Christian, Karylle, and Joanna sing Leonard Bernstein’s classic hits

Think of putting top-notch actors, talented and creative people, and a moving love story in one stunning venue like the Meralco Theater. What you get is a world-class stage production.

One of the most highly anticipated productions in the local performing arts is the Manila re-staging of West Side Story featuring Christian Bautista to play the lead role Tony, and Karylle and Joanna Ampil to share the plum role of Maria.

On Sept. 5, local production company Stages will raise the curtain at the Meralco Theater for the musical that transports the classic tale of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet to the turbulent streets of the Upper West Side in 1950s New York City.

West Side Story was first staged by Repertory Philippines in 1981, where Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, who now directs the musical, played the role of Maria while executive producer Audie Gemora played Riff.

The multi-million re-staging of this production also has Gerard Salonga leading the FILharmoniKA orchestra as musical director. Part of the creative and technical staff are Mio Infante (scenographer), John Batalla (lighting director), Bobbit Jacinto (sound designer) and Eric Pineda (costume designer).

Veteran theater actor Gemora is excited about the revival of this musical, which is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International in New York and will precede a new Broadway production in 2009.

“Anything live is spectacular, and the best thing about a theater version is that everything is well written. Staging West Side Story is also a challenge for us because we had to get actors who can both sing and dance. And this production is not just about living the essence of the story alone, it’s about the whole cast and the people behind it,” Gemora said.

Gemora is more than glad to have Joanna Ampil in the production. He said that having Joanna adds up a certain level of polish to the entire ensemble.

“We have a bunch of neophytes, but equally great actors. But when you put Joanna with the rest of them, she simply stands out,” he revealed.

Gemora related to Karylle as a joy in the musical while Christian as a talented actor who made dramatic improvement through proper training.

“Karylle is such a joy. She is very sweet and looks fitting for the role. She really looks like Maria. With her, there’s a certain demand vocally. She is used to doing pop so she had to be trained singing in soprano. While with Christian, he is really into it, we see his dedication and focus,” he added.

West End’s Joanna Ampil who left the country 16 years ago to star in the Sydney and London productions of Miss Saigon arrived in July for the rehearsals. She also shared her excitement for the role she is going play. When she heard the news that West Side Story is going to be staged here in Manila, she personally contacted Audie Gemora to audition.

“It’s always been my dream to perform with Filipino audience. That’s why when I perform abroad and there are Filipinos in the audience, I feel like I have an unspoken connection with them. I will never feel complete without performing here in my country and with Filipino of course,” Joanna shared her enthusiasm.

Christian Bautista, who Gemora believes is suited to play the lead role, underwent different trainings to prepare particularly for the role of Tony. Bautista considers his role in the West Side Story as a great learning experience and that it has transformed him into a versatile performer.

“Well aside from vocal trainings, I started working out because I need to look big on stage. This is my first leading role in a stage production, and in a big venue, so I studied everything and focused on intense acting,” Asian pop heartthrob Christian explained.

According to Gemora, there is a great possibility of bringing the production on a tour in Asia next year. It all depends on the success of the show at the Meralco Theater that runs from Sept. 5 to Oct. 12.

Completing the stellar ensemble of West Side Story are Rowena Vilar, Pam G, Jake Macapagal, Jeff Singson, and Gian Magdangal, Jordan Aguilar, Marielle Alonzo, Jed Amihan, Rosanne Araneta, Earl Baer, April Luz Belarmino, Caissa Borromeo, Joanna Marie Cabrega, Red Concepcion, Napoleon Ching, Pom Decena, Carlos Deriada, Guji Lorenzana, John Philip Martir, Francis Matheu, Beth Munar, Michelle Murenec, Mikaela Padilla, Anthony Ong, Vinia Pamplona, Sam Prudenciando, Rizza Ribo, Bobby Superales, Jay-Anne Tensuan, Erwin Villanueva, Gerald Yranon, Noel Zabala, and theater veterans Richard Cunanan, James Paoleli, and Jaime del Mundo.

For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999 or Stages at 818-1111 local 225. Ticket prices range from P500 to P1,200.

Mister International Philippines: A classy male pageant

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

The fashion and entertainment industries teem with beautiful women who often grace the television programs and advertisements, magazine covers and gigantic billboards. They have been heralded as the epitome of beauty.

Yet their male counterparts, once overlooked by the public, can now claim their share of ogling eyes from, don’t raise your eyebrows, not only women but men as well.

Mister International Philippines 2008 candidates

On Sept. 1 at 7:30 in the evening, 18 dashing men will parade in the Activity Area of posh A. Venue Events Mall in Makati City to vie for the title of Mister International Philippines 2008.

The winner in the pageant will represent the country in the prestigious Mister International 2008 in Kaoshiung, Taiwan on Nov. 23.

Since its emergence in the beauty pageant arena in 2006, Mister International has become an international annual tradition with countless young men all over the world vying for the title. This Singapore homegrown pageant has evolved into a powerful, year-round organization that advances and supports the contestants.

Today, the Mister International titleholder is also the official ambassador of men in the world who continues to stand proud breaking boundaries and defining what it means to be man of the 21st century.

