Last April 25, 2023, the 13th Gawad Buhay Awards was held at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.

Gawad Buhay is the award-giving body for the performing arts and is brought about by Philstage, which is the proud alliance of Manila-based professional companies in the theatrical arts.

Given the period of uncertainty brought about by the pandemic, the intimate and low-key gathering was nonetheless a celebration of the return of live performances to the stage.

Thespians Meann Espinosa and Topper Fabregas kept the crowd entertained as the event’s hosts.

Midway through the program, everyone paused to give honor to colleagues who have passed away such as Menggie Cobarrubias, Gilda Cordero-Fernando, Peque Gallaga, and Lualhati Bautista, to name a few. While they may have gone ahead, their work and advocacies live on in the ones left behind.

The audience was also treated to songs from the nominated productions. Bituin Escalante sang “He Opens A Window” from Joseph the Dreamer, Gian Magdangal sang “If I Loved You” from Carousel, Juliene Mendoza sang “Minsan May Tahanan” from Dekada ’70 The Musical, while newlyweds Gab Pangilinan and Myke Salomon sang “Tinig Sa Dilim” from Mula Sa Buwan.

To cap off the night, theatre newbies showed off their vocal prowess, showing that the love for culture and performing arts will continue on for future generations.

This year’s Gawad Buhay nominees, selected by an independent jury, were those who got citations from 2020 and 2022. The eligible productions include: PETA’s Under My Skin, Trumpets Inc.’s Joseph the Dreamer, Repertory Philippines’ Stage Kiss, Tanghalang Pilipino’s Batang Mujahideen, Black Box Productions’ Dekada ’70, Tanghalang Pilipino’s Anak Datu, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s Mula sa Buwan, and Repertory Philippines’ Carousel.

Among these, Dekada ’70 The Musical and Anak Datu garnered the most awards, bagging six each. On their heels is Under My Skin, which won five of its fifteen nominations.

Below is the complete list of winners for the 13th Gawad Buhay Awards:

Outstanding Original Script

Rody Vera, “Under My Skin” (PETA)

Outstanding Book of a Musical

Pat Valera, “Dekada ‘70” (Black Box Productions)

Outstanding Original Score

Pat Valera & William Elvin Manzano, “Mula sa Buwan” (Barefoot Theatre Collaborative)

Outstanding Musical Direction

Chino Toledo, “Anak Datu” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Choreography

Hassanain Magarang, “Anak Datu” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Costume Design

Carlo Pagunaling, “Anak Datu” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Lighting Design

D Cortezano, “Batang Mujahideen” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Sound Design

Teresa Barrozo, “Under My Skin” (PETA)

Outstanding Set Design

Toym Imao, “Anak Datu” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Projection and Video Design

Steven Tansiongco & Bene Manaois, “Under My Skin” (PETA)

Female Lead Performance in a Play

Roselyn Perez, “Under My Skin” (PETA)

Female Featured Performance in a Play

Lhorvie Nuevo, “Batang Mujahideen” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Male Featured Performance in a Play

Gio Gahol, “Under My Skin” (PETA)

Female Lead Performance in a Musical

Stella Cañete-Mendoza, “Dekada ‘70” (Black Box Productions)

Male Lead Performance in a Musical

Gian Magdangal, “Carousel” (Repertory Philippines)

Female Featured Performance in a Musical

Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, “Carousel” (Repertory Philippines)

Male Featured Performance in a Musical

Jon Abella, “Dekada ‘70” (Black Box Productions)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play

“Anak Datu” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical

“Dekada ‘70” (Black Box Productions)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play

Guelan Luarca, “Batang Mujahideen” (Tanghalang Pilipino)

Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical

Pat Valera, “Dekada ‘70” (Black Box Productions)

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)