Winners List: 9TH PHILSTAGE GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS 2016: "Firebird", "Annie" and "Tribes" Lead!

May 11, 2017

Philstage is an umbrella organization of professional performing arts companies in the Philippines. Presently the members include: 9Works Theatrical, Actor’s Actors Inc. Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, Full House (Resort World Manila), Gantimpala Theater Foundation, PETA, Philippine Ballet Theater, Philippine Opera Company, Repertory Philippines, Red Turnip, Stages, Tanghalang Pilipino and Trumpets. Its yearly awards of excellence among its member companies are called the Gawad Buhay.

The Gawad Buhay Awards for the productions of 2016 were given out last night May 10, 2017 in ceremonies held at the CCP Little Theater, with Jon Santos hosting the show. There was a segment of the show that honored the 50th anniversary of two Philstage members -- PETA and Repertory Philippines -- bringing together on stage two institutions of Philippine theater -- Cecile Guidote-Alvarez and Baby Barredo. 

2016 is my second year to have served on the Gawad Buhay jury, an independent panel of critics, scholars, artists and theater enthusiasts who cite, nominate and vote for the winners for the awards. We have voted on the final list of nominees last January 28, 2017, which was a holiday Chinese New Year so most of us jurors were able to attend. Since the final vote was by secret balloting, some of these winners came as a surprise for me when announced last night.

Gawad Buhay Jury Deliberations 

Robinsons Magnolia Residences, Tower B Function Room

January 28, 2917

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COMPLETE LIST OF 2016 NOMINEES AND WINNERS (in bold) IN ALL CATEGORIES:

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL SCRIPT
No nomination

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL LIBRETTO
Mixkaela Villalon and Rody Vera, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta) (MY REVIEW)

OUTSTANDING TRANSLATION OR ADAPTATION 
Rolando Tinio, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino) 
(MY REVIEW)

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTION 
Myke Salomon, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Daniel Bartolome and Onyl Torres, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Gerard Salonga, “Rebel” (Ballet Manila)
Rodel Colmenar, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Jed Balsamo, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING ORIGINAL MUSICAL COMPOSITION
Malek Lopez, “Opera” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY FOR A DANCE PRODUCTION 
Redha, “Opera” (Ballet Philippines)
George Birkadze, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Carlo Pacis, “Weighted Whispers” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
James Laforteza, Patrick John Rebullida, Carissa Adea, Paul Alexander Morales and Gia Gequinto, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY FOR A PLAY OR MUSICAL 
PJ Rebullida, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical) (MY REVIEW)
Rose Borromeo, “Stepping Out” (Repertory Philippines) (MY REVIEW)
Nancy Crowe, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Dexter Santos, “A Little Princess” (Repertory Philippines)
Patrick John Rebullida and Yek Barlongay, “A Christmas Carol” (9 Works Theatrical) (MY REVIEW)

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN 
Gino Gonzales, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Mickey Hirai, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Mark Higgins, “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Gino Gonzales, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Marsha Roddy, “The Tempest Reimagined” (Peta) (MY REVIEW)

OUTSTANDING LIGHTING DESIGN 
John Batalla, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
John Batalla, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines) (MY REVIEW)
Ian Torqueza, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
John Batalla, “Opera” (Ballet Philippines)
Tsuguo Izumi, “The Tempest Reimagined” (Peta)

OUTSTANDING SOUND DESIGN
Teresa Barrozo, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
Teresa Barrozo, “3 Stars and a Sun” (PETA)
Teresa Barrozo, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater) (MY REVIEW)
Rards Corpus, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Rards Corpus and Jaime Godinez, “A Christmas Carol” (9 Works Theatrical)

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Coco Anne and Baby Imperial, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Gino Gonzales, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Mio Infante, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Ed Lacson Jr., “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Marsha Roddy, “The Tempest Reimagined” (Peta)

FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY 
Cris Villonco, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater) (MY REVIEW)
Natalie Everett, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Caisa Borromeo, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Blanche Buhia, “The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Liesl Batucan, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
JC Santos, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
Reb Atadero, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Jamie Wilson, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Kalil Almonte, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Aldo Vencilao, “The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY 
Pinky Amador, “The Game’s Afoot” (Repertory Philippines) (MY REVIEW)
Angela Padilla, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Dolly de Leon, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Thea Yrastorza, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Antonette Go, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A PLAY
Teroy Guzman, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Jonathan Tadioan, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Marco Viana, “Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Bodjie Pascua, “The Tempest Reimagined” (Peta)
Norbs Portales, “The Tempest Reimagined” (Peta)

FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL 
Angela Padilla, “Stepping Out” (Repertory Philippines)
Krystal Brimner, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company) (MY REVIEW)
Isabeli Elizalde, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)

MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Nicco Manalo, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Nel Gomez, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Jef Flores, “Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical) (MY REVIEW)
Miguel Faustmann, “A Christmas Carol” (9 Works Theatrical)

FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL 
Carla Guevara-Laforteza, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Joy Virata, “Stepping Out” (Repertory Philippines)
Ela Lisondra, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Tanya Manalang, “Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)

MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN A MUSICAL
Nar Cabico, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Bodjie Pascua, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Ariel Reonal, “Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)
Jef Flores, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)
Sandino Martin, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN MODERN DANCE
Rita Winder, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines) (MY REVIEW)

MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN MODERN DANCE 
JM Cordero, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
JM Cordero, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)
Garry Corpuz, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN MODERN DANCE 
Denise Parungao, “Opera” (Ballet Philippines)
Gia Gequinto, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
Denise Parungao, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
Rita Winder, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
Edna Vida, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN MODERN DANCE 
Erl Sorilla, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
Nonoy Froilan, “Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

FEMALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN CLASSICAL DANCE
Rita Winder, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Irene Kim Abrojena, “The Great Classics” (Philippine Ballet Theatre)
Regina Magbitang, “The Great Classics” (Philippine Ballet Theatre)
Dawna Mangahas, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila)
Abigail Oliveiro “The Swan, The Fairy, and the Princess” (Ballet Manila)

MALE LEAD PERFORMANCE IN CLASSICAL DANCE 
Garry Corpuz, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Jimmy Lumba, “The Great Classics” (Philippine Ballet Theater)
Rudy de Dios, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila)

FEMALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN CLASSICAL DANCE
Monica Gana, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Denise Parungao, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Tiffany Chan, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila)
Violet Hong, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila)

MALE FEATURED PERFORMANCE IN CLASSICAL DANCE 
Cyril Fallar, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
Victor Maguad, “Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING MODERN DANCE PRODUCTION 
“Weighted Whispers” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
“Simoun” (Ballet Philippines)
“Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING CLASSICAL DANCE PRODUCTION 
“Firebird” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING STAGE DIRECTION FOR A PLAY 
Rem Zamora, “Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
Bart Guingona, “Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
Topper Fabregas, “Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
Ralph Peña, “The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

OUTSTANDING STAGE DIRECTION FOR A MUSICAL 
Nor Domingo, “3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
Robbie Guevara, “American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
Michael Williams, “Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
Robbie Guevara, “Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE FOR A PLAY
“Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
“Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
“The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” (Tanghalang Pilipino)
“The Tempest Reimagined” (Peta)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE FOR A MUSICAL 
“3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)
“American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
“Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
“Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE FOR MODERN DANCE 
“Weighted Whispers” from “Firebird and Other Ballets” (Ballet Philippines)
“Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko” (Ballet Philippines)

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE FOR CLASSICAL DANCE 
No nomination

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF EXISTING MATERIAL FOR A PLAY
“Constellations” (Red Turnip Theater)
“Almost, Maine” (Repertory Philippines)
“Tribes” (Red Turnip Theater)
“The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go!” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF EXISTING MATERIAL FOR A MUSICAL
“American Idiot” (9 Works Theatrical)
“Annie” (Full House Theater Company)
“Tick, Tick…Boom” (9 Works Theatrical)

OUTSTANDING PLAY -- ORIGINAL OR TRANSLATION/ADAPTATION 
No nomination

OUTSTANDING MUSICAL -- ORIGINAL OR TRANSLATION/ADAPTATION 
“3 Stars and a Sun” (Peta)

NATATANGING GAWAD BUHAY
Joy Virata (Repertory Philippines)
Soxie Topacio (Peta)

Recap of PSF THEATER FESTIVAL 2017 (Week 3): POSISYON, LOOB, DILAW O PULA

May 6, 2017

This is already the 11th year of the Theater Festival held every summer by the Philippine Stagers Foundation. This is only the first time I had ever attended one of their sessions, held for four consecutive Saturdays each summer. Each Saturday there would be at least six original one-act plays -- two amateur, from their summer workshop participants: two from collegiate theater organizations, and two by members of PSF themselves. This was held in the intimate setting of the PSF home theater along G. Tuazon St. in Sampaloc, Manila.

This is a competition to be judged by a distinguished panel of judges, this year including award-winning writers Atty. Nicholas Pichay and Moira Lang, and actors Patricia Javier and Mike Lloren. Listening to the funny, meaty and instructive commentary of this panel of experts was very eye-opening as they spoke from their own trove of experiences in the world of theater. Their notes and suggestions were indeed very rich lessons in theater craft for the cast and crew, and in theater appreciation for us theater fans.

