I've been at Solaire North during Oktoberfest and the start of the Christmas Season, and yes, I've been overjoyed with their way of celebrating every occasion. This New Year's Eve is going to be different because it will be so much BIGGER, as the show will be headlined by world class Filipino acts, reality show champions and an international multi awarded singer songwriter.
Christmas season is in full swing so there will be performances by the Regina Coeli choir, the Ambassadors of Christ Chamber Singers, OPM hit makers The Company, The Leading Ladies who will perform at the Oasis Garden Cafe, and the jazz trio calle Baihana. During Christmas eve, home bar Waterside will be having the Bellissima Party Band. For those who are dining over at Finestra Italian Steakhouse, you will be entertained by the talented Jenny Garcia all month.
Santa will also be stopping by for the kids come December 24 and 25 while you get in the mood for more Christmas music with the UP Singing Ambassadors plus the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation Inc. Choir evenings at the Atrium of Solaire North.
At the Ultimate Solaire New Year's Eve Party, the one and only Lea Salonga, Concert King Martin Nievera, Bituin Escalante will be with you at Solaire Resort Entertainment City. At Solaire North, you get the chance to see NeYo, the Jabbawockeez, my personal favorite quirky dance group Avantgardey, Beast House and DJ Soda. There will also be performances by BGYO, Billy Crawford, DJ Mars Miranda, Kat DJ and more. If you see this the apt way to welcome 2025, you can get tickets via Ticket World 0917114 7317, or 0999954 5922. You can calso inquire via 8888-8888 or their website solaireresort.com for more information about these events!
She's the Dental Diva, a very well known talented singer, comedienne and actress at that, she's Kakai Bautista. Her interesting story will be featured in Ms. Kornina Sanchez-Roxas' show "Korina Interviews" which will be shown Sundays 5PM on NET25.
Kakai says "I've been bullied because I was poor, and grew up as an ugly duckling. I learned to know the things I could and couldn't change. I wouldn't be able to change the shape of my teeth, but I know how gorgeous my eyes are. I didn't have toys when I was a kid, so I got plants, wood and thread to make one. I had to make my own, and ended up being envied by other kids because of it. I always made ways to survive and it has been my motto in life."
She was an ordinary woman who did Lea Salonga's wardrobe in theatre and Korina Sanchez handpicked her story among others because of how interesting her story is. Being bullied and poverty stricken in the past, a lot of people would learn about her story. In it, she's going to tell more about bullying, and controversial things she's encounterred on social media. Something you shouldn't miss!
Again, make sure you watch Korina Interviews on NET25 right after Goodwill. It starts at 5PM.
I've heard of a Hollywood film about a year ago which had 2 Miss Saigons on its cast. It was like a theatre lovers dream to see our very own Kims Ms. Lea Salonga and Eva Noblezada be a part of it, let alone the stellar cast which also includes Princess Punzalan and a throng of other stars from the US. People behind the camera are of Filipino American lineage too, and the proud race doesn't stop there. Well for those who wanted a piece of it are in a bit of a treat especially if you are in the Philippines because it will finally be shown on KTX.PH this coming January 29th.
Director Diane Paragas says "This is like coming home. I've been waiting for this day for a long time and I've been excited for Filipinos to see it there, this is a great moment, it feels like coming home. It's loosely based on my time growing up in Texas, I played music too but not as close as Eva, it was my outlet, I felt like a square peg in a round hole. This is a fable, in a form of a documentary so I did research a lot about families. Yellow Rose is a Texan Rose, an old song that people know. They use that term as a derogatory one, Yellow as in Asian. The original song was about a mulatto girl, it was about her being mixed race. It means a lot of things and you find that out in the film. Lea sings Dahil Sayo, also Princess, a way to pass the culture down. It was something that was sung to me by my Mom and Dad, it was passed on to me and now I sing it for my daughter. I was referred to her (Princess), her acting style was so natural. I have auditioned a lot of girls, I've heard about Eva as she was cast in Miss Saigon, when we got financing to shoot the film, I saw her on Broadway to see the script. She blew me away, she had a magnetic presence, she had sincerity especially about the seriousness in music. She was Rose, on the spot. Eva was selected by Backstage, as among the best of the best. It's what actors read, for a Filipino to be in stellar Holllywood names, that's unbelievable. Joe Biden vowed sweeping immigration reforms on Day 1, we've had 4 years of disdain and we have been abused a lot. It's also a story of an artist, like a star is born, about her resilience and how music saves her."
Filam Director Diane Paragas
Ms. Princess Punzalan on the other hand has been sorely missed in the Philippines, but she's currently in the US and waiting out the pandemic although she's keen on doing more projects in the country soon. She says "There are a lot of people in the US and the international ones that have been able to see this. I see the struggles of Filipinos, who are undocumented, like sardines in one room. It's not an easy life. Here, I really feel the concern, the anxiety of what will happen to my daughter when I'm gone."
