Aiko Melendez, Me Chika Tungkol Kay Emilia Ardiente at New Generation Heroes ni Anthony Hernandez

"So...itong makikita natin sa New Generation Heroes (NGH), malaking kaibahan dun sa mga ginawa kong pelikula," said director Anthony Hernandez, who already made several indie feature-length films. He calls himself an advocacy director, and it is not his first time to work with the Emilia Ardiente of Wildflower, Aiko Melendez. "Lingid sa kaalaman ninyo, tinawid niya [Aiko] yung 7 mountains and 23 rivers para makaabot sa village ng mga Aetas sa last movie namin. Tiniis niya kahit walang electric."

Aiko, on the other hand, has another film titled Balatkayo under BG Productions International opening on October 11. NGH opens on October 4 but will have a special red carpet premiere about a week before its opening. For both films, she plays an OFW. However, in NGH, she also plays a teacher in Korea. When asked what would her iconic antagonist character in the soap opera say if she was a teacher, she gamely replied, "If Emilia was a teacher, I think she'd be a terror teacher. But, at the same time, since paiba-iba siya ng mood, she'll be a wacky and exciting teacher."

On the other hand, if she would be the one teaching Emilia Ardiente, this is what she wants to teach: "Gusto kong ituro sa kanya ang right manners and right conduct nang hindi siya nagu-good job ng mga tao nang basta-basta."

The film also stars Anita Linda, Jao Mapa, and Joyce Peñas Pilarsky. While the first two are accomplished actors, the latter is a beauty queen and a designer. In fact, she was the first Filipina to win Classic Mrs. Asia Int'l Global in 2014. When asked by a member of the press regarding her whether she's nervous about acting for the first time in a film, she replied, "I just think you have to be yourself. Tinuruan naman ako ni Direk [Anthony]. Pinagtiyagaan naman ako ni Direk."

Rob Sy, a rising actor who was part of Survivor Philippines Season 1 and Amaya was also there in during the press conference because he as a special role in the film which revolves around the characters Salvacion Fajardo, Gener, Lolita, and Cora. The rest of the support roles are filled in by veteran actors Dexter Doria, Gloria Sevilla, and Debraliz Valasote.

Produced by Golden Tiger Films, the film's opening almost coincides with the World Teacher's Day on October 5. In line with this, everyone with PRC IDs are entitled to a 30% discount on the ticket price. 

Christian Bautista's Launches his New Album "Kapit" on September 29

Article and Photos by Gus Cabredo

"This album is a journey to find my next music path, a challenge to write more songs and to continue writing songs for others," revealed Asia's Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista, as he was in the process of concocting yet another masterpiece.

This September 29, Christian Bautista is scheduled to unveil his 7th album under Universal Records entitled Kapit, duly named after his famed song.  The Kapit album launch, happening at the Music Museum, will also serve as a concert treat for his listeners. For only PHP 500, fans can get their hands on Kapit while watching Christian Bautista and renowned music guests like the The Company, and more, live!

The singe, Kapit's success, bolstered by constant radio airplay and a spot as Koreanovela Innocent Defendant's theme song, led Stages and Universal Records to produce the event for the OPM icon's latest album.  "[Kapit  is] a song about holding on despite the many hardships of any relationship," shares Asia's Romantic Balladeer, Christian Bautista.

With numerous critically-acclaimed hits and several acting stints (including popular GMA7 show, My Love From The Star), Christian has already made an indelible mark in the entertainment industry. The Kapit album, co-written and co-produced by Christian himself, features his duet with Encantadia star, Gabbi Garcia, for the hit TV program's theme song, Maghihintay. Aside from his originals, the album also features Huling Harana, Christian' "hugot-filled single that embraces an acoustic ballad style; his duet track, Suddenly, with My Love From the Star co-actor, Jennylyn Mercado; Ikaw Lamang  with The Voice's Morisette Amon; and Two Forevers duet with International artist and American Idol runner-up, Jessica Sanchez.

Kapit promises lyrical masterpieces, original melodic ballads, and a pristine voice only Christian Bautista can offer. Fans and music enthusiasts alike must mark their calendars for Christian Bautista's Kapit album launch fre concert on September 29, 2017 at Music Museum in Greenhills.  The event is produced by Universal Records and Stages, sponsored by GAOC, Belo, Blue Water Day Spa, Converse, Watsons, Toni & Guy, Chef Noodles, Black Water, Gold's Gym, Mellow 947, Manila Concert Scene, Soundcheck Manila and Philippine Concerts.

