Cinema One to air 37th Gawad Urian live

CEBU, Philippines - The grand night to honor and celebrate Philippine cinema is finally here, as Cinema One sets the stage for the 37th Gawad Urian. The awards show of the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino will be aired live tomorrow, 8 p.m. on the cable channel (SkyCable channel 56).

This year’s awarding ceremony will be hosted by Piolo Pascual, Bianca Gonzales, and Ai-Ai Delas Alas. They will be joined by MPP member Butch Francisco.

The annual ceremony is held in light of a partnership formed between the oldest and most respected film awards institution in the country, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and Cinema One.

It can be expected of the awards ceremony that the biggest names in Philippine cinema and stars of all generations will be in attendance to gather in celebration of local cinema at Dolphy Theater Studio 1 of the Main Building of ABS-CBN this year to witness the awards night.

For this year’s awards, the nominations are dominated by two films that have ten nominations each—Lav Diaz’s “Norte, Hangganan ng Kasaysayan” ang Armando Bing Lao’s “Dukit.” These are followed by “On the Job” and “Porno,” which have nine nominations each. “Transit” comes into the competition with eight nominations, while “Riddles of My Homecoming” and “Ekstra” are tied with six nominations each. Also part of those raking in a number of nominations are “Badil” and “Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti” which have four nominations each.

Also drawing in loads of anticipation this year is the competition between two nominees, who are no less than long-time rivals Nora Aunor and Vilma Santos, both in the running for their respective movies, “Ang Kuwento ni Mabuti” and “Ekstra.” However, the two are pitted against other actresses who delivered stellar performances such as Cherie Gil (Sonata), Eugene Domingo (Instant Mommy), Angeli Bayani (Norte), Rustica Carpio (Ano ang Kulay ng mga Nakalimutang Pangarap), Agot Isidro (Mga Anino ng Kapaon), Vivian Velez (Bendor), Lorna Tolentino (Burgos), and Teri Malvar (Huling Chacha ni Anita).  Joel Torre, an assassin in OTJ, competes with Mark Gil (A Philippino Story), Sid Lucero (Norte), Mimi Juareza (Quick Change), Alex Medina (Babagwa), Ping Medina (Transit) and Jhong Hilario (Badil) in the best actor race of the Urian. 

The night is to be a crossover of different art forms as well, as some of the local music industry’s best acts are set to perform, namely, the Tres Marias, Cooky Chua, Bayang Barrios, and Lolita Carbon. Stars from the hit show “The Voice of the Philippines” Janis, Morisette, Klarisse, and Radha will also be taking the stage.

Encores of the awards show program will be on June 21 at 7 p.m., June 26 at 7 p.m., and June 29 at 2 p.m.  (FREEMAN)