Filipina Broadway actress-singer Lea Salonga and singer Erik Santos were big winners during the 2018 ALIW Awards.
The ALIW Awards, which was founded by Alice H. Reyes in 1976, is an award-giving body that recognizes live entertainment performances every year.
Both won the Entertainer of the Year award, as announced during the awards night held at Manila Hotel on December 13.
Their respective 2018 concerts also won the Best Major Concert award for the female and male category.
Lea, who personally accepted her award at Manila Hotel, took to her Facebook page to thank the award-giving body for her latest accolade.
She wrote, "I've just gotten home after the 31st Aliw Awards. This is the only award-giving body that celebrates and lauds live performances exclusively. Actors, singers, dancers, directors, musical directors, composers, hosts, DJs, special groups... just anyone that has to do with live performances here in the Philippines. The best part? Getting to see and hug friends, and celebrate their wins and nominations.
"Thank you, Aliw Awards, for the Best Major Concert (Female) award for LS40. It was a labor of love for all of us involved: Bobby Garcia, Gerard Salonga, Victor Lirio, Rajo Laurel, Juan Sarte III, Kusie HO, Mark Bautista, Telesa Marie De Torres, Nicole Chien, Simon Bowman, Cecile Martinez, GA Fallarme, Tin Samson, Gwen O. Jacinto, Grace Alejandrino Canlas, The ABS CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, guest musicians, back-up singers Eugene Cailao, Tanya Marquez, Elke Saison-Ortiz and Risse Santos, all of our incredible orchestrators and arrangers, Rards Corpus, Butch Cruz, CNN Philippines, Raymund Isaac, Joel H. Garcia, and every single audience member that has said YES for the last 40 years."
Lea dedicated the concert award to her mother, Ligaya Salonga.
"Since it was the concert that won and not the artist, that trophy belongs to my mother, the indomitable and indefatigable Ligaya Salonga, who at 81 years old is one of the fiercest humans on the planet. The concert truly was hers; all I had to do was get up on stage in a cool tux or gown and sing."
The Tony award-winning singer also said that she is thrilled to share the Entertainer of the Year award with Erik.
"Thank you also for the Entertainer of the Year Award! It was a huge thrill accepting it alongside my friend Erik Santos who won his own as well! Yup, it was a tie!!!"
Finally, Lea expressed how grateful she is for 2018.
She continued, "2018 has been quite the year, and I'm grateful for it all. Grateful for a great cadre of fans that have been nothing but kind... for a wonderful supportive family that has been my grounding force... and for great friends that encourage and lift me up, as well as tell me the truth when I need to really hear it. I can't say this enough: THANK YOU. You are beyond the word "blessing."
"Let's see what 2019 has in store for us all. In the meanwhile, I get to end this year (as well as start the next) with my beloveds at Once On This Island Broadway. We will usher in the next revolution around the sun with dance, song, and love.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you. I cannot say these words enough."
Meanwhile, the musical Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical, won six awards: Best Original Musical Production, Best Stage Director (Joel Lamangan), Best Ensemble Performance, Best Actor-Musical (David Ezra), Best Actress-Musical (Carla Guevarra-Laforteza), and Best Composer for Original Musical Theater (Von de Guzman).
Here is the full list of winners:
THEATER
Best Non-Musical Production: M. Butterfly (Frontrow Entertainment/Jhett Tolentino)
Best Original Musical Production: Supremo Redux (Philippine Stagers Foundation) and Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical (Rebecca Chuaunsu Production/Synergy 88 Digital)
Best Dance Production: Iconic 2 (Ballet Manila)
Best Production for Children: Cinderella (Kids’ Acts Philippines)
Best Stage Director (non-musical): Kanakan Balentagos (M.Butterfly/Frontrow Entertainment)
Best Stage Director (musical): Joel Lamangan (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Rebecca Chuaunsu Production) and Luigi Nacario (Cinderella/Kid’s Acts Philippines)
Best Actress in a Featured Role (musical): Dulce (Nasaan si Hesus/ Buhay Isang Awit Foundation)
Best Actress In A Featured Role (Non-Musical): Missy MaraMara (Kundiman Party/Dulaang UP)
Best Actor In A Featured Role (Musical): Norman Penaflorida (Geegee at Waterina/Artist Playground) and Patrick Libao (Supremo Redux/Philippine Stagers Foundation)
Best Actor In A Featured Role (Non-Musical): Vance Larena (Dilaw o Pula/Philippine Stagers Foundation)
Best Ensemble Performance: Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical
Best New Concept Production: Hanggang sa Dulo ng Forever (CLDCAS Jocson College)
Best Performer In A New Concept Production: Banaue Miclat-Janssen (Ginugunita Kita 2018/Maningning Miclat Foundation)
Best Director In New Concept Production: Jayson Gantan Pabalan (Hanggang sa Dulo ng Forever/CLDCAS Jocson College)
Best Actor (Non-Musical): RS Francisco (M.Butterfly/Frontrow Entertainment/Jhett Tolentino)
Best Actress (Non-Musical): Skyzx Labastilla (Ang Dalagita’y ‘Sang Bagay na ‘Di-Buo/Dulaang UP)
Best Actor (Musical): Roeder Camanag (Geegee at Waterina/Artist Playground) and David Ezra (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Rebecca Chuaunsu/Synergy88)
Best Actress (Musical): Tanya Manalang (All Out of Love/Resorts World) and Carla Guevarra- Laforteza (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Rebecca Chuaunsu /Synergy 88)
Best Child Performer: Kris Robles (Cinderella/Kids’ Acts Philippines)
LIVE MUSICAL PERFORMANCES
Best Concert Stage Director: Floy Quintos (Madly Filipiniana/Pinoy Playlist)
Best Musical Director: Jesse Lucas (Geegee at Waterina/ Artist Playground)
Best Composer For Original Musical Theater: Von de Guzman (Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical/Grand Leisure Corp.)
