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Manila Bulletin devider Entertainment devider Celebrities devider Jona named Entertainer of the Year at the 38th Aliw Awards at Manila Hotel

Jona named Entertainer of the Year at the 38th Aliw Awards at Manila Hotel

Published Dec 17, 2025 12:22 am  |  Updated Dec 17, 2025 07:34 am
The 38th Aliw Awards was held at the Fiesta Pavilion of The Manila Hotel last Dec. 15, honoring outstanding achievements in live entertainment, music, theater, and performance arts in the Philippines.
Jona says the 'Entertainer of the Year' honor from Aliw Awards is the highest recognition she received in her career (Photo Annalyn Jusay)
Jona says the 'Entertainer of the Year' honor from Aliw Awards is the highest recognition she received in her career (Photo Annalyn Jusay)
Singing sensation Jona earned the most coveted award of the annual ceremony, the Entertainer of the Year, which was handed to her by last year's winner, Kapuso belter Julie Anne San Jose. The recognition capped a strong year for Jona, who marked her 20 years in the music industry with a sold-out concert, "Jona: Journey To The Arena," last November. She was also named Aliw's Best Pop Artist for 2025.
The awards ceremony recognized artists and productions across multiple categories in a program hosted by Arnell Ignacio and Shiela Vaderrama.
Andrew E is named Best Rap Artist along with Gloc-9 (Photo by Annalyn Jusay))
Andrew E is named Best Rap Artist along with Gloc-9 (Photo by Annalyn Jusay))
A special tribute was held honoring iconic artists who passed away in 2025 - the original "Kilabot ng mga Kolehiyala" Hajji Alejandro, Asia's Queen of Songs Pilita Corrales, folk legend Freddie Aguilar, actor-director Ricky Davao, and National Artist for Film and Broadcast Arts Nora Aunor.
Inducted into the Hall of Fame were Kathy Mass, comedian Rex Navarrete, Sounds of Manila, Lorna Cifra, Carla Guevara-Laforteza, Sherwin Sozon, and Gerald Santos.
Jonathan Manalo wins Best Composer for Original Musical Theater for 'Delia D,' the musical featuring his songs
Jonathan Manalo wins Best Composer for Original Musical Theater for 'Delia D,' the musical featuring his songs
Lifetime Achievement Awards were also given to Zsa Zsa Padilla, Gary Valenciano, Lani Misalucha, Jed Madela, composer Arturo Lui Pio, tenor Frankie Asiniero and House Speaker Faustino "Bojie" Dy.
In a Facebook post today, Zsa Zsa said she was returning her award after expressing disappointment that she had not been given "the opportunity to say a few words" and that she had been "dismissed abruptly" after receiving it. The Aliw Awards committee still has to state the matter.
Talent manager Noel Ferrer receives the 'Best Lead Actress in a Play' award in behalf of Jackie Lou Blanco
Talent manager Noel Ferrer receives the 'Best Lead Actress in a Play' award in behalf of Jackie Lou Blanco
Aside from Jona, the Aliw awards for 2025 are the following:
Best New Male Artist - Rouelle Cariño
Best New Female Artist - Simone Valderrama Martinez
Best Male Child Performer - Theodore Tiu
Best Female Child Performer - Natalie Grace and Zia Dantes
Acclaimed actress-director Laurice Guillen receives an Aliw Award on behalf of her daughter Ana Feleo, who won Best Female Classical Performer (Photo by Annalyn Jusay)
Acclaimed actress-director Laurice Guillen receives an Aliw Award on behalf of her daughter Ana Feleo, who won Best Female Classical Performer (Photo by Annalyn Jusay)
Best New Group Artist -VVink
Best Male Host - Raymond Gorospe and Tim Yap (tie)
Best Female Host - Nicole Ramos
Best Instrumentalist - Mary Ann Espina (Piano)
Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera (fourth and fifth from right) with Aliw Awards presenters who gave them a trophy for 'Best Collaboration in a Major Concert'
