Haruo tops YCC honors for distinguished achievement in film in 2011

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 for Niño, 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 Paa for best in sound and aural orchestration.

The Film Desk of the Young Critics’ Circle will hold the 22^nd 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

22^nd 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.