‘Barber’s Tales,’ ‘Dagitab’ lead Urian nominees

By Alvin I. Dacanay

Indie films Barber’s Tales and Dagitab received the highest number of nominations—11 each—for the 38th Gawad Urian, which was revealed last week on a list that features several high-profile names in the acting categories and reflects the continued love shown to Philippine independent movies by respected film critics’ group Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP).

Barber’s Tales, Jun Robles Lana’s martial law-set drama about a woman in a remote village who gradually comes into her own after taking over her late husband’s barbershop, and Dagitab, Giancarlo Abrahan’s tale of two university professors whose nearly 20-year marriage is on the brink of collapse, are nominated for best picture, best director and best screenplay, as well as a slew of technical prizes.

Eugene Domingo, who won best actress at the 2013 Tokyo International Film Festival for her role in Barber’s Tales, earned a best actress nomination, while her co-stars Nicco Manalo, Iza Calzado and Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino are shortlisted in the supporting-acting categories.

Buencamino’s husband, Dagitab’s Nonie Buencamino (who also appears in Barber’s Tales), scored a best actor nomination, while co-stars Eula Valdes and Martin del Rosario are competing in the best actress and best supporting actor races, respectively.

Joining them in those categories are a number of mainstream performers, such as Dementia’s Nora Aunor, who will receive the Natatanging Gawad Urian at the Urian awards night on June 16; Ai-Ai delas Alas in Ronda; Robin Padilla in Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; Jericho Rosales in Red; JM de Guzman and Angelica Panganiban in That Thing Called Tadhana; Dennis Trillo in The Janitor; Robert Arevalo in Hari ng Tondo; and Nova Villa in 1st Ko si 3rd.

Multiple nods

Trailing just behind Barber’s Tales and Dagitab are Lav Diaz’s early-1970s drama Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon and Francis Xavier Pasion’s fact-based Bwaya, both garnering 10 nominations, including for best picture; best director; best screenplay; and best actress for Hazel Orencio and Angeli Bayani (who clinched the best actress Urian last year for Diaz’s Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan, which also won the best picture prize), respectively.

Mula sa Kung Ano ang Noon garnered the top Golden Leopard prize at the 67th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland last August, while Bwaya emerged as the top winner in the New Breed division of the 2014 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival.

Other films that earned multiple nominations are Bonifacio and Esprit de Corps, with five; Ang Magkakabaung, Tadhana and Violator, four; and Alienasyon, Dementia and Hari ng Tondo, three.

Formed in the mid-1970s, the MPP is composed of noted film writers and scholars, led by current chairman Dr. Grace Javier Alfonso. Though criticized by some as too elitist in its choices, the organization is considered by many movie enthusiasts as the most prestigious film award-giving body in the Philippines.

Below is the complete list of nominations for the 38th Gawad Urian:

Picture: Barber’s Tales (APT Entertainment/Octobertrain Films); Bwaya (Cinemalaya, FrontRow International, Eight Films, Source of Light Films); Dagitab (Ten17P); Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon (Sine Olivia Pilipinas).

Director: Giancarlo Abrahan, Dagitab; Kanakan Balintagos, Esprit de Corps; Lav Diaz, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Jun Robles Lana, Barber’s Tales; Jason Paul Laxamana, Ang Magkakabaung; Francis Xavier Pasion, Bwaya.

Actor: Robert Arevalo, Hari ng Tondo; Nonie Buencamino, Dagitab; Allen Dizon, Ang Magkakabaung; JM de Guzman, That Thing Called Tadhana; Sandino Martin, Esprit de Corps; Robin Padilla, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; Arnold Reyes, Kasal; Jericho Rosales, Red; JC Santos, Esprit de Corps; Dennis Trillo, The Janitor.

Actress: Nora Aunor, Dementia; Angeli Bayani, Bwaya; Ai-Ai de las Alas, Ronda; Eugene Domingo, Barber’s Tales; Hazel Orencio, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Angelica Panganiban, That Thing Called Tadhana; Eula Valdes, Dagitab; Nova Villa, 1st Ko si 3rd.

Supporting Actor: Nico Antonio, Red; Roeder Camañag, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Martin del Rosario, Dagitab; Joel Lamangan, Violator; Nicco Manalo, Barber’s Tales; Karl Medina, Bwaya; Jess Mendoza, Mauban: Ang Resiko; Noel Santodomingo, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon.

Supporting Actress: Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Barber’s Tales; Iza Calzado, Barber’s Tales; Alessandra de Rossi, Mauban: Ang Resiko; Barbie Forteza, Mariquina; Karenina Haniel, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Gladys Reyes, Ang Magkakabaung; Gloria Sevilla, M: Mother’s Maiden Name.

Screenplay: Giancarlo Abrahan, Dagitab; Kanakan Balintagos, Esprit de Corps; Lav Diaz, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Alessandro Genovesi, Soap Opera; Antoinette Jadaone, That Thing Called Tadhana; Jun Robles Lana, Barber’s Tales; Jason Paul Laxamana, Ang Magkakabaung; Francis Xavier Pasion, Bwaya; Enzo Williams, Keiko Aquino and Carlo Obispo, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; Remton Siega Zuasola, Soap Opera.

Cinematography: Alber Banzon and Gym Lumbrera, Violator; Arnel Barbarona, Alienasyon; Mycko David, Children’s Show; Neil Daza, Bwaya; Mackie Galvez, Dementia; Carlo Mendoza, Barber’s Tales; Carlo Mendoza, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; Sasha Palomares, That Thing Called Tadhana; Rommel Sales, Dagitab.

Editing: Lawrence Ang, Barber’s Tales; Lawrence Ang, Violator; Manet A. Dayrit, Hari ng Tondo; Vanessa de Leon, Hustisya; Lav Diaz, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Tara Illenberger, The Janitor; Carlo Manatad, Bwaya; Melvyn Quimosing, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; Benjamin Tolentino, Dagitab.

Music: Diwa de Leon, Lorna; Mon Espia, Dagitab; Erwin Fajardo, Bwaya; Jesse Lucas, Alienasyon; Myke Salomon, Hari ng Tondo; Jorge Wieneke, #Y.

Production Design: Whammy Alcazaren and Thesa Tang, Dagitab; Hal Balbuena, Esprit de Corps; Joel Bilbao and Roy Lachica, Bonifacio: Ang Unang Pangulo; Popo Diaz, Dementia; Perry Dizon, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Rom Factolerin, Alienasyon; Maulen Fadul, Bwaya; Chito Sumera, Barber’s Tales.

Sound: Corinne de San Jose, Violator; Mark Locsin, Mula Sa Kung Ano ang Noon; Mark Locsin, Barber’s Tales; Albert Michael Idioma, Bwaya; Adam Newns and Mikko Quizon, Dagitab.

The 38th Gawad Urian awards night will be held on June 16 and aired on Cinema One.