“A lot of people will condemn me for saying this but there is a clamor for a classy male pageant. Mister International Philippines is not just a sleazy male beauty contest. This year, we are bringing this pageant into a new level of legitimacy,” Mike Lim, pageant organizer and producer, told the Standard Today.

Lim added that the winner of the local pageant will be exposed to different charity events and outreach programs in a larger scale and will be a spokesperson who will promote the organization’s advocacy.

Mister International is an annual search for the most beautiful men from different countries, but last year’s Philippine representative Ian Leonel Porlayagan was not able to compete in Malaysia.

“Alan Sim, the president of the international competition, was not very pleased when the country failed to send our representative. For seven months, he had lost contact with the local organizers, so he personally contacted me to handpick a delegate. But I thought of conducting a real pageant instead,” Lim revealed. “We are also giving last year’s winner Ian Porlayagan a chance to join the pageant again because we believe that everybody deserves another chance since he expressed his desire to compete and represent the country,” he added.

Three official screenings were conducted and more than 200 hopefuls showed up during the selections. Lim disclosed that they reserved three more slots for the fourth screening held early this week. They decided to do another screening to complete the final 18 candidates.

Right now, the 12 men who officially qualified in the pageant’s high standards are Marvin Miranda, Ian Leonel Porlayagan, Jeff Surio, Juan Lorenzo Quitiquit, Leo Reyes, Christian Ang-Cayabyab, Philip Ramos, John Bardo Espiritu, Mike Lee, Ricswartz Sibal, Dennis Torres, and Norman Mallare. They will be judged in three categories: swimwear, evening wear, and interview.

The board of judges will be chaired by Bohol socialite Lani Schoof. Other judges include Venice Jeweler’s Judy So, A. Venue’s Nancy Coo, celebrity columnist Crispina Belen, designers Paul Cabral, Barge Ramos, Ricky Abad and Renee Salud, Salon Prive’s Joef Simpson and Aficionado’s Joel Cruz.

Renowned designer Barge Ramos will be providing the barong tagalog for the finalists, with Ricky Abad for the swimwear, Eric delos Santos for the party wear and Jeff Rogador for the suits. Freego will be the official jeans sponsor and Philosophy for Men for the club wear. Victor Ortego will be doing the hair and makeup.

“This pageant is like a fashion pageant. It will be fast paced. There will be no special awards. After the swim wear and formal wear competitions, we will cut the finalist in half then we will proceed to the Q and A, then the announcement of the winner will follow. The first and second runners-up will get P5,000 and P10,000, respectively, and the winner will receive P20,000,” Lim concluded.

Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Asia

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

“Do you know Jimmy?”

“Jimmy who?”

In the streets of Singapore, Star World has been doing an advertising campaign asking local people if they know Jimmy Kimmel. “Jimmy who?” would more often than not has been the answer.

Yet, that advertising campaign heralded the premiere of Jimmy Kimmel Live! in Asia.

Hosted by Emmy-winning comedian Jimmy Kimmel himself, the show is now airing exclusively on Star World.

Weekdays at 10 p.m., cable viewers in the Philippines can have a different late night viewing experience through one of the most innovative and irreverent talk shows on the planet.

“We were brainstorming on how to add up spice on our programming and we all thought that adding something to the late night viewing will be better. Jimmy Kimmel is very popular in the US so we decided to bring the show here in Asia. We are the very first to bring the show outside the US,” shared Nini Yusof, Star regional vice president for affiliate marketing.

The talk show has been famed for having high-profile actors, athletes, musicians and politicians on its guest list. It also features elaborate and innovative stunts such as having Quentin Tarantino and J.J. Abram guest-directing an entire episode or picking up Paula Abdul, Flavor Flay, and Feist using the Big Blue Bus (a municipal bus operator in LA).

Early this year, a video-sharing Web site has helped propel Jimmy Kimmel Live! to new heights with now an infamous video. The video contains an episode wherein Sarah Silverman, Kimmel’s ex-girlfriend, surprised the audience (and Kimmel) with a video clip featuring Matt Damon detailing their affair.

A month later, to counter punch Silverman’s video, Kimmel came up with a stellar lineup of stars in a parody that reveals his affair with Matt Damon’s pal Ben Affleck. Both video clips have been seen by over 100 million YouTube users.

“Philippine viewers are very intelligent. I think we are ready for a different kind of humor like that of Jimmy Kimmel’s” said Adel Chik, marketing manager of Cable Technology Asia Corp.

In the show’s early episodes, Jimmy Kimmel served beer to his guests and let his audience drink in the studio’s bar before the show. When somebody in the studio audience threw up in the middle of the program, one of the staff had to carry that person out of the studio. It was the last time they saw alcohol on the show.

Also during the first episodes, Kimmel sported casual attire. In October 2005, he suited up and started wearing a tie and jacket. The makeover worked: in less than two months, the rating had climbed by 15 percent.

As the name suggests, when the show debuted in 2003, it went to air live in the US. But when some guests used indecent language or behaved badly (rapper Snoop Dogg famously flipped his middle finger on camera), it was decided to have a one-hour delay between the taping and the telecast.

