Versatile artist Chris Millado wasn’t in Manila when the 15th Gawad Buhay, an award-giving body for theater performances recently held at the Aliw Theater in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Grounds.
Chris was in Mindanao and other Visayan regions for cultural programs.
Millado won Best Stage Director for a Play for the theater piece “Balete,” an adaptation from National Artist for Literature F. Sionil Jose’s “Tree.”
Through digital media, Chris was beamed directly from his kitchen during the awards night.
The kitchen was his stage at the time of his acceptance speech where he thanked all the people involved in the production like Nonie Beunacamino who played the protagonist.
Meanwhile, in his Facebook spaces, Chris noted: “Natanggap ko ang masayang balita habang naghuhugas ng pinggan sa #balaytawhaysasikayab. Napasarap tuloy ang pagis-is, pagsabon at pagbanlaw. Maraming salamat, Team Balete! Maraming salamat Gawad Buhay! Mapalad na mabilang sa masining at mapagmahal na pamayanan. Mabuhay ang tanghalan (I received the good news while washing dishes at balaytawhaysasikayab. In effect, I found my washing, soaping and rinsing inspiring. Thanks a lot, Team Balete! Thanks a lot, Gawad Buhay! I’m lucky to have been included in the artistic and loving community. Long live Stage!).
In lieu of Chris, her sister personally received the award for him. “Salamat gid, Inday Carmela Millado Manuel for accepting the award on my behalf. You’re the most outstanding company manager. And caregiver of our mother Blanquita ever!” exclaimed Millado.
A few hours before Chris received the coveted award, he was having breakfast with his colleagues in the arts. He thus described the moment as a memorable event in his life. “Breakfast with the kadangyans (culturally rich nobles). Environmental and urban planners Paulo Alcazaren and Dinky von Einsiendel were in town to advise the Dapitan and Dipolog administrations on strategies for a heritage-based urban development plan.
“Served Dipolog style Spanish sardines, Cebu chorizo, fried eggs & rice, home-made cacao banana bread baked by Bok Hamoy Munoz, and fresh calamansi passion fruit juice harvested from cousin Erwin Ramos’s farm.
“Obliged our first out-of-town guests at #balaytawhaysasikayab to pose with TOYM (Ten Outstanding Young Men) Leon Imao’s ‘Spirit House for Barney’ and sit on the Ifugao hagabi.
“Excited for the cultural futures of Dapitan and Dipolog.”
Meanwhile, here are the other winners in the 15th Gawad Buhay:
- Outstanding Translation or Adaptation: Rody Vera, Chris Millado, Sabrina Basilio, Delphine Buencamino, and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company for “Balete”
- Outstanding Book of a Musical: Juan Ekis for “Pingkian: Isang Musikal”
- Outstanding Original Score: Ejay Yatco and Juan Ekis for “Pingkian: Isang Musikal”
- Outstanding Musical Direction: Ejay Yatco for “Pingkian: Isang Musikal”
- Outstanding Choreography: Delphine Buencamino for “Balete”
- Outstanding Costume Design: Raven Ong for “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical”
- Outstanding Lighting Design: Roman Cruz for “Balete”
- Outstanding Sound Design: Fabian Obispo for “Betrayal”
- Outstanding Set Design: Wika Nadera for “Balete”
- Outstanding Projection and Video Design: GA Fallarme for “Pingkian: Isang Musikal”
- Male Lead Performance in a Play: Nonie Buencamino for “Balete”
- Female Lead Performance in a Musical: Nicole Omillo for “One More Chance, The Musical”
- Female Featured Performance in a Play: Toni Go-Yadao for “Balete”
- Male Featured Performance in a Play: Marco Viaña for “Balete”
- Male Lead Performance in a Musical: Vic Robinson for “Pingkian: Isang Musikal”
- Female Featured Performance in a Musical: Sheila Francisco for “Bar Boys: A New Musical”
- Male Featured Performance in a Musical: Juliene Mendoza for “Bar Boys: A New Musical”
- Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play: “Balete” for Tanghalang Pilipino
- Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical: “Bar Boys: A New Musical,” Barefoot Theatre Collaborative
- Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical: Jenny Jamora for “Pingkian: Isang Musikal”
- Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play: “Betrayal” for 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 and “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical,” Full House Theater Company
Natatanging Gawad Buhay: Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson
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