, technical honors refer to fusion of outstanding efforts in fields otherwise deemed apart. In this case, the Best Cinematography and Visual Design recognition covers both camerawork and art direction. Similarly, Best Sound and Aural Orchestration encompasses not just sound engineering per se but musical score as well.

The following is the roundup of complete winners and nominees for this year’s YCC film awards officially billed as the 17th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2006:

Best Film of the Year
Winner: Inang Yaya directed by Pablo Biglang-Awa and Veronica Velasco (Unitel Pictures; Tony Gloria, Producer; Wyngard Tracy and Maricel Soriano, Executive Producers; Jun Reyes and Tito Velasco, Co-Executive Producers; Noemi Peji, Line Producer)
No Other Nominee

Best Screenplay
Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Veronica Velasco
No Other Nominee

Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design
Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Gary Gardoce, Director of Photography; Norman Regalado, Production Designer
Nominee: Kubrador (MLR Films) – Roberto Yñiguez, Director of Photography; Leo Abaya, Production Designer

Best Achievement in Film Editing
Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Randy Gabriel
Nominee: Kubrador (MLR Films) – Jay Halili

Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration
Winner: Inang Yaya (Unitel) – Mark Locsin and Angie Reyes, Sound Engineers; Nonong Buencamino, Musical Director
No Other Nominee

Best Performance by Male or Female, Adult or Child, Individual or Ensemble in Leading or Supporting Role
Winner: Maricel Soriano in Inang Yaya (Unitel)
Nominees:
Cherry Pie Picache in Kaleldo (Centerstage)
Entire Cast of Inang Yaya (Unitel)

Young Critics Circle
Film Desk
17th Annual Circle Citations for Distinguished Achievement in Film for 2006

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