PEP: Ogie Alcasid is named Entertainer Of The Year

In last year's edition, Regine Velasquez was named the Entertainer of the Year by the Aliw Awards Foundation Inc. This time, she was succeeded by her boyfriend, Ogie Alcasid as the recipient of the prestigious award. Unfortunately, Ogie was unable to attend the awarding ceremony since he was busy taping for his upcoming Metro Manila Film Festival entry Desperadas 2. Asia's Songbird accepted the trophy (shaped as two hands clapping) during the annual event held to give due recognition to the Philippines' live entertainers. "Salamat po sa akin dahil sigurado ako rin ang pasasalamatan ni Ogie," quipped Regine as she received the award in behalf of her beau. The awarding ceremony was held at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion last night, November 11, with most of the awardees present to receive their trophies during the 21st Aliw Awards presentation. The event, co-presented by the Aliw Awards Foundation Inc. and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, elevated Ogie to Aliw's Hall of Fame, along with Martin Nievera and Gary Valenciano. Other Hall of Famers include theater actors Ricky Davao and Irma Adlawan as well as opera singer Alegria Ferrer. West Side Story performer Joanna Ampil and Jed Madela were also given the same honor. Journey vocalist Arnel Pineda personally accepted his Special Awardee honor as a world-class performer. Chosen as the Discovery of the Year is the group Cardona Youth Musical Ensemble. The recipients of the Lifetime Achievement Awards were composer Ryan Cayabyab and Mindanao State University's Sining Kambayoka. Ingrid Santamaria and Reynaldo Reyes were also awarded the same honor for their immense contribution to classical music in the country. Here are the winners of the 21st Aliw Awards: Mauna Kea Chan, best child performer Lex Lopez, Best new artist (Male) Charice, Best new artist (Female) UP Concert Chorus, Best Choral Group Nonoy Libanan, Best instrumentalist Halili-Cruz Dance Co., Best Dance Company Air Dance, Best Modern Dance Company; Pagdungawan Cultural Group of Mati, Davao Oriental, Best Cultural Group Ryan Agoncillo, Best emcee male Miriam Quiambao, Best female emcee John Lapuz, Best Stand-UP comedy act (male) Pokwang, Best Stand-UP comedy act (female) Ramon Acoymo, Best male classical performer Rachel Gerodias, Best female classical performer Robert Seña, Best stage actor (musical play) Joey Paras, Best stage actor (non-musical) Rachel Alejandro, Best stage actress (musical) Shamaine Buencamino, Best stage actress (non-musical) Nor Domingo, Best stage director (musical) Ricky Abad, Best stage director (non-musical) "Pagong At Matsing", Best Musical Production "The Death Of Memory" Best non-musical production Richard Poon, Best Male Performer in Hotels, music lounges and Bars Olivia, Best female Performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars; Retrospect, Best Group performer in Hotels, Music Lounges and Bars Gerard Salonga, Best Musical Director Freddie Santos, Best Stage Director Ogie Alcasid, Best Performance in a Concert (Male); Loboc Childrens Choir (Group); Martin Nievera, Best Major Concert (Male) Lea Salonga, Best Major Concert (Female) Nonoy Libanan, Verni Varga, Isay Alvarez, May Bayot for "Music from the Heart," Best collaboration - Philippine Entertainment Portal