Audie Gemora wins Philstage award

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Stage Artists Group, Inc. and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) presented its second annual Gawad Buhay Awards last March 26 at CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater).

Receiving one of the top acting awards for Best Male Lead Performance in a Musical Production for Repertory Philippines’ Sweeney Todd was TV5’s Talentadong Pinoy judge Audie Gemora.

“It’s not about who’s the best. Tonight is all about validating each other’s work,” said Audie.

With seven major awards, including Best Dance Production, Ballet Philippines’ Masterworks and Neo Filipino emerged as the overall top winner in the 2009 Gawad Buhay.

The Natatanging Gawad Buhay was conferred on Zeneida Amador, Celeste Legaspi (who got a standing ovation) and corporate supporter Avon Philippines for its years of valuable support and unselfish contribution to theater arts. Celeste limped as she went on stage to receive her award due to a recent knee operation.

PETA’s Vincent de Jesus bagged two awards — Outstanding Libretto and Outstanding Musical Composition for Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto.

After winning Outstanding Male Featured Performer In A Musical, young Viva Talent Marvin Ong performed his award-winning piece, Not While I’m Around from Repertory Philippines’ Sweeney Todd.

Other outstanding performances came from dancers of Ballet Philippines and Ballet Manila — Candice Adea, Angel Gabriel, Carissa Adea, Sarah Cruz, Nazer Salgado, Richardson Yadao plus performance excerpts from PETA’s Juan Tamad, Ang Diablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto featuring Joann Co and Victor Robinson III.

Presentors were Celeste, Isay and Robert Seña, Bong Cabrera, CB Garucho, Melvin Lee, Joy Virata, Fernando Josef, Sandy Hontiveros, Osias Barroso, Susan Macuja, Lisa Macuja, Paul Morales and Rem Zamora.

The complete list of winners:

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical:

Audie Gemora, Sweeney Todd, Repertory Philippines.

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Musical:

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Sweeney Todd, Repertory Phils.

Outsatnding Female Featured Performance in a Musical:

Liesl Batucan, Sweeney Todd, Repertory Phils.

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Musical:

Marvin Ong, Sweeney Todd, Repertory Phils.

Outstanding Production of a Play:

Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?, PETA

Outstanding Musical Production:

Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto, PETA

Outstanding Dance Production:

Masterworks and Neo Filipino

Outstanding Stage Direction:

Nonon Padilla, Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?, PETA

Outstanding Original Script:

Tony Perez, Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?, PETA

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Play:

Madonna Brava ng Mindanao, Tanghalang Pilipino

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in a Play:

Shamaine Centenera Buencamino, TP’s Madonna Bravo ng Mindanao

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play:

Lex Marcos, Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?, PETA

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in a Play

Peewee O’Hara, Mga Mansanas sa Disyerto/Apples from the Desert, Tanghalang Pilipino

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Play:

Dido dela Paz, A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino, Repertory Phils.

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Musical:

Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto, PETA

Outstanding Libretto

Vincent de Jesus, Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at ang Limang Milyong Boto

Outstanding Choreography for Play or Musical:

Carlon Matobato, Ismail at Isabel, PETA

Outstanding Choreography for Dance Production

Augustus Damian III’s Evacuation, Ballet Philippines’ Masterworks

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Dance Production:

Masterworks, Ballet Philippines

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Dance:

Candice Adea, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Dance:

Ronelson Yadao, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Choreography for Dance Production

Augustus Damian III’s Evacuation, Ballet Philippines’ Masterworks

Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Dance Production:

Masterworks, Ballet Philippines

Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Dance:

Candice Adea, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Dance:

Ronelson Yadao, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Female Featured Performance in Dance:

Marian Faustino, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Male Featured Performance in Dance:

Lucky Vicentino, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Adaptation or Translation:

Alice Reyes, Amada, Neo-Filipino

Outstanding Musical Direction:

Gerard Salonga, Sweeney Todd, Repertory Phils.

Outstanding Musical Composition:

Vincent de Jesus, Si Juan Tamad, Ang Diyablo at Ang Limang Milyong Boto, PETA

Outstanding Set Design:

Tuxqs Rutaquio, A Streetcar Named Desire/Flores Para Los Muertos, Tanghalang Pilipino

Outstanding Costume Design:

Gino Gonzales, Neo-Filipino, PB

Outstanding Lighting Design:

Katsch Catoy, Neo-Filipino BP

Outstanding Sound Design:

Aries Alcayaga, Saan Ba Tayo Ihahatid ng Disyembre?, PETA