2009 PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay!

Ballet Philipines dominates 2009 PHILSTAGE Gawad Buhay!

With seven major awards, Ballet Philippines’ Neo Filipino emerged as the top winner in the 2009 Gawad Buhay!: The PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts held on March 26, 2010 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.

A dance trilogy that pays homage to Filipino heritage and cultural diversity, Neo Filipino won the awards for citations for outstanding dance production, ensemble performance in a dance production, female lead performance in dance (Candice Adea), male lead performance in dance (Ronelson Yadao), female featured performance in dance (Marian Faustino for Amada), male featured performance in dance (Lucky Vicentino for Ulaging), adaptation or translation (Alice Reyes for Amada), costume design (Gino Gonzales), and lighting design (Katsch Catoy).

Two musical productions by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) tied for second place with four awards each. They are Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto and Ismail at Isabel.

The two-hour programme featured excerpts of nominated dance and musical productions performed by Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, Candice Adea, Joann Co, Sarah Abigail Cruz, Angel Gabriel, Victor Robinson III, and Richardson Yadao.

A distinguished achievement award called Natatanging Gawad Buhay was also conferred to theater icons Zeneida Amador and Celeste Legaspi and corporate supporter Avon Philippines.

PHILSTAGE is the country’s only organization of professional performing arts companies with a regular season programming of repertory development and performance pedagogy training. Its Board of Directors include PETA's Melvin Lee, vice president; Ballet Philippines’ Sandy Hontiveros, secretary; Repertory Philippines Gidget Tolentino, treasurer; Ballet Manila's Susan Macuja, Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s Tony Espejo, Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit’sMitch Valdes, TRUMPET's Audie Gemora, and PHILSTAGE Executive Director Elmar Beltran Ingles as members.

The Gawad Buhay jury is composed of Exie Abola, Walter Ang, Gilbert Cadiz, Ronald Elepaño III, Arvin Ello, Ralph Semino Galan. Rolando Inocencio, Glenn Sevilla Mas, Joy Parohinog, Joey Ting, and Basilio Esteban Villaruz.

Below is the complete list of winners:

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Dance Production: The Cast of BP’s Masterworks

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Musical: (Tie) The Casts of PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto and Ismail at Isabel

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Play: The Cast of TP’s Madonna Brava ng Mindanao

Outstanding Musical Composition: Vincent de Jesus (PETA’s Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto),

Outstanding Musical Direction: Gerard Salonga (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Set Design: Tuxqs Rutaquio (TP’s Streetcar Named Desire/Flores Para Los Muertos)

Outstanding Costume Design: Gino Gonzales (BP’s Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Lighting Design: Katsch Catoy (BP’s Neo Filipino)

Outstanding Sound Design: Aries Alcayaga (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Adaptation or Translation: Alice Reyes (BP’s Amada in Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Libretto: Vince De Jesus (PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto)

Outstanding Original Script: Tony Perez (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Choreography for Play or Musical: Carlon Matobato (PETA’s Ismail at Isabel)

Outstanding Choreography for Dance Production: Augustus Damian III’s Evacuation (BP’s Masterworks)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in Dance: Lucky Vicentino (BP’s Neo Filipino)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in Dance: Marian Faustino (BP’s Neo- Filipino)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Musical: Marvin Ong (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Musical: Liesl Batucan (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Play: Dido Dela Paz (REP’s Portrait of the Artist as Filipino)

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Play: Peewee O’Hara (TP’s Mga Mansanas sa Disyerto/Apples from the Desert)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Dance: Ronelson Yadao (BP’s Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Dance: Candice Adea (BP’s Neo-Filipino)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Audie Gemora (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Mechu Lauchengco-Yulo (REP’s Sweeney Todd)

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play: Lex Marcos (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play: Shamaine Centenera Buencamino (TP’s Madonna Brava ng Mindanao)

Outstanding Stage Direction: Nonon Padilla (PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?)

Outstanding Dance Production: BP’s Masterworks

Outstanding Musical Production: PETA’s Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto

Outstanding Play Production: PETA’s Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?