Trisha and her tutor Daniel in "Puppy Love"

I came in about 4 pm already, but I was still able to catch the two amateur plays about children written by the same playwright Jomar Bautista. The first play "Puppy Love" was about a 10 year old girl Trisha and her crush on her 23 year old tutor Daniel. The topic was not exactly too comfortable to watch for a parent like me. However, the simple premise of seeing puppy love in the child's point of view was quite cute, especially since the spirited young aspiring actress from Cagayan de Oro Chill Paloma Albasin portraying Trisha is really 10 years old. This was directed by Rotsen Etolle.

Francis' poster boy Tony comes to life in "Fan"

The second play "Fan" was about a 10 year old boy Francis who was secretly gay. That night, he had his friend Trisha (played by different actress now) over for a sleepover. I am not sure why Trisha was allowed to sleep in Francis' room if the parents were not aware he was gay. I would not know if this is really how gay boys behave in their bedrooms as they fantasize over a poster of their favorite male singer, but I guess the current over-the-top standards set by Awra (in turn influenced by Vice Ganda) prevailed in this characterization. The huge guy playing Francis' mom attacked his character the same exaggerated way, with hilarious results. This was directed by Gerald Magallanes.

Tara listens to Nathan's woes in "Kolorete"

The next play "Kolorete" was competing in the collegiate category, and was from the Colegio de San Juan de Letran. This play was about a day in the life of a gay make-up artist named Tara who worked in the salon of Madame X. His customers that day include a pressured student who failed in school, a hero cop, a battered wife, an abused child and finally, his own mother. The progression of the play was quite puzzling and long-winded, but when you realize what's going on, you will understand why it went on that way. Adjustments could still be made to improve on what is already a solid story concept.

After a 15 minute break, it was the turn of the plays written by Stagers to be presented. Both were directed by Atty. Vince Tanada himself. According to both writers, they only submitted their final scripts earlier this week and their casts barely had time to get their acts ready. In fact, both of these shows only had their first and only general rehearsal last night. This fact made the actual performances we saw tonight all the more impressive. Also amazing was the fact that the writers were also actors in other plays in this same set. 

Rizal (Patrick Libao) hams it up in "Posisyon"

The first Stagers play was "Posisyon" written by Kierwin Larena. It was about an opening for one certain unspecified position where the applicants were various Filipinos throughout Philippine history, including Rizal, Bonifacio, Aguinaldo, Mabini, Juan Luna,  Marcelo H. del Pilar, Tandang Sora, Gabriela Silang and Sultan Kudarat. The concept is quite iconoclastic as it pits one hero against another using scandalous bits of information known about them. This resulted in an irreverent yet very entertaining play. The ending was a big question mark for me though. I don't think I understood why it ended that way.

The second Stagers play was "Loob" by Patrick Adrian Libao. There were only two characters -- Mika, a male ballet dancer who was brought up thinking he was female by his mother, a prima ballerina of the Bolshoi Ballet; and Mika, his favorite doll, a silent witness to everything happening in that damaged household. How Libao was able to come up with such a psychologically exhausting script in two days is a miracle of writing talent.

Mika and Mika (Magallanes and Golondrina) in "Loob"

The performance of Gerald Magallanes, the Stagers resident choreographer, as the ballet boy Mika was bold and graceful in the course of his painful self-discovery, literally baring himself body and soul on that stage (and for a significantly long time). His intensity was matched stroke for stroke, step by step by Arian Golondrina, who amazed everyone with her fluid versatility as she seamlessly transitioned from sympathetic doll Mika, to invalid father to dominating mother, even dropping a few lines in Russian. A thunderous standing ovation greeted this mesmerizing play when it ended, all truly deserved!

Benjo (Lim) and Emil (Larena) in "Dilaw o Pula"

As a bonus for this night, Vince Tanada presented one more play not in competition. It was a performance of his own two-hander play, "Dilaw o Pula," starring Kierwin Larena and Chris Lim as two political inmates, the Marcos-loyalist Emil and the Aquino-loyalist Benjo respectively. They were awaiting the announcement if they would be among those pardoned and released by the president that Easter Sunday which was the usual custom. This was one heavy play with both politically, emotionally and visually vexing moments. This play is truly signature Vince Tanada in its script and execution. 

It was already 9 pm when that day's activities wound down. Three Saturdays down and one more Saturday to go before this year's PSF Theater Festival concludes its run. Even if I just watched this week, I think I may have already seen the winners for best play and best acting. In any case, win or lose, the intensive exposure of these aspiring theater artists to all aspects of theater production during this festival is an invaluable enough reward.