The Young Critics Circle - Film Desk is a society of film critics and an award-giving body for cinema in the Philippines. It was established in 1990 and had its first awarding in 1991.Young Critics Circle to hold awarding rites on June 27 - The Philippine Star (June 18, 2012). Retrieved June 28, 2012Himpapawid Wins Big at Young Critics Circle - ABS-CBN (October 16, 2011). Retrieved June 28, 2012.Young Critics Circle Bares 1st Quarter Citations - Philippine Daily Inquirer (May 7, 2002). Retrieved June 28, 2012
Establishment In 1990, a group of young reviewers and critics decided to form a body that aimed to evaluate works of art in various disciplines (film, theater, music, literature, visual arts and broadcast arts). Founding members include Mike Feria, Joy Barrios, Jojo Buenconsejo, Eric Caruncho, Melissa Contreras, Jaime Daroy, Joel David, Gin de Mesa, Patrick Flores, Francine Medina, Charlson Ong, Mozart Pastrano, Danilo Reyes, and Antonio Tinio. Each member specialized on one or more disciplines or “desks”. At present, only the Film Desk is existing.
The Film Desk of the Young Critics Circle (YCC) first gave its annual citations in film achievement in 1991, a year after the YCC was organized. In their Declaration of Principles, the members expressed the belief that cultural texts always call for active readings, “interactions” in fact among different readers who have the “unique capacities to discern, to interpret, and to reflect… evolving a dynamic discourse in which the text provokes the most imaginative ideas of our time.”
The Film Desk has committed itself to the discussion of film in the various arenas of academe and media, with the hope of fostering an alternative and emergent articulation of film critical practice, even within the severely debilitating culture of "awards".YCC History
Members The members of the YCC who review Filipino films and choose the winners of the annual YCC Citations are members of the academe coming from various disciplines, such art studies, literary studies, creative writing, anthropology, communication, philosophy, visual arts, Philippine studies, film studies, and history.The YCC Film Desk , Active members are: Aristotle Atienza John Bengan Christian Jil Benitez Ian Harvey Claros Emerald Flaviano Patrick Flores Tessa Maria Guazon Skilty C. Labastilla Nonoy L. Lauzon Janus Nolasco Judith Camille Rosette Tito Quiling Jr. Jaime Oscar M. Salazar Cristian Tablazon Andrea Anne Trinidad, president of YCC (2022-2023)
Awards YCC draws its selection from both regular and non-regular releases comprising the entirety of annual Philippine cinema output. Films considered for discussion are those that had at least two screenings before a paying or non-paying audience in any public venue. The group first comes up with a long list, where each film on the list is discussed as to its merits and demerits. The list is further narrowed down to a shortlist of any number. Only short-listed films earn the privilege to be nominated for any of the six main categories that are handed out each year. Except for the Best First Feature category, YCC does not confer nominations on artistic or technical merit if the film does not qualify in the short list.YCC 2011 Citations
The six awards handed out since 1990 are: Best Film Best Performance Best Screenplay Best Achievement in Editing Best Achievement in Cinematography and Visual Design Best Achievement in Sound and Aural Orchestration.
In 2013, the group added a new category, Best First Feature, to be given to filmmakers who directed the three best debut feature films of the year.
Winners
Best Film The Young Critics Circle Award for Best Film is awarded to honor the best Filipino film of the year. Per YCC criteria, the award for Best Film "refers to vision and direction that pay sensitive and keen attention to both the language of cinema ('presentation') and social reality ('representation'), in the process refunctioning the possibilities of film as progressive art and popular culture. The Best Film citation is awarded to the Director not so much because he or she is the auteur or the central intelligence of the film, but because his or her work lies at the conjuncture which coordinates filmmaking."