Lead star Eva Noblezada
We also got to talk to Eva Noblezada and she shares "The role is like your identity as Filipinos suddenly being invisible, it's nice to make the rounds, go through the finish line with a movie that is made for you. This is really a cool thing. I know a handful people who are undocumented but are very passionate. I watched my Mom and Dad break their backs, and go to North Carolina where people ask you "Who are you? Why are you here?" when you are trying to make a home for yourself. Miss Saigon was about a Vietnamese which I was not, I was lucky in those roles."
She adds "We are chameleon in the arts, we talked about what that felt, I did that for 3 years. I was like... Seriously? you want me a young Filipina to play a young Filipina? It was about a young undocumented lass, she reached out to me, and honestly, it was one of the best decisions I've ever made in my entire life. She allows the actor to breathe, she had standards, she doesn't give you hurdles, you feel like you're the character. This allows the product authentic in a way. The fact that Yellow Rose highlighted an immigration story, it creates a divide that we hope as a film, would rip off that stereotypical, dangerous, anti patriotic divide in our country. These are people, these are human beings, extreme words that this past regime has used. Country music is like poetry, it's beautiful, to tell a story that is very young and have so much to do. That's what it is to me as a millenial. Getting to do this, it was all she had, hanging by a thread, to know that you are not alone and that you are protected."
I also asked her about racism and how she deals with it. I also asked the director about choosing "Dahil Sayo" which they interpreted in different ways and times in the film. Check out our interview with her this afternoon.
Now make sure you get your tickets via KTX.PH and see the film on the 29th. If you want to see the struggles of a young Asian girl who only wished for freedom, for love, and an overwhelming passion for country music, go see Yellow Rose.
It's the holidays and what better way to spend it than shopping right? Well no, our friends from UNIQLO had a different idea. Today we were with kids from Bantay Bata 163 and the SOS Children's Village so they could experience the same, shop for their own gifts provided for by Uniqlo as they Give the Gift of LifeWear. Funny as it sounds, I haven't heard of it until today. Apparently, they have been doing this since they have set up shop in the Philippines (around seven years) and they bid this as an annual event. A pretty way to give back to the community.
I kinda snooped in on their activity, seeing them choose essentials such as shirts, shorts, sweats, underwear and socks had me felt so happy they are doing this. As you may know, some of them are neglected, abandoned or victims of violence and these organizations are helping them live normal lives. To ultimately be productive and independent. Good thing there are private corporations that are helping them too.
Kids were all super happy about their hauls, I could imagine, they have new clothes now which they can wear not just for the holiday season, but the whole year round!
As part of the treat, lovely Lea Salonga sang a few Christmas songs for them. Jose Mari Chan followed suit and gave a duet with the Disney princess, ahh it was just like listening to a concert, I'm sure the kids felt so loved!
Thanks to the volunteers, the Uniqlo staff who helped them to choose their outfits. There were about 120 of them but it was organized, I'm sure next year there would be more. Keep this going UNIQLO! It warms my heart knowing you are also doing this in different communities in the country but you're not even saying you do. Bless your heart!
Oh and for those who would like to help, Uniqlo also collects old but usable clothes which they give to far flung communities, you should do that if you have extras. It goes to good people.
It has been able to captivate audiences in Broadway and other places in the US. Add to that the successful Manila run with cast that includes Lea Salonga, Eric Kunze, Cris Villonco and Laurence Mossman. The Tony Award winning musical will begin a second showing starting March 10 - 19 at the same venue for only 12 performances. Now you will still get the chance to see why they've won a total of 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical.
Fun Home isn't just a coming out story, but more of a tell all tale of family relationships and how they react on issues with gender, work, in an unfamiliar setting because it's actually done mostly in a funeral home. Best of all, this is based on a true story and people, whether straight or not would be able to relate to the characters in the story because ultimately this is about the family. This is also topbilled by world class Filipino stage actors and actresses plus several foreign/broadway based cast members. You're surely not shortchanged in any way, shape or form. A word of warning though, this isn't really for kids as Ms. Lea Salonga told us there will be some profanity involved. It would be better for teens and up with parental supervision.
Fun Home will be shown at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditiorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City. You may call Ticketworld at 8919999 or by online at www.ticketworld.com.ph if you would like to watch the show.
