Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

The premiered Theater company that give us hundreds of original Filipino productions, numerous workshops and transform lives in many communities in the Philippines, is now gearing up for 50 years anniversary celebration this 2017. Philippines Educational Theater Associatioon, Inc (PETA) is set for year round celebrations that composed of different original old and new theatre play, plus hosting of international theatre festivals, and series of concerts with alumni of PETA. A commemorative CD album compose of unforgettable songs and music of PETA’s production is also release, to add significance for this glorious 50 years. PETA’s Artistic Director Maribel Legarda told us that they remain as one of the leading theatre company in the country, which is solid and sustainable not only in producing original Filipino play, but their advocacy in promoting awareness and education using art as a medium. “We are pleased were turning 50, we have a Theater Center, we are doing quite ...

There is a huge selection of gear to choose from when wanting to record music. Sound quality is very important when recording music so the recording musician can select the right equipment for getting the best sound. To do so however, to get the best quality in creating and recording music you need to know a few details regarding various recording gear.  To start, someone who is looking to record music professionally should have some short of multi-track recorder. You can either have an analog multi-track recorder that takes a tape or a digital multi-track recorder that has a digital tape; digital tapes similar to zip drivers. Nevertheless, the analog tape recorders are usually the cheapest recorders out there as well. The recently popular multi-track recorder is the one that uses a hard drive. This type of multi-tracker recorder is based on a computer hard drive that you can save your music and channel configuration on. Depending on the make of the digital multi-track recorde...

Multi awarded Classical choral group Aleron released an official Christmas Album called “Dakilang Hiwaga” that includes never been heard choral arrangement of such timeless holiday hits like Nomads Charol, Gifts for the Child of Winter, Silent Night, Ullalim and Jingle, Jingle Bells. Aleron is a all male choir mostly alumni from Ateneo De Manila High School Glee Club, it was form in 2006 under the musical direction of Christopher Ong Arceo. Aleron is a latin word for “the winged one” that aims to give innovative programming and performance of repertoire across musical styles and genres. Aleron is 1 st place in vocal ensemble category in 2013 for the First Andrea Veneracion International Choral Festival, they also bagged the Grand Prix Overall winner in 10 th Busan Choral Festival and Competition in 2014, and this coming May to July 2017 they are set to compete in 11 th World Symposium for Choral Music to be held in Barcelona, Spain. And to date they are the only Filipi...

Jamila and Rashiddin. (Photo by Trixie Dauz) So glad to watch this gem-in-the-making production of Tanghalang Ateneo with Ateneo Fine Arts, Sintang Dalisay. This is in commemoration of Shakespeare’s 400 th Death Anniversary that gives you total makeover of well-loved classic, Romeo And Juliet. Directed by Ricardo Abad, Sintang Dalisay was first staged in 2011. Since then, it was shown to many International festivals and won numerous local citations such as Best Project in 2011 by Ateneo’s Council of Activities and Aliw Award for Best Production in 2012. Photo by Trixie Dauz Sintang Dalisay is based on the metrical romance poem “Ang Sintang Dalisay ni Julieta At Romeo” by GD Roke and Rolando S. Tinio, that sets the star-crossed lovers in a Muslim town in the Philippines. It has live authentic Muslim music and dances that make it stand out among the theatre plays that I’ve seen this year. Photo by Trixie Dauz I did watch it my Muslim friend Alex Datu who told m...

It is a spectacle, one of a kind Christmas event that longs to be a tradition that the Holiday season may offer. This latest offering of 9 Works Theatrical, along with Globe Live, is an experience of a lifetime for any theatre goer. This is for those who want to see live Christmas feeling set in a European ambiance. A Christmas Carol based on Charles Dickens, music by Alan Menken and Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, is a story of a man who hates Christmas. His past, present and future inner weaknesses show up as his ghost, and made him realize that being alive has many things to offer. Playing Ebenezer Scrooge is a theatre veteran Miguel Faustman. He says this version is his most challenging one since it features the entire story of Scrooge from younger to older days. Yes, he does fit the role and he did deliver it as expected. But the one who shines best in this grand production is Miss Saigon alumna Ariel Reonal. He gave justice with flying colors as Jacob Marley, who was ...

The Team Saving Sally. Change is definitely here, most likely in this year’s selection of entries for the annual Metro Manila Film Festival. One interesting movie is Saving Sally by animator-turn-director Avid Liongoren. It’s a high-breed film that combines real human characters with animated backdraft. It is a love story with unexpected monsters. During its Presscon held recently, Liongoren informed us that it took ten years in the making due to some financial setbacks. Their inclusion in the Film Fest is already a winning moment for him. Playing Sally is actress Rhian Ramos. She admits that she auditioned for the role when she was 19 years old and she eagerly wanted to portray it. It was at the peak of her career at the time but she did not hesitate to try even though the production lasted six years. She replaced the actress that originally portrayed Sally, four years after the production started. It’s a commitment as Ramos emphasized. Joining Rhian as her lead...