Pre-order Kapit Album Launch exclusive concert pass and CD bundle for only PHP 500 starting September 4 via Ticketworld outlets (891-9999) and online at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Follow Christian Bautista:
www.christianbautistaonline.com
https://twitter.com/xtianbautista
https://www.instagram.com/xtianbautista/
https://www.facebook.com/XtianBautista-441466892562311/

PINAKAUNANG MR. AND MRS. KING AND QUEEN OF THE VOICE OF AN ANGEL (VOAA) INTERNATIONAL PAGEANT, TAGUMPAY!

Kamakailan lang ay natapos na ng Queen of VOAA (Voice of an Angel) Universe International Organization, ang kanilang pinakaunang international pageant na naganap sa napakalaki at napakagarang Seahawk Hotel, sa Fukuoka, Japan. 

Ang organizer na si Ms. Emma “EMCOR” Cordero is Masaya at kuntento sa success at sa resulta ng very first pageant ng Voice of an Angel (VOAA) foundation. Five titles ang pinamigay, all in one pageant, namely: 

1.QUEEN OF VOAA UNIVERSE (46 -70 years old) 
2. KING OF VOAA UNIVERSE (46-70 years old) 
3. MRS. QUEEN OF VOAA UNIVERSE (31-45 years old) 
4. MISTER VOAA UNIVERSE  (18-45 years old) 
5. MISS QUEEN OF VOAA UNIVERSE (18-30 years old)  

Here is the complete list of the winners: 

A - Queen of VOAA Universe 2017- Mrs. Grace Ballesteros Kuramoto
First runner-up- Mrs. Helen Luyahan Pasaol 
Second runner-up- Mrs. Hanayagi Hakukoma 
Third runner-up- Mrs. Miki Douzono 
Fourth runner-up- Mrs. Angielita Korenaga 

B - King of VOAA Universe2017- Mr. Florentino Macawile
First runner-up- Mr. Hisaichi Shimokata
Second runner-up - Dr. Sevillo Tamayo  

C - Mrs. Queen of VOAA Universe 2017- Mrs. Irina Rybachuk
First runner-up - Mrs. Michelle Takahashi
Second runner-up- Mrs. Rona de Vera
Third runner-up- Mrs. Angeline Yap   

D - Mister VOAA Universe 2017- Mr. Edwin de Guzman
First runner-up- Mr. Ricky Macawile
Second runner-up - Mr. Roed de Vera
Third runner-up - Mr. Mark Kaizer Sanchez
Fourth runner-up - Mr. Kunihiko Nakano  

E - Miss Queen of VOAA Universe 2017- Ms. Mary Flor Macawile  

Ang mga judges ng prestihiyosong international pageant ay mga achievers din in their own field of interest. Ang team na namili ng mga rightful winners ng nasabing pageant ay pinamumunuan ng no less than the Chairman of the Board of Judges, the Queen of Maindie Films herself, Ms. Baby Go. Other members of the panel of judges are Mr. Pieter Van Overbeeke, Engr. Badr Hossam, 2016 Mrs. Asia International Vivian Yano, 2017 Miss Earth from Sweden Madeleine Vickery, 2014 Ms. World Philippines Marlan Manguba at si Ms. Ukraine Anna Vasilevsaya.

Ipinaliwanag ni Emma Cordero, ang haligi sa likod ng organization na ito, na ang Queen of VOAA (Voice of an Angel) Universe International ay hindi lang competition para sa beauty and brain, achievements and success, ngunit ito ay isang pageant din para sa mga kababaihan at kalalakihan na may mabubuting kalooban, Ini-launch ng organizing body ang pageant na ito na may advocacy para tumulong at sumuporta sa less fortunate at underprivileged children. 

