NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA Wins Top Prizes at First LEAF Awards
By: Oliver Oliveros Feb. 21, 2020
Teehankee, who played Basilio, and Jerry Sibal
Manila, Philippines - The 60th-anniversary production of Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, which J&S Productions Inc. premiered in New York City in 2013, and performed to packed audiences at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) in 2017 and 2019, brought home some of the top prizes at the first Philippine Live Entertainment Arts and Festivals Awards (LEAF Awards) held 8 February 2020.
Written by National Artists Felipe de Leon (music) and Guillermo Tolentino (libretto), Noli Me Tangere, The Opera won Best Outstanding Musical Production, which was produced by New Yorkers Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue.
Additionally, Sibal, alongside his co-director for the production, Jose Jeffrey Camanag, was named Best Director. The show's musical supervisor and conductor, Herminigildo Ranera, was adjudged Best Musical Director.
"Thank you to the LEAF Awards for giving the Best Outstanding Musical recognition to Noli Me Tangere, The Opera. This award is for all Filipinos - that we may never forget where we came from and be able to move forward," said Josue.
This is Noli Me Tangere, The Opera's second Best Musical nomination; the first one was at last year's Aliw Awards.
Based on National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, Noli Me Tangere, The Opera tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder. It follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's agenda.
"I can't thank enough Jeffrey [Camanag] for being a great co-director. We both shared the same vision and passion. A huge thanks also go to all the actors and my lifetime partner Edwin [Josue], who keeps on believing in me whatever happens," Sibal said.
He added: "My heartfelt gratitude, too, to Loida Nicolas Lewis, who pursued the production's premiere in New York City and the Kennedy Center in Washington, DC."
The LEAF Awards has been created to recognize outstanding live performances in the fields of theater, dance, music, and festivals across the country.
A total of 65 awards were handed out at an afternoon gala presentation, attended by the finalists and winners in their best Filipiniana garb, at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in Makati City.
Sonny Valencia, president; Ferdinand Isleta, vice-president; Frank Rivera, vice-president and chairman, music category; Rene Napenas, chairman, festival category; Dr. Lordinio Vergara, chairman, dance category, and Ibarra Mateo, chairman, theater category led the award-giving body.
The screening committee included Jury Rene Bisquera, Danny Vibas, CJ Andaluz, Rique Cabaya, Mel Costuna, Phil Panganiban, Dr. Arthur Casanova, and Edgar Lopez.
Winners at the First LEAF Awards
Here's the complete list of winners:
MUSIC CATEGORIES
OUTSTANDING NEW ARTIST
ALISAH BONAOBRA
OUTSTANDING VOCAL ENSEMBLE/GROUP
EPHESUS/TRIBU
(Sweet Samaniego Buchanan/Terence Guillermo,
Margarita Roco, Stephen Hotchkiss, Red Nuestro, Onyl Torres)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN MUSIC LOUNGES
JEAN KILEY
(Bar 360, Resorts World)
OUTSTANDING REGULAR PERFORMANCE IN MUSIC LOUNGES (GROUP)
DRAYBERS
(Bar 360/Resorts World)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A CONCERT BY A DUO/GROUP
EXTRAORDINARY
(Erik Santos & Yeng Constantino)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A MAJOR CONCERT
GERALD SANTOS
(The Homecoming Concert/ The Theater at Solaire)
ANTON DIVA
(Shine/Cuneta Astrodome)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A CONCERT
DULCE
(Magnificat Concert/Antipolo Church)
BEST CONCERT DIRECTOR
JOHN PRATS
(Extraordinary/ Erik Santos/Yeng Constantino)
OUTSTANDING FILIPINO CULTURAL CONCERT
REMINISCENSES
(EPHESUS/TRIBU/RCBC Theater)
MAYNILA, Maalaala Mo Kaya
(Plaza Amado Hernandez, Tondo, Manila)
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL/CONCEPT REVUESHOW
CLUB MWAH
EXCELLENCE AWARDS
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THEATER ARTS EDUCATION
RICARDO ABAD
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN DANCE EDUCATION
SHIRLEY HALILI - CRUZ
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
DULCE
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF ART ADVOCACY IN MEDIA
PABLO TARIMAN
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF ART ADVOCACY IN MEDIA
AMADIS MA. GUERRERO
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF ARTS MANAGEMENT
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN THE FIELD OF CLASSICAL DANCE PERFORMANCE
LISA MACUJA - ELIZALDE
GOLDEN LEAF AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FESTIVAL MANAGEMENT
FRED ELIZALDE
GOLDEN LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN PUBLIC RELATIONS IN ARTS AND CULTURE