Photo by Mark Anthony Cabrera. With the theme, “Charmingly Cultured”, Mr. Tourism World (MTW) a global brand owned by Czarina Production Ltd, a registered company in England and Wales is in search for their ambassador to promote culture in diversity. This is the first a competition will be held for the said title. Thirteen official candidates were presented to members of the press and Media at Icon Hotel in Quezon City last Dec 4, 2017.The official thirteen candidates are: Luke Middlebook from Australia (Sydney), Tieze Emilliano from Sau Paulo , Archibald Acquaye from Ghana (Accra), Sanju Ray from India( Assam), Muhammad Ryan Ramadan from Indonesia (North Sumatra), Fauzi Mohamad from Malaysia, Okkar Mun Maung from Myanmar (yangon), Sarj Sangit Shrestha from Nepal (Hetauda), Cas Winters from the Netherlands , Kian Jabin Sumague from the Philippines (SanPablo, Laguna), Alexander Portnoff from Sweden(Stockholm), Khunphan Supachok from Thailand(Bangkok) and lastly Phan Xuan Hien fr...

Aguinaldo Vs. Mabini. David Esra and Liesl Batucan. (photo by Kurt Copon) The 29th Season of Tanghalang Pilipino was opened and will be closed by the restaging of the critically acclaimed and commercially successful new and steampunk musical, Nicanor Tiongson’s  “ Mabining Mandirigma.”  Tiongson currently the Professor Emeritus at the University Of The Philippines Film Institute of the College of Mass Communication and has served from 1986 to 1994 as Vice President and Artistic Director of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, is a critic and an artistic writer who has written plays in full-length like the historical sarsuwelas Pilipinas Circa 1907 and Basilia Ng Malolos and a musical adaptation of the epic Labaw Donggon.  In writing the full length musical Mabining Mandirigma, Tiongson as expected wrote in a remarkable and extraordinary manner, with so much deep, intense and emphasis. His critical, creative and rhetoric style were very evident in the lines...

Laguna is the historical province of Southern Luzon and home of the biggest lake in the country and promising artworks and handicrafts. It also has the rural ambiance near Metro Manila with breathtaking sceneries of mountains and magnificent seven lakes. As part of the Travel Bloggers Getaway program of TravelBook.ph, we had a chance to explore the unearthed beauty of Caliraya Mountain Lake Resort in Cavinti. It is where you can find the mountains and its majestic lake as the showcase of promoting ecotourism and communing with nature. This prime resort that is owned and operated by three major real estate companies namely The Atlanta Group, Sta. Lucia Estate and Fil Estate is now a haven for outdoor lovers. This is for those who value the greeneries and its inviting climate against the polluted cities. Originally, it is planned for residential project that could have developed into a destination that offers sports and recreational facilities. Mountain Lake Resort has a ...

Clarice Patrimonio, 22 Years old Varsity Player, a daughter of PBA Hardcourt King Alvin Patrimonio is this year’s grand winner of the premier modelling contest, Bodyshots. Her counterpart is also the 22 year old Renz Maun, a farmer from Nueva Ecija. Held recently at the event hall of Fisher Mall, 30 candidates showcase creations from different designer members of Fashion Designers Association (FDAP), from creative wear, swim wear to formal wear that showcased Filipino ingenuity. Bodyshots revival this 2016 is the pioneer project of actor and former Bikini winner Carlo Maceda, as producer that according to him is his way of giving back to the young generations, who like him aspire to make it big in the modelling industry. Patrimonio is a tennis player from National University, while Maun is a graduate of Animal Husbandry from Central Luzon State University. Patrimonio is Best in runway award and Photogenic trophy along with Maun. Aside from modelling con...

Raoul Imbach.  Tag as the Singing Diplomat from the Swiss Embassy in Manila, Mr. Raoul Imbach is not stopping in introducing his music, like in his past country assignment Imbach usually records songs from his heart as a gesture of acknowledging his new found home. Imbach is the Deputy Head Mission of Switzerland Embassy, he is living while working in the Philippines for the past three years, and recently he revived his band “The Wild Tortillas” to accompany him not just for gigs, but for his 11 th album that comprise of 14 track under the title of “Tribute To The Philippines”. His first ever USB album is officially launch last November 19 at The Marco Polo Hotel in Ortigas Center. At the very early age, Imbach said that singing is his passion but he clarify that he is not after the fame or money rather an expression of his talent, and to give back. The proceed of the album he donate it to charity, like this time it goes to Carmelite Convent of Pink Sisters in Batang...

A new Filipino musical is about to unleash via a newly formed theatre company that will hit us with their brand new style of theatre presentation. That’s one of the aims of Black Box Productions that will revisit their “Mula Sa Buwan” production this December at Irwin Theater in Ateneo De Manila University. Based on the play Cyrano De Bergerac from French poet Edmond Rostand, “Mula Sa Buwan” will showcase sweet and bittersweet young love during post war era of Manila.  Patrick Valera conceptualized the play along with William Elvin Manzano which was first performed in 2010 at the University of Asia and the Pacific under Dulaang Rock Opera Company. Valera admits during its launching that this was just an introduction for its grand restaging early 2017. Thus it will only have a limited run from Dec 2, 3 and 4. Though he guaranteed that it will be as majestic as it will be by 2017. The music and lyrics are remarkable and the pool of artists included is handpic...