Ogie Alcasid accepts Regine Velasquez’s trophy as ‘Entertainer of the Year’

The 22nd Aliw Awards culminated its search for the best of last year’s live entertainers at the Mega Tent last Nov. 17, with former Rep. Prospero Pichay as chairman of the Executive Committee.

It was the usual star-studded affair. Part of the proceeds, according to outgoing Pres. Rema Manzano, will be donated to the victims of typhoons Ondoy and Pepeng.

Named “2009 Entertainer of the Year” was Regine Velasquez with sweetheart Ogie Alcasid accepting the trophy. Atty. Persida V. Rueda-Acosta was cited as “Discovery of the Year” for her poetry reading stints. Best Child Performer finalist Chenza Chrisabela accepted the trophy of Rico J. Puno for winning Best Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges & Bars. She said, she was “accepting this in behalf of my Dad” surprising everyone present because she came to attend the event with Best New Artist winner Christine Love.

The other winners in their respective categories are:

Best Child Performer: Gabby Bautista. Best New Artist: (Male) Gab Valenciano (Female) Christine Love. Best Choral Group: UP Concert Chorus. Best Dance Company: (Classical/Folk) Halili-Cruz Dance Company, (Modern) Bungkos Palay Best Cultural, (Group) Sining Kadidilimudan (Maguindanao).

Best Instrumentalist: Nonoy Libanan (Guitar). Best Emcee: (Female) Iya Villania, (Male) Ryan Agoncillo. Best Stand Up Comedy Act: (Male) Chocoleit, (Female) Beverly Salviejo. Best Classical Performer: (Male) Dondie Ong, (Female) Camille Lopez-Molina. Best Stage Actor: (Musical) Franco Laurel (“Isang Panaginip na Fili”), (Non-Musical) Lou Veloso (“Hiblang Abo”). Best Stage Actress: (Non-Musical) Liezl Batucan (“Portrait of an Artists as Filipino”), (Musical) Ayen Munji-Laurel (“Atang”). Best Stage Director: (Musical) Vince Tanada (“Ako si Ninoy”), (Non-Musical) Jose Mari Avellana (“Portrait of an Artist as Filipino”).

Best Musical Production: “Ako Si Ninoy” (Philippine Stagers Foundation). Best Non-Musical Production: “Dula’ta” (Sining Kapapagariya). Best Musical Director: Lemuel de la Cruz (“Yang Klasiks”).

Best Concert Stage Director: Louie Ignacio (“From Roots to Riches”). Best Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars: (Female) Olivia, (Male) Rico Puno, (Group) Retrospect. Best Performance in a Concert: (Smaller Venue) Nyoy Volante, (Valentine’s Show) (Female) Claire de la Fuente (“Timeless”), (Group) Angelos (“Flying High”). Best Collaboration in a Concert: Rico J./Ai Ai delas Alas/Pilita Corrales (“Love & Laughter on Valentines Day”).

Best Major Concert: (Male) Gary Valenciano (“Gary Live @25 The Repeat”), (Female) Regine Velasquez (“From Roots to Riches”), (Group) Eraserheads (“The Reunion Concert”). Best Collaboration for a Major Concert: Kuh Ledsma/Pops Fernandez/Regine Velasquez/Zsa Zsa Padilla (“Divas for Divas”).

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Miguel Aguila of Angelos back from US concerts

Fourteen-year-old Miguel Aguila of the classical pop-quartet Angelos recently returned from a successful concert tour in Vancouver, Canada; Texas, LA and San Francisco, USA wherein the group was featured as guest artist in Stephen Bishop’s concert.

On their side trip to Las Vegas, Miguel gamely jammed with Lani Misalucha and pianist David Osborne at Bellagio Hotel to standing ovation.

Just recently, the multi-talented Angelos won Aliw’s Best Performance by a Group. Miguel was also in the cast of an original opera “Song of Joseph,” where he played the role of the young Jesus. The new musical was composed by Raymond Roldan from the libretto of Fides Cuyugan Asensio who is also Miguel’s voice coach.