I was a little hesitant to actually sit down and interview the stars of this musical called "FUN HOME" which has already made waves in Broadway on it's first run and has also won countless awards, a Tony Award to say the least. Now it has already gone on it's first voyage internationally and where else but in the Philippines to stage it, with no less than the country's pride Lea Salonga as part of the cast. Fun Home talks about family relationships, coming of age, and coming out done in a few hours. It's a musical made by Lisa Kron and Jeanine Tesori which they have adapted from Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir. We sat down with the lead star Cris Villonco and Laurence Mossman (who did 4 roles btw!) to get a glimpse of who they were trying to put forward. Alison Bechdel and her relationship with her father is pretty colorful, especially when she finds out some surprises in his sexuality too. Here's our interview with them on video:
Lea Salonga plays Helen Bechdel, pivotal to the very character of her daughter Alison. Lea says she's given Alison's character more reasons to come out, which made her stronger, decide on her own on how she would treat the family while going through the hardships of her relationships. They are also specifically asking for audiences not to bring their kids (PG13) so as not to be able to be confused on scenes on the musical about sexuality, some profanity that are expected to be heard in conversations. I guess that would probably deem normal, more so with Trump winning earlier. I kid.
Here's our interview with Lea Salonga and Eric Kunze. Both multi awarded actors, even if I was gasping for air sitting on the same table I could say they're amazing people to talk to. She also adds "I'm going to sing this AMAZING song and I'm so glad about it!"
As she mentioned, this is universal. We're all lucky we have understanding and supportive parents, but if you're put in a very awkward situation, or maybe a weird set of folks, it would probably be a pain to go through just like what Alison had to endure. I hope we Filipinos would come to learn and accept, not just tolerate whatever sexuality people may have. They have the capacity to love, be in a relationship and feel hurt, triumphant like we all do. Just give them the right to be human, that's probably what they all ask for in the first place and I think this is one avenue to explain things put in a grand ensemble like Fun Home.
This musical will be shown at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the 4th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Avenue corner Gil Puyat in Makati City. Tickets are now available through Ticketworld.com.ph and will have dates on November 10 up until the 27th, 2016. Show begins 8pm on Weekdays and two shows at 3pm and 8pm on Weekends. They will only have 18 shows as this is on a limited run. Make sure you get those tickets early before it runs out! Again, no kids please!
It looks like luck has come our way. The Tony Award winning Broadway musical FUN HOME just announced the cast for the Manila staging of this show. This will premier on November 10, 2016 and if you're just starting to hear from this, New York Times calls is "The Best New Musical To Open on Broadway". The show also is a based on Alison Bechdel's best selling novel and it features music by Jeanine Tesori with book and lyrics by Lisa Kron.
As you can see in the photo, it'll be lead by the Philippines' pride Lea Salonga together with Eric Kunze. This is Lea’s first musical since doing CATS last 2010 and Atlantis Productions’ GOD OF CARNAGE in 2012. If you loved her during those times, you'll surely love how she plays Helen Bechdel. The role of Alison’s mother who's both an English teacher and former actress will prove to be a challenging one for Ms. Salonga more so because it's in front of the home crowd.
Eric Kunze is a seasoned actor, who also starred in Broadway productions like LES MISERABLES, MISS SAIGON among others. He's going to play Bruce Bechdel, Alison’s father that's got a funky job being a part time mortician. He also flips houses for a living so it's going to be interesting.
This will be Directed by Bobby Garcia, who finds this as a dream come true. He says "Working with this stellar cast, a ground breaking and trailblazing musical, I feel that this really needs to be seen by audiences all over the world and I am thrilled that it will premiere internationally in Manila. We hope you will all come and watch FUN HOME.”
The New York producers also said “We’re thrilled to have the first international production of ‘Fun Home’ confirmed for the Philippines, and we're excited to have Lea Salonga, one of Broadway’s most beloved stars, leading the company.”
Best of all, it is recommended for ages 13 and up. So if you've got kids around that age, this might be a good young theater presentation that you could start with. The theater production will start on November 10 - 27, 2016 and will happen at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. You may purchase tickets now at Ticketworld 891-9999 and might run out early. You better get them while it's hot!
For more information about their theater production:
Had a wonderful time with the people from Philippine Airlines during their bloggers night at Revel - Palace in BGC. In attendance were mostly travel bloggers, some fashion bloggers, lifestyle bloggers and influencers from different parts of the Philippines and it was nice to see everyone in one place. The occasion was hosted by Robi Domingo and one of PAL's executives. We were there to witness some really good new advertisements that they're coming out with this year geared towards Filipinos, OFW's, those who are living abroad and foreigners too. This time, they're concentrating on continuing the legacy of Philippine Airlines as the country's official flag carrier and state the reasons why they are who they are.
Here's a video I made during the event!
The actual advertisements they launched included world class Filipino singers Sarah Geronimo, Ms. Lea Salonga and rockstar Bamboo. Little did we know Philippine Airlines had a trick up their sleeves as Bamboo performed on stage right after the reveal. Here's part of that performance that the bloggers and online media enjoyed!
Watch out for more of these efforts from Philippine Airlines to appear not only in different newspapers, international news agencies, large billboards in different countries showcasing different tourist spots and the important message their bringing this 2016 that there's no greater thing that would impress visitors in the country, than the Filipino Heart.
Thank you so much to Philippine Airlines for having me, my friends and this club! Haha! I had so much fun!
