Aliw Awards Foundation Inc. (AAFI) President Rema T. Manzano recently released the list of finalists for this year’s annual awards which will be presented at the Mega Tent, Pasig City on Tuesday, Nov. 17.

The finalists in their respective categories:

Best Child Performer: Gabby Bautista, Chenza Chrisabela, Mika Roi Torre, Clark Gamol and Rhap Salazar.

Best New Artist: (Male) Dr. Fred Alconis, Diomedes Saraza, Gab Valenciano and Geoff Taylor. (Female) Eva Castillo, Christine Love, Francheska Ferr and Martha Joy.

Best Choral Group: DFA Chorale, PAL Chorale, UP Singing Ambassadors, UST Liturgikon, UST Singers and UP Concert Chorus.

Best Dance Company: (Classical Folk) Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines, Halili Dance Company, Philippine Ballet Theater and Quezon City Performing Artist. (Modern) Air Dance, Bungkos Palay and Hotlegs.

Best Cultural Group: Dagway Sigmahanon (Sigma, Capiz), Sinanduloy Cultural Troupe (Tangub City), Sining Kabpapagariya (Gen. Santos City), Sining Kadidilimudan (Maguindanao), Umalahukan Creative Experience (Quezon City) and Iligan Performing Arts Guild (IPAG).

Best Emcee: (Female) Phoemela Barranda, Pia Guanio, Issa Litton, Miriam Quiambao, Ladine Roxas, Iya Villania. (Male) Boy Abunda, Ryan Agoncillo, Jojo Alejar, Billy Crawford, Marc Nelson and Tim Yap.

Best Stand Up Comedy Act: (Male) Allan K, Chocoleit, John Lapuz, Pooh and Vice Ganda, (Female) K Brosas, Candy Pangilinan, Pokwang, Rubi Ruby and Beverly Salviejo.

Best Classical Performer: (Male) Noel Azarcon, Jonathan Badon, Al Gatmaitan, Randy Gillonco, Lionel Guico, Dondie Ong. (Female) Agnes Barredo, Aileen Cura, Lara Maigue, Camille Lopez Molina, Izarzurri Vidal, Ana Feleo and Fame Flores.

Best Stage Actor: (Musical) Christian Bautista (“West Side Story”), Jordan Ladra (“Ako Si Ninoy”), Kierwin Larena (“Troy Avenue”), Franco Laurel (“Isang Panaginip na Fili”), Michael de Mesa (“Hairspray”), Francis Ong (“Cinderella the Musical”). (Non-Musical) Dante Balois (“Hiblang Abo”), Bart Guingona (“Tuesday with Morrie”), Teroy Guzman (“Othello”), Bembol Roco (“Guerrilla sa Powell St”), Robert Seña (“Noli at Fili Dos Mil”), Lou Veloso (“Hiblang Abo”) and Bodjie Pascua (“Noli at Fili Dos Mil”).

Best Stage Actress: (Non-Musical) Liezl Batucan (“Portrait of an Artist as Filipino”), Shamaine Buencamino (“Atang” in Non-Musical Role), Cherie Gil (“Master Class”), Frances Makil Ignacio (“Atang” in Non-Musical Role), Julia Enriquez (“Noli at Fili Dos Mil”). (Musical) Joanna Ampil (“West Side Story”), Madel Ching (“Hairspray”), Karylle (“West Side Story”), Ayen Munji-Laurel (“Atang”), Cindy Liper (“Ako Si Ninoy”) and Aiza Marquez (“Cinderella the Musical”).

Best Stage Director: (Musical) Arthur Casanova (“Fantasticks”), Alex Cortez (“Atang”), Menchu Lauchengco (“West Side Story”), Floy Quintos (“Isang Panaginip na Fili”), and Vince Tanada (“Ako si Ninoy”). (Non-Musical) Jose Mari Avellana (“Portrait of an Artist as Filipino”), Ricky Abad (“Othello”), Behn Cervantes (“Pagsamba Ng Bayan”), Romeo Narvaez (“Dula’ta”) and Soxie Topacio (“Noli at Fili Dos Mil”).

Best Musical Production: “Amihan” (Miriam College Institute for the Arts), “Atang” (Dulaang UP), “Ako Si Ninoy” (Philippine Stagers Foundation), “Hairspray” (Atlantis), “Isang Panaginip na Fili” (Dulaang UP) and “Sleeping Beauty the Musical” (Gantimpala Theater Productions).

Best Musical Director: Lemuel de la Cruz (“Yang Klasiks”), Raul Mitra (“From Roots to Riches”) and Raymond Marasigan and Ely Buendia (“Eraserheads Reunion Concert”).

Best Concert Stage Director: Louie Ignacio (“From Roots to Riches”), Kokoy Jimenez (Eraserheads Reunion Concert), Rowel Santiago (“20/20”), Freddie Santos (“Yang Klassiks”) and Jobert Sucaldito (“Love and Laughter on Valentines Day”).

Best Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars: (Female) Monique Rae, Nina, Olivia, Sabrina and Sitti Navarro. (Male) Freddie Aguilar, Richard Merk, Richard Poon, Rico Puno and R.J. Jacinto. (Group) Draybers, Hale, MYMP,  Cueshé, Retrospect and Sandwich.

Best Performance in a Concert (Smaller Venue): (Male) Mark Bautista, Rico Blanco, Jimmy Bondoc, Nyoy Volante, George Yang (“Yang Klasiks”). (Female) Christine Love (“A new Love”), Joanna Ampil (“Valentine Show”), Marissa Sanchez (“Love is a Thing”), Olivia (“Color of Jazz”), Rachelle Ann Go (“Falling In Love”) and Claire de la Fuente (“Timeless”). (Group) Aegis, Angelos and The Company.

Best Collaboration in a Concert: Ogie Alcasid/Dingdong Avanzado/ Rannie Raymundo (“Three Tenors”), Jan Nieto/Harry Santos/Bryan Termulo/Gian Magdangal (“Four The First Time”) and Rico J/Ai Ai delas Alas/Pilita Corrales (“Love & Laughter on Valentines Day”).

Best Major Concert: (Male) Ogie Alcasid (“20/20”), Gary Valenciano (“Gary Live @ 25”), Jed Madela (“The Voice”). (Female) Charice (“The Journey”), Regine Velasquez (“From Roots to Riches”) and Sarah Geronimo (“The Next One”). (Group) Eraserheads(“The Reunion Concert”).

Best Collaboration for a Major Concert: Martin Nievera/Pops Fernandez (“Missing You”), Kuh Ledsma/Pops Fernandez/Regine Velasquez/Zsa Zsa Padilla (“Divas 4 Divas”), Piolo Pascual/Sam Milby/Erik Santos/Christian Bautista and Mark Bautista (“Pop Icons”), Side A/ Freestyle/MYMP (“Love to Love to Love”), Rico J/Claire/Eva/Nonoy Zuñiga/Joey Albert/Rey Valera (“OPM Legends”).

Chairman of the Screening Committee is Frank Rivera.