Ibarra wins big at the 2023 ALIW Awards

TANGHALANG Una Obra’s musical Ibarra bagged nine awards at the 36th ALIW Awards held on Dec. 11 at the Manila Hotel, including Best Musical.

Directed by Frannie Zamora with a libretto by Jomar Fleras and music by Joed Balsamo, Ibarra is a fresh take on the familiar affluent and educated protagonist of Jose Rizal’s novels that focuses on the love story between Crisostomo Ibarra and Maria Clara.

The musical also won Best Ensemble Performance, Best Musical Director and Best Composer for Joed Balsamo, Best Director for Frannie Zamora, Best Lead Actress for Myramae Meneses, Best Lead Actor for Piolo Pascual, Best Child Actor for JD Tena, and Best Featured Actor for Jon Joven Uy.

Meanwhile, actor Piolo Pascual was recognized as Entertainer of the Year.

The ALIW Awards Foundation, Inc. was founded by Alice H. Reyes in 1976 with the aim of developing Philippine live entertainment through a system of awards.

The list of winners follows:

Best MusicalIbarra, Tanghalang Una ObraBest Stage Director for a MusicalFrannie Zamora, Ibarra, Tanghalang Una ObraBest Composer for Original MusicalJoed Balsamo, Ibarra, Tanghalang Una Obra

Best Dance ProductionRama Hari, Cultural Center Of The Philippines (CCP), Alice Reyes Dance Philippines and CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program

Best Lead Actor in a MusicalPiolo Pascual, Ibarra

Best Lead Actress in a MusicalMyramae Meneses, Ibarra

Best Featured Actor in MusicalJon Joven Uy, Ibarra, Tanghalang Una Obra

Best Featured Actress in a MusicalCarla Guevara La Forteza, Snow White and The Prince

Best Ensemble Performance in a Musical, Play or Concert, Repertory ActorsIbarra, Tanghalang Una Obra

Entertainer of the Year 2023Piolo Pascual

Best Child Performer (Male)JD Tena (Ibarra)

Best Child Performer (Female)Natalie Grace YansonAmari Sotto

Best Female Classical PerformerKathy Hipolito Mas

Best Male Classical PerformerSherwin Sozon

Best R&B/Jazz Artist (Male, Female or Group)Nicole Laurel Asencio

Best Female Pop ArtistGigi De Lana

Best Male Pop ArtistDindo Fernandez

Best Female Performance in a Concert

Sheryn Regis, All Out The 20th Anniversary Concert Series

Best Major Concert (Male)Erik Santos, Erik Santos MilEStone: The 20th Anniversary Concert

Best Major Concert (Female)Moira De La Torre, Moira 2023

Best Collaboration in a Major ConcertGabby Concepcion and Sharon Cuneta in Dear Heart

Best Jazz Artist Based AbroadLorna Cifra

Best New Artist GroupInch

Best New Male ArtistJeri Violago

Best New artist FemaleZarina Krishna Villanueva

Best Inspirational SingerReuben Laurente

Best Cultural GroupArti Sta Rita (Pampanga)

Best Festival Practices & PerformanceMamangi Festival of Ilagan City, IsabelaDugoy Festival of Sablayan, Occidental Mindoro

Best Festival Catalyst/OrganizerGov. Raphaelle Veronica “Raffy” Ortega-David, San Fernando, La Union

Best Male HostLance Raymundo

Best Female HostCatriona Gray

Lifetime Achievement Award 2023

Ogie AlcasidRegine Velasquez-AlcasidMartin NieveraOdette QuesadaFe de los ReyesBeverly SalviejoMonino Duque

— Brontë H. Lacsamana