Wednesday, August 6, 2014

9 Works Theatrical's "The Last 5 Years"

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9 Works Theatrical, one of Manila’s most exciting theater companies, has turned 5 this year! For 9 Works Theatrical’s Artistic Director, Robbie Guevara, it seems like yesterday when he approached his friend, Managing Director Santi Santamaria with the idea of staging one of his favorite musicals of all time, "The Wedding Singer" but putting up a show would entail cost. Putting Robbie's dream aside, was decided along with their partners Mio Infante, Anna Santamaria, Toff de Venecia, Jonjon Martin, and Carlos Canlas, had to take into consideration.
9 Works Theatrical Team
Committed to bringing the best of Broadway, Off-Broadway, and The West End to its local audiences, 9 Works Theatrical had segued into doing two other musicals that would leave an indelible mark on their audiences for the years to come. 

Their first show was Jason Robert Brown’s "Songs For a New World" followed by Jonathan Larson's "Rent" that ran 3 times! It was after these shows when "The Wedding Singer" was finally produced and directed by Robbie! After that came in Bob Fosse's "Sweet Charity," "You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Marvin Hamlisch’s "They’re Playing Our Song," and finally "Grease."

Five years na tayo? Eh ‘di let's do The Last Five Years!" shares artistic director Robbie Guevara. "I meant that as a light joke buy my partners took it seriously and liked the idea so much. And since I love the musical, I didn't object at all when they agreed to do it." 
9 Works Theatrical's Artistic Director Robbie Guevara
Coincidentally, Jason Robert Brown who wrote 9 Works Theatrical's first production "Songs for a New World" also wrote "The Last Five Years!" How perfect is that?
"The Last 5 Years" with Nikki Gil and Joaquin Valdes

Returning to the stage after her PMPC Star Awards for TV win for Best Single Performance by an Actress and 2013 Philstage Gawad Buhay nomination for “They’re Playing Our Song,” singer-actress Nikki Gil will be playing the role of Cathy Hyatt.
Nikki Gil
Ok, this is not about the show but just wanted to highlight that I love the shoes Nikki was wearing during the presscon! They're super fab! :D
Bagging the 2013 Philstage Gawad Buhay award for Best Featured Actor in a Play for his work in “Red,” actor and commercial director Joaquin Valdes returns to his musical roots to play the role of novelist Jamie Wellerstein.
Joaquin Valdes
 “9 Works Theatrical began by showcasing the brilliance of Jason Robert Brown’s music in Songs For A New World. Our last 5 years have been remarkable and as we celebrate our anniversary, it’s but fitting to mark this milestone with the staging of arguably Jason Robert Brown’s most popular musical, “The Last Five Years,” an apt title to match our special occasion,” says executive producer, Santi Santamaria.
9 Works Theatrical's Executive Producer Santi Santamaria as he makes a toast for their 5th Anniversary.
For the artistic team, director Robbie Guevara is joined by Joseph Tolentino as musical director for instrumentation, Lionel Guico as musical director for vocals, Mio Infante as scenographer, GA Fallarme as video & projection designer, Martin Esteva as lighting designer, Chuck Ledesma as sound designer, Gerhard Daco as technical director, Leo Castillo as photographer, Wobbletop Productions as video producer for marketing, Tin Samson as programme editor, and Larry Palma as graphic artist.
Heading the production team is executive producer Santi Santamaria, with Anna Santamaria as company manager, Toff de Venecia as PR director, GM Hernandez as marketing manager, Jonjon Martin and Issa Tuason as PR manager, Sunshine Domine as production manager, and Aries Alcayaga as production stage manager.
The Last Five Years will melt your hearts at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati, all weekends from August 9 to 31, 2014, Friday and Saturday galas at 8pm, Saturday matinees at 3:30pm and Sunday matinees at 4pm.

Here's a short video teaser for you...
A limited number of performances are available for fundraising and block-buying. For tickets and other inquiries, please call 586.7105 or 0917.554.5560 or email info@9workstheatrical.com. You can also follow them on Facebook at 9workstheatrical or look for them at Twitter & Instagram: @9WTonline. For details on "The Last Five Years" look up for the hashtag #L5YManila or use it to talk about it!
Power Duo Santi and Robbie
If you loved the production of 9 Works Theatrical during the last 5 years, you'll definitely love "The Last Five Years!" I've seen a lot of 9 Works Theatrical shows and have even wrote about it on my blog. I can't wait what else will be whipped out by the 9 Works Theatrical team especially the crazy ideas of Santi and Robbie in the coming years. I'm sure the production of the coming years will be more brilliant than their past productions which is definitely exciting and something for everyone to look forward to!