The show, which had just celebrated its 1,000th episode, is filmed at Hollywood’s El Capitan Entertainment Center, across the Kodak Theatre, home of the Oscars. Jimmy Kimmel says: “We love doing the show there. It’s a great spot. We could make a bit out just pointing the camera outside and talking to people as they walk by. Not too many shows have that luxury.”

Intramuros concert pays tribute to the Katipunan

By Nickie Wang/Manila Standard Today

In a candle-lit room, members of the Katipunan denounced the abuses of the Spanish government and swore to fight colonial oppression. The Katipunan or Kataas-taasang, Kagalang-galangang Katipunan ng mga Anak ng Bayan (Supreme and Venerable Society of the Children of the Nation), one of the successor organizations of La Liga Filipina that was founded by national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, was a revolutionary organization founded by the great plebeian Andres Bonifacio.

One hundred sixteen years later, Intramuros Administration (IA) staged Mabuhay, Pilipinas! Alay sa mga Anak ng Bayan, a concert dedicated to the Filipinos who valiantly fought during the revolution against Spain for the liberation of the Philippines.

Compared to the humble place where Katipunan was established, the program on Aug. 13 was held in a grandiose colonial house influenced by the architectural styles of art noveau and art deco. The venue of the concert was the Casa Blanca at the Plaza San Luiz Complex in Manila’s Walled City.

“Every month of August, we pay homage to our national heroes who died fighting for Philippine independence,” Intramuros administrator Anna Maria Harper said. “I am greatly honored to welcome everyone to this concert that honors our brave heroes,” she added in her opening remarks.

The one-hour concert directed by Felipe de Leon Jr. celebrated beautiful classical and patriotic songs of the 19th century, composed by Filipinos regarded as strong pillars of the Philippine music and who established the nationalist tradition. Nicanor Abelardo, Francisco Santiago, Julio Nakpil, and carried on by the next generation of composers among whom were Antonio Molina, Juan S. de Hernandez, and Felipe de Leon are included as well.

Their works are rarely performed and heard in the concert stages these days. One of the goals of the concert was to generate awareness of the various aspects of the 19th century music aside from honoring brave heroes who risked their lives just to gain independence.

Among the musical pieces performed included: “Alerta Katipunan” by the Lyceum University Chorale; “Mula ng Mauso ang Damit,” an 1873 folksong of General Trias, Cavite, sung by baritone Jonathan Badon: and “Jocelynang Baliuag,” rendered by former Central Bank governor Jaime Laya.

The concert also featured pianist Nena del Rosario-Villanueva who impressed the audience with her version of A. Doronila’s “Philippine Rhapsody.” Pianist Jourdann Petalver, soprano Camille Lopez, and violinist Coke Bolipata were also outstanding in entertaining the mostly elite audience. The program ended with the singing of Felipe de Leon’s “Ako’y Pilipino” sang in unison by all the performers.

Tourism Undersecretary Eduardo Jarque and National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ Vilma Labrador were the nationalist concert’s guests of honor. Also present in the event were president of Heritage Conservation Society of the Philippines Gemma Cruz-Araneta and fashion designer Pitoy Moreno.

Rediscovering Boracay through Fairways and Bluewater

By Nickie Wang/ Manila Standard Today

What else could we enjoy in Boracay?

Touted as one of the 10 best beaches in the world by Yahoo Travel for its pristine blue water and blindingly white sand, Boracay has more than relaxation, clubbing, and beach activities to offer.

During the first Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club Amateur Golf Media Invitational, local press discovered something normal Bora goers have hardly experienced before. We visited the resort to learn how to play golf yet the experience turned to be serendipitous. As first-time golfers we had our own funny wind shots, yet we met new friends, stuffed ourselves with good food and had an adventure while basking in the tranquil panorama of the island paradise.

From the domestic airport in Manila we boarded in a 20-seater propeller type plane. The plane was quite noisy and it hurts our ears while landing at the island’s port of entry in Caticlan. But the auditory torture was alleviated because Fairways and Bluewater has its own lounge at the airport. Visitors of the resort can wait there before they are shuttled to the resort’s posh welcome center, which is just less than a five-minute ride.

Friendly and attentive staff greeted the press with a welcome drink—our initial taste of the resort’s superb hospitality— and gave our designated room numbers.

“You can feel the difference from the time you arrive at the airport. We would like to enhance the arrival experience of our guests and members,” resort general manager Gregg Pearson said during his sit-down with the press.

The exclusive welcome center of Fairways and Bluewater, a facility that other resorts also use for a fee, transports the visitors directly to the resort complex via private ferry boats in a blissful 15-minute ride.

Spacious and finely furnished rooms and condotels will welcome the guests after their trip. The resort complex has an array of accommodation options. The vast expanses of greenery surrounding the villas are simply mesmerizing. The units are self-sufficient and feature panoramic views of the manicured surroundings and the sandy white beach. The apartment-style guestrooms are equipped with sophisticated facilities just like at the Balaihara Villatel where we stayed for two nights and three days. The opulent accommodation includes air-conditioning, a balcony overlooking the golf course, satellite TV, direct dial telephone, fully equipped kitchen, coffee/tea maker, and a luxurious bathroom.

