Queen of Soul JAYA To Stage "JAYA ALL HITS" Concert, Introduces Daughter SABRIYA

She's been out of the scene for a while but here she comes with a concert called JAYA ALL HITS to be held at the New Frontier Theater this September 14. Taking on her most popular songs that have been heavily missed, she's going to give one memorable night that only an icon could do. The Queen of Soul's show will be directed by John Prats with Musical Direction by Jem Florendo.

She will be joined by guests Ogie Alcasid, Erik Santos and Jason Dy. This is going to be one exciting night of vocal supremacy, reminiscing, and fun!

Ms. Jaya says "God is so good because when I went to the US, we had the pandemic. After that, producers wanted to do shows so from 2021 til now the concerts didn't stop. There are a lot of Filipinos there and they have supported artists, they want to go back to listen to artists like me for nostalgia too. I had work, even do wakes singing beside coffins. I wanted to sing for any reason. My son is Sophomore, want to also take college courses, God has his plans for me. I'm currently doing businesses here, have a laundromat in Dasmariñas, cook too, and they wanted to do have someone who will fall in love with the business."

She also adds "We were worrying about a lot of things during that time but we sold the house, we assessed things, and it was because my family which is why we left. Back in Folk Arts, I had my Mom and Ms. Pilita to be with me on stage and that was super good. Now I'm going to introduce my daughter SABRIYA. I'm a little frazzled because of the time because the concert will be this Sunday."

Here's more of what we talked about this evening:

 

SABRIYA is a 19yo singer, composer and music producer. She was supposed to do college but had the courage to do music in the Philippines and bought tickets last minute. She's also very talented because she can play a lot of instruments. She also admits to have a different kind of genre compared to her mom Jaya, and grandma Ms. Elizabeth, and plans to do everything she can. You'll see her perform in the concert too, so there's a lot to look forward to.

This is produced by Cornerstone Concerts, L-Squared Production and CAL Studios. Tickets are available through Ticketnet.com.ph so get them before they run out fast!

Understand the Complex Heart of a Writer in Ricky Lee's "PARA KAY B"

The Ricky Lee masterpiece "PARA KAY B" is doing a run at the Doreen Blackbox Theater in Ateneo (ARETE). We watched their gala performance a couple days ago, done by LA Prod House, Fire and Ice Live! and their partner Tunog at Liwanag Sa Teatro Inc.

 

It's pretty loyal to the literature of our National Artist Ricky Lee (who was there and celebrating his birthday btw!), and I like what they did in modernizing some of the scenes. This made it relatable, current and a heck of a lot entertaining. The story revolved around the life of Bessie, and her love personas that lived in Ester, Sandra, Irene and Erica. Lucas was the writer, making sure he dedicated his time to make Bessie's characters come to life.

I'd say the actors who portrayed them did over and beyond what is expected. If you watch the show, you'll get yourself involved because chances are, you'll see yourself in one or more of these characters. This was crafted in a way that even if you didn't get to read the book, you'll still root for them and their story.

Set design was simple, efficient and used well to tell the story. There wasn't much music (as this isn't a musical), but effects were apt and utilized projectors most of the time. I'd say you would spend a few hours after the show to talk about your favorites, and who you would connect to. You would feel small about your burdens, because some of them here are crazy to think about... but it does happen.

Let's not spoil it for you, because if you are hungry to see a great show... they've got show dates on the 21st at 7PM, 22nd and 23rd at 2:30PM and 7PM, 28th at 7PM and on the 29th and 30th at 2:30PM and 7PM.

See the many ways of how the heart of a writer works. Make sure you get tickets online via Ticket2Me.net and see the show where Ricky Lee's best selling book gets interpreted on stage. 

Congratulations Direk Yong Tapang, and to the cast, you deserve the applause you got from that 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.