Tuesday, July 22, 2014

Agnes Locsin's "La Revolucion Filipina" opens Ballet Philippines’ 45th Anniversary (The Sapphire Season) on July 25

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Ballet Philippines, the country’s classical and contemporary company in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines proudly announces the return of Agnes Locsin’s La Revolucion Filipina to kick off the company’s 45th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season.


The sublime paralytic Apolinario Mabini and the story of his role in the Philippine Revolution are brought into the limelight once again, just in time for the hero’s sesquicentennial birth anniversary.

Named Outstanding Dance Production and winner of Outstanding Choreography for Agnes Locsin at the 2008 Gawad Buhay! Awards, La Revolucion Filipina features original music by Ryan Cayabyab and libretto by Dennis Marasigan.

Choreographer Agnes Locsin was a former artistic director and resident choreographer of Ballet Philippines. She was the Gawad CCP awardee for Dance in 2012.

This fourth restaging of the modern dance masterpiece is led by three members of La Revolucion Filipina’s original cast, Annette Cruz-Mariano, Judell de Guzman-Sicam, and Alden Lugnasin.

The role of Mabini was choreographed on Lugnasin, now the company’s resident choreographer and artistic director of Ballet Philippines II.

Preparations for the production began at the start of summer, with eleven of the company’s dancers being sent to Davao for a six-week residency at the Locsin Dance Workshop. The dancers underwent intensive training in Agnes Locsin’s signature Neo-Ethnic dance style on top of taking regular classical ballet classes. They also participated in the 32nd Locsin Dance Summer Showcase on May 14 alongside the Dance Workshop's regular students.

BP principal dancer Jean Marc Cordero plays the role of Apolinario Mabini. Cordero danced Mabini in the 2008 restaging, which was his first lead role for the company. He shares the stage with BP principal dancer Richardson Yadao and Tanghalang Pilipino actor Nicolo Magno, the new production’s Emilio Aguinaldos.
Jean Marc Cordero as Apolinario Mabini 

Several notable actors have essayed the role of Aguinaldo, starting with Nonie Buencamino, then Raymond Bagatsing and Richard Joson. The most recent cast included former Ballet Philippines dancers Angel Gabriel and Patrick Rebullida.

Agnes Locsin’s La Revolucion Filipina will be performed at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) from July 25 to 27, 2014. The show is at 3pm and 8 pm (Friday and Saturday) and 2pm and 6pm (Sunday).

The artistic and creative teams of La Revolucion Filipina are led by Agnes Locsin (Choreographer), Ryan Cayabyab (Music Composer), Dennis Marasigan (Librettist), Mio Infante (Set Designer), Virgilio “Katsch” Catoy (Lighting Designer), Victor Ursabia (Costume Designer), Annette Cruz-Mariano, Judell de Guzman-Sicam and Alden Lugnasin (Restagers).

            For bulk reservations, show buys, and inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003.  For tickets, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Twitter: @balletph
Instagram: @balletphilippines
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/balletph

The 45th Anniversary Sapphire Season. Rare scenes of power and grace. Love, valour and redemption. Under the artistic directorship of Paul Alexander Morales, this is a toast to 45 years of dance excellence!

See you at the theater!!!

Monday, July 21, 2014

"Fluid" Opens on July 24

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The De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s Technical Theater Program Batch 111 proudly presents a reinterpretation of the Palanca Award-winning play, “Fluid”.

Written and directed by Floy Quintos, the comedy is about young Filipino contemporary artists struggling to make a name for themselves as they negotiate the tricky terrain between Love, Art and Compromise.

“Fluid” is set to open on July 24 and shall continue to run on July 25 and 26 (1:00 pm and 7:00 pm) at the 5/F SDA Theater, School of Design and Arts Campus, De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, 950 P. Ocampo St., Malate, Manila.  A press preview is set on July 23 at 7 p.m.



“Fluid” is written as a series of scenes in different locations featuring three pairs of characters who seemingly have nothing to do with each other. Amir is a struggling and frustrated young painter whose life is about to be changed by Mira a wealthy art collector who dreams of discovering new talent. Jom and Alben are passionate theater actors torn between their passion for their craft and the lure of fame. Renata is a seemingly batty orchestra coordinator out to defend the dignity of her orchestra when it is hired to play at a society wedding by the overbearing events coordinator, Simone. All these unique and clashing characters come together unexpectedly at an art exhibit where their impulses lead to joyful mayhem.

