Cover Jon Abella in ‘Dekada ’70’
Jon Abella in ‘Dekada ’70’
1 / 1
Black Box Productions' musical set in the Martial Law era and Tanghalang Pilipino's play about the still-existing problems in Muslim Mindanao garnered the most awards at the annual recognition of Philstage
Gawad Buhay reunited Philstage’s 17 member companies with the cast and production crews of musicals and stage plays last April 25 for its live awarding at the PETA Theater Center. After being hampered by the pandemic, the awarding ceremony hosted by Topper Fabregas and Meann Espinosa honoured the resiliency and creativity of the companies during its opening act.
In case you missed it: The state of the Philippine art scene during the Covid-19 pandemic
For its 13th year, shows of Philstage member companies from 2020 to 2022 were eligible for nominations. This is due to to the closing of most theatres during the pandemic. The energy was palpable in the room as the hosts’ roll called the nominees: Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu and Batang Mujahideen, Repertory Philippines’ Carousel, Black Box Productions’ Dekada ’70, Trumpets Inc’s Joseph the Dreamer, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Mula sa Buwan, Repertory Philippines’ Stage Kiss, and PETA’s Under My Skin.
Above PETA’s ‘Under My Skin’
PETA’s ‘Under My Skin’
1 / 1
Here is the list of this year's winners:
Outstanding projection and video design — Steven Tansiongco and Bene Manaois for Under My Skin (PETA)
Outstanding sound design — Teresa Barrozo for Under My Skin (PETA)
Outstanding costume design — John Carlo Villafuere Pagunaling for Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding lighting design — D Cortezano for Batang Mujahideen (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding set design — Toym Imao for Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding choreography — Hassanain Magarang for Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Read also: PETA’s “Under My Skin” calls for end of stigma against persons living with HIV
Above Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Anak Datu’
Tanghalang Pilipino’s ‘Anak Datu’
1 / 1
Outstanding original script — Rody Vera for Under My Skin (PETA)
Outstanding musical direction — Chino Toledo for Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding book of a musical — Pat Valera for Dekada ’70 (Black Box Productions)
Outstanding original score — Pat Valera and William Elvin Manzano for Mula sa Buwan (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative)
Outstanding stage direction for a play — Guelan Varela-Luarca for Batang Mujahideen (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding stage direction for a musical — Pat Valera for Dekada ’70 (Black Box Productions)
Read also: Pat Valera and William Elvin Manzano talk about ‘Mula sa Buwan’
Above Rody Vera, winner of Outstanding original script for ‘Under My Skin’ (Photo: Tanghalang Pilipino)
Rody Vera, winner of Outstanding original script for ‘Under My Skin’ (Photo: Tanghalang Pilipino)
1 / 1
Male featured performance in a musical — Jon Abella for Dekada ’70 (Black Box Productions)
Female featured performance in a musical — Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante for 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 for Under My Skin (PETA)
Male lead performance in a musical — Gian Magdangal for Carousel (Repertory Philippines)
Female lead performance in a musical — Stella Cañete-Mendoza for Dekada ’70 (Black Box Productions)
Read also: Repertory Philippines’ ‘Carousel’ directed by Toff de Venecia should be your current FOMO
Above Black Box Production’s ‘Dekada ’70’
Black Box Production’s ‘Dekada ’70’
1 / 1
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)
Nanding Josef, the artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino offered their awards for Anak Datu and Batang Mujahideen for the continuous strive for peace in Muslim Mindanao.
Valera, together with the cast members and production staff of Dekada ’70, dedicated their awards to the late Lualhati Bautista, author of the award-winning novel of the same name. Phi Palmos, one of the cast members, in his speech, said “It's remarkable that the winners this year are experiences and stories that we keep on telling because they are continuously being buried, destroyed, and erased from our memories. But we will never get tired of unearthing them. We will continue to love, always and forever. We will keep on fighting for truth despite all the odds.”
Philstage is the prestigious alliance of professional theatre companies in the country. Its members are as follows: Repertory Philippines, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), Culturtain Musicat, Gantimpala Theater, Actor's Actors Inc, Tanghalang Pilipino, Trumpets Inc, Black Box Productions, Barefoot Theater Collaborative, 9 Works Theatrical, Twin Bill Theater, The Sandbox Collective, The Necessary Theater, Philippine Opera Company, Full House Theater Company, Ballet Manila, and Philippine Ballet Theater.
NOW READ
‘Joseph the Dreamer’ returns onstage this 2022 with Sam Concepcion and Gary Valenciano
FDCP’s annual ‘Parangal ng Sining’ recognises Dolly de Leon, Vilma Santos, and more
About
Before assuming the Art and Culture Editor position, Franz has always had a penchant for visual and performing arts. He is passionate about exploring and writing about the local cultural scene and rediscovering the country’s storied past and rich heritage. Besides working on this luxury lifestyle magazine, Franz is an avid book reader, local traveller, museum-goer, chorister, and community theatre playwright.
Work
Franz earned a degree in Journalism from the University of Santo Tomas. He writes about local visual and performing artists and their craft; drinks wines, liquors, and spirits and talks about the creativity of their respective winemakers and master blenders; tries to learn more about business and investments; respects the tradition and artistry that go behind the making of watches and jewellery; and appreciates the genius of architecture and creative design.
As head of Tatler Philippines’ pool of writers, he helps them bring impactful and socially relevant stories to light.
For any leads, you may reach him through @franzsorillaiv on Instagram or franz@tatlerphilippines.com via email.