Aside from the golf course, guests also have access to private beach coves and the white beach of Boracay, the nine Balaihara Villatels are spread along the fairways of holes 1, 2 and 8. Each building has 30 rooms with an area of either 50 square meters or 70 sq m each (the biggest space you can find in the island).

Pearson said there are condotels that have the most scenic view of the resort; they are named Villa Maria, Villa Margarita, Villa Sofia, and Villa Ysabel. They are first-class condotels that offer buyers with ownership of their Fairways and Bluewater units in Boracay. These buildings also have a view of the Sibuyan Sea. Designed to accommodate the discriminating taste of holiday visitors, suites have all the amenities of home. The spacious two-bedroom, one-bedroom and studio units accommodate families or groups without sacrificing privacy.

… the golf

A day before the Amateur Golf Media Invitational, we had an ocular tour of the entire golf course with Steve Polastri, who also patiently instructed us during the golf clinic.

Designed by Australian master golfer Graham Marsh, it is a spectacular 18-hole par 72 world-class golf course blanketed by lush greens and fairways that compliment the tropical surrounding of the island. The cemented golf cart pathways that snake through the entire complex ease the way of traveling around.

It is surprising that in the little island of Boracay, there is a resort that offers this kind of amenity. The golf course alone constitutes 70 percent of the entire area of the resort complex. The resort itself is 120 hectares or 10 percent of Boracay’s total land area. It spans the entire width of Boracay, creating not just one but three stunning stretches of splendid white beaches.
The golf course was designed to test one’s skills. The developer, Fil-Estate Properties Inc., did not alter the natural landscape of the island when they constructed the resort to create rolling and undulating terrains. It is a tough test for golfers but an exhilarating experience of teeing off feeling the sea breeze and the magnificent warmth of the Boracay sun.

… the gulp

It was an exciting night at the resort’s clubhouse when we had our dinner at the Andaluz Restaurant, which specializes in Spanish-Moroccan cuisine. After our sumptuous meal, we headed to the poolside where the resort holds “The Thirsty Thursday.” This is a drink-all-you-can event at the clubhouse where golfers and gulpers alike can have some nice chats.
The clubhouse is located conveniently inside the complex; it serves meals and scrumptious snacks. It is also home to a freshwater infinity swimming pool, a children’s pool, a game room, an open-air deck patio, a grill restaurant, and a conference/events room.

Just beneath the clubhouse is the Paradise Cove that provides beachfront cabanas and lounge chairs where golfers can soak up the sun. This was the venue of the luau party organized by the resort to the participants of the golf invitational. It is just a perfect place to see the stars and walk along the secluded beach while having a private time with someone special.
Just above the clubhouse is the Pirate’s Den where La Terreza is situated. La Terreza, as the name suggests, offers buffet meal where guests can dine and enjoy the spectacular view of the Bulabog Beach.

… and the adventure

We had the chance to ride ATVs (all terrain vehicles) and drove at the westside of the resort complex. We experienced seeing the real beauty of the island while raising our way to reach both ends of the resort. The vehicles provided an exciting new adventure for the press people. These machines are easy and dependable to ride and can reach even inaccessible areas.
The more vigorous guests of the resort can try horseback riding and a variety of water sports such as jet skiing, scuba diving, snorkeling, para-sailing, mini-cruising, island cruising, wind surfing, among others.

In 1993, Noel “Toti” Cariño and other founding members of Fil-Estate Properties Inc. envisioned to build a world-class golfers resort complex in Boracay. Now, their vision is to make Fairways and Bluewater Resort Golf and Country Club one of the best resorts not just in the Philippines but also in the entire region.

“They [other resorts in the island] don’t have what we have, here our guests have the option to get away from the hustle and bustle here in Boracay,” Pearson affirmed.

Whether you are a professional or an amateur golfer or even if you’re not a fan of the sport, Fairways and Bluewater is a perfect access to the islands most precious offering. It’s not just the golf, the gulp or the adventure that people will remember when they leave the island, it’s the experience and the moment they shared with people they love in a small piece of heaven where everything is just splendid and beautiful.

Model search ‘Face of the Year’ is back

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
21 August 2008

Being discovered by a talent scout while strolling in a mall, or just sweeping the sidewalk perhaps, or serving a customer in a fast-food restaurant is a far too common an anecdote of models, movie/TV stars now basking in fame and fortune.

A modeling search is the one of the best ways to meet people in the fashion industry for connection. It is also the venue where you can meet the media who can give you free publicity, and or meet producers who could be willing to gamble on you and transform you into a big star.

Face of the Year, a modeling search founded and organized by semi-retired talent manager Jojo Veloso, is back after seven years, but this time, it is under a new management. The franchise of the modeling contest is now owned by budding actor and young entrepreneur James Radd Amado via his Faces International Management Agency.

“I want to try different things. Producing this contest is something new and challenging for me. Although I am a people person, staging Face of the Year is a big task considering that this contest has been in a break for seven years,” 24-year-old James said during an interview at the Great Mall of China where the selection of the contest’s Press’ and Photographer’s Choice Awards was held.

