The Philippine theater community gathered live once again last night at the 13th Philstage (Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group) Gawad Buhay Awards. It was the alliance’s first live, in-person awards ceremony since the pandemic hit in 2020.
For the 13th Gawad Buhay, eight productions staged from 2020 to 2022 were eligible for the awards. These productions were staged by theater companies that are members of Philstage, and were cited for nominations by an independent jury composed of theater critics, members of the academe, and industry personalities.
The following productions were eligible for awards:
- “Under My Skin” – Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)
- “Joseph The Dreamer” – Trumpets, Inc.
- “Stage Kiss” – Repertory Philippines
- “Batang Mujahideen” – Tanghalang Pilipino
- “Dekada ‘70” – Black Box Productions
- “Anak Datu” – Tanghalang Pilipino
- “Mula sa Buwan” – Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
- “Carousel” – Repertory Philippines
Among the eight, “Dekada ‘70,” a musical adapted from the Lualhati Bautista martial law novel, and “Anak Datu,” inspired by the life of National Artist Abdulmari Imao also set predominantly during martial law, earned the most awards, taking home six each. (Ultimately a win for history, social relevance, and our collective memory!)
“Ang saya-saya na ang mga nagsipagwagi ngayong gabing ito ay mga kuwento at mga danas na paulit-ulit nating ikinukuwento dahil paulit-ulit siyang tinatakluban, paulit-ulit siyang sinusubukang wasakin at tanggalin sa ating memorya,” said actor Phi Palmos, receiving the Outsanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical award alongside “Dekada ‘70” cast members.
“Pero hindi tayo mapapagod–lagi at lagi tayong magmamahal, lagi at lagi tayong susulong dahil hindi maikukubli ang katotohanan. Patuloy siyang aalingawngaw, kahit ilang beses pa itong takpan ng kasinungalingan. Patuloy tayong lalaban.”
Below are the winners of the 13th Gawad Buhay Awards:
- Outstanding Projection and Video Design – Steven Tansiongco and Bene Manaois, “Under My Skin,” PETA
- Outstanding Sound Design – Teresa Barrozo, “Under My Skin,” PETA
- Outstanding Costume Design – Carlo Pagunaling, “Anak Datu,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Lighting Design – D Cortezano, “Batang Mujahideen,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Set Design – Toym Imao, “Anak Datu,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Choreography – Hassanain Magarang, “Anak Datu,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Original Script – Rody Vera, “Under My Skin,” PETA
- Outstanding Musical Direction – Chino Toledo, “Anak Datu,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Book of a Musical – Pat Valera, “Dekada ‘70,” Black Box Productions
- Outstanding Original Score – Pat Valera and William Manzano, “Mula sa Buwan,” Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
- Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play – Guelan Luarca, “Batang Mujahideen,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical – Pat Valera, “Dekada ‘70,” Black Box Productions
- Male Featured Performance in a Play – Gio Gahol, “Under My Skin, PETA
- Female Featured Performance in a Play – Lhorvie Nuevo, “Batang Mujahideen,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Male Featured Performance in a Musical – Jon Abella, “Dekada ‘70,” Black Box Productions
- Female Featured Performance in a Musical – Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, “Carousel,” Repertory Philippines
- Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play – “Anak Datu,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical – “Dekada ‘70,” Black Box Productions
- Female Lead Performance in a Play – Roselyn Perez, “Under My Skin, PETA
- Male Lead Performance in a Musical – Gian Magdangal, “Carousel,” Repertory Philippines
- Female Lead Performance in a Musical – Stella Cañete-Mendoza, “Dekada ‘70,” Black Box Productions
- Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical – “Joseph the Dreamer,” Trumpets, Inc.
- Outstanding Play–Original or Translation/Adaptation – “Anak Datu,” Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation – “Dekada ‘70,” Black Box Productions
It was also announced that “Anak Datu” will have a rerun in September.