TANGHALANG PILIPINO PRODUCTIONS AND ARTISTS AMONG THE YEAR'S BEST

Gibbs Cadiz has completed his yearly citations of the best in Philippine Theater for 2007, and we are proud to see several Tanghalang Pilipino productions and their artists in the list.

Leading the list are "Ellas Inocentes” (written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio), an entry in the 3rd Virgin Labfest, which is cited as the year's Best One-act Play, and "Insiang" (by Mario O’ Hara, directed by Chris Millado) for Best Full-length play.

"Ellas Inocentes" is described as "A hypnotic, heartbreaking portrait of a pair of warped childhoods, featuring astonishing performances and astute direction. Simply the most compelling entry in this year’s Virgin Labfest."

"Insiang," in turn, is a reworking of Lino Brocka's film into "a brilliant piece of contemporary social realist theater, redolent of the fetid air of lives trapped in shantytown hell. A definitive production, and a triumph for everyone concerned. "

For the performers, citations are a-plenty.

Mailes Kanapi is honored as Best Actress in a play for her portrayal of "Pacing" in "Insiang." As Gibbs writes: "A tour de force. Playing a woman numbed beyond measure and aged beyond her years, Kanapi refused to play her character for sympathy, thereby drawing more of ours with her sensual, bone-chilling performance. "

Also for "Insiang," Mae Paner is named Best Featured Actress in a play. "A gale force of gritty, artless acting, Paner delivered her opening monologue with the grace of a sonic boom, and from there never let go of the audience until the bloody finale."

Two other actors in "Insiang" won nods, though for different productions: Ricky Davao is the year's Best Actor for "Art", while Paolo O'Hara is Best Featured Actor for his performance in "As You Like It."

Other citations for Tanghalang Pilipino productions and actors are:

Best Play (One Act), Honorable Mentions: “Three Sisters” (Yoji Sakate; José Estrella, dir.); “Mga Obra ni Maestra” (Niel de Mesa, writer/director);

Best Actor (Play), Honorable Mentions: Ricky Davao (“Insiang”); Ricky Rivero and Riki Benedicto (“My Padir Is an OFW”)

Best Actress(Play), Honorable Mentions: Sheenly Vee Gener (“Insiang”); Lovely Balili and Ness Roque (“Ellas Inocentes”); Kalila Aguilos (“Ang Mga Huwad”); Abbey Gonzales (“Mga Obra ni Maestra”)

Best Featured Actor(Play), Honorable mention: Paolo O’Hara (“Ang Mga Huwad”);

Best Featured Actress(Play), Honorable Mention: Peewee O’Hara (“Insiang”)

Best Musical, Honorable Mention: “Pilipinas Circa 1907” (musical direction by Chino Toledo, libretto by Nicanor Tiongson; Dennis Marasigan, dir.);

Best Actor(Musical) Honorable mentions: Nar Cabico (“ZsaZsa Zaturnnah”); Miguel Castro (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”);

Best Actress(Musical) Honorable Mentions: Ana Feleo and Lani Ligot (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”);

Best Featured Actor(Musical), Honorable Mentions: Nazer Salcedo and Bong Cabrera (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”);

Best Featured Actress(Musical),Honorable mentions: Jing Reyna, Wenah Nagales and Mia Bolaños (“Pilipinas Circa 1907”)

Read the complete list here.