‘Balete’, ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ Lead 15th Gawad Buhay 3rd Quarter Citations
The 20-person independent jury of the Philstage Gawad Buhay! Awards has released the third round of citations for the 15th edition (2025 ceremonies) of Philstage’s annual awards for theater.
Four productions were considered for this round: I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change by Repertory Philippines, Little Shop of Horrors by The Sandbox Collective, Once On This Island by 9 Works Theatrical, and Balete by Tanghalang Pilipino.
Balete—a devised work based on National Artist for Literature F. Sionil José’s novel Tree; José’s autobiography “Promdi”; and Rody Vera’s existing, Filipino-language adaptation of Tree (also titled Balete)—was considered a production of a new play. The three other shows were considered productions of existing material for a musical.
Balete led this round of citations with a total of 18 nods (currently the highest, tying Pingkian: Isang Musikal during the first round of citations and Bar Boys: A New Musical during the second round of citations), followed by Little Shop of Horrors with 17, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change with 13, and Once On This Island with 5.
Philstage is the alliance of Manila-based professional companies in the theatrical arts. Current Philstage company members include 9 Works Theatrical/The Sandbox Collective, Actors Actors, Inc./The Necessary Theatre, Ballet Manila, Barefoot Theatre Collaborative, Culturtain Musicat Productions, Full House Theater Company, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, PETA, Philippine Opera Company, Repertory Philippines, Stages, Tanghalang Pilipino, Trumpets, Twin Bill Theater, Theatre Titas, and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. Only shows produced by Philstage member companies are eligible for the Gawad Buhay Awards.
Nominations for the 2025 ceremonies will be drawn from the final pool of citations for each category. As per awards rules, a citation renders a production or production element eligible for a nomination; it is not a guarantee of a nomination.
See below for the third round of citations for the 15th Gawad Buhay! Awards:
Outstanding Translation or Adaptation
Rody Vera, Chris Millado, Sabrina Basilio, Delphine Buencamino, and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company (‘Balete’)
Outstanding Musical Direction
Daniel Bartolome (‘Once on This Island’)
Ejay Yatco (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Ejay Yatco (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Outstanding Choreography
Delphine Buencamino (‘Balete’)
Stephen Viñas (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Outstanding Costume Design
Mio Infante (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Joey Mendoza (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Carlos Siongco (‘Balete’)
Outstanding Lighting Design
Roman Cruz (‘Balete’)
Joseph Matheu (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Meliton Roxas Jr. (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Outstanding Sound Design
Teresa Barrozo (‘Balete’)
Aji Manalo (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Aji Manalo (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Outstanding Set Design
Mio Infante (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Joey Mendoza (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Wika Nadera (‘Balete’)
Outstanding Projection and Video Design
GA Fallarme (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
JM Jimenez (‘Balete’)
Male Lead Performance in a Play
Nonie Buencamino (‘Balete’)
Female Featured Performance in a Play
Toni Go-Yadao (‘Balete’)
Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan (‘Balete’)
Ynna Rafa (‘Balete’)
Male Featured Performance in a Play
Earvin Estioco (‘Balete’)
Gelo Molina (‘Balete’)
Jonathan Tadioan (‘Balete’)
Marco Viaña (‘Balete’)
Female Lead Performance in a Musical
Thea Astley (‘Once on This Island’)
Krystal Kane (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Angela Ken (‘Once on This Island’)
Gabby Padilla (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Sue Ramirez (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Karylle Tatlonghari (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Male Lead Performance in a Musical
Reb Atadero (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Gian Magdangal (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Marvin Ong (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Nyoy Volante (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Female Featured Performance in a Musical
Julia Serad (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Male Featured Performance in a Musical
Audie Gemora (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
OJ Mariano (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Lorenz Martinez (‘Once on This Island’)
Raul Montesa (‘Once on This Island’)
Markki Stroem (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play
‘Balete’ (Tanghalang Pilipino)
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical
‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ (Repertory Philippines)
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (The Sandbox Collective)
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play
Chris Millado (‘Balete’)
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’)
Toff de Venecia (‘Little Shop of Horrors’)
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical
‘I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change’ (Repertory Philippines)
‘Little Shop of Horrors’ (The Sandbox Collective)
Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation
‘Balete’ (Tanghalang Pilipino)
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