For the past years, ang VOAA ay tumutulong na sa education ng mga mahihirap ngunit deserving na students. "I believe that the children are the future of our universe. That is the main thrust of our foundation VOICE OF AN ANGEL (VOAA).  "Boses ng mga bata ang naririnig natin na nanghihingi ng tulong sa mga basic needs tulad ng pagkain, damit na maayos at lalo na ang kanilang basic right, which is 'yung makapag-aral sila. Mas naka-concentrate ang foundation natin sa edukasyon nila dahil mas long term ang effect niyan. "'Pag lumaki na sila at nakatapos ng pag-aaral, I believe na makakatulong din sila sa pamilya nila at sa ibang tao. At dahil natulungan sila ng VOAA Foundation natin, in return ay tutulong din sila sa iba. "Like what is happening now, 'yung mga napatapos ng ating VOAA  foundation ay tumutulong na rin sa mga mahihirap. Tumutulong na rin sa akin lalo na sa mga charity works na isinasagawa ng ating VOAA Foundation.  "Ang lagi kong sinasabi sa kanila, ang tulong ko, e, huwag nang ibalik sa akin. Itulong na lang nila sa pamilya nila at sa ibang tao. 'Yan ang talagang ibig sabihin ng VOAA charity especially for the children's education," sabi pa ng empowered woman behind VOAA Foundation, the Woman of the Universe, Emma "EMCOR" Cordero.

Millennial NAMCYA Winners Showcase World Class Filipino Artistry in "Konsyerto: Unang Hakbang".

For Filipinos, classical music may not have a cult-like following like that of Justin Bieber or Taylor Swift. But young and accomplished performers of classical music are showing that classical music can be appealing, too.

On September 24, winners of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), the country's most prestigious music competition for the youth for more than 40 years, will be performing with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) to give a sampling of great works of some of the most prodigious composers who ever lived.

Titled “Konsyerto: Unang Hakbang,” this concert of NAMCYA winners together with the PPO introduces the audience to snippets of longer musical works that have defined musical genres throughout history.

“We called it ‘unang hakbang,’ or first step, because we hope the audience will take that first step to appreciate the beauty of classical music. It is also the first step for some of our young musicians on the stage as professional musicians,” says NAMCYA Secretary General Renato Lucas. “It will be a night of magnificent music-making by NAMCYA’s young virtuosos.”

Lucas adds that NAMCYA has chosen five of its most recent winners to help bring their music to younger audiences.

Andrew Constantino, 1st prize & Special Prize winner for Woodwind (Clarinet) in 2015, will explore the leaps and limits of the clarinet range with Allegro from Clarinet Concerto No. 2, Op. 74, of Carl Maria von Weber (1786 - 1826). Andrew is a 20-year-old clarinetist who was taught by his grandfather to play the clarinet at age 9. He was also a scholar of the Philippine High School for the Arts (PHSA).

Aaron Rafael Aguila III, 1st prize & Best Interpretation winner in the 2016 Senior Guitar Category, will bring to life a classic guitar piece by performing Adagio from Concerto de Aranjuez by Joaquin Rodrigo (1901 - 1999). Aaron started playing classical guitar at the age of 9 under Ivar Fojas. He earned his music degree under the tutelage of Lester Demetillo and has trained with other well-known classical guitarists.

Nikki Zen Obmasca, 1st prize winner in the 2016 Solo Rondalla Category, will delight the audience with her rendition of Moto Perpetuo by Nicolo Paganini (1782-1840). This piece of Paganini was made for violin but Nikki will play it with her bandurria and infuse her own virtuosic way of playing. She started playing the bandurria when she was only 5 years old and is now a scholar of the PHSA under the tutelage of Nelson Espejo.

Mishael Romano, 1st prize winner in the 2016 Junior Strings (Violin) Category, will attempt to show the innovativeness of Felix Mendelssohn (1809 - 1847) with Allegro molto appassionato from the composer’s Violin Concerto, Op. 64. Mishael is 17-years-old and hails from Dipolog in Mindanao. He started playing the violin when he was only 5-years-old, and because he is homeschooled, he has more time to focus on his music.

Gabriel Allan Paguirigan, a two-time winner of NAMCYA, having won the grand prize in 2011 (Category B) and in 2015 (Senior Category), will display his artistry and mastery by performing a Hungarian work, Adagio religioso-Allegro vivace from Piano Concerto No. 3, Sz. 119 of Bela Bartok (1881-1945). Gabriel started his piano lessons at the age of 8 and has finished his Diploma in Creative and Performing Music Arts (DCPMA) Major in Piano, under the tutelage of Prof. Luci Magalit and Prof. Nita Abrogar-Quinto.

The country’s leading orchestra and resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, the PPO will also perform Der Freischuetz Overture by Carl Maria von Weber and L’italiana in Algeri Overture by Gioacchino Rossini. The orchestra will be under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.

“We are trying to open up new opportunities for our youth today to explore music from the great composers of the past. We hope NAMCYA’s young artists will help us with that,” says Lucas.