The cast of “Fluid” is made up of professional actors. Red Turnip Theater’s Ana Abad Santos who originally created the role of Mira in 2004 reprises her role. Kalil Almonte last seen in “Sintang Dalisay” and “Games People Play” plays Amir. JC Santos, fresh from his tint in Hong Kong’s Disney Land and Singapore’s Universal Studio, plays the ambitious Jom while Russell Legaspi last seen in this year’s Labfest plays the earnest Alben. Amihan Tanedo Ruiz and Gel Basa both last seen in “Breakaway Antigone” play Renata and Simone respectively. Musical Theater actor Tony Falcon also appears in the show.


“Fluid” had its successful runs in the University of the Philippines,  Diliman (2004) and in Ateneo de Manila University (2007).  For this new production, “ FLUID ” is being restaged by the Benilde Technical Theater Batch 111.

The artistic and creative team of “Fluid” is led by Floy Quintos (Playwright and Director), Ellawyn Cruz (Set Designer) and the students of DLS-CSB Major in Technical Theater Batch 111.

For further information, check them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/Fluid111Follow them on Twitter and Instagram @Fluid111 or use #Fluid111 to talk about the show! For ticket inquiries, please contact: 09179285737.

The Technical Theater Batch 111 is comprised of the Bachelor of Arts Major in Technical Theater students of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde. The AB-Technical Theater program is a three-year and one-term course offered by the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde School of Design and Arts that trains students to become professional Production Managers, Stage Managers, Lighting Designers and Technical Directors.

Thursday, May 29, 2014

"Driven to Abstraction" Opens on June 6

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In celebration of its 11th anniversary, Renaissance Art Gallery presents “Driven to Abstraction” featuring abstract artists: Max Balatbat, Bien Benitez, Benji Bisaya, Marco Coching, Arley Carig, Jane Ebarle, Fitz Herrera, Josef Laureano, Sio Montera, Cid Reyes, Aner Sebastian, Resty Tica and Valen Valero.

Artwork by Aner Sebastian
Artwork by Arley Carig
A highlight of the show are the works of master abstractionists such as National Artists Hernando R. Ocampo, Jose Joya and Arturo Luz, as well as Malang, Romulo Olazo, Gus Albor, Lao Lianben, and Nestor Vinluan.

Artwork by Arturo Luz
Artwork by Benjie Bisaya
Artwork by Bien Benitez
Artwork by Fitz Herrera
Through over a decade, Renaissance Art Gallery has built a reputation as a nurturing ground for emerging abstractionists. Its proprietors Noli and Agnes Romero have been committed to fostering the appreciation of a non-figurative idiom, especially in an art scene that predominantly favors representational paintings.
Artwork by Gus Albor
Artwork by HR Ocampo
Artwork by Jane Ebarle
Urban Beat by Jose Joya
Abstraction is an art in which “the depiction of real objects or nature has been subordinated or entirely discarded and whose aesthetic content is expressed in a formal pattern or structure of shapes, lines and colors.” It is also called non-representational or nonobjective a term first used by Russian abstractionist, Wassily Kandinsky (1866-1944).
Artwork by Josef Laureano

Artwork by Lao Lianben
Artwork by Malang
Artwork by Marco Coching
Driven to Abstraction will have a special preview from June 6 to 8 (Friday to Sunday) and the opening cocktails is on June 9, 2014 – 6 p.m. at the ART CENTER, 4th Level, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, Mandaluyong City. It runs until June 24, 2014.
Artwork by Max Balatbat
Through Red O by Nestor Vinluan
For further details of the exhibit, you may contact Renaissance Gallery  at 637-3101 or email renaissanceart.ph@gmail.com
Temporary Garden in the Sky by Resty Tica
Artwork by Romulo Olazo
Artwork by Sio Montera
Artwork by Valen Valero
For more details, check out www.renaissanceart.ph or click here to connect to their Facebook page. You can also follow them on Instagram @renaissanceartph.

Monday, May 19, 2014

Al Gatmaitan's "In Pursuit of A Dream" on May 23

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Have you heard the name Al Gatmaitan?




Perhaps you have encountered his name on the production of Philippine Opera Company's "Ang Bagong Harana" before where he's one of the singers.


You can check out my review on the show back in 2012 here: http://joyfullyurs.blogspot.com/2012/06/different-twist-on-harana.html


He was also in last year's "Maxie The Musical" as the brother of Maxie.



Truly, Al is one of the country’s topnotch tenors! He is very lucky to be accepted by New York University Steinhardt School for Music and Performing Arts Professions for summer studies this coming June! However, before he takes a bite of the Big Apple, catch him live at "Al Gatmaitan: In Pursuit of a Dream" which is a special fund raising concert presented by The Philippine Opera Company and Grupo Reposo, in collaboration with LRI Design Plaza. With Karl Estudillo, collaborative pianist, directed by Will Fredo. 




