AS songwriter Irving Berlin put it years ago: “There’s no people like show people/They smile when they are low…”
So pity the poor performers of the legitimate stage. They sometimes feel low because they work their a—s off and receive inadequate compensation, plus polite applause from the people who come (or are herded) to their shows. They don’t even have statuettes and plaques as a reward for excellent work.
All that, however, is bound to change with the first ground-breaking awards of the Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group Inc. (Philstage), held recently at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
A panel of 12 jurors composed of knowledgeable critics of the performing arts, after a yearlong survey of 2008 productions, gave awards for outstanding performances, direction, librettos and so on, running the gamut of all aspects that go into a production (drama, musical theater and dance).
Philstage president Nanding Josef, in a dig at rigged political elections, said the awards were definitely free of “dagdag-bawas.”
It was an exciting but no-frills evening, with no superstars and politicians. Pacing was brisk, and there were only two production numbers: excerpts from Ballet Philippines’ “La Revolucion Filipina” and Philippine Educational Theater Association’s “Skin Deep.”
The first major winner announced for Outstanding Male Featured Performance in a Play was a popular choice: Bong Cabrera of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Kudeta.”
The young actor from Cebu was overcome by emotion and couldn’t speak for a few moments. Finally, he blurted out his thanks to family, friends “and, of course, to God.”
The female counterpart of the award went to Cris Villonco of Repertory Philippines’ “Hamlet.”
And in dance, it was Camille O. Joson for Ballet Philippines’ “Latin Heat.”
“Kudeta” was the most honored production with three other awards : Outstanding Lighting Design (Dennis Marasigan); Outstanding Set Design (Tuxqs Rutaquio); and Outstanding Translation or Adaptation (George de Jesus III).
Wildly applauded
Also wildly applauded was José Mari Avellana, who bagged the Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Play award for his electrifying performance in the Rep’s “Tuesdays with Morrie.”
In the female category, it was Shamaine Centenera (“Kalungkutan ng Mga Reyna”) who triumphed, capping a brilliant year for her.
A controversial Palanca Award-winning one-act play, “Kalungkutan” also won top honors for its director, Floy Quintos, and for Outstanding Production of a One-Act Play.
The award for Outstanding Musical Production went to Peta’s “Skin Deep.” The play also won for Robert Seña and May Bayot the Outstanding Lead Performance in a Musical awards.
Vincent de Jesus, unopposed, was cited for Peta’s “Batang Rizal” and “Skin Deep” (Outstanding Original Libretto), and won for both.
Also unopposed for Outstanding Lead Performance were dancers Lisa Macuja (Ballet Manila’s “Le Corsaire”) and Biag Gaongen (“La Revolucion Filipina”).
Agnes Locsin won for Outstanding Original Choreography in “La Revolucion Filipina,” which was also chosen Outstanding Dance Production.
Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Golden Child” chalked up three major awards: Outstanding Stage Direction (for Loy Arcenas); Outstanding Ensemble Performance; and Outstanding Set Design (also for Loy Arcenas).
In addition to a female featured performance, the Rep’s “Hamlet” won for Outstanding Sound Design (Jethro Joaquin) and Outstanding Costume Design (Faust Peneyra).
The Gawad Buhay! Award of Philstage, now an annual event, is off to a good start. And it is expected it will be even more attention-calling and highly anticipated next year.