For tickets call TicketWorld at +632-891-9999. For special discounts and other concerns please contact the NAMCYA Secretariat at +632-836-4928 to 29, +63917-750-0107 or email namcya@gmail.com.

Tambalang Piolo Pascual at Toni Gonzaga, Mapapanood sa Last Night

Noong 2007 ay nakatrabaho na ni Piolo ang direktor ng nasabing pelikula kung saan si Regine Velasquez naman ang nakatambal niya. Ito ang reunion movie nila ni Toni matapos ang Valentine blockbuster hit na Starting Over Again.

Ito rin ang magsisilbing "comeback movie" ni Toni na ang huling full-length film ay noong 2015 pa, ang pinagbidahan niyang You're My Boss.

Sumesentro ang pelikula kina Mark (Piolo) at Carmina (Toni). Nawala kay Mark ang lahat tapos nakilala niya si Carmina, isang gabing madilim. Parehong nasa dulo ng kani-kanilang mga pisi sina Mark at Carmina na nagtulak sa kanila sa isang kasunduan na naging simula ng kanilang pagkakaibigan. Ang pagtitinginang ito ay mauuwi sa espesyal na pagtatangi nila sa bawat isa.

Ang Last Night ay isinulat ni Bela Padilla. Ito ang ikaapat niyang screenplay, at ang una niya sa Star Cinema. Bago ang Last Night, ang pinakanotable roles ni Bela sa ABS-CBN ay pagiging katambal ni Coco Martin sa top-rated primetime series na Ang Probinsiyano, at ang kakatapos lang na teleseryeng batang babae ang bida at si Zanjoe Marudo ang kanyang katambal. Ang pagiging scriptwriter niya ang ay ginawa siyang isa sa emerging at influential millenial voices sa industriya ngayon.

Prinodyus ng Star Cinema, Spring Films, at N2, ang Last Night ay ipapalabas sa cinemas nationwide simula September 27.

RELATED VIDEOS:

Piolo, humanga sa scriptwriting skills ni Bela Padilla

*Photos and videos by Janel Favila

ATTITUDE OF THE MIND AT CCP

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is proud to be a part of the 100 th birth anniversary of National Artist for Music Jose Maceda. Co-presented with the University
of the Philippines Center for Ethnomusicology (UPCE), the centennial celebration in CCP will include the contemporary art exhibition Attitude of the Mind at the Bulwagang Juan
Luna (Main Gallery) and a special re-staging of Maceda’s 1971 breakthrough piece, Cassettes 100. The exhibit will open at 4:30pm on September 26, 2017 followed by the Cassettes 100 performance at the Main Theater Lobby at 6pm. The exhibit runs until December 3, 2017.

Attitude of the Mind is curated by Dayang Yraola, whose ‘course of action,’ is to make available Maceda knowledge and materials to a different set of users - to people who are not sharing his same expertise, and to marvel where this could all bring us.” Six artists were commissioned to create artworks specifically for this exhibit. Curator Ricky Francisco will construct an archival installation that will introduce the life and works of Maceda. Artist Leo Abaya will create an audio-visual installation. Ringo Bunoan’s installation art will reconstruct the aftermath of Maceda’sCassettes 100 performance at the CCP. A robotic music installation, on the other hand, will be Tad Ermitaño’s contribution. Experimental musicians Malek Lopez and Arvin Nogueras will create a digital rendition of Maceda’s unpremiered composition Accordeon and Mandolin, to be exhibited with a composition analysis by Prof. Chris Brown.

José Montserrat Maceda, composer, artist, scholar, philosopher, and pedagogue, was born in Manila in January 31, 1917. Pursuing the career path early on as a concert pianist, Maceda trained under the renowned Franco-Swedish pianist Alfred Cortot in Paris in the 1930s. Later, however, he would turn away from western art music to
become the country’s first ethnomusicologist as well as pioneering experimental composer.A multi-awarded scholar and artist, among the honours and titles he received was the conferment as National Artist for Music in 1998.

