Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

Richard Kuipers of Variety.com quoted, "The Portrait" proves a handsomely produced big screen adaptation of Nick Joaquin's revered play." While Lawrence Harmon, former Urban Affairs and Political Columnist of Boston Globe wrote," Portrait provides a deep history lesson set off by a soaring score and crisp libretto. This is no light operetta. Instead, it is a searing musical journey into complex lives and emotions of fading Filipino members of the upper class." Manny, The Movie Guy, The Filipino Channel said. "Ang Larawan, has beautiful cinematography and intricate storytelling that swells up to an emotional crescendo...It's a thoughtful and powerful elegy on the death of Old Manila." The painstaking years of pre-production, production and post-production for executive producers Celeste, Rachel and Girlie ended with a big, bang as the very first full-length musical film in Filipino was included in the annual Metro Manila Film Festiva...

Amidst heavy rains brought by Typhoon Urduja, the annual search for the most confidently loving gay/transwomen of Puerto Princesa still push last December 20 at Baywalk stage, out of 20 candidates the HIV advocate from Brgy. Tagumpay take home this year’s crown, Floriza Bracamontes is an early bet in this most awaited pageant for gay in the City, she also take home best in Swimsuit and long gown award. Top Ten Bracamontes is a free-lance make-up artist, a bread winner in the family who sacrificed so much in order for her siblings to stay in school. She is so proud and happy living with her “the one” as she call it her forever. Crowd’s favorite Candidate #14 Anton Beyqueen Sanchez of Brgy. San Pedro, a BPO Manager land as Puerto Princesa Queen of Queens of the North, while pageant veteran Ma. Ryza Lucero of Sicisican grabbed Queen of the South title.  Future professional model representing Brgy. Princesa Baba Igual is the first runner up and aspiring Cabin crew fro...

From the producers of Never Again: Voices of Martial Law, Ladies Who Launch Inc. comes another socially relevant one-act plays-Sigaw sa Dilim. Exposing stories fresh from the Oplan Tokhang, the play tackles the social and personal struggles of the victims of EJK. A press preview was held at PETA Theater Rooftop last December 7,2017. Ang Mga Naiwan, Isang Liham, and Beshie are the three one-act play included in the set. The central theme of the play revolves around the dire need to of awareness of the injustices incurred on the state-sponsored Oplan Tokhang. This all-volunteer production also hopes to educate affected areas with regards to human rights and its value. Ang mga Naiwan, is a exposition of the real-life stories of the women from different walks of life on their struggles as victims of “War on Drugs”. The monologues depict the burden of the lingering memory of their slain loved ones. Helpless and hopeless of the justice they deserve, the women try to go on with...

Putting the icing on the cake on its 50th season, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) is set to stage Marsha Norman’s “Night, Mother” this coming February 2018. Adapted by Ian Lomogo and to be directed by Melvin Lee, the play will be starred by Eugene Domingo and Sherry Lara. Last December 6, 2017 a press launch was held for the first local production of the 1983 Pulitzer drama play “Night, Mother”. The event was well attended by the press and its production cast. Award-winning theater actress Eugene Domingo and Seasoned theater veteran Sherry Lara will take the lead roles in this Two-woman play as Jessie and Thelma. This intimate but emotionally complex play hopes to tackle provocative issue that comes with urban modern life. A 10-minute excerpt was performed at the event. Jessie (Domingo) is a divorced woman suffering from epilepsy who converse with her mother, Thelma (Lara), about her plan of taking her life that night. The performance was a pure and si...

Fresh from the commercially successful and critically beautiful production of Newsies, 9 Works Theatrical restaging of Menken and Ahrens' A Christmas Carol, The Musical, presented with more grit, more depth and more spirit. Globe Live co-produced the musical based from the 1843 novel of the same title by Charles Dickens, created something new this Yuletide tradition for Filipino families with A Christmas Carol. From December 1, 1994 to December 27, 2003 the show was presented annually at New York City's Paramount Theater in Madison Square Garden. It tells the story and journey of a wealthy old man, Ebenezer Scrooge whose life is full of bitterness and losses. Encountered and haunted by the ghosts of his past, present and future, Scrooge transformed into kinder and gentler man after he realized and uncovered the miracle within, the spirit of Christmas and the unconditional love of family and community. Being a regular musical patron on both local and international produc...