Twenty dashing young men and 20 gorgeous young women sashayed before the press on Aug. 16. Their youthful faces are set to vie for the title 2008 Face of the Year and 2008 Model Discovery of the Year in the grand coronation night slated on Sept. 18 at the Pagcor Theater.

“Our goal is to make this model search bigger than ever. We are eyeing international competitions where we can send the winners. Our agency has been in constant communication with other international agencies. I hope the inter-agency competition we are setting would push through because this could give our talents international exposure,” James explained.

From several hundreds who auditioned, 20 beautiful young girls made it to the official list of candidates and they are Mary Grace Imperial, Maria Aishelle Sanchez, Vanessa-Jane Revilla, Kristine Marie Manicad, Joyce Ann Quizon, Venus Ann Baluya, Ma. Isabelle Mendoza, Jennifer Robertte Fajardo, Divina Beceril, Russelyn Reguin, Allysa Grace Silverio, Roxanne Ortiz, Rachel Luzon, Sarah Misa Hernandez, Elaine delos Santos, Atheena Taccad, Chanela Mira Limpin, Princess Joy Palma, Christine Joy Eugenio and Carla Janine Lao.

The official candidates for the male division are Peter Paul Danganan, Marvin Angeles, John Christian Lopez, Christian Wilfred Gonzaga, John Michael Villanueva, Michael Estorninos, Lester Buna, Jervy Arahan, Lennard Marvin Cruz, Luis Miguel Acosta, Rafael Tolentino, Justine Royce Dizon, Mark Unrubia, Paulo Dy, John Paul Regodon, Rafael Morales, Gabriel Inigo Uy Garcia, Peter Vander Muelen, Yuri Novelli and Mc Carlou Timbol.

These 40 good-looking candidates will visit Subic Bay Yacht Club on Aug. 30 to 31 for the swimsuit competition; they will also face another round of scrutiny for the Cover Girl and Cover Boy competition on Sept. 13 at the Elbow Room in Metro Walk Alabang; and another one for the Glamour Award competition at the Sofitel Philippines Plaza Manila a day before the final night.

Winners of the title Face of the Year and Model Discovery of the Year will be the country’s official delegates to the Faces International Model Search to be held in Los Angeles sometime next year.

The winners will endorse Great Mall of China, located along Macapagal Avenue, and Netopia for one year. They will also receive cash prizes, educational plans from STI and contracts under Viva Films.

Changing moods and shifting modes

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
19 August 2008



How do you start your day?

Some people prefer to jump-start their day with loads of fun and laughter. Others devote their time focusing on the most important things need to be done. Amid the high rocketing prices of basic commodities, the only way to get by is to smile and throw some chuckles because no matter how we contemplate on every possible way to budget our meager income, it will not solve the problem because higher inflation seems to be a perennial trend.

So, before the problem lingers and turns into a full-scale crisis, let us appreciate the value of laughter by listening to the wacky tandem of Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala. Being optimistic, however, is still recommended with sanguine and propelling songs of Bonggo.

Perky road trip

You won’t mind riding an FX with a harum-scarum driver if the radio’s tuned in to 90.7 Love Radio. Commuting has never been so wacky with Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala (a.k.a. Tambalang Balasubas at Balahura), tossing out-of-this-world punchlines.

A lot of commuters and even those who just stay at home listening to the popular duo are already familiar with their opening spiel: “Tambalan Na! Si Nicole Hyala po, ang balahurang classmate nyo! Boses ko pa lang pang-almusal nyo na, at si Chris Tsuper, ang balasubas na kambyo king! Sigla ng tawa ko pati bangkay nagigising! Dito sa tambalang pilit na ginagaya ngunit di makuha ang timpla!”

The hilarious duo teams up with Ivory Records in releasing HeyTambalan Na! D’ Nakakalurkei! Na Album. It includes the best of “Tambalagtasan,” a segment in their program in which they put some kind of naughty spin to anything out of the ordinary. The quick-witted duo would use words (from the country’s multi-lingual regions in all possible ways. Like agpapukis (an Ilocano word that means to have a haircut, pukis is the root word); pukiyi (a Chinese word that means not allowed); and keki (a Japanese term for cake).

Aside from the “Tambalagtasan,” they also included the best of Salawikain (proverb) and Kakatukan Stories. To understand these words, better listen to the album, but be cautious enough as Nicole Hyala warns: “Ang mamirata at magdownload, mababaog!”

The album also includes “Kadyot and Kukurukuku” and their chipmunk-sounding spiels that have been a staple sound bite on Love Radio.

The actual tracks that anchor the album—“Biyaheng Jeepney,” “Shala-shala,” “Jowadik,” “Ka-chervahan” and “Nakakalurkei”—are from the campy gay vocabulary, except for the first one.
With “Biyaheng Jeepney,” they are able to depict the real jeepney-riding experience with seats for eight being occupied by nine people, and the reverberating music, not to mention the shouting and the yelling of drivers and passengers.

