"Pamana" Docu-Musical Tribute to Ninoy and Cory Opens August 21

Press Release:

The NINOY & CORY AQUINO FOUNDATION, INC. (NCAF), in partnership with INDIE.GO MEDIA and the PHILIPPINE EDUCATIONAL THEATER ASSOCIATION proudly present the gala premiere of  " PAMANA ” --- an original docu-musical written by noted playwright RODY VERA and music by Manoling V. Francisco, S.J.  and Ryan Cayabyab.

The cast is top billed by noted stage and film actress Malou de Guzman.

Malou plays the role of Lola Azon, a street sweeper, witnesses the hordes of people who marched through the funeral of a man she hardly knew. And through the years of protest rallies and struggle to end a dictatorship, she found hope and strength in the power of the people.

Jett Pangan shall tackle the role of Edgar, Azon’s son who witnesses the fading and the corruption of that pure hope as the years of “democracy” went by.

Kakki Teodoro will take the pivotal role of Trina, Edgar’s daughter who was only 13 years old when Pres. Corazon Aquino died. She relates how her father’s cynicism rubbed off on her at first.

TV and film actor  Bodjie Pascua also joins Pamana, who shall essay the role of Turo, Azon’s husband.

The ensemble is composed of Raul Alfonso, Kiki Baento, Raflesia Bravo, Roi Calilong, Buddy Caramat, Joan Co, Karen Gaerlan, Gio Gahol, She Maala, Benedict Manaois, Gie Onida, Norbs Portales, Gino Ramirez, Victor Robinson, Angela Samson, Nica Santiago, Miela Sayo, Ian Segarra, Gold Villar and Yeyin Dela Cruz.

           

Lending support as chorus is Viva Voce under artistic director Camille Lopez-Molina.

                                             

The artistic and creative team of PAMANA is led by Rody Vera (Playwright), Maribel Legarda (Stage Director), Melvin Lee (Associate Stage Director), Jun Reyes (Video Director and Executive Producer), Manoling V. Francisco, S.J. and Ryan Cayabyab (Composers), Vince de Jesus (Musical Director), Batche Tan (Choreograper), Boni Juan (Set Designer), Carlo Pagunaling (Costume Designer), Jonjon Villareal (Lighting Designer and Technical Designer). 

Show schedule:

August 21, 2013         : 7:00 pm

August 22, 2013         : 8:00 pm

August 24-25, 2013    : 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm

           

All performances will be held at the Meralco Theater, Ortigas Center, Pasig City.

For further details, call PETA Theater Center at numbers 725-6244 or 09064817333. Tickets are also available through Ticketworld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

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Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo performs at CCP's "Leading Lady" August 15

Press Announcement:

Theater actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo performs onstage as the third and last featured artist in the series Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women in the Philippines Musical Theater on August 15, 2013 at 7:30 pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

Entitled “Leading Lady”, this concert is also a celebration of Menchu’s 35th year as a theater actress. Musical director is Rony Fortich. Lighting design is by one of the country's most sought-after lighting designers for live events and theatrical productions, John Ilao Batalla. Stage director is Raymond Lauchengco.

Menchu began her career in 1978 with Repertory Philippines. She worked with other theater groups and production companies such as Trumpets, Atlantis Productions, Actor’s Actor Incorporated and New Voice Productions. Recently, Menchu played the role of Anna Leonowens in Resorts World Manila’s production of “The King and I”. She was also last seen the Atlantis Production of the musical “NINE”. Last year, Menchu did a three-week run in Singapore of the play “The God of Carnage” where she garnered an Aliw Awards nomination for Best Actress in a Play. Her most recent directional work, the musical “Jekyll and Hyde” opened to rave reviews.

Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women of Philippine Musical Theater is a series of solo concerts featuring the stalwarts of Philippine Musical Theater. Each concert is an intimate evening of beautiful music, personally selected by the artists themselves, from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original Filipino musicals and the movies. Dubbed as a series of “concept concerts”, the narrative of the performance is dictated by the song choices, a rare opportunity for audiences to see a different facet of the acclaimed theater, television and film artist being featured. The definition of a “triple threat” is someone in a particular field who exhibits three skills that are necessary to excel.

Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women in the Philippine Musical Theater is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Subscriptions to the three concerts are available at P1,200 for orchestra sides. Individual concert tickets are P800 for orchestra center and P600 for the orchestra sides. Standard discounts are 50% for students, 20% for senior citizen, person with disabilities (PWDs) Military and government officials. All performances begin at 7:30 pm at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

Changing the World One Musical Note At a Time

That’s the dream in William Elvin’s heart as he wrote his songs and struggled to put together an album on his own with his own savings.  The final result of a laptop, an entry- level zoom microphone, a cheap acoustic guitar, and a Fender Stratocaster in his old room is an album that is unlike any other. DisconTechNoThisContent: The Musicalienation of William Elvin may have a mouthful name that intrigues yet it delivers in its introspective wordplay of lyrics and variety of melodies.  No song has any similarity with the others, and that’s where you can tell of the passion and care given to each song.

