Anak Datu Gets Most Citations for Gawad Buhay 2022

(SPOT.ph) 2020 and 2021 were unprecedented years in Philippine performing arts. The pandemic closed our theaters, restricted crowd numbers, and required everyone to wear masks. But the year 2022 saw a return of Philippine theater as artists and fans once again made our performing spaces come alive. This also signals the return of Gawad Buhay, touted to be the local counterpart of Broadway's Tony Awards or the West End's Olivier Awards.

Only professional theater companies that are members of the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group Inc. (a.k.a. Philstage) are eligible for Gawad Buhay citations and nominations. An independent jury votes on citations, nominations, and winners for the annual award, which was established in 2008.

For the 2022 edition, there were three shows eligible for competitive citations: Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino), Mula Sa Buwan (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative), and Carousel (Repertory Philippines).

Also read:
Anak Datu at Ang Rebelyon sa Mindanao
Ang Mula sa Buwan Bilang Liham ng Pag-Ibig Para sa Sining

Here is the list of the Gawad Buhay citations for 2022:

Outstanding Original Script

• Rody Vera, Anak Datu

Outstanding Book of a Musical

• Pat Valera, Mula sa Buwan

Outstanding Original Score

• Chino Toledo, Anak Datu
• Pat Valera & William Elvin Manzano, Mula sa Buwan

Outstanding Musical Direction

• Myke Salomon, Mula sa Buwan
• Chino Toledo, Anak Datu
• Ejay Yatco, Carousel

Outstanding Choreography

• JM Cabling, Mula sa Buwan
• Hassanain Magarang, Anak Datu

Outstanding Costume Design

• Bonsai Cielo, Mula sa Buwan
• Carlo Pagunaling, Anak Datu

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Katsch Catoy, Anak Datu
• Meliton Roxas Jr., Mula sa Buwan
• Barbie Tan-Tiongco, Carousel

Outstanding Sound Design

• Glendfford Malimban & Myke Salomon, Mula sa Buwan
• TJ Ramos, Anak Datu

Outstanding Set Design

• Toym Imao, Anak Datu
• Charles Yee, Carousel

Outstanding Projection and Video Design

• GA Fallarme, Anak Datu

Female Featured Performance in a Play

• Lhorvie Nuevo, Anak Datu
• Tex Ordoñez-de Leon, Anak Datu

Male Featured Performance in a Play

• Marco Viaña, Anak Datu

Female Lead Performance in a Musical

• Gab Pangilinan, Mula sa Buwan
• Karylle Tatlonghari, Carousel

Male Lead Performance in a Musical

• Gian Magdangal, Carousel
• Myke Salomon, Mula sa Buwan

Female Featured Performance in a Musical

• Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Carousel

Male Featured Performance in a Musical

• Lorenz Martinez, Carousel

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play

• Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical

• Carousel (Repertory Philippines)
• Mula sa Buwan (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play

• Chris Millado, Anak Datu

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical

• Pat Valera, Mula sa Buwan

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical

• Carousel (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation

• Anak Datu (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation

• Mula sa Buwan (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative)

Given the pandemic-induced theater hiatus, the 13th Gawad Buhay is combining this set with the citations previously released in December 2020. The 2020 citations included five shows that were shown before the lockdown—Under My Skin (Philippine Educational Theater Association), Joseph the Dreamer (Trumpets), Stage Kiss (Repertory Philippines), Batang Mujahideen (Tanghalang Pilipino), and Dekada ’70 (Black Box Productions). A final nomination list will be drawn from the two citation lists. Nominations and winners of the 13th Gawad Buhay will be announced later this year.

For reference, here is the previously released list of the Gawad Buhay citations for 2020:

Outstanding Original Script

• Rody Vera, Under My Skin
• Malou Jacob, Guelan Luarca, & Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, Batang Mujahideen

Outstanding Book of a Musical

• Pat Valera, Dekada ‘70

Outstanding Original Score 

• Teresa Barrozo & Migs Cortes, Under My Skin
• Matthew Chang & Pat Valera, Dekada ‘70

Outstanding Musical Direction 

• Matthew Chang, Dekada ‘70
• Myke Salomon, Joseph the Dreamer

Outstanding Choreography

• MJ Arda, Joseph the Dreamer
• Jomelle Era, Batang Mujahideen
• Jomelle Era, Dekada ‘70
• Nicole Primero & Bubbles Deriada, Under My Skin

Outstanding Costume Design

• Mio Infante, Joseph the Dreamer

Outstanding Lighting Design

• Dong Calingacion, Joseph the Dreamer
• D Cortezano, Batang Mujahideen
• Meliton Roxas, Jr., Dekada ‘70
• Ian Torqueza, Under My Skin

Outstanding Sound Design

• Teresa Barrozo, Under My Skin
• Myke Salomon, Joseph the Dreamer
• Arvy Dimaculangan, Batang Mujahideen

Outstanding Set Design

• Ohm David, Dekada ‘70
• Mio Infante, Joseph the Dreamer
• Marco Viaña & Paw Castillo, Batang Mujahideen

Outstanding Projection and Video Design

• Steven Tansiongco & Bene Manaois, Under My Skin

Female Lead Performance in a Play

• Missy Maramara, Stage Kiss
• Roselyn Perez, Under My Skin
• Cherry Pie Picache, Under My Skin

Female Featured Performance in a Play

• Lotlot Bustamante, Under My Skin
• Manok Nellas, Batang Mujahideen
• Lhorvie Nuevo, Batang Mujahideen
• Kitsi Pagaspas, Under My Skin
• Gold Villar-Lim, Under My Skin

Male Featured Performance in a Play

• Eko Baquial, Under My Skin
• Anthony Falcon, Under My Skin
• Gio Gahol, Under My Skin
• Jonathan Tadioan, Batang Mujahideen
• Dylan Talon, Under My Skin
• Dudz Teraña, Under My Skin

Female Lead Performance in a Musical

• Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Dekada ‘70

Male Lead Performance in a Musical

• Sam Concepcion, Joseph the Dreamer
• Juliene Mendoza, Dekada ‘70

Female Featured Performance in a Musical 

• Bituin Escalante, Joseph the Dreamer
• Alys Serdenia, Joseph the Dreamer

Male Featured Performance in a Musical

• Jon Abella, Dekada ‘70
• Esteban Fulay, Jr., Dekada ‘70
• Audie Gemora, Joseph the Dreamer
• Iggy Siasoco, Dekada ‘70

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play 

• Batang Mujahideen (TP)
• Under My Skin (PETA)

 Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical 

• Dekada ‘70 (BBP)
• Joseph the Dreamer (Trumpets)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play

• Melvin Lee, Under My Skin
• Guelan Luarca, Batang Mujahideen

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical

• Paolo Valenciano, Joseph the Dreamer
• Pat Valera, Dekada ‘70

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical

• Joseph the Dreamer (Trumpets)

Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation

• Batang Mujahideen (TP)
• Under My Skin (PETA)

Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation

• Dekada ‘70 (BBP)