Best Performer In Hotel, Music Lounges, And Bars: Jean Kiley (Centerstage/City of Dreams)
Best Performer In Hotel, Music Lounges, And Bars (Group): Silk (Centerplay/City of Dreams)
Best Performance In A Concert (Male): Ruben Laurente (PPP Trip ni Bentot/Maybank Performing Center)
Best Performance In A Concert (Female): Dulce (Saturday Special/Hipodrome/Winford Hotel)
Best Collaboration In A Concert: Lani Misalucha/Morissette Amon (A Lani-Morissette Musical Journey/ Solaire)
Best Major Concert (group): 4th Impact (Invasion/Kia Theater)
Best Major Concert (male): Erik Santos (My Greatest Moments/MOA Arena)
Best Major Concert (Female): Lea Salonga (40th Anniversary Concert/PICC)
Entertainer Of The Year: Erik Santos and Lea Salonga
HALL OF FAME AWARDEE
Best Festival Practices and Performance Best Festival Practices and Performance: Bambanti Festival (Isabela)
Best Instrumentalist (Violin): Merjohn Lagaya
Best Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars: Draybers
Best Classical Performer: Al Gatmaitan
Best Child Performer: Noel Comia, Jr.
SPECIAL AWARDS
• Quezon City mayor Ma. Josefina Belmonte-Alimurung
• Maybank Performing Arts Center
• Anabelle M. Calleja (Mauban Quezon Tourism)
• Jose “Toots” Tolentino
• Pablo Tariman
• Madly Filipiniana
• Dance Xchange (NCCA/Shirley Halili Cruz)
• Tanghalang Sta Ana
ALICE HERNANDEZ REYES
Achievement Award: Imelda Papin
LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
• Pocholo Malilin (Executive Producer/Club Mwah)
• Rey Valera
• Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
• Nemesio V. Regalado, Jr.
MUSIC AND DANCE
Best New Artist (Female): Janah Zaplan
Best New Artist (Male): Shanti Dope
Best New Artist (Group): Ben N Ben
Best Cultural Dance Group: Tribu Panayanon (Iloilo City)
Best Classical Dance Company: Ballet Philippines and Junior Halili Dance Company
Best Classical Dancer: Nicole Barroso (Ballet Manila)
Best Cultural/Theater Group: Uyat Artista (Angeles City, Pampanga)
Best Choral Group: Capiz State University Main Chorale (Roxas City)
Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer: Mayor Mildred Joy Que (Karatong Festival/Dulag, Leyte)
Best Festival Practices and Performance: Fiesta Republika (Malolos Bulacan)
Best Instrumentalist: Noli Aurillo (Guitar)
Best Dj For Electronic Dance Music: Jennifer Lee
Best Classical Performer (Female): Jade Riccio
Best Classical Performer (Male): Jon Joven Uy
Best Crossover Performer (Male): Arman Ferrer
Best Crossover Performer (Female): Lara Maigue
ENTERTAINMENT
Best Female Host: Cherry Maning
Best Male Host: RJ Ledesma
Best Stand-Up Comedian/Host For Comedy Bars: Boobay
Best Special Events Director: Rodel Mercado (Michaela Fashion Revolution/Robinsons Manila)
Best Special Events/Product Launch: Gabay Guro PLDT (MOA Arena)
Here are some photos from the production Geegee at Waterina:
