LGBT Themed Piece "CHOOSING" Gets 2nd Run at Doreen Blackbox Theater at Ateneo This PRIDE MONTH

To be openly out and gay may be quite an easy feat for some, but not for everyone. With a non redeeming society, mostly tolerating folks, r@cists and obvious big0ts around, it's super hard to even exist. It messes up your psyche, less time to understand the situation, yourself, proving how crazy this world we live in, when all they want is the same rights as you do, LOVE, and understanding.

During Pride Month last year, real life couple Liza Dino and Ice Seguerra took chance on a queer theater production of CHOOSING. It's a play about the intricacies of love, relationships, pronouns and queerness. This is under the direction of Dr. Anton Juan. It was unusual, but easy to digest, relatable in so many ways especially for those who lived in the 90's and generations after that. They're having their second run this coming June at the ARETE Doreen Blackbox Theater at the Ateneo De Manila University grounds. We were given a preview of it a couple days ago, and they've done changes to the script and story mostly on Act 3.

A very emotionally charged preview of CHOOSING

Dr. Anton Juan told us "I asked them to ask questions about themselves, I gave them direction of thought. This time it's built on that, and the moment, it's almost like characters start in the middle of their lives and I gave them the ability to gather themselves. This is where the play is being directed and built. It's continuous, and I allowed actors to do that. Theater becomes not just for the stage but for people who watch it. I think the straight sectors would learn the most. It's the freedom of love, it's about choice that makes us free. This is the reason we want it titled CHOOSING. In the world there are so many pronouns. I asked them to bare themselves, we started to talk, the concept of who I am or if I am a goat, abuse, many things that are common to everyone. I like to resurrect the memories, with music, it's beautiful and is like a portal, it becomes vast and bigger. You must be careful in what doors to open and close. Did you notice plays today are choreographed? I look at lines as language and space, how to move, approach, ways to say you love or hate a person. I was trying to distill their lives and what they've gone through."

Ice says "The song is actually a monologue but Liza and Direk Anton felt like we needed it. That was about hypothetical love, we edited it to a song with Vince de Jesus, and it's called 'Lost in Time'. When we came out, there were a lot of people who approached her and just told their stories without even doing it. More than the topics being shown here, is that we always go through these crossroads, we need to talk and get to the bottom of this. Liza and I have been together for a long time, but we are still the same because we talk about it. There is commonality and we could move forward to say what we want to say and stop there without listening to the other party. We talk about it even if it hurts. If you remove labels, the story of Mitch and Stella is universal."

Liza adds "That's exactly how it played out when it happened, that it was not synonymous with cheating. That's whe I realized that Ice was a man. The way they talked about it was just like watching a series. He didn't know where I am coming from, it went to a point that I had to watch it to understand. There's also a lot shared with us by a support group, their discoveries, on how they realize the dysphoria. There's a huge part of this play that I had to re-write especially on the third act, Ice and I are still going through that. We are confused for the most part, but when the opportunity comes we ask where we are and where we need to support each other. It was a blessing that I was the one who wrote it, I couldn't make it concretely talk about transformation. I researched about it so much that I saw how we could no longer be part of that future. You see how emotional we are when we do this. A big issue here also is the voice, it's a huge change and what people go through in situations like these. I hope people see what we struggle about, and the conscious decision to still choose each other despite the trials. I hope this can inspire, see themselves in us, you can't do this alone. This is about choosing to love."

Here's our interview with them after that very emotional preview:

Liza adds "Transitioning needs an entire shift of mindset to become the support system. Sometimes people don't think about that person, because they are also going through something. It's a very complex decision, hence the discussion between Stella and Mitch."

Ice ended the talk saying "I chose her, and she is the only one I wanted to choose. She's the only one who can give me the happiness, the excitement, and safety that I'd want to have. I don't want to share that with anybody else. Anytime we have a discussion, we always go back to asking how we can by happy again, because this is not us right now. That's been our anchor ever since."

Choosing to talk about the feelings we have may be shallow for some, but we all need to talk about it. To resolve conflict in relationships, choosing to talk about the hard things will resolve a LOT. If you want to get tickets to the show, you can get it via the Ticket2Me app or the official website ticket2me.net. Shows will be on June 6th-8th, 13th-15th which are weekends. The Doreen Blackbox Theater is a very intimate venue. Go bring your friends and family along and talk about it after the show. Can't wait to see the changes on the show.

Ricky Lee's "PARA KAY B" Gets Stage Run This March

Super good news for those who adore Ricky Lee's works, as LA ProdHouse and Fire and Ice Live! takes the best selling novel "PARA KAY B" to theaters this coming March 14 to 30 at the Doreen Black Box Theater, ARETE Wing of the Ateneo De Manila University. This is a stage adaptation of the well loved story (stories that is) that talks about love, romance and some hurt in between. Surely this will be a very interesting take on something a lot of people were able to relate to even after years of its inception.

We got to talk to the stars of "PARA KAY B" plus producers Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño-Seguerra this morning about the show and they're equally excited to see it, here's our video coverage! 

This is created for the stage by Ejay Castro Deldoc (a Palanca awardee) and directed by Yong Tapang (who's done remarkable production in the past). They also are partnering with Tunog at Liwanag sa Teatro. But there's certainly more interesting things to see in the show.

5 women named Bessie, Ester, Sandra, Irene and Erica divulge their life stories with a front row seat to their different kinds of love, relationships and realities. They had us see a glimpse of it, and it was crazy... crazy good.

Ice says "Different people, different ways of looking at love. Some are fools, some believe in forever, some remain cynical. Do you believe only 1 out of 5 people get a happily ever after?"

National Artist Ricky Lee pronounced "To tell you the truth, out of the multitude of novels I had, this is the best selling one up to this date. I made this in 2008, I suppose people like to read something that would give them pain. I think if they're too happy, it wouldn't be as adventurous. I think if its more painful, they could remember and carry it more. I've seen and heard people read it multiple times, pick it up when there's a typhoon, to read it all over again."

It's interesting, feisty, and fun to see it on stage. If you would want to see more of it, go see "PARA KAY B" at the ARETE in Ateneo De Manila University. People loved the novel, and surely, you would love the things they plan to execute at the theater. See if you'll get to be one of Lucas' characters, relate in it in so many ways.

Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net or the app with the same name if you wish to watch the show.

Love, Sessionistas: A pre-Valentine Concert

If you're looking for the perfect concert this Valentine's season, Fire and Ice productions and Fire and Ice Live! is bringing you "Love, Sessionistas: A pre-Valentines Concert" at The Theatre at Solaire this coming February 8th at 8pm and you'll love who's in it! Of course there's Ice Seguerra, Juris Fernandez, Nyoy Volante, Sitti Navarro, Kean Cipriano, Princess Velasco, and Duncan Ramos. It's going to be nostalgic, a thing that's been in the works since pre-pandemic will now be realized.

The last time that these guys were together was way back March of 2015. Although they didn't really get to meet during those days, they've been connected online through chat. Though if you look at it, it's been almost 10 years since they've done music together, a little overdue. 

Ice says "There was a time in 2019 when we thought about doing something like this, I messaged everybody if they're game to do it. I really miss them, they all agreed, but the pandemic really got in the way. We had a venue ready, stage design, production, everything. It was supposed to be Fire and Ice's first show. But it didn't happen because of the pandemic. It was moved, and things happened with our careers individually, life in general. We started talking about it after the videoke series I did, which was a successful concert. Whether it's Valentine's day or not, we have universal love that we celebrate. We have the romantic love covered, but we have other kinds of love that we also want to celebrate on that day. And also our friendship that stood the test of time. Wohoo!"

Nyoy adds "During those 10 years, we often perform in each other's shows, but not as a complete group, usually benefit concerts. We often become guests with each others concerts or gigs, it was easy because aside from being artists in the same group, we're friends in real life. We did theater, and we supported each other. We're so used being with each other back in the day, and now our lives are intertwined. We're so used to answering each other's songs, lines, but it's going to be more organized since it is a show. We have several surprises for you, and seeing from our studies, it's going to be one fun night!"

Kean adds "This is going to be a treat for everyone. You'll see our camaraderie, but what we will sing is going to be heartfelt, more meaningful. This is also a concert where anyone, of all ages, could actually go and have fun! As you know, we are from different genres, it will surely be a good time to see that on stage."

Juris agrees and said "Yes it's going to be a treat for everyone and also a treat for myself because singing is more of an escape for me now, not work, and I'm glad that we're doing this."

Producer Liza Dino Seguerra says "It's been a while since people have seen them together. It's going to be so good to see them perform together on stage, their careers didn't end on that portion of the show. Sessionistas went on and did things individually, they lived out their careers, had family, it will be a time for the fans so they could see where these guys are now. It's a concert of their journey as friends and as individual artists. You will not only see them as Sessionistas but as Ice, Juris, Nyoy, Sitti , Kean , Princess, and Duncan. It's super exciting because their chemistry is different. The photoshoot we had in November was already crazy, what more the actual show in February."

Here's the full press conference on video, make sure you subscribe and check out their performances on our channel. Sub to KUMAGCOW on YouTube!

 

Fire and Ice and the Sessionistas would like to thank Profero Ageless Aesthetics, Solaire Resort, Ticketworld, Katinko, The Platinum Experience Real Karaoke, HGStudio, Nova Wellness Store, JB Music, Magic 89.9, Philippine concerts.cim, TrueFM, and WhenInManila. You can get tickets to the show via TicketWorld.com.ph, plus they plan to have a second day run on April 4th, because this one is almost sold out!

We also heard that they plan to take this either on a local tour or an international one. Just make sure you show interest in their social channels to let them know!

ICE SEGUERRA Set To Do Repeat of Videoke Hits OPM Edition (Isa Pa) at the Music Museum

With the success of the previous one, it just needs repeat. Ice Seguerra will be doing his Videoke Hits OPM Edition (Isa Pa) this coming November 8th at the Music Museum in Greenhills San Juan City. This is under FIRE and ICE Live, the concert production arm of Fire and Ice Productions owned by Ice and Liza Dino Seguerra.

As you may already know, Ice has lots of hits being played on Videoke playlists all over the country, aside from that, she's planning to give life to the best hits the medium has, and this will surely be something to look forward to on that date.

Karaoke is such a huge part of Filipino culture, and with the advent of us winning competitions left and right around the world, Filipinos are being feared when holding microphones. Ice is such a force to reckon with, even if she sings soft and emotional, it just sounds so beautiful even if she sings a phone book.

Ice says "This is quite difficult to make a lineup because even at the end of the week, I couldn't choose singles because there are so much OPM songs I could choose from. Now I'm stuck with medleys so I could sing everything. It's a smorgasbord of all the things I want to sing and hear, rearranged in a different way. As much as possible we want to have different genres because it's not just one thing, but it's fun. The first part are the things I really sing in the Videoke world, my personal list. The second part is the requests of people at the venue, then third are the re arranged ones. You know I've been thinking of releasing a few that came out quite nice because my band was crazy good. That's when I saw how the ones we arranged had different flavors."

He adds "I really didn't want to work on a date near my birthday because I want to give my 10,000 percent all the time. It's just the pressure I didn't want to experience, but I'm so happy that one sold out. The energy was also different and we were three hours running. My wife gave me a motorbike, and I couldn't believe it. I even fell the first night I drove it. I even was sweating because of the outfit. I fell in front of her, but I'm training now." 

"This show will also include "Salamin Salamin" and "Gento", but I felt the dance numbers. It was tiring, and couldn't breathe after, I really have to pace myself."

He doesn't want to lost the magic of being intimate because Music Museum is closer. Through you cannot do it in the balcony, you can go around. The last time he did this, people were involved in most of the numbers. It was wild and they would participate. He says "From seniors to 7/8 year old, they were singing, they were game whoever had the mic in front of them. I want to make them feel it's okay to do it. There's something about this that is therapeutic. It's fun, and we started this in 2016, I think that is why there's magic in the show."

Here's our interview with Ice this afternoon:

Aside from that, they're planning to do a repeat of their previous project called CHOOSING which was staged last July, the difference is that it's going to be done in Quezon City at an even bigger venue. Ice says 'We're planning to do it again soon, this was done previously for pride month, but feel it brought to the next step as it's a mix of comedy, drama and stories of different people from the same community. It's going to be a great way to bridge gaps, to put more people in their shoes in hopes to give them a deeper understanding of what and how we go through things."

Again, if you feel that it's time to enjoy a concert with friends and family, tickets are now available at Ticketnet or at the Music Museum box office. Ice promises that it will be even more fun than the previous one!

TAIWAN EXCELLENCE "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" Bares Winners

Taiwan certainly has a lot of things that Filipinos could connect to. One of it is the love for music. TAITRA aka Taiwan External Trade Development Council recently held the Taiwan Excellence "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" at the Market!Market! mall in Taguig City. 

Out of thousands who sent their entries, they got the judges choose 3 finalists to battle it out on this one day at the mall's activity center. This isn't a walk in the park as we talked to the judges Kean Cipriano, Ice Seguerra, Yeng Constantino and Paulo Zarate. They also had to choose a winner based off a themed composition about Taiwan Excellence and an original song. Taiwan is known for their various quality products and seeing the Taiwan Excellence seal on them just assures you of their high standards. Aside from the economic standpoint, it's the connections we share in culture that makes it a worthwhile event.

We also got to talk to the executives of TAITRA and asked about what they were looking for as far as winners go. It's a combination of talent, x factor and the ability to showcase the Filipino talent. Because just like Taiwan, we find excellence in these things. Makes sense?

 Various Taiwanese brands also joined the event in support of the Taiwan Excellence program and this songwriting and singing competition:

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In the end, they announced The Unexpected Duo's Vench Larenas and Renz Salazar as Second Runner Up, Haranajeeb Duo's Khen Aldovino and Nephtali Fajardo as the First Runner Up. The grand winner is Mandarhyme Duo's Rusty and Janine Loayon, they won Php 300,000 for it. The event was witnessed by TAITRA's Brian Lee, Alex Lai, and people from Taiwan Economic and Cultural Office. Also in the event was Ambassador Wallace Chow and Ms. Josephine Shun of TECO Philippines.

Taiwan Set to Hold "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy Grand Finals" at Market! Market!

Connecting through music, Taiwan's External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) will be holding "Your Song of Excellence: Duo Legacy" Grand Finals at Ayala Malls Market!Market! this coming August 31, 2024. This is a nationwide competition of duo singers and from thousands of entries, only three made it to the finals. They are Haranajeeb Duo, The Unexpected Duo and the Mandarhyme Duo.

This is hard to do because from their eliminations, they are now asked to compose 2 songs of 3:30 minutes each that will be performed on stage with one of the entries being the jingle with the theme "The Best Made in Taiwan". Catch is, it should contain the words "Taiwan Excellence" and will be judged through their core values of innovation, interests, sustainability and quality. This is supported by their home grown brands Acer, AOPEN, Aorus, ASUS, D-Link, Gigabyte, Kymco, MSI, PC Express, ROG, Tatung and Zyxel. If you would like to know more about the event, follow them on social channels by searching TaiwanExcellence.ph.

Judges include industry greats such as Kean Cipriano, Yeng Constantino, Ice Seguerra, Nicole Asenso, Paulo Zarate and more. Who knows, they might also perform that evening too. Make sure to be there primetime!

See the 37th Star Awards for Movies on FlexTV

Looks like the folks at the Philippine Movie Press Club Inc. are busy and will be showing the 37th Star Awards for Movies on February 4 7PM on FlexTV. 

Performers include Ice Seguerra, Christian Bautista, Jessa Zaragoza, Dingdong Avanzado and will be hosted by Paolo Bediones and Lada Morena. This will be directed by Peter Allan Mariano. For those who don't know, you can download FlexTV on Google Play and the App Store and enjoy entertainment content aimed for the global market. It's gonna showcase the live stream so make sure you're on it before 7pm. If you wish to also join the Search for FlexTV Star and win 500K cash, head on to FlexTV official FB page for more details. 

This event is sponsored by Arca Bespoke, Mowelfund, CreativeTech and FlexTV.

Update from PMPC