Pops Fernandez and Martin Nievera (fourth and fifth from right) with Aliw Awards presenters who gave them a trophy for 'Best Collaboration in a Major Concert'
Best Rap Artist - Andrew E / Gloc 9
Best Stand Up Comedian - Super Tekla
Best Male Crossover Performer - Armand Ferrer
Best Female Crossover Performer - Niña Campos
Best Pop Artist - Jona
Asia's Limitless Star sings 'Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin' (Photo by Annalyn Jusay)
Asia's Limitless Star sings 'Bukas Na Lang Kita Mamahalin' (Photo by Annalyn Jusay)
Best R&B/Jazz Artist - Jeannie Tiongco
Best Jazz Artist Group - UP Jazz Ensemble
Best Male Artist in a Major Concert - tie between Maki ('Kolorcoaster') and Raymond Lauchengco ('Everybody Loves Raymond')
Best Female Artist in a Major Concert - Regine Velasquez for 'Reset'
Best Inspirational/Gospel Singer - Dindo Fernandez
Best Male Classical Performer - Ronan Ferrer
Best Female Classical Performer - Ana Feleo
Best Female Performance in a Concert - Dulce ('Wagi')
Best Male Performance in a Concert - Rannie Raymundo
Best Director for a Major Concert - Maki ('Kolorcoaster' )
Best Concert Stage Director - Rowell Santiago ('Wagi')
Best Musical Director for a Concert/Dance - Rodel Colmenar ('JL 75th Beatles Concert')
Best Collaboration in a Major Concert - Martin Nievera and Pops Fernandez ('Always and Forever' )
Best Composer for Original Musical Theater - Jonathan Manalo ('Delia D' )
Best Play - Kisapmata
Best Musical Play - Jeproks: The Musical
Best Group Ensemble Performance in a Concert - Odette Quesada and Ogie Alcasid
Best Featured Actor in a Play - Marco Viaña ('Kisapmata' )
Best Featured Actress in a Play - Toni Go Yadao ('Kisapmata' )
Best Featured Actor in a Musical - Jett Pangan ('Jeproks: The Musical')
Best Featured Actress in a Musical - Geneva Cruz ('Jeproks: The Musical' )
Best Musical Director/Arranger for a Musical - Joed Balsamo ('Jeproks: The Musical') and Vince Lim ('Delia D')
Best Director for a Play - Guelan Luarca ( 'Kisapmata' )
Best Lead Actor in a Play - Jonathan Tadioan ('Kisapmata' )
Best Lead Actress in a Play - Jackie Lou Blanco ('The Foxtrot' )
Best Director for a Musical - Frannie Zamora ('Jeproks: The Musical' )
Best Ensemble in a Musical or Play - 'Jeproks: The Musical'
Best Lead Actress in a Musical - Shiela Valderrama and Nikki Valdez ('Next to Normal' )
Best Lead Actor in a Musical - David Ezra ('Jeproks: The Musical' )
Aliw Breakthrough Performer/Performance Award - Si Faust After Goethe (Rock Opera)
Best Chorale Group - Los Cantantes DeManila and University of Mindanao Chorale
Best Dance Production - 'Swan Lake' Ballet Manila
Best Cultural Group Theater/Dance - Tanghalang Bagong Sibul Dance Company
Best Festival Practices and Performance - Mammangi Festival of Ilagan City, Isabela; Kneeling Carabao of Pulilan, Bulacan ; Paru-Paru Festival of Dasmariñas, Cavite
Best Festival Catalyst/Organizer - Mayor Jose Mari Diaz of Ilagan City, Isabela, Mayor Rolando Peralta - Pulilan, Bulacan , Mayor Jenny Barzaga - Dasmariñas, Cavite
Best Festival Director - Bing Pascual (Manggahan Festival )
Best Special Events Production - That's Amore (RMA), JL 75th The Beatles Concert, 'Tanghal Tertulia (UP)
Best Special Events Director - Nazer Salcedo 'That's Amore'
Best Filipino Male Artist Based Abroad - Cipriano de Guzman Jr
Best Filipino Female Artist Based Abroad - Rachel Alejandro
Best Solo Performer in Hotels, Bars and Music Lounges - Esay Kirstin
Best Group Performer in Hotels, Bars and Music Lounges - InnerVoices, Progeny and Replay Band (triple tie)
Best Venue for Theaters and Concerts - GSIS Theater
Special Awards were handed out to Kea Chan, Tosca, and "Greatest Love of All "(Christmas Special)
Excellence Awards were also given to Joey Lina, Gwen Albarracin, Leonor Cleofas, and Atty. Marivic Laurel Garcia.
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