The thing with their songs, which are actually very few because most of the tracks in the album are just compilation of the best segments of their program, they don’t rhyme lyrically but the essence is there. Nothing musically outstanding, yet most of the messages they convey mirror the peculiarity of Filipino behavior. We will not be surprised if Chris Tsuper and Nicole Hyala would come up with another album where we would hear them recite, or, in their case, sing their heart out.

The album is critiqued as just an extension of the tandem’s radio program but the positive side of it is that if you enjoyed their program, with their CD, you would have all the time in the world listening and laughing with them. Admit it or not, albeit the stereotype that the program is “baduy,” a lot of people enjoy listening to this fantastic pair. After all, everyone has his own little “jologs” inside him.

Bingo Mayor Bonggo

Bonggo is Mayor James “Bong” Gordon Jr. of Olongapo City. The beloved patriarch of the former United States naval base is Fighting for Excellence.

This may sound like his campaign platform, but this is actually the title of an album. Yes you read it right. Mayor Bong Gordon is a musician, a politician and a visionary.

His passion for music started as a member of Ateneo Glee Club and eventually had his talent shared with all other politicians who enjoy music and playing instruments. Thus, the band Houseboys was born. The band was composed of representatives who were also musicians.
But Mayor Bong’s passion for music does not stop with just playing guitar and writing songs, he utilizes the talent to affect people and to mobilize their vast potentials.

Fighting For Excellence is a perfect slogan that heralds the visions of this public servant. The album itself contains seven tracks written by Mayor Bong with the help of his band Bonggo, formed in 1996 to further entertain colleagues and friends that in the long run became a band he uses to educate his constituents through their performances.

The album’s nationalistic approach reflects the willingness of Mayor Bong to bring about change. “Sibit-sibit,” a boat used by old folks for fishing, is a song that narrates the tale of Olongapo’s transition from a simple rural town to a bustling city.

The satiric track “Balimbing” sounds strange because it comes from a politician. It pertains to people in the government who blatantly shift loyalty (another common occurrence in the government).

“May Mga Tao Sa Subic,” is a cry for recognition. It is actually a tribute to the 8,000 volunteers who have unselfishly dedicated their skills and talents in boosting the economy of Central Luzon, yet somehow have now been marginalized.

If you are fond of oldies, “Songs Of Love” is for you. However, it does not have the same impact as the other songs in the album. Similarly, “Pinoy! Check ng Check” falls into the same pit.
Mayor Bong made it contemporary by collaborating with a rapper. We bet, this is the track in the album that even his constituents wouldn’t listen to. Sometimes, no matter how deep the message is, when the melody isn’t too pleasing, the song will remain nothing but a statistics.

Fighting for Excellence, which is also the title of the promotional track, and “Pilipinas Bayan Ko” are the most striking songs in the album. The first recognizes the government thrust to motivate people to fight for excellence, and the latter, which has become the anthem of people who still believe that there is hope in this country, creates a stronger impact in the hearts and in the minds of people who happened to hear the song.

Truly, delivering a message and advocacy can be channeled through different media. Mayor Bong’s strategy is an example. Instead of doing the conventional way, music, as a form of communication, is another effective method to relay a message. Bingo!

Award-winning playwright stages production at CCP

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
16 August 2008

Asian-American dramatist David Henry Hwang is here in Manila to present his story of a 19th century Chinese family coping with living in a life being shaped by a deluge of influences from the West.

“This production is a coming-home of many sorts. It’s a coming home of David and the coming home of an experience. There will be actors from New York and they will collaborate with our local artists here,” CCP artistic director Chris Millado said during the press conference.

Directed by Obie awardee Loy Arcenas, the play will run for four weeks in two versions. It will be presented in English for the first two weeks. The Filipino version will be staged in the last two weeks of the schedule that will end on Sept. 7. Dennis Marasigan, artistic director of Tanghalang Pilipino and award-winning filmmaker, provided the translation.

Golden Child premiered at CCP’s Little Theater as the Tanghalang Pilipino’s 22nd theater season opening. It has a powerful ensemble including Irma Adlawan, Liesl Batucan, Tess Jamias, and Leo Rialp. They are joined by New York-based Tina Chilip and Art Acuña (an Obie winner for Magno Rubio), plus the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors’ Company.

“Golden Child is an oral history of my family and it is a major piece of writing I did as a kid. It is based on the story that my grandmother told me 40 years ago,” David told the press. “It’s really thrilling for me to do this production here because I have my roots here in the Philippines. I was 10 years old when my grandmother has fallen ill. So I asked my parents to let me spend my summer vacation here to visit my grandmother in Cebu. At the back of my mind, if she passed away, I wouldn’t be able to retrieve the story of my family,” the playwright added.

The Golden Child

“Golden Child is the title because the lead character refers to his daughter as his golden child or lucky charm in business or whenever he gambles,” David said.

The play is about a Chinese patriarch whose three wives worry about the effect of his apparent interest in Western ways on a household where ancestor worship is observed and traditional rituals are practiced, setting off a power struggle among them.

He decides to turn his back on Chinese customs and converts to Christianity, and his wives’ worries become more pronounced because in Christian tradition, a man has only one woman to call his wife.

His decision results in unexpected consequences he does not plan for nor remotely expects. It is his prized offspring, his golden child, who encourages him to go back to the Philippines and promises to tell great stories about how he made them all born again.

