MANILA, Philippines - These are some of the happy, victorious faces at the 26th Aliw Awards recently at the Manila Hotel.
Guest of honor was former First Lady Imelda Marcos (right, with Aliw president Junne Quintana; and far right onstage with some of the awardees).
Winners all (bottom, from left): Luis Manzano, Tirso Cruz III, Dulce, Joey de Leon, Sen. Tito Sotto, Nora Aunor and US-based balikbayan singer Lirio Vital.
Named Best Musical Production was the revived Katy with its stars sweeping most of the major awards: Tirso, Best Featured Actor In A Musical; Dulce, Best Featured Actress In A Musical; and Isay Alvarez, Best Actress In A Musical.
Given Lifetime Achievement recognition were Nora; Tito, Vic and Joey; Angie Ferro; Joe Gruta; and the Leyte Dance Theater Company.
Hall of Fame awardees were Louie Ocampo, Freddie Santos and Bobby Garcia.
More awardees: Ed Gatchalian, Best Musical Director for Rivalry; Hansel And Gretel, Best Production For Children (Kids Act); Jaime del Mundo, Best Director In A Musical for Rivalry; Penitensya ni Tiyo Renato, Best Non-Musical Production; Sherry Lara, Best Actress In A Non-Musical for Kapit; and Roeder Camañag, Best Actor In A Musical for Stageshow.