Directors with multiple Best Film wins include: Jose Javier Reyes (Hindi Kita Malilimutan, 1993; Batang PX, 1997; and Minsan May Isang Puso, 2001) Adolfo Alix Jr. (Adela, 2008; Haruo, 2011; and Porno, 2013) Chito Roño (Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?, 1998; and Dekada '70, 2002) Mario O'Hara (Sisa, 1999; and Babae sa Breakwater, 2003) Brillante Mendoza (Masahista, 2005; and Foster Child, 2007) Ralston Jover (Bakal Boys, 2009; and Da Dog Show, 2015)
YearWinner/sDirector/s1990Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? Gil Portes1991Sa Kabila ng Lahat Lino Brocka1992Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal Carlos Siguion-Reyna1993Hindi Kita Malilimutan Jose Javier Reyes1994VampiraPangako ng Kahapon Joey RomeroJoel Lamangan1995Nena Ike Jarlego Jr.1996Mumbaki Jose Antonio Perez1997Batang PX Jose Javier Reyes1998Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? Chito Roño1999Sisa Mario O'Hara2000Bayaning Third WorldTanging Yaman Mike De LeonLaurice Guillen2001Minsan May Isang Puso Jose Javier Reyes2002Dekada '70 Chito Roño2003Babae sa Breakwater Mario O'Hara2004Minsan Pa Jeffrey Jeturian2005Masahista Brillante Mendoza2006Inang Yaya Pablo Biglang-awa and Veronica Velasco2007Foster Child Brillante Mendoza2008Adela Adolfo Alix Jr.2009Bakal Boys Ralston Jover2010Himpapawid Raymond Red2011Haruo Adolfo Alix Jr.YCC Best Film Winners on IMDB2012Qiyamah Gutierrez Mangansakan II2013 Porno Adolfo Alix Jr.2014No winner 2015Da Dog Show Ralston Jover2016Women of the Weeping River Sheron Dayoc2017Baconaua Joseph Israel Laban2018Sa Palad ng Dantaong Kulang Jewel Maranan2019Edward Thop Nazareno2020Death of NintendoKintsugiRaya MartinLawrence Fajardo
Best Performance
The YCC award for Best Performance refers to acting, to the playing out of a role or character that implicates emotion, feeling, and experience in the social conditions of the personal and in the political economies of habit and gesture and how these forge the body politic. The Best Performance citation is handed to the Performer, whether male or female, adult or child, in major or supporting role, individual or ensemble.
Since there is only one award given for performance (whether male or female, lead or supporting, individual or ensemble), the YCC Best Performance Award is highly coveted in the Philippine film industry. Since the first awarding in 1991, Nora Aunor has the most nominations with thirteen, and the most wins with five.
Aunor has been nominated for:
Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? (1990) Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M. (1991) Inay (1993) The Flor Contemplacion Story (1995) Muling Umawit ang Puso (1995) Bakit May Kahapon Pa? (1996) Babae (1997) Naglalayag (2004) Thy Womb (2012) Ang Kwento Ni Mabuti (2013) Taklub (2015) Tuos (2016) (double nomination: single performance / Duo)
She won for Andrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?, Ang Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M., Inay, The Flor Contemplacion Story, and Thy Womb.
Other multiple winners include: Maricel Soriano (Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal, 1992; Vampira, 1994; and Inang Yaya, 2006) Aga Muhlach (Joey Boy Munti, 1991; and Hindi Kita Malilimutan) Vilma Santos (Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?, 1998; and Dekada '70, 2002)
YearWinner/sFilm1990Nora AunorAndrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina? 1991Nora AunorAga MuhlachAng Totoong Buhay ni Pacita M.Joey Boy Munti1992Maricel SorianoIkaw Pa Lang ang Minahal 1993Nora AunorAga MuhlachInayHindi Kita Malilimutan1994Maricel SorianoVampira1995Nora AunorThe Flor Contemplacion Story 1996Christopher de LeonMadrasta 1997Patrick GarciaBatang PX 1998Vilma SantosBata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? 1999Elizabeth OropesaBulaklak ng Maynila 2000Gloria RomeroHilda KoronelDina BonnevieEdu ManzanoJohnny DelgadoJoel TorreCherry Pie PicacheMarvin AgustinJericho RosalesCJ RamosShaina MagdayaoJohn PratsDominic OchoaJanet McBrideCarol BanawaTanging Yaman2001Jaclyn JoseMinsan May Isang Puso 2002Vilma SantosPiolo PascualDekada '70 2003Katherine LunaBabae sa Breakwater 2004Dennis TrilloJomari YllanaAishite Imasu 1941: Mahal KitaMinsan Pa 2005Coco MartinMasahista 2006Maricel SorianoInang Yaya 2007Jason AbalosEndo 2008Anita LindaAdela 2009Janice de BelenLast Viewing 2010Carla AbellanaRaul ArellanoShake, Rattle and Roll 12: PuneraryaHimpapawid2011Diana ZubiriBahay Bata 2012Nora AunorThy Womb 2013Carlo AquinoJhong HilarioPornoBadil2014Eula Valdez and Nonie Buencamino (duo performance)Dagitab 2015Lou VelosoDa Dog Show2016Laila UlaoWomen of the Weeping River2017Anthony FalconMga Gabing Kasinghaba ng Hair Ko2018Nadine LustreNever Not Love You2019Isabel SandovalLingua Franca2020JC SantosKim Chloe Oquendo, Noel Comia Jr., Jigger Sementilla, and John Vincent Servilla (ensemble)KintsugiDeath of Nintendo
Best Screenplay
Best Screenplay refers to the rhetoric of writing for film that articulates the complexity of social life and personal perturbation through narrative logic or political conviction; or simply through well-thought out dramatic tension that explores contestation between the personal and the political, the individual and the collective, the private and the public. The Best Screenplay award is given to the writer of the film.
