Areté Ateneo leads at the inaugural MSTR Awards

Areté Ateneo emerged as a central presence at the first Manila Society of Theater Reviewers (MSTR) Awards, with its productions earning multiple top honors in the first year of the awards, recognizing outstanding theatrical work in Metro Manila. The winners were announced on 10 January through MSTR’s official Facebook and Instagram accounts. 

Areté Productions at the Forefront

At the center of Areté’s recognition was Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati, a contemporary Filipino adaptation of Nick Joaquin’s A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino. Translated by Jerry Respeto and adapted and directed by Guelan Varela-Luarca, the production was named Best Production of a Play.

The work also received Best New Filipino Work, honoring its reimagining of Joaquin’s canonical text, and Best Achievement in Design, awarded to D Cortezano (set), Ali Figueroa (costumes), Jethro Nibaten (lighting), and Ronelson Yadao (movement). Varela-Luarca further shared the Best Director award for his work on both Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati and 3 Upuan. 

In addition, Delphine Buencamino and Omar Uddin received honorable mentions for Lead Performance in a Play and Featured Performance in a Play, respectively, with Omar Uddin also cited for Emerging Talent. The production further received honorable mentions for John Robert Yam (Sound Design) and Matthew Chang (Music) for Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati.

Through its deconstructed form and contemporary staging, Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati revisits the story of two sisters refusing to abandon their crumbling ancestral home in prewar Intramuros, offering a meditation on grief, memory, and the burdens of heritage that resonated strongly with audiences and critics alike.

Following its critical success, Quomodo Desolata Es? Isang Dalamhati will return for a rerun from 30 January to 8 February 2026, at the Hyundai Hall, Areté Ateneo.

Tickets are available at arete.helixpay.ph.

Another Areté Ateneo production, Si Faust, directed by Nelsito Gomez, was awarded Best Production of a Musical. The musical’s success was further highlighted by Best Lead Performance in a Musical, awarded to Maita Ponce for her commanding and nuanced performance. Si Faust also received several honorable mentions, including Kabaitan Bautista for Musical Direction and Arrangement, Sarah Facuri for Set Design, Jim Ferrer for Choreography, Carlo Pagunaling for Costume, and Jethro Nibaten for Lighting Design.

Areté, in co-production with Scene Change, also presented 3 Upuan, which received recognition at the MSTR Awards. Jojit Lorenzo won Best Lead Performance in a Play for 3 Upuan, while several artists earned honorable mentions: Jasmine Curtis-Smith and JC Santos for Lead Performance in a Play, Teia Contreras for Projection, and D Cortezano for Lighting Design.

Recognizing the Wider Theater Community

While Areté productions figured prominently, the inaugural MSTR Awards also recognized excellence across the broader Manila theater scene. Benedix Ramos received Best Featured Performance in a Play for Dagitab and the Emerging Talent Award for his performances in Bar Boys: The Musical, Dagitab, and Next to Normal.

In the musical categories, Marvin Ong was awarded Best Featured Performance in a Musical for Side Show. The awards also honored Outstanding Contribution to the Theater, recognizing GA Fallarme and George De Jesus III for their sustained impact on Philippine theater.

MSTR noted that honorable mentions were awarded across all categories, reflecting the depth and competitiveness of productions staged in Metro Manila during the year.

About the MSTR Awards

Founded in 2025 by veteran theater critics from print and online platforms, the Manila Society of Theater Reviewers was established to spotlight excellence in Philippine theater and encourage wider public engagement with the performing arts. The inaugural awards considered 66 eligible productions staged in Metro Manila, with winners selected by voting members from ABS-CBN News Online, the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Esquire Philippines, The Philippine Star, TheaterFansManila.com, and independent critics.

Areté and the Continuing Work of Filipino Theater

Areté’s strong showing at the first MSTR Awards affirms its role as Ateneo de Manila University’s hub for arts and innovation, cultural dialogue, and creative risk-taking. As Philippine theater continues to evolve, Areté remains committed to supporting works that challenge form, revisit tradition, and create space for new Filipino voices to thrive.