The Market Monitor Minding the Nation's Business
By Alvin I. Dacanay
3 Stars and a Sun, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (Peta) musical that used the songs of the late rapper Francis Magalona in telling the story of class-divided young Filipinos struggling against a dystopian society, dominated the Gawad Buhay nominations for 2016 that also saw several onstage and offstage talents recognized twice or more.
In a Facebook Live session on Friday, president Audie Gemora and vice president Maribel Legarda of the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group (Philstage) announced that 3 Stars and a Sun was nominated in 13 categories.
These include outstanding musical, ensemble performance in a musical, stage direction for Nor Domingo, male lead performance for Nicco Manalo, male featured performance for Nar Cabico and Bodjie Pascua, female featured performance for Carla Guevara-Laforteza, original libretto for Mixkaela Villalon and Rody Vera, and musical direction for Myke Salomon.
Trailing behind 3 Stars and a Sun are Ballet Philippines’ (BP) Firebird and Other Ballets, which earned 12 nods, including for outstanding classical dance production; and dance-musical Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance), which copped 11, including for outstanding modern dance production.
Firebird featured new choreography by George Birkadze in Act 1: “Firebird” and a suite of modern works by several Filipino choreographers in Act 2, while Awitin Mo used the music of popular 1970s group VST & Co. to chronicle the blossoming romance between a college student and a construction worker.
Nabbing 10 nominations each are Red Turnip Theater’s (RTT) production of Nina Raine’s Tribes, about a young deaf man and his unconventional family, and Full House Theater Co.’s production of the Broadway musical Annie.
Notable among this year’s finalists are choreographer PJ Rebullida, who was recognized for his work in Awitin Mo and 9 Works Theatrical’s (9WT) productions of American Idiot and A Christmas Carol; costume and set designer Gino Gonzales, shortlisted for his sets and costumes for 3 Stars and a Sun and costumes for Annie; lighting designer John Batalla, nominated for Repertory Philippines’ Almost, Maine, RTT’s Constellations, and BP’s Opera; and sound designer Teresa Barrozo, recognized for 3 Stars and a Sun, Constellations, and Tribes.
Performers who received two or more nominations this year are Jef Flores, for his leading role in 9WT’s Tick, Tick…Boom and his supporting role in Awitin Mo; Pascua, who’s also named for his featured part in another Peta production, The Tempest Reimagined; Angela Padilla, for her leading part in Stepping Out and supporting performance in Tribes; Rita Winder, for her work in Awitin Mo, Firebird, and BP’s Simoun; Denise Parungao, for Firebird, Opera, and Simoun; JM Cordero, for Awitin Mo and Simoun; and Garry Corpuz, for Awitin Mo and Firebird.
Now on its ninth year, the Gawad Buhay is the first-ever industry awards exclusively for the performing arts. It is organized by Philstage, the only alliance of professional performing-arts organizations in the Philippines.
Philstage members are 9 Works Theatrical, Actor’s Actors Inc., Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, Full House Theater Co. of Resorts World Manila, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Philippine Educational Theater Association, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Philippine Opera Company, Repertory Philippines, Red Turnip Theater, Stages, Tanghalang Pilipino, and Trumpets.
This year’s Gawad Buhay awards ceremony will be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino on May 10 at 7 p.m.
Here is the complete list of nominations:
Outstanding Original Script: No nomination.
Outstanding Original Libretto: Mixkaela Villalon and Rody Vera, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta).
Outstanding Translation or Adaptation: Rolando Tinio, Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (Midsummer Night’s Dream) (Tanghalang Pilipino).
Outstanding Musical Direction: Jed Balsamo, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); Daniel Bartolome and Onyl Torres, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Rodel Colmenar, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Myke Salomon, 3 Stars and a Sun. (Peta); Gerard Salonga, Rebel (Ballet Manila).
Outstanding Original Musical Composition: Malek Lopez, Opera (Ballet Philippines).
Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production: George Birkadze, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines); James Laforteza, PJ Rebullida, Carissa Adea, Paul Alexander Morales, and Gia Gequinto, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Ballet Philippines); Carlo Pacis, “Weighted Whispers” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines); Redha, Opera (Ballet Philippines).
Outstanding Choreography for a Play or Musical: Rose Borromeo, Stepping Out (Repertory Philippines); Nancy Crowe, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); PJ Rebullida, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); PJ Rebullida and Yek Barlongay, A Christmas Carol (9 Works Theatrical); Dexter Santos, A Little Princess (Repertory Philippines).
Outstanding Costume Design: Gino Gonzales, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Gino Gonzales, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Mark Higgins, Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines); Mickey Hirai, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Marsha Roddy, The Tempest Reimagined (Peta).
Outstanding Lighting Design: John Batalla, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); John Batalla, Constellations (Red Turnip Theater); John Batalla, Opera (Ballet Philippines); Tsuguo Izumi, The Tempest Reimagined (Peta); Ian Torqueza, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta).
Outstanding Sound Design: Teresa Barrozo, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Teresa Barrozo, Constellations (Red Turnip Theater); Teresa Barrozo, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Rards Corpus, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Rards Corpus and Jaime Godinez, A Christmas Carol (9 Works Theatrical).