“My mother said that there are lots of events that didn’t happen in our family, but I am just narrating what my grandmother told me,” David laughed.

He added that the pleasant irony about his writing the Golden Child is that his maternal grandmother who has fallen ill didn’t pass away. His grandmother even saw the production in LA and liked it.

The golden playwright

Born and raised in Los Angeles, David Henry Hwang is a contemporary Asian-American playwright who has been acclaimed as one of the most prolific and most successful dramatists in the US.

He was critically acclaimed for his 1988 Tony Award-winning M. Butterfly, which ran for two years on Broadway. The production also won Drama Desk, John Gassner, and Outer Critics Circle Awards, and was also a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. The play enjoyed a one-year run on London ‘s West End and has been produced in over three dozen countries to date.

David’s Broadway musicals include his new book for Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song, starring Lea Salonga, which earned him his third Tony nomination in 2003 for Best Book of a Musical. He co-wrote the book for Disney’s international hit Aida, with music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, which won four 2000 Tony Awards and ran over four years on Broadway, and was the book writer of Disney’s Tarzan, with songs by Phil Collins, which is currently a smash hit in Europe.

His play Golden Child premiered off-Broadway at the Joseph Papp Public Theater, received a 1997 Obie Award for playwriting and subsequently moved to Broadway, where it received three 1998 Tony nominations, including Best New Play. The Manila production of this play is produced by arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty. Ltd., on behalf of Dramatists Play Service Inc., New York.

The regular ticket price is P600 and P300 pesos for students.

For more information, call 832-3661, 832-3704 or 891-9999.

Visual artist talks about environment, social imbalance

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
o9 August 2008

Socio-realism is the term used by artists to depict their works that focus on the everyday life of the working class and the impoverished people.

It could be just an artistic style, but for local artist Gene de Loyola, it’s more than just an approach or a detailed form of color and other elements, it is an avenue where he can promote balance and development using his paint and his brush.

With his fourth solo exhibition at the Alab Art Space in the Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IP Philippines) in Makati City, socio-realist visual artist De Loyola drives home a message of keeping the balance in the environment and bridging the gap between the social classes.

Entitled Ugnay, De Loyola explained that the exhibition aims to open a new level of awareness.

“Ugnay tells the truth. It reflects our society… Katotohanang may mayaman at mahirap. And between the two, there’s a dominant force. What Ugnay wants to do is to keep the balance because if there’s a balance, there’s a strong majority, tayo’y magiging matatag,” De Loyola said in an interview.

De Loyola was born on Sept. 10, 1956 in Naga City and started drawing at a tender age of four. When he was six years old, he was introduced by his father to Broulio Roman Dayao, who happened to be their neighbor in Quezon City. Dayao, a graduate of UP Fine Arts, was known then for his landscapes and portraiture. De Loyola was so impressed with the maestro that almost everyday from school, he would proceed to the studio of Dayao to watch him paint.

“He gave me a watercolor and a paper. Since then yung passion ko for art developed. Dun din nagsimula yung pagpipinta ko ‘on the spot’,” the artist shared.

Inspired by the beauty of nature, De Loyola’s latest offering mirrors the development in the province of Rizal where he now resides. Over 50 paintings in soft pastel, watercolor, acrylic and oil on canvass are on display at the Alab Art Space. The most outstanding displays are: Tampisaw sa Batis (35” x 45”); Pulutong (watercolor, 35”x45”); and Gubat Batlag Sapa (35”x 45”).

In 2006, the Pacheco Artists Program conferred the Gawad Artista ng Bayan Award to De Loyola. He was likewise given the prestigious Huwarang Pilipino Award for the Arts in 2003 presented by Radyo ng Bayan in cooperation with Huwarang Pilipino Foundation for his contributions to the art industry.

Known for his efforts to uphold the development of Philippine art and culture, De Loyola jointly founded Buklod Sining in 1980 with the late Papo de Asis. Buklod Sining presented the real situation of Philippine society through the visual arts.

This exhibition also aspires to encourage respect for intellectual property, particularly those in the creative sector. De Loyola’s exhibit is among the collaborative initiatives between IP Philippines and the creative industries.

“Alab Art Space was established to help the organization of budding artists. We provide the exhibition space for free. We conduct seminars to inform these groups about their rights as copyright owners,” director for Documentation, Information and Technology Transfer Bureau of the IPP Carmen Peralta shared in an interview.

Alab Art Space is an alternative venue to showcase the works of budding artists. According to Peralta, the space for exhibition is free of charge, the arrangement between them and the artists is just a 10-percent commission that will go to the development of the venue and for the seminars being conducted by the IPP.

Transformation and musical journeys

By Nickie Wang /Manila Standard Today
o6 August 2008

We always think that a new album coming from artists who had produced exceptional records and anthemic tracks would always equal their previous works. The pressure to maintain or at least live up to the expectations of the public is a tough task for Aiza Seguerra and Yeng Constantino. Smash hits “Pagdating ng Panahon” and “Hawak Kamay,” by Seguerra and Constantino, respectively, both paved the way for the artists who make guitar-oriented musical compositions. We can still recall how these records created an LSS (last song syndrome) among young people.