Attitude of the Mind exhibit may be viewed daily from Tuesday to Sunday, 10am to 6pm. For more information, contact the CCP Visual Arts and Museum Division at (632)
832-1125 loc. 1504/1505 and (632) 832-3702, mobile 0917-6033809, email ccp.exhibits@gmail.com, or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

Uso ang Showbiz Pag-big sa Bantayan Island, Watch Out John Lloyd Cruz

Photo credit: Cebu Bluewaters

Ito ang Beach Placid na matatagpuan sa may Alice Beach ng Bantayan Island, Santa Fe, Cebu. Dito, isang binatang may hinahanap ang maghahanap ng kanlungan kung saan matatagpuan niya ang isang dalagitang kanyang makakapalagayang-loob.

Simula sa Biyernes, ika-15 ng Setyembre, mapapanood na hatid ng Cinelokal and I Found My Heart in Santa Fe, na itinatampok ang magkasintahan sa totoong buhay na sina Will Devaughn at Roxanne Barcelo. Ang tiket ay mabibili sa halangang PhP150.

Ito ay mula sa Bluart Productions ng direktor na si Bona Fajardo at ang kanyang asawang si Lyn. Noong nakaraang Sabado, dumalo sa premiere sa may SM The Block si Mayor Esgana ng Sante Fe.

Isa sa magandang abangan dito ng mga panatiko sa romansa ay ang kissing scene ng magkasintahan na pumumpuno ng laman.

Sakto namang sumabay ang escapade nina John Lloyd at Ellen Adarna sa isla na naging laman ng iba't ibang pahayagan at social media ng mga sumunod na araw.

Ang tanong ng bayan, sina Will at Roxanne ay tunay na magkasintahan, eh kayo ba?

"Durugin ang Droga" Director Dinky Doo is MAD

MAD stands for Mamamayan Ayaw sa Droga. There's quite a number of them at the premiere of the film held at the SM Megamall Cinema 11 last Sunday, September 10. Obviously, they hate drugs. Dinky Doo might be MAD, but he is actually neutral when it comes to politics. He is not a Duterte supporter, or a "Dutertard" (as some people have labelled the rabid supporters).

The film is actually in the family drama genre with a bit of action and suspense scenes. It is obvious from the poster's hierarchy who is in the starring role but it also boasts of a support cast mostly comprised of actors who became famous in the nineties like Alma Concepcion, Efren Reyes, Jackie Aquino, Jeffrey Santos, Rey PJ Abellana, Sharmaine Suarez, and Jeric Raval. 

There are also singers who want to get their feet wet as thespians like LA Santos from Star Records and Nina who is known as the "Soul Siren". Singaporean beauty Tori Garcia who was last seen in a Cinemalaya film gets decent screen time here and she's able to flex her acting chops more in this movie.

"Gusto ko nga libre sa rehab [centers] para mapanood," said Dink Doo regarding his future plans after the cinematic run. "I will not stop spreading the good news, awareness in schools, in rehabilitations, in barangays...anywhere."

He said he learned filmmaking when he served for three years as the executive assistant of Ronnie Ricketts at the Optical Media Board (OMB). He also considers William Mayo as his great mentor. Aside from this, what keeps him busy is his involvement with Daniel Razon's Church of God. 

He really loves helping out other people, as evidenced by his helping out Kim Chi of Wowowin, who was formerly known as Janelle Ty. He said he was the one who introduced her to Willie Revillame.

As someone who hasn't even finished high school, he wants serve as an example that there are ni hurdles if one really wants to be successful. He wants to use the film medium to encourage the youth not to give into vices like taking illegal drugs or even becoming young drug pushers.

Durugin ang Droga opens this Wednesday, September 13, in selected theaters nationwide.

PISTA RIZALINA AT CCP

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines will stage a new festival engaging the arts with current social, political, cultural issues from September 8-24, 2017 at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater), Bulwagang Manuel Conde (Dream Theater) and the Manila Film Center.

Billed Pista Rizalina: A Festival of Arts and Ideas, the event selects a particular artistic expression as the main platform and engages it with a topic of urgency, relevance or potentially high engagement with the public.  Possible intersections are explored such as theater and empathy (pagmamalasakit), contemporary music and gender equality, dance and social media, digital arts and truth telling, among other aspects. Pista Rizalina brings together artists and thought leaders in conversation with the public to map out the terrain of issues and stimulate a public discourse in the most participative, accessible and creative way.

The festival is named after Rizalina Ilagan, a young activist who was arrested by unidentified men in July 1977 during the Marcos regime. Pista Rizalina aims to call attention to the universal, collective trauma brought about by arbitrary arrest, disappearance and the negation of rights.