Outstanding Set Design: Coco Anne and Baby Imperial, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); Gino Gonzales, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Mio Infante, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Ed Lacson Jr., Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Marsha Roddy, The Tempest Reimagined (Peta).
Female Lead Performance in a Play: Liesl Batucan, Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (Midsummer Night’s Dream) (Tanghalang Pilipino); Caisa Borromeo, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); Blanche Buhia, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! (Tanghalang Pilipino); Natalie Everett, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); Cris Villonco, Constellations (Red Turnip Theater).
Male Lead Performance in a Play: Kalil Almonte, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Reb Atadero, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); JC Santos, Constellations (Red Turnip Theater); Aldo Vencilao, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! (Tanghalang Pilipino); Jamie Wilson, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines).
Female Featured Performance in a Play: Pinky Amador, The Game’s Afoot (Repertory Philippines); Dolly de Leon, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Antonette Go, Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (Midsummer Night’s Dream) (Tanghalang Pilipino); Angela Padilla, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Thea Yrastorza, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater).
Male Featured Performance in a Play: Teroy Guzman, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Bodjie Pascua, The Tempest Reimagined (Peta); Norbs Portales, The Tempest Reimagined (Peta); Jonathan Tadioan, Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (Midsummer Night’s Dream) (Tanghalang Pilipino); Marco Viaña, Pangarap sa Isang Gabi ng Gitnang Tag-araw (Midsummer Night’s Dream) (Tanghalang Pilipino).
Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Krystal Brimner, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Isabeli Elizalde, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Angela Padilla, Stepping Out (Repertory Philippines).
Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Miguel Faustmann, A Christmas Carol (9 Works Theatrical); Jef Flores, Tick, Tick…Boom (9 Works Theatrical); Nel Gomez, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Nicco Manalo, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta).
Female Featured Performance in a Musical: Carla Guevara-Laforteza, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Ela Lisondra, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Tanya Manalang, Tick, Tick…Boom (9 Works Theatrical); Joy Virata, Stepping Out (Repertory Philippines),
Male Featured Performance in a Musical: Nar Cabico, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Jef Flores, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); Sandino Martin, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); Bodjie Pascua, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Ariel Reonal, Tick, Tick…Boom (9 Works Theatrical).
Female Lead Performance in Modern Dance: Rita Winder, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines).
Male Lead Performance in Modern Dance: JM Cordero, Simoun (Ballet Philippines); JM Cordero, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); Garry Corpuz, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines).
Female Featured Performance in Modern Dance: Gia Gequinto, “Simoun” (Ballet Philippines); Denise Parungao, Opera (Ballet Philippines); Denise Parungao, Simoun (Ballet Philippines); Edna Vida, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines).
Male Featured Performance in Modern Dance: Nonoy Froilan, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); Erl Sorilla, Simoun (Ballet Philippines).
Female Lead Performance in Classical Dance: Irene Kim Abrojena, The Great Classics (Philippine Ballet Theatre); Regina Magbitang, The Great Classics (Philippine Ballet Theatre); Dawna Mangahas, Cinderella (Ballet Manila); Abigail Oliveiro The Swan, The Fairy, and the Princess (Ballet Manila); Rita Winder, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines).
Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance: Garry Corpuz, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines); Rudy de Dios, Cinderella (Ballet Manila); Jimmy Lumba, The Great Classics (Philippine Ballet Theater),
Female Featured Performance in Classical Dance: Tiffany Chan, “Cinderella” (Ballet Manila); Monica Gana, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines); Violet Hong, Cinderella (Ballet Manila); Denise Parungao, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines).
Male Featured Performance in Classical Dance: Cyril Fallar, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines); Victor Maguad, “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines).
Outstanding Modern Dance Production: Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); Simoun (Ballet Philippines); “Weighted Whispers” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines).
Outstanding Classical Dance Production: “Firebird” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines).
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play: Topper Fabregas, Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); Bart Guingona, Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); Ralph Peña, The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! (Tanghalang Pilipino); Rem Zamora, Constellations (Red Turnip Theater).
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical: Nor Domingo, 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); Robbie Guevara, American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Robbie Guevara, Tick, Tick…Boom (9 Works Theatrical); Michael Williams, Annie (Full House Theater Co.).
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play: Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); The Tempest Reimagined (Peta); Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! (Tanghalang Pilipino).
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical: 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta); American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Tick, Tick…Boom (9 Works Theatrical).
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Modern Dance: Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance) (Ballet Philippines); “Weighted Whispers” from Firebird and Other Ballets (Ballet Philippines).
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Classical Dance: No nomination.
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play: Almost, Maine (Repertory Philippines); Constellations (Red Turnip Theater); Tribes (Red Turnip Theater); The Wong Kids in the Secret of the Space Chupacabra Go! (Tanghalang Pilipino).
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical: American Idiot (9 Works Theatrical); Annie (Full House Theater Co.); Tick, Tick…Boom (9 Works Theatrical).
Outstanding Play—Original or Translation/Adaptation: No nomination.
Outstanding Musical—Original or Translation/Adaptation: 3 Stars and a Sun (Peta).