Inspired melody

Aiza Seguerra is no longer the child star we know. Her appeal as a child sensation lost its sheen during the latter part of the ’90s. But in 2001, she made a phenomenal comeback via “Pagdating ng Panahon.” This album etched an indelible mark on the local music scene, and for some reason, became her ticket to openly discuss her sexuality.

The unprecedented success of Aiza’s now quintuple platinum- selling album, gave her a new-found fame, but was she able to maintain the popularity?

With “Para Lang Sa ‘Yo,” her album inspired by Judy Ann Santos’ series Ysabella where she also starred in, the listening public was again moved by her angelic voice that never tries hard to impress. Even the most discriminating ears will agree that less voice is more conducive to listening than those records of artists that screech with vocal gymnastics.

“Para Lang Sa ’Yo,” which is also the title of the promotional track, has a romantic theme that both men and women could relate to. “Sana Di Puro Lang Sana” furthers the emotion conveyed by the previous track, but what really serves as an extension of the first song in the album is “Sa ’Yo Lamang.” Whether intentionally or not, this has the same story conveyed in “Para Lang Sa ’Yo.”

“Walang Sayang” is the irony of the track title, this is one of the songs that will bore the listeners, the other one is “Kasama.” The first doesn’t offer something special aside from the fact that it looks like it was taken from a karaoke’s more than a decade-old playlist.

“Kasama” is lyrically poor, high school students can write better lyric.

For first-time listeners who would play the whole album from start to finish, “Persistent Rain” will not disappoint them. The timing is right for the rainy season but whether the rain pours or not, this track will appeal to anyone who is on the verge of letting go and in the first phase of moving on.

“Mahagkan Kang Muli” and “Huwag Mong Iiwan Ang Puso” are the best tracks in the album not because Nyoy Volante and Ogie Alcasid are the respective brilliant composers who shared their talents to complete this project. “Mahagkan…” is a love note written with very simple words yet expresses a deeper meaning. Ogie’s “Huwag Mong…” is a song with a stronger impact as it communicates the emotion of an honest heart.

Aiza made two revivals in the album. Her rendition of “I’ll Be There” is actually better than the original. The message of the song is more felt with easy and soft vocal. That is actually the effect when the attention of the listeners is focused on the message of the song and not to the vocal dynamics. The other cover that is really worth mentioning is “Bakit Ako Mahihiya.” Reliving this Didith Reyes’ classic is Aiza’s affirmation of her sexuality. She gave it a new flavor, a contemporary touch that didn’t fail to give the song a new life.

The album tells a story, a love story everyone could relate. However, the sales of “Para Lang Sa ’Yo” can tell that Aiza failed to equal the success of her previous project. With a new album underway, we can say that she matures only enough to keep her audience from listening to her music.

The big dreamer

Young and sensational! Yeng Constantino made waves with her anthemic “Hawak Kamay,” the single that became more popular than her name. It’s part of her debut album released in 2006 after winning the ABS-CBN reality show Pinoy Dream Academy.

She is touted as one of the most poetic artists in the field of music writing. Considering her age, she was able to write songs that stirred the emotions of her contemporaries and even the older ones. With Journey, her latest offering, Big Dreamer Yeng tries to prove that she is becoming a mature artist.

“Di Na Ganun” opens the 12-track album that hinges on the definition of local pop-rock genre. With this track, Yeng initially shows her authentic talent. She establishes her sound then attracts the listeners with her writing flair. She will entertain you with her playful yet assuring “Ikaw Lang Talaga” before she slows down with a friendship song. “Promise” is different from the other tracks in the album. It is slow-paced and different from the usual sound we hear from Yeng.

Infectious with its positive outlook, “Pili Ka Lang” will affect the emotion of the listeners of the next song with strong conviction “Tao Lang Ako.”

What is noticeable about Yeng with her compositions is that she doesn’t try hard to sound perfect for the pop-rock genre. There are people who would argue that she doesn’t have a perfect voice to be a diva but she utilizes her talent in creating materials that soothe her vocal style. “What About Us,” “If You Go” and “Why Can’t You” are perfect examples for that. But it is not all praises for her. “Tala” and “Bakit Nga” should have been excluded in the album. She could rearrange them, add new flavor, and include them to the next album that she will have. Not that they don’t sound good but while listening to them, the only move the listeners would want to do is to skip and move on to the next track. Same thing goes with her cover of Asin’s “Himig Ng Pag-ibig.” One of the risks in doing revivals, most especially if the song is a big classic, the artist must equal what the song did before; otherwise, it will only sound like an ugly distortion.

The last track in the album is “Habambuhay.” This one is so outstanding that people wouldn’t mind hearing it over and over again (sad to say, Yeng didn’t write this song).

Generally, most of the songs made good impressions. The guitar is so polished that people would really think Yeng is a genius, but actually she plays with the help of her band Morning Glory.

She may have evolved as a mature artist but examining her sound and image, she just looks and sounds like a foreign lady rocker. Wonder who she is? Visit Youtube and check out the most viewed video of all time.