Likewise, Pista Rizalina is a platform to highlight the current administration’s national policy of developing the cultural value of “pagmamalasakit” (Ambisyon 2020, Philippine Development Plan). The festival hopes to break the silence and fear surrounding enforced disappearances and the violation of rights.  Pista Rizalina attempts to rekindle the stories of those traumatized by political repression and engage these issues with next generation audiences to recuperate what has been lost/disappeared and develop a sense of “pagmamalasakit” or empathy.

Pista ni Rizalina engages the theater arts as a platform with issues concerning human rights and empathy.

         

Pista Rizalina also features a Festival of Art Works, Public Conversation, Interactive exhibit and Flash performances.  Other events include a guest kulintangan ensemble and the Aga Mayo Butocan, master kulintang player, to name some.

Nine plays will be presented at Pista Rizalina.  These are F. Sionil Jose’s “Pragres” directed by JK Anicoche featuring the PHSA Student Ensemble, Ruel Aguila’s “Maliw” directed by Chris Millado with Bembol Roco, Sheryl Lara, and Lhorvie Nuevo, Nicolas Pichay’s “Isang Araw sa Karnabal” directed by Chris Millado with Paolo O’Hara, Skyzx Labastilla and Lhorvie Nuevo, Juana Change’s “Tao Po” directed by Ed Lacson, Jr. featuring Mae Paner, Rody Vera’s “Indigo Child” directed by Jose Estrella featuring Skyzx Labastilla, Chris Millado’s “Buwan at Baril in EÞ Major” directed by Andoy Ranay featuring JC Santos and Angeli Bayani, Bonifacio Ilagan’s “Pagsambang Bayan The Musical” directed by Joel Lamangan, Nicanor Tiongson’s “Aurelio Sedisyoso” (a season production of Tanghalang Pilipino), and “Bata, Banta, Bantay, Tayo, Tayog, Bantayog” by the PHSA Student Ensemble.

Other activities expected are a live streaming of the community reenactment of the Escalante Massacre to be mounted by the Escalante community and the Negros Theater League, Film Screenings of Aureaus Solito’s “Pisay”, Joel Lamangan’s “Sigwa”, Chito Roño's "Dekada ‘70", Mike de Leon's "Sister Stella L.", Ellen Ongkeko-Marfil's "Indigo Child", the GMA documentaries entitled “Busal”, “Alaala” and “Ilaw ng Marawi”; Livestream Talkbacks with the playwrights, directors, cast of the plays, thought leaders and audiences as well as with directors, writers and cast of the films.

Tickets are available at all TicketWorld outlets.  For more information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3706.

THEATER REVIEW: BLACKBIRD

A messy lunchroom, quite ordinary, serves as the venue for the battle of wills that's about to take place. As soon as the two leads, Una (Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante) and Ray (Bart Guingona) enter the room, the atmosphere of thew room entirely changes. There's a tension so thick that you could actually cut it with a knife had it been a tangible thing. That is the world of David Harrower's play.

The story takes us back to 15 years ago without resorting to any kind of special effects like projections or costume changes. It just hinges on the premise of a woman, confronting a man, whom she loved after all these years but is the same man who society tells her committed sexual abuse, sinc she was only 12 years old when they got together and he was 40 years old. Now, armed with a lot of questions and with no solid plan except wanting to see him, Una drove miles on an impulse to visit him in an office, after having seen Ray's face in a magazine.

The play calls into question how society can pull apart two people and label their relationship as improper just because it tramples on certain conventions. The two had a 28-year difference, while we actually have a number of of local celebrity couples with that age gap or even more, like, as high as a 44-year gap. Because of the technicality that Una was a minor at that time, the color of their relationship changes, Ray was arrested, tried in court, and suffered a five-year sentence for statutory rape. Speculations were made about his upbringing and he was immediately judged as having a perverted nature, for preying on a child. Even though Una did not explicitly say she was abused and instead tried to defend him, her words fell on deaf ears just because of her age.

Mikkie as Una is brimming with defiance and astuteness. She is like a bomb waiting to explode, a perfect picture of the brokenness society has wrought upon her. Ray does not know what to do with her at first and wanted to get rid of her, but she shows that she is a force to be reckoned with, a 28-year-old who is no longer a child and cannot be held back anymore from getting what she wants, whether they be answers or a closure to a forbidden romance.