JOSELITO TOOTS TOLENTINO
LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR ADVOCACY IN THE MERGING OF CULTURE AND THE ARTS WITH NATION BUILDING
CECILE GUIDOTE ALVAREZ
LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD DIRECTOR FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
PETER S. MACROHON
LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FESTIVAL CATALYST/ORGANIZER
GOV. SAMUEL GUMARIN
(Manggahan Festival 2019)
LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FESTIVAL CHOREOGRAPHY
ROMEL FLOGEN
LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FESTIVAL MUSIC COMPOSITION
LUCIEN LETABA
LEAF PRESIDENTIAL AWARD FOR EXCELLENCE IN FESTIVAL MUSIC COMPOSITION
Karatong Festival, Dulag, Leyte
MAYOR JOY QUE
THEATER CATEGORIES
OUTSTANDING FILIPINO MUSICAL
NOLI ME TANGERE, The Opera
OUTSTANDING PLAY
KATSURI
OUTSTANDING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Shiela Valderrama - MARTINEZ
(Passion/Philippine Opera Company)
OUTSTANDING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
VIEN KING
(Passion/Philippine Opera Company)
OUTSTANDING CULTURAL GROUP
UYAT ARTISTA
(Angeles City, Pampanga)
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR FOR SPECIAL EVENTS
RODEL MERCADO
(PESA 70th Anniversary)
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR
RIKI BENEDICTO
(Alyas July/Dulaang Filipino/CSB)
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR FOR A MUSICAL
JOSE JEFFREY CAMANAG
Noli Me Tangere, The Opera
OUTSTANDING DIRECTOR FOR AN EMERGING PERFORMANCE ART
JAYSON GANTAN PABALAN
Mural/CLDCAS/Jocson College
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE FOR A MUSICAL
SPRING AWAKENING
(Ateneo Blue Repertory)
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE FOR A PLAY
MANILA NOTES
(Tanghalang Pilipino/ Japan Foundation)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
IN A FEATURED ROLE (MUSICAL)
CARLA GUEVARA - LAFORTEZA
(Ang Huling El Bimbo/Resorts World)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
IN A FEATURED ROLE (MUSICAL)
JUANCHO GABRIEL
(Spring Awakening/ Ateneo Blue Repertory)
OUTSTANDING MUSICAL DIRECTOR
HERMINIGILDO RANERA
(Noli Me Tangere, The Opera/J&S Production)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS
MISSY MARAMARA
(Stop Kiss/Positive Space/Music Artes)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR
(Ang Dressing Room/Dulaang UP)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTRESS IN A FEATURED ROLE
STELLA CANETE
(Ang Bahay ni Bernarda Alba/Dulaang UP)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE BY AN ACTOR IN A FEATURED ROLE
NORMAN PENAFLORIDA
(Nakakapagpabagabag/Artist Playground)
OUTSTANDING EMERGING PERFORMANCE ART
TAO PO
(Rise Up/Juana Change Movement)
OUTSTANDING PERFORMER IN AN EMERGING PERFORMANCE ART
MAE PANER
(Tao Po/Rise Up/Juana Change Movement)
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION FOR CHILDREN
SLEEPING BEAUTY
(Kids Acts Philippines Inc.)
HANGGANG ISANG ARAW
(UP Dulaang Laboratoryo)
OUTSTANDING SCENOGRAPHY
Nia and Anwar/The Whale Shark Tale
(Gloria's Fantasyland/Dapitan)
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EVENTS
IMBUKADA
(Belison, Antique)
OUTSTANDING SPECIAL EVENTS DIRECTOR
RODEL MERCADO
(70th Anniversary, Federation of Electrical Suppliers)
DANCE CATEGORIES
OUTSTANDING DANCE PRODUCTION
PANATA AT PANALANGIN
(Sinukwan Kapampangan)
OUTSTANDING CONTEMPORARY DANCE GROUP
LOCSIN DANCE WORKSHOP
(Davao City)
OUTSTANDING CULTURAL DANCE GROUP
Community -Based
KALILAYAN FOLKLORIC DANCE TROUPE
(Catanauan, Quezon)
OUTSTANDING CULTURAL DANCE GROUP
School-Based
UST Salingawi Dance Troupe
OUTSTANDING CULTURAL DANCE GROUP
Professional
SINDAW Philippines
FESTIVAL CATEGORIES
OUTSTANDING RELIGIOUS FESTIVAL
SUBLIAN FESTIVAL (Batangas City)
OUTSTANDING CULTURAL/HERITAGE FESTIVAL
FIESTA REPUBLIKA
(Malolos Bulacan)
OUTSTANDING AGRICULTURAL FESTIVAL
BAMBANTI FESTIVAL
(Isabela)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL ORGANIZER
GOV JOY BERNOS
(Abrenian Kawayan Festival, Abra)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL DIRECTOR (MINDANAO)
VAL LOZADA
(Kaliga 'Tu Sur/Tandag, Surigao del Sur)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL DIRECTOR (LUZON)
NILO AGUSTIN
(Bambanti Festival/Isabela)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL DIRECTOR (VISAYAS)
RUDY REVECHE
(Bacolod City)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL CHOREOGRAPHER (Luzon)
STEPHEN BIADOMA
(Abrenian Kawayan Festival/Abra Bangued)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL CHOREOGRAPHER (Visayas)
VICTOR HAO CUENCO
(Buyugan Festival/Cebu)
OUTSTANDING FESTIVAL CHOREOGRAPHER (Mindanao)
GEORGE KIMBOY
(Kulintangan Festival/Datupiang Maguindanao)
Photos: J&S Productions Inc.
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