 Thanks to celebrity fitness coaches Jim and Toni Saret of "Biggest Loser Philippines Season 2" for leading Fit Filipino Movement (FitFil) National Weight Loss Challenge because six months after its launch in May 2017, nearly one million pounds (lbs) were axed. The entire Philippines consisting of individuals, groups and organizations pledged to burn fats and to lose weight to achieve an active lifestyle and to become physically fit but more so to reduce and prevent heart related diseases. Both coaches were ecstatic to share how the movement were able to meet its core objective within six months. "It was a combined effort from everyone. But the mission has just started. We hope to see at least one million Filipinos more fit in three years," shared by Coach Jim. Fitness Coaches Jim andTony Saret. Meanwhile for Coach Toni, "Through the FitFil weight loss challenge, we hope to spread the message that being fit and well starts with a simple commitment and ...

A Christmas present comes early for Tanghalang Pilipino as they held its Press Night performance of Eljay Deldoc’s Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog last December 2, 2017. Wrapped with jolly production comes a play that tackles financial literacy and the worth of the important things for us. Previously screened as a play-on-tour about financial literacy, this TP’s holiday adaptation of Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog gave a wider perspective of the story by taking in the dynamics of Gwyneth’s, the lead role, family and the society where she lives in. The play touches on how we build relationship with money, and how it affects the relationship that we are also building with our family and the people around us. With a teen girl (played by Blanche Buhia) as the main character, the conflicts would depict decisions that a millennial and even a baby boomer could face in real life. Lukot-lukot, bilog-bilog can be easily seen as a typical children’s play, but what really makes it special is that i...

Alice Reyes choreographed her first own version in 1982 with Rita Dureza and Cynthia as Clara, Leslie Browne, Effie Nañas, Maricar Drilon and Toni Lopez Gonzalez as the Sugarplum Fairy and John Meehan, Nonoy Froilan, Brando Miranda and Adam Sage as the Nutcracker Prince. In 1991, Reyes' version was restaged by Nonoy Froilan with Mylene Aggabao and Naomi Tolome as Clara, Gina Katigbak and Melissa Cuachon as the Sugarplum Fairy and Mario Esperanza and Jinn Ibarrola as the Nutcracker Prince. Edna Vida's original choreographic version premiered in 1987 with Maria Veronica Fargas and Maria Leilani R. Da Silva as Clara, Lisa Macuja, Cecile Sicangco, Gina Katigbak, Melissa Cuachon and Ida Beltran as the Sugarplum Fairy and Nonoy Froilan, Conrad Dy-Liacco, Brando Miranda and Jun Mabaquio as the Nutcracker Prince. It was then restaged in 2003, with Wendy Esteban and Lynn Leveille as Clara, Kris-Belle Paclibar, Mica Bernas and Hanedy Sala as the Sugarplum Fairy and Clark Rambuyon...

PETA returns to Rajah Sulayman Theatre for re-staging their original translation by Alan Glinoga of a Bertolt Brecht creation. In celebration of the premiere theatre group’s 50th anniversary, Ang Buhay ni Galileo ran from November 29 to December 1 at an outdoor stage at Fort Santiago. The play talks about the struggles of spreading the truth by the polymath Galileo Galilei. This is directed by Rody Vera. All his life, Galileo Galilei tried to disseminate his discoveries about the universe. These trials and tribulations were quelled by the Roman Catholic as they are deemed as against the teachings of God. The entire show addresses the issue of the Church’s greed over power which transcends the current state of our society. PETA takes art seriously this time. Their previous productions focused more on the entertainment value. Ang Buhay ni Galileo proves that PETA knows what theatre should be. The cast is headed by veteran artist Joel Lamangan as Galileo who is a very credible lea...

“Bisaya baya ni, Bay!”. This song phrase really sums up the performance full of Bisaya pride as the original bisrock jukebox musical Gugmang Giatay conquered the manila theater scene on its Manila debut run held at Maybank Performing Arts Theater during the BGC Passionfest last November 28, 2017. This all-Bisaya cast musical started its story when an ordinary Bisaya neighborhood’s all-time loveteam of Inday and Undo takes its toll. Consequently, complications arise as secrets have been revealed, gossips crawl like vines and confessions breaks from their cages. Across the performance, each of the neighborhood character’s stories were revealed with each showcasing the different facets of love and relationship stripped to its rawness. Undo, the lead male role, tells the story of a local musician that is in love with two things-music and Inday. For him, love is all about how he feels, his passion for things and lives to love and nothing else. Deeply in love with Inday, he will ...