Gawad Urian 2026 unveils nominees centered on power, politics, and pop culture

Historic epics and viral fan favorites compete for top honors at prestigious film critic awards.

The Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino has unveiled its official nominees for this year’s Gawad Urian, putting together a slate that highlights the depth, political urgency, and creative range of modern Philippine cinema. 

Leading the pack for Best Film are 901 Studios’ legal sequel “Bar Boys: After School,” the agricultural commentary “Bloom Where You Are Planted,” the meta-historical piece “Cinemartyrs,” TBA Studios’ historical political epic “Quezon,” and the sports drama “Sunshine.”

While distinct in scale, these entries share a tight focus on institutional power, moral compromise, and grassroots resistance. “Quezon” and “Bar Boys: After School” examine authority within state politics and the justice system, while “Bloom Where You Are Planted” and “Sunshine” capture personal and collective struggles around land rights and bodily autonomy. “Cinemartyrs” bridges these narratives by exploring how media shapes public memory.

Beyond the main picture category, the battle for Best Director features a compelling mix of seasoned filmmakers and auteur voices. Nominees Noni Abao (“Bloom”), Sari Dalena (“Cinemartyrs”), and Kip Oebanda (“Bar Boys”) are joined by hitmaker Antoinette Jadaone (“Sunshine”), whose sharp commentary continues to resonate deeply with Gen Z moviegoers, and Jerrold Tarog (“Quezon”), who expands his historical cinematic universe following “Heneral Luna” and “Goyo.”

The acting races similarly blur the lines between veteran powerhouses, mainstream icons, and rising youth culture stars. 

The Best Actor category pits veteran leads against youngbloods, featuring Earl Jonathan Amaba (“I’mPerfect”), Jomari Angeles (“Some Nights I Feel Like Walking”), Carlo Aquino (“Bar Boys”), Julian Paul Larroder (“Tigkiwili”), Jojit Lorenzo (“Habang Nilalamon ng Hydra ang Kasaysayan”), Miguel Odron (“Some Nights”), and Jericho Rosales (“Quezon”), alongside Elijah Canlas (“Rumaragasa”), who continues his impressive run as one of his generation’s most celebrated dramatic actors. 

Meanwhile, the Best Actress race features Ann Krystel Go (“I’mPerfect”), Nour Hooshmand (“Cinemartyrs”), EJ Jallorina (“Dreamboi”), Odette Khan (“Bar Boys”), Rissey Reyes-Robinson (“Paglilitis”), Ruby Ruiz (“Tigkiwili”), and Geraldine Villamil (“Republika ng Pipolinas”), alongside Maris Racal (“Sunshine”), whose lead performance has earned major buzz among pop-culture fans.

The supporting categories further blend screen legends with high-profile stars that draw strong online engagement. Best Supporting Actress nominees include global breakout star Dolly de Leon (“Hydra”), Alessandra de Rossi (“Republika ng Pipolinas”), Elora Espano (“Lakambini: Gregoria de Jesus”), Gina Pareño (“Lakambini”), Rochelle Pangilinan-Solinap (“Child No. 82: Anak ni Boy Kana”), Eula Valdez (“Paglilitis”), and Jennica Garcia (“Sunshine”), whose recent resurgence has made her a fan favorite. 

Best Supporting Actor features Amado Arjay Babon (“Magellan”), Nanding Josef (“Hydra”), heartthrob Joshua Garcia (“Meet, Greet, & Bye”), Enrique Gil (“Manila’s Finest”), OPM icon Rico Blanco (“Manila’s Finest”), rising star Will Ashley (“Bar Boys”), and international actor Iain Glen (“Quezon”).

The Best Screenplay category rounds out the major races, featuring Sari Dalena and Keith Sicat (“Cinemartyrs”), Renei Dimla (“Republika ng Pipolinas”), Antoinette Jadaone (“Sunshine”), Kip Oebanda, Zig Dulay, and Carlo Catu (“Bar Boys”), and Jerrold Tarog with legendary playwright Rody Vera (“Quezon”).

Founded in 1976, the Manunuri ng Pelikulang Pilipino (MPP) remains one of the country’s most prestigious bodies of film critics. Derived from “urian,” the touchstone used by goldsmiths to test gold purity, the Gawad Urian continues its decades-long legacy of fiercely independent artistic evaluation, championing films that challenge power and reflect contemporary Philippine society.

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