Nora Aunor vs Vilma Santos again for the critics

NORA Aunor in “Ang Kwento ni Mabuti”

Longtime rivals Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos are once again being pitted against each other in the battle for Best Actress at the 37th Gawad Urian in June.

Aunor earned a nomination for her performance “Ang Kwento ni Mabuti,” a Mes de Guzman drama; Santos, for her work in the Jeffrey Jeturian satire, “Ekstra.”

Equal chances

“Even other artists are worried when they are nominated alongside Nora and Vilma. They feel like they don’t stand a chance,” said Mario Hernando, a member of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, which organizes the annual event. “But everyone has equal chances. Other actresses who may have turned out more complicated performances, could bring home the award.”

Aunor won her seventh Urian Best Actress trophy last year for Brillante Ma. Mendoza’s “Thy Womb.” Santos, who is the incumbent governor of Batangas, won her last for Chito Roño’s “Dekada ’70” in 2002.

The other Best Actress nominees this year: Angeli Bayani for “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”; Teri Malvar, “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita”; and Lorna Tolentino, “Burgos.”

“There were many good materials for our actresses in 2013. It was a good year,” said Manunuri president Grace Javier Alfonso during the Urian media launch on Tuesday at ABS-CBN Compound in Quezon City.

Competition is tight all around, said Ronald Arquelles, channel head of Cinema One, which has been producing the awards show for four years now. Diaz’s “Norte” and Lao’s “Dukit”

VILMA Santos in “Ekstra”

both have 10 nominations, Arguelles pointed out.

More nominees

Nominees for Best Actor are: Mark Gil for “A Philipino Story”; Joel Torre, “On the Job”; Mimi Juareza, “Quick Change”; Sid Lucero, “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan”; Ping Medina, “Transit”; Jhong Hilario, “Badil”; and Alex Medina, “Babagwa.”

The winner for Best Picture will be chosen from the following: “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan,” “On the Job,” “Transit,” “Ekstra,” “Riddles of My Homecoming,” “Badil,” “Ang Kwento ni Mabuti,” “Porno” and “Dukit.”

Six votes

“The Manunuri has 10 members. This means a film or an actor needs only six votes to win,” explained founding member and National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera.

“However, there are times when we reconsider our choices, especially when another member is able to defend his or her choice well,” added Hernando.

Competing for the Best Director trophy are: Erik Matti for “On the Job”; Lav Diaz, “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan”; Jeffrey Jeturian, “Ekstra”; Peque Gallaga and Lore Reyes, “Sonata”; Arnel Mardoquio, “Riddles of My Homecoming”; Hannah Espia, “Transit”; Alvin Yapan, “Mga Anino ng Kahapon”; Whammy Alcazaren, “Islands”; Chito Roño, “Badil”; Mes de Guzman, “Ang Kwento ni Mabuti”; Adolfo Alix Jr., “Porno; and Bing Lao, “Dukit.”

Filmmaker and cinematographer Mike de Leon is this year’s recipient of the Natatanging Gawad Urian.

The Gawad Urian will be held June 17 at ABS-CBN studios. It will be hosted by Piolo Pascual and Bianca Gonzalez, along with Manunuri member Butch Francisco. It will be aired on the same night, at 10 p.m., on Cinema One.

Nominees for Best Supporting Actor: Junjun Quintana, “A Philippino Story”; Art Acuña, “Kabisera”; John Arcilla, “Metro Manila”; Joey Marquez, “On the Job”; Yul Servo, “Porno”; Carlo Aquino, “Porno”; Victor Basa, “Lauriana”; Cesar Montano, “Alamat ni China Doll”; Archie Alemania, “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan”; and Bor Ocampo, “Dukit.”

Supporting Actress

ANGELI Bayani in “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan”

Best Supporting Actress: Angel Aquino, “Ang Huling Cha-Cha ni Anita” and “Porno”; Mitch Smith, “Angustia”; Ruby Ruiz, “Ekstra”; Jasmine Curtis Smith, “Transit”; and Raquel Villavicencio, “Dukit.”

Best Screenplay: “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan,” “On the Job,” “Badil,” “Transit,” “Babagwa,” “Porno,” “Death March” and “Dukit.”

Best Production Design: “Sonata,” “Riddles of My Homecoming,” “On the Job,” “Ekstra,” “Porno,” “Shift” and “Dukit.”

Best Music: “Lauriana,” “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan,” “Riddles of My Homecoming,” “Sonata,” and “Dukit.”

Cinematography

Best Cinematography: “Riddles of My Homecoming,” “Transit,” “On the Job,” “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan,” “Porno,” “Islands” and “Dukit.”

Best Editing: “On the Job,” “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan,” “Riddles of My Homecoming,” “Porno,” “Transit” and “Dukit.”

Best Sound: “Norte: Hangganan ng Kasaysayan,” “On the Job,” “Ekstra,” “Transit,” “Ang Kwento ni Mabuti,” “Death March” and “Dukit.”