Bart as Ray makes terrific acting choices as expected, from his thoughts that seem to scatter because of the inconvenient and unexpected situation, to his handling of Una's rage, and eventually, neediness. He makes it clear that his character did not harbor any resentment, but instead, sadness, because he was already able to get back on his feet years ago and wants to keep everything he has worked hard for as is.

Apart from the production design which gives us a space so realistic that as an audience member, I felt as if I was a voyeur watching them through a CCTV. The details like the garbage bin, the locker,  the water dispenser, etc., helped a lot in making the place feel like the usual drab workplace. Topper Fabregas, the director, knows when to have his actors close to one another, be at other ends of the room, or simply keep still. He deftly maneuvers this without the actors looking like they were just told to go to one blocking and another.

Noticeably absent is the shade of indigo from John Batalla's lighting, so it's hard to tell at first glance that he's the lighting designer. However, as lights get adjusted during Una's monologue as if asking the audience to scrutinize her words more  closely, one can't help but flip through the souvenir program to check who is the genius behind this fine detail.

Blackbird staged by The Necessary Theatre reminds us that conventions are sometimes unnecessary and are just made so that people can  feel better about themselves and give them a feeling of power, the power to steer others in the supposedly right direction while looking the other way when the consequences comes back to haunt these "caged individuals" years later.

Photos by Jaypee Maristaza; Captions by Orly Agawin

Top Three Reasons Why PETA's "A Game of Trolls" is a Must-See

Text by Cha Santos; Photos from PETA

The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), supported by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines (NHCP), Bantayog ng mga Bayani Foundation and DAKILA: Philippine Collective for Modern Heroism present “A Game of Trolls: A Martial Law Musical” throughout the whole month of September 2017 at the PETA Theater Center.

‘A GAME OF TROLLS’ #aGoT the Musical, is the story of Heck, a troll whose indifference makes him the perfect keyboard warrior for Bimbam, the manager of a ‘troll center’ that runs an online pro-martial law campaign. His lack of attachment to any belief can be used to make him unleash callous words to anyone who comments against the martial law days. Ghosts of Martial Law victims haunt him from the Internet cloud, where they fear being erased as people slowly forget their stories. The encounters forced him to reflect on his own beliefs and his relationship with his mother, a former Martial Law activist.

As we watch the story unravel during the press preview, I realized a few things that made this production more than just a show:

      1. Beyond entertainment

          One thing that made PETA stand out is that the company is conscious in creating performances           that both entertains and educates its audience. Prior to the production of the play, PETA have               been conducting interviews as part of their research and later on formulates a teacher's guide so           the conversation do not end inside the theater thus it begins there. It's a step to create awareness           that Martial Law is not just a "thingy" that we throw out the window because it seems like                   something we just have to get over with.  

      2. Past meets the present

           "It is important to remember and learn from the past.  Otherwise, we end up repeating the                    same mistakes today,” shares PETA Executive Director Beng Santos-Cabangon. Besides the                ghosts of the Martial Law victims in the play actually meets face-to- face with the main                        character, stories of human rights violations are everywhere. It happened in the past and it is                happening now. The play challenges its audience to examine the history and find meaning in                chaos. "Because it is in remembering that we understand. With understanding, we care. And                when we care, we stand firm, we march and shout #NeverAgain," she adds.

       3. Trolls cannot bury experience

           This is why storytelling plays a significant role in the society. It has the power to immortalize              stories and people so the next generation can appreciate, understand, value and hopefully pass             it on to the next. Just like the victims of Martial Law, no amount of gesture or progress can                 make them forget what they have experienced. Watching the play is like being in front of the               victims as they tell their stories. A Game of Trolls is full of information covered in lights,
            costumes, songs and choreography. 

A Game of Trolls cast includes Myke Salomon, TJ Valderama,Upeng Galang-Fernandez,
Gail Guanlao-Billones, Vince Lim, Gold Villar-Lim, Lemuel Silvestre, Joseph Madriaga, Kiki
Baento, Gilbert Onida, John Moran, Juan Miguel Severo, Norbs Portales, Roi Calilong,
Jasper Jimenez, Ada Tayao, Lea Espallardo, Icee Po, Nieves Reyes, Dan Cabrera, Jason
Barcial and Justin Castillo.

A Game of Trolls is showing at the PETA Theater Center located at No. 5 Eymard Drive,
New Manila, Quezon City. For tickets, contact Ticket World (632) 891-9999,
ticketworld.com.ph, or visit www.petatheater.com for show buyer information.