Before he reached this point, William Elvin is already known for his musical genius in plays such as Dulaang UP’s Rizal X and The Woman in Black, among others. His love for songwriting began when he purchased a cassette tape of The Beatle’s Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club album in highschool.  He listened and studied this album for two months on the themes, styles and genres of the songs.  Then he started writing and recording songs for his own amusement using only a cassette tape recorder with a built-in microphone and cheap acoustic guitar given by an aunt.  And the rest as they say is history.

We, with my fellow bloggers, had a chance to get to know William better in a casual, intimate gathering at Taumbayan in Kamuning, Quezon city last July 2.  Together with Janine Santos, his girlfriend and co-singer in the album, William opened up his heart about his humble beginnings, his plans, and true love which he found in Janine.

When it comes to musical inspiration, without hesitation he points to Bob Dylan. “Songwriting is like painting, it gets more obscured the more I look at it.  That’s how I want my songs to be,” shares William.

During our intimate gathering, he performed for us all the songs in his album with members of his band.  The album included 4 songs from Rizal X which includes: Sinubukan, On My Way to Calvary, Alisbayan Box, and But I Love No One But You. The succeeding tracks that followed next include: Bubblegum Blues a wordplay song without making sense, Winter Went Away for a While, Ang Sabi Nila, How’s the Bed, Sandy, an ironic heavy worded song in a light almost whimsical melody, On Their Way to St. Jane, and a bonus track of 10/23. Most of the songs tease the imagination, making you curious that you want to listen closely to the song again and again.

“If I see someone inspired by my music, does well and inspires others, then that is the success I am looking for,” is the main goal of all his effort according to William.

For more information on how to order the album or watch him perform live, visit his website at www.williamelvin.wordpress.com or visit his Facebook page: www.facebook.com/williamelvinmusic

SuperDynamism Ongoing at Picasso Until August 2

 Immerse yourself in art that is full of energy and action at the Altro Mondo of the Picasso Hotel with Enrique Tabuena’s Superdynamism Art.  The exhibit will keep your mind on high alert “characterized by stimulating unpredictability and controlled chaos” as you decipher, wonder,imagine, what the paintings are telling you. With colors that arouse your emotions and images that keep you guessing, the paintings feel like they are calling out to you, teasing and playing with your senses.  

 

Superdynamism is a style that incorporates the qualities of action painting and line drawing. It uses all the elements and energy of various art forms, blending these disciplines seamlessly into a new and energized fluid form. Words may not be enough to capture the essence of this art form as the synergy of the images produce an effect that only the imagination can understand.  This kind of art is meant to be experienced so visit the Altro Mondo at the Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences for a piece of art in contradiction, in action, and in chaos.  The exhibit is ongoing until August 2. For more information about the exhibit and art, visit www.tabuenaartscentral.com.

Tune Hotels Offer Low Room Rates until July 17

Press Release:

KUALA LUMPUR, 10 July 2013 – To add to the excitement to the currently on-going two million-seat promotion by AirAsia, international value hotel brand Tune Hotels is increasing the heat with thousands of hotel rooms going at super low rates at selected hotels within its network.

Mark Lankester, Group CEO of Tune Hotels said: “As guests are busy snapping up the two million seats on offer, Tune Hotels would like to extend the celebration further by inviting everyone to put up at any of our 30 hotels worldwide at very special rates. At Tune Hotels it always pays when you book in advance so this is a special treat for those who plan their holidays early. The double celebration certainly means double savings for guests.”

For stay period of 1 April 2014 up to 30 June 2014, rooms at Tune Hotels in Malaysia are on offer starting from only RM19 (USD6) per room night. Those in Bali, Indonesia are going from as little as Rp57.000 (USD6) while in Ahmedabad, India, room rates start from only Rs799 (USD13) per room night.

Additionally, guests can book rooms at Tune Hotels in the UK with Tune Hotel Haymarket in Edinburgh, Scotland from only GBP25 (USD37) and in London from only GBP45 (USD67), while Tune Hotel Melbourne, Australia is available from A$59 (USD54) per room night.

The promotion is available exclusively at www.tunehotels.com based on a first-come, first-served basis and subject to availability of rooms. Booking opens now until 17 July 2013.

“Having successfully launched our first Indian hotel in Ahmedabad, Gujarat, guests can look forward to further Tune Hotel choices with our maiden Japanese hotel opening in Okinawa next month. In November we will celebrate the launch of Tune Hotel Melbourne, Australia while more Tune Hotels are slated for opening in Indonesia and the Philippines later this year. It is going to be really exciting for holidaymakers,” said Mark.

Tune Hotels has successfully pioneered a branded value hotel brand with the concept of pay-as-you-use that has become hugely popular amongst travellers from across the world. Under the concept, guests only pay for room rates with the option of adding on other amenities like towels & toiletries, air-conditioning, in-room wifi and satellite TV service.

