Artist Gallery talents win Aliw awards

MANILA, Philippines - Three talents of the Artist Gallery Events Management bagged major awards at the recently-held 27th Aliw Awards.

Beverly Salviejo won the Hall of Fame (Cross Over Award), Ate Gay bagged the Best Stand-Up Comedian of the Year, and Kakai Bautista brought home the Best Actress in a Featured Role Award for her performance in the PETA play Rak of Aegis.

Beverly shot to fame in the mid-’80s playing the loyal housekeeper to a cranky Lou Veloso in the hit sitcom Urbana at Feliza that starred the tandem of Mitch Valdez and Nanette Inventor. Instantly she became a staple in several comedy shows and movies, most of them blockbusters. She even guested in several talk shows like Mel & Jay and giving featured interviews with Jessica Soho. Today, despite the influx of new comedians, Beverly shows no signs of slowing down. Instead her screen presence remains as distinct and complements any funny scene. This time, she is seen in the primetime melodramatic romance-serye Forevermore of ABS-CBN.

Ate Gay made a mark early on in comedy bars in Manila, followed by appearances out-of-town and soon, even out-of-the-country. The comedian also proved he can carry his show and wow the audience with endless laughter coupled with his ability as a singer when he staged his first and highly-successful concert in 2012 titled Ako Naman: Ate Gay sa Arena.

Kakai became unforgettable being one of the wicked sisters in Kampanerang Kuba who constantly oppressed Anne Curtis; a haughty friend of Bea Alonzo in It Might be You; a confidante in Mutya; and a good-hearted neighbor in Lorenzo’s Time. On TV5, she became a regular co-host in the variety show Wowowillie. With her noisily abrupt dialogue delivery and a wide smile, the petite talent who is also gifted with a singing voice is recognizable just about anywhere, making her a versatile performer in her own right.

Established in 2006, the Artist Gallery has grown to foster more talents who may not be A-Listers or can bag lead roles in movies, sitcoms or seryes, but they certainly shine in works, carve a niche with a modest following, and always take a spotlight for themselves.