In the musical which premiered recently at the Meralco Theater, Miguel got into a highly embarrassing moment when he had to sing a capella all by his lonesome self when the microphone he was using conked out on all his solo spots. But the technical problem proved beneficial as Miguel’s powerful voice reached even the farthest end of the cavernous theater. His voice measured up to the toughest challenge of the moment, prompting a theater guru from Australia Dr. Marcelino Cavestany, Jr. to compliment him, saying, “that’s the voice and that’s theater.”

Miguel is the youngest and most experienced member of Angelos. He started as child image model-singer and grew up getting lead roles for film and TV. As sought-after performer in special events and corporate shows, Miguel is also junior ambassador for the environment of Haribon Foundation.

He has had several solo performances at Malacañang Palace, Cultural Center of the Philippines, and National Commission for Culture and the Arts, and at the US Embassy Sports Festival in which he was singled out by Ambassador Kristie Kenny to sing the US and Philippine National Anthems.

A multi-awarded performer, Miguel’s other significant awards include Aliw’s Hall of Fame as child performer, and Warner Music’s Most Promising Young Recording Artist Award and the Most Outstanding Young Male Performing Artist.

His coming sorties include one in SM Marikina on Dec. 5; and the coming 21st Congregation of Blessed Sacrament with Father General from Italy.

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Star-studded GMA Noel Bazaar

The 9th Noel Discovery Bazaar and Christmas Shopping Expo will start on Wednesday, Nov. 25 and ends on Nov. 30, at the World Trade Center in Pasay City.

Dubbed the “Bazaar With A Heart,” the event promises to be another complete family affair with fun activities and surprise events. Shoppers will get a unique Christmas experience by shopping at rock-bottom prices, be entertained by the hottest GMA TV stars, rub elbows with them and help our less fortunate brethren.

Shoppers will also be delighted by the show-stopping production numbers by Jolina Magdangal, La Diva and Kyla, and La Salle College International’s fashion show. The hottest bargains, by the way, will be found at the celebrity booths of Jolina Magdangal, BJ Forbes and Ella Guevarra.

By walking through the GMA Artists Closet Pavilion, one will discover the personal wardrobes of Manilyn Reynes, Tuesday Vargas, Suzi Entrata, Lynn Ching, Pia Magalona, Jessa Zaragoza, Dingdong Avanzado, the Sexbomb Dancers, Polo Ravales, Jay Manalo, Iwa Moto, Chynna Ortaleza, Dino Guevarra, Iking Magundayao, Dion Ignacio, Aicelle Santos, Moymoy Palaboy, Nicole Dulalia, Nikki Dacullo, Joy Velasco, Francheska Farr, and Sherilyn Reyes.

Shoppers will also learn about the latest Christmas food trends with QTV 11’s cooking demo, sip the finest wine with Rene Barbier’s wine appreciation seminar, get practical make up tips from Luminare, be entertained by Museo Pambata’s story-telling and arts & crafts making, and learn bread making in Street Corner Bakery Café’s demos.

The biggest benefit bazaar for the last 10 years, Noel Bazaar boasts of hundreds of exhibitors of fashion lines, food items, home décors, novelty items, reading materials, rare wares, and travel packages, among others.

The event returns with its Special Edition on Dec. 5-6 at the A. Venue Events Hall of Antel Lifestyle City, Makati Ave., and Noel Bazaar 2 on Dec. 18-20 at the World Trade Center for your last minute shopping.

Noel Bazaar is organized by Cut Unlimited and supported by GMA Kapuso Network for the benefit of GMA Kapuso Foundation, Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation and the Associate Missionaries of Assumption.

For details, e-mail noelbazaaars@gmail.com.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 25 go to Ambassador Consuelo Puyat-Reyes, top PR man Reli German, Ilocos Sur Gov. DV Savellano, Gen. Jose T. Almonte, Rev. Alex Orbito, Rosario Ablaza-Syquia, Jose F. Lacaba, New York-based Corazon Jose, Perla So-An, Marcia Rodriguez, Tess A. Coscolluela, Ruth B. Vergara, Sharon Fletchers-Azanza, Evelyn C.O. Silagon, Carrol E. Carreon, Roane Kathlyn Manabat, Lulu Africa, Virgie Balatico, Norberto Abril F. Capistrano, Dr. Rosendo Roque of San Juan de Dios Hospital, Boy Carlos, Lina Melendres, and Mabel Gan Carag.