ICYMI: Here Are the Winners of the 16th Gawad Buhay Awards
From Kisapmata to Shrek the Musical, discover the productions, performers, and creatives recognized at this year’s Philippine theater awards.
Words Mian Centeno
Art by Jade Dorado
August 10, 2026
Art by Jade Dorado
The Philippine theater community gathered at Aliw Theater for the 16th Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards, recognizing the productions, performers, and creatives that stood out among the past season’s eligible shows.
With 18 productions in contention, the awards brought together original Filipino works, international adaptations, musicals, plays, and productions for younger audiences.
Tanghalang Pilipino’s Kisapmata came out on top with 11 wins, making it the evening’s most awarded production.
Kisapmata Takes Center Stage
The stage adaptation of Kisapmata had a strong showing across both performance and technical categories.
Its wins included acting honors for Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan, Jonathan Tadioan, Toni Go-Yadao, and Marco Viaña, alongside awards for its direction, design, adaptation, and ensemble.
The production also earned Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation, with Guelan Varela-Luarca taking home Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play.
Productions That Took Home Awards
Shrek the Musical
Full House Theater Company’s Shrek the Musical followed closely behind, earning recognition for choreography, projection and video design, stage direction, male lead and featured performances, and its production for children. It also received a Special Citation for Achievement in Puppetry.
Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical
Tanghalang Pilipino’s Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical was recognized for its book, original score, featured musical performance, and Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation.
Come From Away
Stages Production Specialists, Inc.’s Come From Away received awards for its ensemble and its production of existing material.
Side Show
The Sandbox Collective’s Side Show earned honors for Marynor Madamesila’s female lead performance and Carlos Siongco’s costume design.
We Aren’t Kids Anymore
Barefoot Theatre Collaborative’s production received Outstanding Musical Direction for Farley Asuncion and Myke Salomon.
Nobody Is Home
The Philippine Educational Theater Association production took home Outstanding Original Script for Liza Magtoto, J-mee Katanyag, Nina Gühlstorff, and its cast.
Via Dolorosa
The Necessary Theatre’s Via Dolorosa was named Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play.
List of Winners:
Outstanding Original Script
Liza Magtoto, J-mee Katanyag, Nina Gühlstorff, and the Cast of Nobody Is Home — Nobody Is Home
Outstanding Translation or Adaptation
Guelan Varela-Luarca and the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company — Kisapmata
Outstanding Book of a Musical
Nicanor Tiongson and Eljay Castro Deldoc — Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical
Outstanding Original Score
Nica del Rosario, Matthew Chang, Nicanor Tiongson, and Eljay Castro Deldoc — Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical
Outstanding Musical Direction
Farley Asuncion and Myke Salomon — We Aren’t Kids Anymore
Outstanding Choreography
Stephen Viñas — Shrek the Musical
Outstanding Costume Design
Carlos Siongco — Side Show
Outstanding Lighting Design
D Cortezano — Kisapmata
Outstanding Sound Design
Arvy Dimaculangan — Kisapmata
Outstanding Set Design
Joey Mendoza — Kisapmata
Outstanding Projection and Video Design
GA Fallarme, Justin Santiago, and JM Jimenez — Shrek the Musical
Female Lead Performance in a Play
Lhorvie Nuevo-Tadioan — Kisapmata
Male Lead Performance in a Play
Jonathan Tadioan — Kisapmata
Female Featured Performance in a Play
Toni Go-Yadao — Kisapmata
Male Featured Performance in a Play
Marco Viaña — Kisapmata
Female Lead Performance in a Musical
Marynor Madamesila — Side Show
Male Lead Performance in a Musical
Jamie Wilson — Shrek the Musical
Female Featured Performance in a Musical
Heart Puyong — Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical
Male Featured Performance in a Musical
Topper Fabregas — Shrek the Musical
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Play
Kisapmata — Tanghalang Pilipino
Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical
Come From Away — Stages Production Specialists, Inc.
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Play
Guelan Varela-Luarca — Kisapmata
Outstanding Stage Direction for a Musical
Dexter Santos — Shrek the Musical
Outstanding Play – Original or Translation/Adaptation
Kisapmata — Tanghalang Pilipino
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Play
Via Dolorosa — The Necessary Theatre
Outstanding Production of Existing Material for a Musical
Come From Away — Stages Production Specialists, Inc.
Outstanding Musical – Original or Translation/Adaptation
Gregoria Lakambini: A Pinay Pop Musical — Tanghalang Pilipino
Outstanding Production for Children
Shrek the Musical — Full House Theater Company
Special Citation for Achievement in Puppetry
Shrek the Musical — Full House Theater Company
Natatanging Gawad Buhay!
Dr. Brenda Fajardo
The 16th Gawad Buhay Awards ultimately put the spotlight on a season filled with varied stories and approaches to theater. While Kisapmata led the tally, the full roster of winners reflects the many artists and productions that continue to shape the local stage.
