Ilonggo Grammy, Tony winner earns presidential award

Filipino Grammy and Tony winner Jhett Dizon Tolentino is one of the honorees at the 2018 Presidential Awards for Filipino Individuals and Organizations Overseas (PAFIOO).

President Duterte conferred the Pamanang Pilipino medallion to the New York-based Tolentino, who hails from Iloilo City, in a ceremony in Malacañang Wednesday.

The Commission on Filipinos Overseas (CFO) lauded Tolentino for “exemplifying the talent and industry of the Filipino” that brought the country honor and recognition.

Having come from the slums and without a formal background in theater, Tolentino has made a name in Broadway.

He has won three Tonys: for “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike” (Best Play in 2013), “A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder (Best Musical in 2014) and “A Raisin in the Sun” (Best Revival of a Play in 2014).

Tolentino also won a Grammy in 2017 as one of the producers of “The Color Purple”, which was named s Best Musical Theater Album.

Tolentino’s biographical film, “Life Is What You Make It,” has also won awards at film festivals in Chile, Costa Rica, Germany, India, Thailand, and Venezuela.