Check out the nominees for the 34th Gawad Urian.

Cinema One, the country’s No. 1 movie channel, is now the new home of Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino’s (MPP) Gawad Urian Awards! Cinema One and MPP, in cooperation with Film Development Council of the Philippines, takes pride in producing one of the most prestigious film award-giving bodies in the Philippines, the 34th Gawad Urian Awards, which will be held on May 17, Tuesday, 6p.m. at the Marriot Hotel.

In an interview, MPP head Rolando Tolentino said now is the time to enliven the esteemed Gawad Urian Awards through the Philippines’ leading movie channel on cable, Cinema One.

“We are pleased to collaborate with Cinema One, a pioneer in digital cinema that retains the free spirit and cutting edge in today’s national cinema,” Tolentino said.

The chief film critic added that Cinema One’s offer to produce this year’s Gawad Urian Awards, especially now that most award-giving bodies are less exposed in the in the media. “The opportunity came at a time when major awards producers no longer can provide for its viability. Cinema One came and ensured the independent spirit of Gawad Urian.”

What to expect in the 34th Gawad Urian Awards? “This year’s Gawad Urian is a celebration of regional, multicultural, multilingual cinema that highlighted Philippine Cinema of 2010. This is a cutting edge attempt to meld indie spirit with mainstream actors to draw them in,” Tolentino said.

Dekada Awards, a special recognition for ten exemplary films from 2000 to 2009, is set to be given. They are “Babae sa Breakwater” (2003), “Batang West Side” (2001), “Ebolusyon ng Pamilyang Pilipino” (2004), “Kinatay” (2009), “Kubrador” (2006), “Lola” (2009), “Magnifico” (2003), “Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros” (2005), “Serbis” (2008) and “Tuhog” (2001).

Plus, this year’s hailed Actors of the Decade Gina Pareño, Cherry Pie Picache and Coco Martin will also be awarded.

Twelve awards are set to be battled in this year’s Gawad Urian, including the formidable titles such as Pinakamahusay na Pelikula (Best Picture), Pinakamahusay na Direksyon (Best Direction), Pinakamahusay na Dulang Pampelikula (Best Screenplay), and Pinakamahusay na Pagganap ng Isang Aktor/Aktres (Best Actor/Best Actress).
Hosted by MPP member/TV host Butch Francisco and Comedy Concert Queen Aiai delas Alas, the Gawad Urian Awards night is expected to be a gathering of the country’s brightest and most talented actors. Internationally acclaimed director Brillante Mendoza and actors Anita Linda, Sue Prado and Meryll Soriano are some of the award presenters.

Gawad Urian Awards is given annually since 1977 and is currently regarded as the Philippine version of United States’ New York Film Critics Circle. Its objectives are “to examine Filipino films, bolster the interest of the masses and the Philippine film industry, study and celebrate the achievement that will help define the good Filipino film, and cultivate the knowledge and skills that the film medium was designed for, which is to be a medium of communication and expression of our culture according to the standards and conditions of filmmaking in our country.”

The nominees for the 34th Gawad Urian Awards are as follows:

Best Picture
Amigo (Anarchists’ Convention Films)
Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria (Creative Programs, Inc., PanumdumanPictures)
Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Yelo (Cinemalaya Foundation, Sampaybakod Productions)
Chassis (Happy Gilmore Productions, Cinemanila Foundation)
Halaw (Cinemalaya Foundation, Los PeliculasLinterna Studio)
Limbunan (Cinemalaya Foundation, Bidadali House Productions)
Noy (Cinemedia Films, Inc., VIP Access Media Productions, Star Cinema, ABS-CBN Film Productions)
Sheika (Cinemalaya Foundation, Skyweaver Production-Hydeout Entertainment, Alchemy of Vision and Light TV and Film Productions)
Tsardyer (Creative Programs, Inc., Lasponggols Collective)

Best Director
Adolf Alix Jr. (Chassis)
Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez (Tsardyer)
Sheron Dayoc (Halaw)
Mes de Guzman (Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato)
Mes De Guzman (Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Yelo)
Khavn de la Cruz (Maynila sa Mga Pangil ng Dilim)
Robin Fardig and Sherad Anthony Sanchez (Balangay)
Gutierrez Mangansakan II (Limbunan)
Arnel Mardoquio (Sheika)
Dondon Santos (Noy)
John Sayles (Amigo)
Remton Siega Zuasola (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)

