That "guru" phrase was slapped under my name; I've been trying to change it to "film critic" for months, without much success.
I wouldn't know, I haven't seen the film. I think the ones of the '70s--Insiang, Maynila sa Kuko, Kispamata--had an excellent chance. Recent stuff I've been championing--Bubungang Lata, Pangarap ng Puso, Sisa, Kriminal ng Baryo Concepcion--wouldn't be as successful, due to production values, or lack of. Segurista came closes, I hear, to being actually nominated, and THAT had a sensibility and production value.
Batang West Side might be intriguing, but that depends if Oscar voters have the attention span to include a five hour film...
But the Oscars are a fools' game, I think; all awards are. They're the result of negotionation and compromise, never the consideration of quality. My position is, if a good film wins an award, that reflects well on the award, not the film; the publicity is going to a good cause, which rarely happens.