The Aliw 2020 Congress , held at the Manila Hotel Fiesta Pavilion last night, December 15, was an eye- opener and a trailblazer in the time of Covid-19.

        The Congress featured the speeches of  Film Developmet Council of the Philippines Chairperson Liza Dino Seguerra, actor/director Audie Gemora and Usec of the Department of Education Tonicito Umali, who spoke from his home, for safety reasons.

       The audience of approximately 250 , composed of Aliw nominees and awardees and their followers,   appreciated the messages of the three speakers on the Congress theme: The Plight of the Live Entertainment Industry in the Time of Covid 19.

         In her brief welcome remarks, Aliw Founder and President Alice H. Reyes thanked  the Congress  speakers for their readiness to  accept her invitation at such short notice.

         Co-presented by Aliw Awards Foundation, Inc. and Novuhair, Aliw 2020 Congress   was conceptualized to conform  to IATF guidelines which  , prior to the event of December 15,  allowed  conventions and congresses ,but not awards events,.

       Highlight of the Congress was the presentation of awards to the medical frontliners, the Special awardees, the Lifetime Achievement Awardees,the Hall of Famers and the winners of over fifty categories , topped by the 2020 Entertainers of the Year Gerald Santos and Julie Anne San Jose.

           While a number of awardees were noticeably absent , mainly due to the Covid-19 scare,   the event was attended by La Union  Governor Francisco Emmanuel  Ortega and his wife, Usec Martin Dino, FDCP Chairman Liza Dino Seguerra,  Rod Cornejo and his wife, actor Ernie Garcia,  Dero Pedero  and a majority of this year’s awardees and finalists.

            Aliw 2020 Congress was supported by Greenfield Development Corporation, Unilever and Lifebuoy,  ISKIN Aesthetic Lifestyle, Health and Naturals Collection, Kissed by Nature, 8Solutions, Trad8Hub, Jhoana’s Resort, ACE 2JHO, Carlo Rossi, Salem beds. Donors are Alma Lim, Dr. George Yang and Diane de Mesa..

           Media sponsors  were Philippine United News, Manila Bulletin, Manila Times, Philippine Star, Journal Group of Companies, BEAM  TV, ATC, , CNN  Philippines, Village Pipol, Light TV, Chinatown TV   and social media partners  Best 31 online TV   and Happy Rich TV  on You Tube.

        Ad agency partner is Trendspotting of Ralph Huertas

       Stage Director was Atty. Vince Tanada, who has been elevated to the  Aliw Hall of Fame as   three-time   Best  Director and Best Actor.

     Aliw 2020 Congress  was lauded by all present at the event for the determination of the foundation  to give the live entertainers  an event to look forward to. As it pioneered four decades ago in honouring  Filipino live entertainers, in the year of the pandemic, Aliw Awards Foundation again  is leading the way , this time  for the holding of  an annual Congress for live entertainment.

    The Foundation effectively  showed the world, especially its detractors, that a successful event can be held in the time of the pandemic, with strict observance of the IATF protocols.

   Next year , the Aliw Congress will be held in October..,