Multiple Best Screenplay winners include: Jose Javier Reyes (Dinampot Ka Lang sa Putik, 1991; Iisa Pa Lamang, 1992; Hindi Kita Malilimutan, 1993; Batang PX, 1997; and Minsan May Isang Puso 2001) Ralston Jover (Foster Child, 2007; Porno, 2013; Da Dog Show, 2015; and Mrs., 2016) Lualhati Bautista (Nena, 1995; Bata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa?, 1998; and Dekada '70, 2002) Mario O'Hara (Sisa, 1999; and Babae sa Breakwater, 2003) Armando Lao (Minsan Pa, 2004; and Biyaheng Lupa, 2009) John Bedia (The Chanters, 2017; and Edward, 2019)
YearWinner/sFilm1990Ricardo LeeAndrea, Paano Ba ang Maging Isang Ina?Hahamakin Lahat1991Roy IglesiasJose Javier Reyes and Jake TordesillasSa Kabila ng LahatDinampot Ka Lang sa Putik1992Raquel VillavicencioJose Javier ReyesIkaw Pa Lang ang MinahalIisa Pa Lamang1993Jose Javier ReyesHindi Kita Malilimutan1994Jose Dalisay Jr.Emmanuel BorlazaBakit Ngayon Ka Lang?1995Lualhati BautistaNena 1996Amado LacuestaAntonio Jose PerezMumbaki 1997Jose Javier ReyesBatang PX 1998Lualhati BautistaBata, Bata, Paano Ka Ginawa? 1999Mario O’HaraSisa 2000Shaira Mella SalvadorRaymond LeeLaurice GuillenTanging Yaman2001Jose Javier ReyesMinsan May Isang Puso 2002Lualhati BautistaDekada '70 2003Mario O’HaraBabae sa Breakwater 2004Armando LaoMinsan Pa 2005Ferdinand LapuzBrillante MendozaBoots Agbayani PastorMasahista 2006Veronica VelascoInang Yaya 2007Ralston JoverFoster Child 2008Adolfo Alix Jr.Nick OlankaAdela 2009Armando LaoBiyaheng Lupa 2010Raymond RedHimpapawid2011Rodolfo VeraNiño 2012Arnel MardoquioAng Paglalakbay ng mga Bituin sa Gabing Madilim 2013Ralston JoverPorno 2014No winner 2015Ralston JoverDa Dog Show 2016Ralston JoverMrs. 2017John BediaAndrian LegaspiThe Chanters 2018Gutierrez Mangansakan IIMasla A Papanok 2019John BediaThop NazarenoDenise O'HaraEdward 2020Jason Paul LaxamanaHe Who Is Without Sin
Best Achievement in Editing
Best Achievement in Editing refers to the configuration of relationships of time and space among scenes in a film that is able to synthesize, engage in collision, reconcile, or transgress connections through the complex interplay of mise-en-scene and montage. The Best Editing trophy is given to the editor.
Three editors have received the YCC Editing award twice: Jesus Navarro (Ikaw Pa Lang ang Minahal, 1992; and Milagros, 1997) Roberto Vasadre (Sana Pag-ibig Na, 1998; and Pila Balde, 1999) Vito Cajili (Malikmata, 2003; and Spirit of the Glass, 2004)