The concert is set on May 23, 2014 (7:30 p.m.), at LRI Design Plaza located at 210 Nicanor Garcia St., Brgy. Bel Air II, Makati.



Special guest artists include: Soprano Gabri Panlilio, Mezzo Soprano Clarissa Ocampo, Soprano and stage actress Tricia Amper-Jimenez, Film, Tv and stage actress Liza Dino, Singer and songwriter Aiza Seguerra,
and World renowned concert pianist Raul Sunico.

Ticket price is at Php 1,000.00. For ticket inquiries, please call telephone numbers 8229609, 0917-8072223 and 0917-5224183.

Wednesday, April 16, 2014

"Games People Play" Opens on April 22

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Games People Play, a Palanca-winning play by Glenn Sevilla Mas features theater actors Abner Delina, Thea Yrastorza and Kalil Almonte. Ed Lacson Jr., who also does the production design, directs it while Teresa Barrozo does the sound and music design.
Abner Delina as Julio plays one of the childhood games he would never forget.
Thea Yrastorza as Luna who is a trusting girl that later becomes a nun pursued by the most lustful dreams.
Kalil Almonte as Diego who is a confused fatherless boy that grows up to be a confused young man.
Games People Play is about three characters who try to understand why they are the way they are by revisiting their childhood, specifically the games that they played with each other. Each game is a rite of passage and it represents a significant moment in their coming of age.

The writing of the play was inspired by this quote from child psychologist and writer Bruno Bettelheim: “The monster a child knows best and is most concerned with [is] the monster he feels or fears himself to be.”

The production will run from April 22 to 26, 2014, 7:30 PM with a 2:30 PM show on April 26, at the Fine Arts Blackbox Theater, Fine Arts Annex, Ateneo de Manila University.

The three characters narrates three stories once upon a grim fairy tale time.

Set Design by Ed Lacson, Jr.

The complete cast and staff of "Games People Play"

For tickets, contact John Yap at 0917-722-5399 or visit their Facebook page by clicking here: Games People Play for more information.

From Grass to Glass: The Journey of Alaska in Making the Best Quality Milk

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Not all milk is created equal.

Not all milk is produced the same way, and not all milk companies go through the same meticulous processes and thorough methods to produce the best quality milk.

For instance, the Royal FrieslandCampina’s (RFC) group of companies upholds all the wonderful goodness of gifts of nature and combines these with the most modern of technologies to produce nutritious milk.


RFC is a global top 5 dairy company with over 130 years of experience in producing milk. The 11.1 billion Euro company is composed of dairy cooperatives with about 19,224 member-farmers from The Netherlands, Germany, and Belgium. The farmers are rewarded based on their system and on the quality and safety of their milk. Every milk delivery is tested and farmers are paid according to composition, safety and quality, and system, leading to improvement of quality and safety metrics over time.

Believing that there are no shortcuts to producing good milk, RFC’s Grass to Glass process carries with it the gold standard in milk production – from farming, milking, collecting, processing, packaging and all the way to distributing – putting special emphasis on food safety, quality, labor safety, and the environment.


Cows Treated Like Royalty

Known for its green meadows, blue skies, and pristine lakes, the RFC farms located across Europe are havens for cows that are practically treated like royalty. They graze on nothing but the freshest, cleanest grass across farmlands six hours a day, 120 days a year. In some farms, the water is analyzed more frequently but the minimum requirement is, at least, once a year to ensure that there are no contaminants or water-borne diseases the animals could catch.


Because healthy cows mean premium, quality milk, each cow has a code attached to the collar to help veterinarians track the animal’s health regularly.

While traditional farming is still practiced, RFC transits farmers in the best technologies to ensure that benefits generated from modern dairy farming are optimized. The milking equipment are also checked regularly to ensure they are in tip-top shape.


Complete Confidence

After milking, eight quality parameters must be fulfilled to ensure adherence
to RFC’s standards of quality. Among these parameters are temperature and color, bacterial count, antibiotics, etc.


Once they pass these parameters, the milk is assigned a code for easier monitoring during the entire process before it is transported to high-tech factories across Europe and Asia and exported to over 100 countries all over the world to more than a billion consumers.

Before leaving the factories, the milk is tested to ensure its safety and quality and is, then, assigned a final code before being used for its products that are exported to over 100 countries all over the world and used by over a billion consumers.


Rich analyses, protocols – all these careful processes are carried out to ensure that RFC produces impeccable products. Thus, mothers all over the world who prepare milk for their children can be confident that they are providing the best for their families.


In the Philippines, RFC has entered into a solid partnership with Alaska Milk Corporation (AMC), whose 40 years in the Philippine market has made it a leading milk brand in the country.
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