Recap and Winners List GAWAD BUHAY AWARDS for 2019: "LAM-ANG," "EVERY BRILLIANT THING" and "PASSION" Lead Awardees

October 8, 2020

Because of the pandemic this year, the presentation of the Gawad Buhay awards this year were pushed back six months, from its usual date in April to today. The awarding ceremony was a combination of pre-recorded segments with Phi Palmos and Meann Espinosa with smooth transitions to live speeches from the excited winners.

The emcees opened the show wearing colorful bunny suits, keeping in tune with the times, but they would later change to regular clothes for the rest of the show. Philstage President Audie Gemora delivered the opening remarks. 

The first set of awards were for the technical categories:

Outstanding Original Score

Fitz Bitana, Jen Darlene Torres and Eljay Castro Deldoc, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Vince Lim, Jeff Hernandez and Michelle Ngu, “Charot!” (Philippine Educational Theater Association)

Eljay Castro-Deldoc

Outstanding Choreography

JM Cabling, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

PJ Rebullida, “The Quest for the Adarna” (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Sound Design

Arvy Dimaculangan, “Every Brilliant Thing” (The Sandbox Collective)

Jethro Joaquin, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Glendfford Malimban, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

TJ Ramos, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

TJ Ramos, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Musical Direction (tie)

Daniel Bartolome, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

TJ Ramos, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Ejay Yatco, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

TJ Ramos

Outstanding Lighting Design

John Batalla, “Every Brilliant Thing” (The Sandbox Collective)

Dennis Marasigan, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Meliton Roxas Jr., “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Barbie Tan-Tiongco, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Shakira Villa-Symes, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

Outstanding Costume Design

Bonsai Cielo, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Bonsai Cielo, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Daniel Gregorio, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Tata Tuviera, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Set Design

Ed Lacson Jr., “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Joey Mendoza, “The Quest for the Adarna” (Repertory Philippines)

Faust Peneyra, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Kayla Teodoro, “Dancing Lessons” (Twin Bill Theater)

Marco Viaña, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Julie Borromeo

The first Natatanging Gawad award of the night was given to Ms. Julie Borromeo for the field of Dance. She received tributes from all her children and students, as well as performance of one of the contemporary ballets she choreographed to the tune of "Maging Hanggang sa Dulo ng Walang Hanggan".  

The next set of awards were for the writers:

Outstanding Translation or Adaptation

Guelan Luarca, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Luna Grino-Inocian

Outstanding Original Book of a Musical

Luna Griño-Inocian, “The Quest for the Adarna” (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Production for Children

“The Quest for the Adarna” (Repertory Philippines)

The second Natatanging Gawad award of the night was given to Freddie Santos for Theatre. His tribute began Gary Valenciano performing the song "Would You Be Messiah" which he wrote for Santos's musical "First Name." This was followed a lengthy narration about Santos' long career in performing and directing theater as well as concerts.

Freddie Santos

The next set of awards were for performances.

Male Featured Performance in a Play

Jaime del Mundo, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Fernando Josef, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Brian Sy, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Jonathan Tadioan, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Female Featured Performance in a Play

Antonette Go, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Sherry Lara, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Tami Monsod, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Lhorvie Nuevo, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Kakki Teodoro

Female Lead Performance in a Play

Teresa Herrera, “Every Brilliant Thing” (The Sandbox Collective)

Jill Peña, “Dancing Lessons” (Twin Bill Theater)

Kakki Teodoro, “Every Brilliant Thing” (The Sandbox Collective)

Male Lead Performance in a Play

Audie Gemora, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Teroy Guzman, “The Dresser” (Repertory Philippines)

Jonathan Tadioan, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Marco Viaña, “Coriolano” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Marco Viaña, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Marco Viana

Male Featured Performance in a Musical

Paw Castillo, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Daniel Drilon, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Lorenz Martinez, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Juliene Mendoza, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Raul Montesa, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

Female Featured Performance in a Musical

Jasmine Fitzgerald, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

Anna Luna, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Justine Narciso, “The Quest for the Adarna” (Repertory Philippines)

Tex Ordoñez-de Leon, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Vien King

Male Lead Performance in a Musical

Vien King, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

JC Santos, “Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Female Lead Performance in a Musical

Rebecca Coates, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Felicity Kyle Napuli, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play

“Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical

“Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

“Lam-ang” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

“Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

The next segment was an In Memoriam slideshow accompanied by the song "Matatapos Din" (from "Mula sa Buwan") sung by Gab Pangilinan. The notable theater personalities included in the list were Heherson Alvarez, Carlos Celdran, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Peque Gallaga, Tony Mabesa, Manny Pambid and Menggie Cobarrubias.

The final set of awards were as follows:

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play

Jenny Jamora, “Every Brilliant Thing” (The Sandbox Collective)

Francis Matheu, “Dancing Lessons” (Twin Bill Theater)

Carlitos Siguion-Reyna, “Katsuri” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Jenny Jamora

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical

Toff de Venecia, “Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

Robbie Guevara, “Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play

“Dancing Lessons” (Twin Bill Theater)

“Every Brilliant Thing” (The Sandbox Collective)

Karla Gutierrez 

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical

“Dani Girl” (The Sandbox Collective)

“Passion” (Philippine Opera Company)

The final remarks were given by Philstage Vice President Congressman Toff de Venecia. There was an emotional final song "Darating Din ang Araw" rendered by a group of theater singers led by Sweet Plantado and Poppert Bernadas. This first-of-its-kind online awards show was very well-executed by Black Box in cooperation with PETA and Philstage.