Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

One iconic Philippine theatre experience is Kanser, the stage version of Noli Me Tangere that is written by our National Hero, Dr. Jose Rizal. There are many versions of this play by different theater groups, from musical to straight play. Gantimpala Theater Foundation made it as their own biggest production for so many years, it keep changing and upgrading in many aspects, from color feel, to music ambiance and of course the magnificent cast that is challenge to portray iconic characters onstage. Kanser 2018 proves to adopt the needful in terms of stage show, a showcase of photos and some graphics is on the projector during the performances, some new twist in some remarkable scenes is implemented, like the slapping scene of Maria Clara and Padre Salvi which the audience find it humorous. But the kissing scenes of Crisostomo and Maria Clara is always the favorite mostly by the students, they feel the “kilig” somehow. Award winning Director, Actor and Model Fr...

Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines will raise its final curtain as the 31st Theater Season concludes with " Nang Dalawin Ng Pag-ibig Si Juan Tamad, " Rody Vera's stage adaptation of the book, " How Love Came To Juan Tamad " written by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. Presented by Cultural Center Of The Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino and Hotel Kamana Sanctuary Resort & Spa to commemorate the 100th birth anniversary of Nick Joaquin, and brought by Yellow Pages. Included in Joaquin's 1979 " Pop Stories For Groovy Kids, " Critics weighed and described the exact depiction of the forever brokenhearted Mariyang Makiling and Juan Tamad hailed as pop idol and remained model to the youth. Following the love triangle of Filipino legends Mariya Makiling (Goddess Of Love), Monte Banahaw (God Of War) and Juan Tamad.  The iconic characters are reinvented and reimagined to spice up ...

It’s been 30 years, but Himala the movie by the late Ishmael Bernal written by Ricky Lee is still an immortal icon in Philippine Cinema, it star no less but the Superstar Nora Aunor as the iconic Elsa, the lady from Cupang who brought many changes because of a miracle she witness. This 2018, Sandbox Collective with 9 Works Theatrical is bringing once again the intense and dramatic stage version of this film, it features a new set of cast mostly young and proven powerful in delivering performance on stage. Ed Lacson is directing this 2018 stage version, he is putting a lot of new things in this production that is extremely new to all theater fanatics. “We’re trying something very different from typical musical theater, were experimenting on not using any lapel, not doing choreography, it’s a big risk and at the same time it excite me as the director as well as the cast. “ Lacson said. Master writer Ricky Lee is happy and excited for this year’s staging of Himala, he ...

  " Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag " is a classic film released in 1975 and re-released in 2013 directed by National Artist for Film Lino Brocka. The well received film and considered as one of the greatest films in Philippine Cinema was based from the novel of Edgardo Reyes. Winner of Best Picture, Best Director, Best Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor in 1976 FAMAS Awards, it starred Bembol Roco as Julio Madiaga and Hilda Koronel as Ligaya Paraiso. In 2013, the film was fully restored and was shown at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival as part of Cannes Classics Section. It tells the tragic love story and crime of passion of Julio and Ligaya set against the backdrop of Manila. The film still mirrors that nothing has changed from the current scenario in the Philippines, struggle, survival, poverty, unemployment and prostitution. After 42 years, this highly and critically acclaimed film was adapted into a stage musical spectacle presen...

To mark its 40th Theater Season, GANTIMPALA THEATER FOUNDATION once again is staging the classic production of Jose Riza's known novel " Noli Me Tangere. " The late Tony Espejo was Gantimpala's artistic director when the play was originally produced in 1979. Staged countless times, the play became a musical in 2015 presented during its 35th season, was considered the longest running play in Philippine theater history and now foundation's longest running play. Retitled as " Kanser: Noli Me Tangere, " it was directed by Franniel Zamora, with libretto written by Jomar Fleras and music by Jesse Lucas and Jed Balsamo. The rebirth of this musical piece based from the novel of country's National Hero is a living proof and reminder that cancer is still a disease in today's status quo, another satirical and seditious musical. Kanser's current production is very timely to the millennials as it tackles, exposes and reveals the scene during the S...

Caredivas an original Pinoy hit musical, is set to hit the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) stage once more, in partnership with Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA). The special run that will pay homage to Filipino workers is part of its 35th anniversary, celebrating the unsung heroes of the country. This Filipino musical originally premiered in 2011 was artistically and creatively helmed by two extraordinary females, directed by Maribel Legarda, current PETA's Artistic Director and playwrighted by Liza Magtoto. This gay themed musical was the recipient of 2011 PhilStage Gawad Buhay awards for Outstanding Musical Direction, Outstanding Musical Production and Outstanding Musical Ensemble Performance. It tells the story of five Filipino gay CAREgivers in the morning and DIVAS in the evening, set during the conflict ruling of Palestinian to Israel. Their stories depicts and narrates the journey from the Philippines and to present Israel. Struggli...