Best Screenplay
Adolf Alix Jr. (Chassis)
Adolfo Alix Jr. and Agnes de Guzman (Presa)
Sigfreid Barros-Sanchez (Tsardyer)
Sheron Dayoc (Halaw)
Mes De Guzman (Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato)
Mes De Guzman (Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Yelo)
Khavn De la Cruz and Carl Javier (Maynila sa Mga Pangil ng Dilim)
Gutierrez Mangansakan II (Limbunan)
Arnel Mardoquio (Sheika)
Shugo Praico (Noy)
Remton Siega Zuasola (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)

Best Actor
John Arcilla (Halaw)
Perry Dizon (Sheika)
Ronnie Lazaro (Ishmael)
Sid Lucero (Muli)
Coco Martin (Noy)
Pen Medina (Layang Bilanggo)
Sam Milby (Third World Happy)
Fanny Serrano (Tarima)
Joel Torre (Amigo)

Best Actress
Rita Avila (Magdamag)
Mercedes Cabral (Gayuma)
Donna Isadora Gimeno (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)
Laurice Guillen (Karera)
Fe GingGing Hyde (Sheika)
Ces Quesada (Magkakapatid)
Jodi Sta. Maria (Chassis)
Meryll Soriano (Donor)

Best Supporting Actor
Joem Bascon (Noy)
Tirso Cruz III (Sigwa)
Martin Delos Santos (Tsardyer)
Julio Diaz (Magkakapatid)
Garret Dillahunt (Amigo)
Cogie Domingo (Muli)
Rocky Salumbides (Tarima)
Gregg Tecson (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)
Yul Vasquez (Amigo)

Best Supporting Actress
Lucia Jeuzan (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)
Anita Linda (Presa)
Rio Locsin (Amigo)
Maria Isabel Lopez (Halaw)
Liza Lorena (Presa)
Zsa Zsa Padilla (Sigwa)
Rosanna Roces (Presa)

Best Cinematography
Gabriel Bagnas (Chassis)
Albert Banzon (Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato)
Arnel Barbarona and Dexter Dela Peña (Halaw)
Malay Javier (Tsardyer)
Christian Linaban (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)
Lee Meily (Amigo)
McRobert Nacario (Limbunan)
Takeyuki Onishi (Dagim)
Rain Yamson II (Di Natatapos ang Gabi)

Best Production Design
Tonee Acejo (Gayuma)
Bagwani Ampalayo, Jun Cayas, and Maree Contaoi (Sheika)
Rodell Cruz (Amigo)
Rene De Guzman (Ang Mundo sa Panahon ng Bato)
Paramata Ednawan (Limbunan)
Rodrigo Ricio (Emir)
Roland Rubenecia (Chassis)
Amar Sharif (Halaw)
Kaloy Uypuanco (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)

Best Editing
Renewin Alano (Noy)
Danilo Añonuevo (Rekrut)
Willie Apa Jr. and Arthur Ian Garcia (Sheika)
Aleks Castañeda (Presa)
Chuck Guttierez and Lester Olayer (Halaw)

Best Music
Mason Daring (Amigo)
Marco De Leon, LC De Leon, Ciro De Leon (Tsardyer)
Mark Laccay, Stefan Loewenstein, and Ysagani Ybarra (Happyland)
Popong Landero (Sheika)
Jessie Lasaten (Di Natataposang Gabi)
Jess Santiago (Ang Paglilitis ni Mang Serapio)
Jerrold Tarog (Ang Damgo ni Eleuteria)
Josefino ‘Chino’ Toledo (Emir)

Best Sound
Mike Idioma (Sampaguita)
Mark Laccay (Dagim)
Elroy Montano (Amigo)
Jona Paculan, Carlos Tañada and Moks Vitasa (Halaw)
Dempster Samarista (Limbunan)
Maki Serapio and Paolo Angelo Lindaya (Sheika)

Catch the 34th Gawad Urian Awards on Cinema One on May 22, 10 p.m. Cinema One, the country’s No. 1 movie channel, is available on SkyCable Gold, SkyCable Silver and other quality cable operators nationwide.