Tune Hotels has received almost five million guests since the opening of its first hotel in downtown Kuala Lumpur in 2007. There are currently 11 Tune Hotels in operation in Malaysia, five in the UK, one in India and four each in the Philippines, Thailand and Indonesia.

Tune Hotels is part of Tune Group, a lifestyle business conglomerate co-founded by Tan Sri Tony Fernandes and Dato’ Kamarudin Meranun, who are the Group CEO and Deputy Group CEO respectively of Asia’s largest low cost carrier AirAsia.

For real-time updates and promotion alerts, guests can stay connected with Tune Hotels via Facebook at www.facebook.com/tunehotels and on Twitter via www.twitter.com/tunehotels. 

For booking and further information, visit www.tunehotels.com.

Vilma Santos Joins Cinemalaya 2013, Starts July 26

Press Release:

Stars of the Philippine mainstream movie industry headline some of the newest crop of films in the 9th Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival and Competition slated on July 26 to August 4, 2013 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Ayala Cinemas in TriNoma, Greenbelt 3 and Alabang Town Center.

Vilma Santos is the lead star of Jeffrey Jeturian’s Ekstra; Eugene Domingo of Leo Abaya’s Instant Mommy; Gretchen Barretto of Christopher Ad. Castillo’s The Diplomat Hotel, and Alessandra De Rossi of Gil M. Portes’ Liars.

Anita Linda, a favourite muse of indie film directors, is in David F by Emmanuel Palo and Nuwebe by Joseph Israel Laban, which also stars Jake Cuenca. Lovi Poe appears in Jerrold Tarog’s Sana Dati with Paulo Avelino, who also leads Debosyon.

Second generation directors Christopher Ad. Castillo, son of the late Celso Ad. Castillo, Mikhail Red, son of Raymond Red, and Paolo O’Hara, nephew of the late Mario O’Hara, are in the running in this year’s Cinemalaya. Castillo has his The Diplomat Hotel; Red has his Rekorder and O’Hara has his The Houseband’s Wife.

This year, Cinemalaya offers a full slate of 25 films in its three competition categories. Cinemalaya’s main competition categories are the New Breed full length feature category and the Short Feature category featuring works by new directors. The Directors Showcase is a competition for works by established directors.

The finalists for the New Breed category are:

1.         Babagwa (The Spider’s Lair) by Jason Paul Laxamana

2.         David F by Emmanuel Palo

3.         Debosyon by Alvin Yapan

4.         Instant Mommy by Leo Abaya

5.         Nuwebe by Joseph Israel Laban

6.         Purok 7 by Carlo Obispo

7.         Quick Change by Eduardo Roy Jr.

8.         Rekorder by Mikhail Red

9.         The Diplomat Hotel by Christopher Ad. Castillo

10.       Transit by Hannah Espia

The finalists for the Directors Showcase are:

1.         Amor y Muerte by Ces M. Evangelista

2.         Ekstra by Jeffrey Jeturian

3.         Sana Dati by Jerrold Tarog

4.         Liars by Gil M. Portes

5.         Porno by Adolfo Alix Jr.

The finalists for the Short Feature category are:

1.         Bakaw by Ron Segismundo

2.         Katapusang Labok (Last Strike) by Aiess Athina E. Alonso

3.         Missing by Zig Dulay

4.         Onang by JE Tiglao

5.         Para kay Ama by Relyn A. Tan

6.         Pukpok by Joaquin Pantaleon

7.         Sa Wakas by Nica Santiago

8.         Taya by Adi Bontuyan

9.         The Houseband’s Wife by Paolo O’ Hara

10.       Tutob by Kissza Mari Campano

Winners of the competition will be named in the Awards night on August 4 at the CCP.

Now on its ninth year, Cinemalaya is a project of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Econolink Investments, Inc. and Film Development Council of the Philippines. It is an all-digital film festival that aims to discover, encourage and honor cinematic works of Filipino filmmakers that boldly articulate and freely interpret the Filipino experience with fresh insight and artistic integrity.

Cinemalaya will run from July 26-August 4, 2013 at the CCP, TriNoma, Greenbelt 3 and Alabang Town Center.  Cinemalaya will feature about 70 films on exhibition with twenty five in competition.  It features a variety of sections, namely the Ani, Cinemalaya Documentaries, Cinemalaya Premieres, Retrospective: Urian’s Best (The Gawad Urian Best Film 2000-2009), and tributes to Marilou Diaz-Abaya, Celso Ad. Castillo and Eddie Romero.  The Cinemalaya Film Congress is a major part of the Festival. There will be other film-related activities such as the Philippine Independent Film Makers Multi-purpose Cooperative’s 3rd Manila Film Financing Forum.

For more information, please call CCP Film Office at telephone number 832-1125 local 1704/05 and the CCP box office at 832-3704 or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph