The year 2016 was a year full of breakthroughs and firsts in both the dance and theater scenes. It was also one of the busiest year’s to all my friends in the performing fields. And I am so grateful and thankful to have seen and watched most of the dance and theater plays whether straight and musical who were nominated. My never ending thanks to Sir Toots Tolentino and all our dear friends in their respective acting and dance companies and their PR/Marketing/Media groups for their generous assistance.
The recent 9th Gawad Buhay 2017 Gabi ng Parangal was held at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the Cultural Center of the Philippines graced by the amazing and brilliant men and women of theater and dance.
Hosted by funny guy and master of disguise Jon Santos who as always tickled our fancies with his exceptional presidential portrayals all throughout the night. Kudos to all performers of Repertory Philippines and PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) who are both celebrating their golden year milestones. Don’t miss their special productions as they turn Fabulous at 50!
Extra loads of applause for the victories of Firebird, Annie, 3 Stars and a Sun, American Idiot, Constellations, Tribes, Almost Maine, Opera, Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw, Tick Tick Boom, Simoun and Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko. ☺☺
HONOR ROLL OF PHILSTAGE 9th GAWAD BUHAY! WINNERS:
Outstanding Original Libretto
Mixkaela Villalon and Rody Vera, “3 Stars and a Sun” (PETA)
Outstanding Translation or Adaptation
Rolando Tinio, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding Musical Direction
Myke Salomon, “3 Stars and a Sun” (PETA)
Outstanding Original Musical Composition
Malek Lopez, “Opera” (Ballet Philippines)
Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production
Carlo Pacis, “Weighted Whispers”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Outstanding Choreography for a Play or Musical
PJ Rebullida, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Outstanding Costume Design
Gino Gonzales, “3 Stars and a Sun” (PETA)
Outstanding Lighting Design
John Batalla, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Outstanding Sound Design
Teresa Barrozo, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Outstanding Set Design
Mio Infante, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Female Lead Performance in a Play
Cris Villonco, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
Male Lead Performance in a Play
JC Santos, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
Female Featured Performance in a Play
Angela Padilla, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Male Featured Performance in a Play
Teroy Guzman, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Female Lead Performance in a Musical
Krystal Brimner, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Male Lead Performance in a Musical
Jef Flores, “Tick, Tick… Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)
Female Featured Performance in a Musical
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Male Featured Performance in a Musical
Ariel Reonal, “Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)
Female Lead Performance in Modern Dance
Rita Winder, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)
Male Lead Performance in Modern Dance
JM Cordero, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)
Female Featured Performance in Modern Dance
Edna Vida, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)
Male Featured Performance in Modern Dance
Erl Sorilla, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
Female Lead Performance in Classical Dance
Rita Winder, “Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance
Rudy de Dios, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila)
Female Featured Performance in Classical Dance
Denise Parungao, “Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Male Featured Performance in Classical Dance
Cyril Fallar, “Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Outstanding Modern Dance Production
“Weighted Whispers”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Outstanding Classical Dance Production
“Firebird”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play
Topper Fabregas, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical
Michael Williams, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play
“Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical
“Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Modern Dance
“Weighted Whispers”/from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play
“Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical
“Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Outstanding Musical—Original or Translation/Adaptation
“3 Stars and a Sun” (PETA)
Natatanging Gawad Buhay
Joy Virata (Repertory Philippines)
Soxie Topacio (PETA)