The ensemble cast of PETA’s “Walang Aray.” Images: Facebook/Philippine Educational Theater
“Walang Aray,” a musical helmed by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), was the biggest winner at the 14th Gawad Buhay Awards as it brought home the most awards at the ceremony.
With eight plums, the musical is a modern adaptation of “Walang Sugat,” a zarzuela by Severino Reyes. Throughout its run, three sets of actors portrayed the star-crossed lovers Tenyong and Julia: Jon Abella and Shaira Opsimar, Gio Gahol and Marynor Madamesila, and KD Estrada and Alexa Ilacad.
The Phistage-helmed ceremony, which was held at the PETA Theater Center on Tuesday, July 9, recognized the performing arts industry with the nominees and eventual winners selected by an independent panel.
Aside from “Walang Aray,” the late playwright Floy Quinto received the Natatanging Gawad Lifetime Achievement Award for his contribution to the industry.
Meanwhile, “Mallari” star JC Santos bagged the Male Lead Performance in a Play award for his performance in “Red.”
Here are the winners of the 14th Gawad Buhay Awards:
Outstanding Original Script: Guelan Luarca for “Nekropolis”
Outstanding Book of a Musical: Rody Vera for “Walang Aray”
Outstanding Original Score: Vince Lim and Rody Vera for “Walang Aray”
Outstanding Musical Direction: Rony Fortich for “‘The Last Five Years”
Outstanding Choreography: Gio Gahol for “Walang Aray”
Outstanding Costume Design: Marco Viaña and Paw Castillo for “Sandosenang Sapatos”
Outstanding Lighting Design: Gabo Tolentino for “Red”
Outstanding Sound Design: Arvy Dimaculangan for “Nekropolis”
Outstanding Set Design: Joey Mendoza for “The Last Five Years”
Female Lead Performance in a Play: Justine Peña for “Lungs”
Male Lead Performance in a Play: JC Santos for “Red”
Female Featured Performance in a Play: Mitzi Comia for “Nekropolis”
Male Featured Performance in a Play: Phi Palmos for “Laro”
Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Shaira Opsimar for “Walang Aray”
Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Myke Salomon for “The Last Five Years”
Female Featured Performance in a Musical: Neomi Gonzales for “Walang Aray”
Male Featured Performance in a Musical: Reb Atadero for “Tick, Tick… Boom!”
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play: “Laro” by the Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical: “Walang Aray” by PETA
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play: John Mark Yap for “Laro”
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical: Ian Segarra for “Walang Aray”
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play: “Red” by The Necessary Theatre
Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation: “Nekropolis” by the Tanghalang Pilipino
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical: “The Last Five Years” by the Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation: “Walang Aray” by PETA
Outstanding Production for Children: “Sandosenang Sapatos” by the Tanghalang Pilipino
Natatanging Gawad Lifetime Achievement Award: Floy Quintos