Tanghalang Pilipino wins big at the 15th Gawad Buhay Awards

Tanghalang Pilipino (TP) emerged as the big winner of the 15th Gawad Buhay! Awards, held on 30 July 2025 at Aliw Theater. The much anticipated event was presented by PhilStage, honoring the biggest shows and creative talent mounted by its member companies during the 2024 season.

Tanghalang Pilipino, the Cultural Center of the Philippines' resident theater company, took home 17 of the 26 awards that evening, for its productions of “Balete” and “Pingkian: Isang Musikal.”

“Balete” a new play based on National Artist for Literature F. Sionil José’s novel “Tree” and autobiography “Promdi,” picked up 10 trophies, including best production of a play using new material, stage direction for Chris Millado (his fourth in the category); ensemble performance; and best actor for theater veteran Nonie Buencamino.

The play also picked up the award for best script, which was a collaboration between 11-time winner Rody Vera, Millado, Sabrina Basilio, Delphine Buencamino (who also won for Outstanding Choreography), and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company.

On the other hand, “Pingkian," which chronicles the life and times of revolutionary hero Emilio Jacinto, won for Outstanding Production of a Musical using New Material, as well as trophies for stage direction for Jenny Jamora, for Vic Robinson as best actor for his lead turn as Jacinto, and for Juan Ekis for the book of a musical. "Pingkian" also won an award for original score, co-credited between Ekis and Ejay Yatco, who, in turn, was recognized for best musical direction.

Repertory Philippines picked up the top awards for two of their productions of existing material - the Harold Pinter’s “Betrayal” in the straight play category, and the Off-Broadway musical “I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change.” Their company’s children’s theater arm was recognized as Outstanding Production for Children for “Jepoy and the Magic Circle.”

Theater scholar Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson, a Gawad Buhay! winner for his libretto of “Mabining Mandirigma,” received the Natatanging Gawad Buhay, the lifetime achievement award.

This year’s roster of winners included 11 first-time Gawad Buhay recipients, including seven who won on their first nominations.

The 15th Gawad Buhay! Awards were hosted by thespians Phi Palmos and Reb Atadero.

Here is the full list of winners:

Outstanding Translation or Adaptation of a Play: Rody Vera, Chris Millado, Sabrina Basilio, Delphine Buencamino, and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company (‘Balete’)

Outstanding Book of a Musical: Juan Ekis (‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’)

Outstanding Original Score: Ejay Yatco & Juan Ekis (‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’)

Outstanding Musical Direction: Ejay Yatco (‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’)

Outstanding Choreography: Delphine Buencamino (‘Balete’)

Outstanding Costume Design: Raven Ong (‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical’)

Outstanding Lighting Design: Roman Cruz (‘Balete’)

Outstanding Sound Design: Fabian Obispo (‘Betrayal’)

Outstanding Set Design: Wika Nadera (‘Balete’)

Outstanding Projection and Video Design: GA Fallarme (‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’)

Male Lead Performance in a Play: Nonie Buencamino (‘Balete’)

Female Featured Performance in a Play: Toni Go-Yadao (‘Balete’)

Male Featured Performance in a Play: Marco Viaña (‘Balete’)

Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Nicole Omillo (‘One More Chance, The Musical’)

Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Vic Robinson (‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’)

Female Featured Performance in a Musical: Sheila Francisco (‘Bar Boys: A New Musical’)

Male Featured Performance in a Musical: Juliene Mendoza (‘Bar Boys: A New Musical’)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play: ’Balete’ (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical: ’Bar Boys: A New Musical’ (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play: Chris Millado (‘Balete’)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical: Jenny Jamora (‘Pingkian: Isang Musikal’)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play: ’Betrayal’ (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical: ’I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ (Repertory Philippines)

Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation: ’Balete’ (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation: ’Pingkian: Isang Musikal’ (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Production for Children: ’Jepoy and the Magic Circle’ (Repertory Philippines)

Special Citations for Achievement in Puppetry: ’Jepoy and the Magic Circle’ (Repertory Philippines); ‘Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical’ (Full House Theater Company)

Natatanging Gawad Buhay!: Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson