SHANE FILAN PERFORMING WESTLIFE’S GREATEST HITS AND MORE LIVE IN CONCERT

Westlife’s lead singer Shane Filan is coming back to MANILA for his much-awaited live concert featuring Westlife’s greatest hits and more on Saturday, September 15th  at the KIA Theatre. Filipino fans will hear their favorite hits like “Swear It Again”, “Uptown Girl”, “If I Let You Go”, “World of Our Own”, “You Raise Me Up”, “My Love”, “Everything To Me”, “Need You Now”, “Heaven”, “Unbreakable”, “What About Now”, Beautiful in White”, “About You” and more.

With his third album, Love Always, delighting both fans and critics, Shane’s solo career is quickly gaining momentum. Its already been a huge hit all over Asia, securing the number one spot in the Philippines and Indonesia, Love Always has proved a major hit with fans. Shane is also thrilled with the album’s top five position in the UK charts, placing him on an even footing with the biggest names in world music. An Asia Deluxe Edition will be released on July 6.

Shane says ‘This is the first time I have put live tracks on the album. I go on tour so much now that I thought it would be nice to include something that people haven’t had before. There will also be two new songs which I wrote before Christmas and I am so proud of them. ‘Back To You’ is the new single and a song I am very close to. The track is about being on the road the whole time and being separated from those you love. You do it because it’s part of the job but you realize how much you miss the family.

Shane has cemented his position as one of the UK & Ireland’s most popular male solo artists, following phenomenal success with Westlife – one of the world’s most successful bands of the last few decades – and he shows no signs of slowing down. “There’s nothing that make me happier than singing and being on stage” he says, “it’s something I am very proud of and it’s what I want to be doing for the rest of my life.”

Catch Shane Filan – the lead singer of Westlife – up close and personal live in concert. Tickets go on-sale on Friday, July 6 via TicketNet.com.ph or Call 911-5555.

Tickets at Popular Prices:
VIP – P4,200 / Orchestra – P3,675 / Loge – P3,150 / Balcony – P2,100

For more information, follow Wilbros Live on social media.

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MYX VJ Search Winners Kaye Reyes and Sam Alvero Ready to Make Waves

Myx was introduced to the public via the formerly existing Studio 23 in 2000. It was in 2002 when it was launched a standalone music video channel and became a platform for launching the careers of popular Myx VJs which include Lourd de Veyra, Luis Manzano, Geoff Eigenmann, Heart Evangelista, Nikki Gil, Bernard Palanca, and Iya Villania. Last week, two new Myx VJs were introduced: Kaye Reyes and Sam Alvero. Both won in the Myx VJ Search held in the Shangri-La Plaza Atrium last May 26. The competition started in 2007 and since then became an annual affair, with the number of winners varying for each edition.

Kaye has just turned 19 and can also sing quite well, as evidenced by her performance of If I Ain't Got You as part of the program. She is still overwhelmed that she's now officially part of the Myx Squad. "Kami po ni Samm, hindi naman ma-explain, hindi namin ma-pinpoint kung ano ba talaga yung nararamdaman namin kasi we're very happy...lalo na po ako...kasi, this is my dream job talaga." The Cavite resident sent an audition video online and the rest as history.

Samm, on the other hand, is a fresh graduate from San Beda who almost had to choose between finishing her studies or pursue her career. Her audition happened two months before graduation, which posed the possibility of having a conflict when it comes to her final examination dates. "I just graduated so I have a lot of things to prove to myself."

The two are now working alongside the rest of the current Myx VJ Squad which include Robi Domingo, Ai Dela Cruz, Sharlene San Pedro, Sunny Kim, Donny Pangilinan, Turs Daza, and Iñigo Pascual.

Stranger Than Fiction: GUADALUPE: THE MUSICAL

Photos from whatshappening.ph and the press kit In 1531, in the newly conquered land then known as New Spain, a series of unexplained— some might say miraculous— events occurred that would change the world forever. That incredible true tale is now the basis of GUADALUPE: THE MUSICAL, a brand-new theatrical production in English, presented by the Julie Borromeo Performing Arts Foundation.

And what a tale it is! A ghostly apparition… a skeptical bishop… a brutal overlord… a dying man brought back from the brink of death. “The story of Juan Diego of Guadalupe is practically a musical already,” quips Borromeo, who is both producer and (along with Rose Borromeo) choreographer of the show. “But what makes this story different is all the supernatural elements in it that simply can’t be explained.” Of these there are many, and all a matter of public record: the painted images on Juan Diego’s now famous tilma (or apron), which show no evidence of any brushstrokes, and whose pigments come from a source unknown to nature; the seeming impenetrability of the cloth from which it was made; the mysterious recovery of Juan Diego’s dying uncle; the list goes on and on.

But although it deals in the miraculous, GUADALUPE: THE MUSICAL, which stars stage icon Cocoy Laurel as Juan Diego, is not a conventional faith-based show.  “It’s not a ‘religious’ musical as such,” declares theater legend Baby Barredo, who directs the piece. “It’s a powerful piece of theater that just happens to contain religious elements.” It’s an important distinction, and one that drove the creation of the show from the start.

For scriptwriter and lyricist Joel Trinidad and composer Ejay Yatco, the creative task was to use factual, historical events as a backdrop for a true story that contains some fictional elements. “Some of the most popular musicals in the world combine fact and fiction this way,” shares Yatco. “MISS SAIGON, EVITA, LES MISERABLES… The list goes on and on.” But how can GUADALUPE audiences tell fact from fiction? “You’ll see some things in this show that seem completely implausible,” says Trinidad with a smile.  “Those are the ones that really happened.”

The Julie Borromeo Arts Foundation presents GUADALUPE: THE MUSICAL. September 29 to October 14, 2018 at the Meralco Theater. E-mail Ria Pangilinan at riapangprojects@gmail.com for fundraising opportunities.

FILM REVIEW AND MUSINGS: THE WRITE MOMENT (SHOWING STARTING JUNE 27 IN CINEMAS NATIONWIDE)

When is the right time? This is the question we frequently ask ourselves when in doubt, whether it's to deliver a bad news or tell someone we hold dear to us how much we love them. The Write Moment is a play on words and also an exploration of what would happen if the words we write can turn the world around us into our playground.

Seasoned theater thespian and comedy actor Jerald Napoles (Dave) and eye candy Valeen Montenegro (Joyce) star in this romantic comedy which seems to be inspired by Ruby Sparks, a 2012 film about fiction becoming reality. The former is employed in a wedding and events coverage company headed by a surprisingly non-confrontational boss played by Nor Domingo. His busy schedule eventually takes a toll on their relationship and Joyce breaks up with him, leaving him with his pen as his weapon as he jots down on paper a fictional reality where they both have a happy ending.

However, due to some unexplained reason, the scenes he wrote magically unravel and this is when the movie starts reminding me of the 1993 film Groundhog Day, where the lead character Phil is caught in a time loop. The same happens to Dave when he deters from what he wrote. The comedic rhythm of the film turns serious when Dave realizes love is not some film or TV script he can manipulate because a "happy ever after" includes disagreements and even loss, and not just some creepy grinning partner.

The film works in some level due to the layers of Jerald's character and yeah, Valeen is beautiful. There are also golden moments when it comes to Dennis Padilla's character as Vallen's father, especially his really stern stare reserved for Dave during that shot drinking scene. That's it. For those who are really into film, one would notice that longtime film friends and coworkers Joel Ferrer (director of Hello, World), Miko Levelo (director of Blue Bustamante), and Phyllis Grande (indie line producer) are among Dave's officemates. 

The film is a good watch because of it serves as a metacriticism on "hugot lines" and how the society would probably be better off laughing at them and forgetting them, since a real relationship needs real work and emotions. It's also a decent effort from first time director and writer Dominic Lim. The film tells us that there will never be something like The Write Moment, we just need to always try and never give up if we really love something or someone.

The film originally competed in the QCinema Circle Compeition 2017 and is distributed for mainstream release by Viva Entertainment Inc.

Jodi Sta. Maria Speaks up on Anorexia and Jolo Revilla

"I hope we become a bit careful lang on putting labels on ano yung current state ng body ng tao. Just because a person is thin doesn't mean that he or she is anorexic," she explained. This was following her sudden weight loss which concerned fans about the status of her health. She also said that a person who weighs more than the usual shouldn't be labelled as obese either. She clarified that the dramatic change in her figure was because of alterations on her diet. "I hope we just stop labeling people just because hindi na nagfifit yung idea on what a healthy person looks like," she added. She assures concerned individuals that she is okay, that her diet now is mostly comprised of fruits and vegetables. She doesn't eat food items which have high levels of refined sugar and refined starches anymore.

For her birthday which was last June 16, she and her friends went to Kythe Foundation by the National Children's Hospital and spent her time with kids who have cancer and other chronic illnesses. After that. they rested for a bit, had merienda, and then went to the Hillsong concert in Araneta. 

The day after that, her friend set an intimate dinner for her at her abode. When her partner, the Cavite vice governor Jolo Revilla greeted her online last June 17, the message read: "“I wish you all the happiness in this world that you deserve. Thank you for bringing out the best in me. Thanks for the wonderful 8 years! Happy birthday Jods! God Bless always!” Then, he followed it up with a tweet on June 18: “When something is really meant for you, you don’t have to force it, rush it, or manipulate it.” This caused the fans and the media to speculate that something must not be going well between the two. She put the rumor to rest by clarifying that thing are okay, during the set visit of Sana Dalawa ang Puso last June 20. 

"Before naman kami nagstart, we did a lot of preparation and character mapping and characterization para kay Mona and para kay Lisa to make sure na distinct yung pagkakaiba ng character nung dalawang tao," she said regarding how she managed to infuse her two roles with varying nuances. "Masaya pero hindi madali. Fulfilling pero physically taxing. Pero, I'm enjoying naman every bit of it," she admitted. This is her first time to play two characters. Her last memorable roles were Amor Powers from Pangako Sa 'Yo (2015-2016) and Maya "Mrs. Chief de la Rosa-Lim" from Be Careful with My Heart, a role which brought her and her onscreen partner Richard Yap to prominence.

Sana Dalawa ang Puso airs on the Kapamilya channel 2 weekdays at 11:30am before It's Showtime.

Itchyworms Shoots Di Na Muli Official Music Video Inside CCP

Di Na Muli was written in 2016 by long-time friends Jazz Nicolas and Wally Acolola. They entered the song into the 5th Philippine Popular (PhilPop) Music Festival, performed by The Itchyworms, where it won the grand prize. Now, in 2018, the song has been given new life in the official soundtrack of the hit film Sid & Aya (Not A Love Story) (Viva Films, starring Dingdong Dantes and Anne Curtis, directed by Irene Villamor).

Somewhere in between PhilPop and Sid & Aya, the Itchyworms set out to immortalize the song. The result was a visually stunning and emotional music video, directed by Paolo Abella. Help also came along in the form of the video's co-director Juno Oebanda, longtime friend of the band, and the generous indulgence of none other than the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The link to the CCP is Teddy Hilado (d. 2015), recognized as the father of lighting design in Philippine theater, who is also the uncle of Oebanda

The song's themes of love, loss, and words left unspoken, are embodied in the elegant performances of Rosky Balahadia Hilado (Teddy's widow, formerly of the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company) and Carissa Adea (Ballet Philippines), and in the video's sweeping visuals, all captured within the hallowed halls of the CCP. The music video seeks to serve as loving tribute to Teddy, whose influence is still felt and recognized to this day.

The Itchyworms are now proud to share what is probably the first-ever music video shot inside the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and extend heartfelt thanks to those who helped
bring the music video to fruition.

Youtube link for Di Na Muli official music video: https://youtu.be/rgHHJkzn5TU

For updates about The Itchyworms, you can follow them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.

Listen to the music of The Itchyworms on Spotify, Deezer and iTunes.

Check out their music videos on their official Youtube channel.

Air Supply Musical World Premiere in October at Resorts World Manila

The upcoming original musical All Out Of Love the Musical, based on the songs of iconic rock band Air Supply, will have its world premiere at Resorts World Manila (RWM) on October 18, 2018, and stars MiG Ayesa, Rachel Alejandro, Tanya Manalang, Raymund Concepcion and Jamie Wilson. MiG Ayesa and Rachel Alejandro will play the romantic leads, rockstar Jamie Crimson and singer/song writer, Rayne, who will sing classic Air Supply love songs in this all original show.

The production boasts an Australian creative team and an all Filipino cast working together to recreate the high powered, crazy recording industry of the ‘80s. The musical features an original script by award winning Canadian playwright Jim Millan, with the classic songs of Air Supply masterfully woven together to create a timeless love story.

Director Darren Yap said that after working all around Asia directing musicals for Cameron Mackintosh, it is great to be directing the World Premier of a new musical in the Philippines. “Having grown up in the ‘80s and hearing Air Supply songs on the radio, I am excited to see these songs realized in a theatrical context. The story is a modern fairy tale, set in New York in the music business. It’s a love story for all ages, beautifully woven together with the hit songs of Air Supply."

Joining the creative team is musical arranger and orchestrator Stephen Amos, choreographer Yvette Lee, associate director Jacinta John, local musical director Joe Tolentino, and set designer Bob Brunton. Our talented creative team have worked all over the world but this will be the first time they have work together on a new project on the Philippines.

The amazing talent of the Filipino singers was evident in our auditions said Stephen Amos “the quality of the voices just blew us away”.

THE CAST

MiG Ayesa

One of only a handful of performers, MiG Ayesa has performed in both the West End and on Broadway. Appearing in shows Rock Of Ages (Stacee Jaxx, 1st National Tour USA and Broadway), We Will Rock You (“Galileo Figaro” London), Thriller Live (London 2012), Rent (“Angel” London) Burn the Floor (Broadway).  MiG Ayesa was a competitor of the television series Rock Star: INXS to be the new lead singer of INXS and was one of the final three contestants. MiG Ayesa starred as Robert Kincaid in the first international production of The Bridges of Madison County in Manila. MiG has also performed all over Asia in concerts.

Rachel Alejandro

Star of the big screen and small, Rachel is returning to the stage as Rayne in All Out of Love the Musical. Rachel was a host on the popular TV show That's Entertainment. Her first album, Just a Minute, has several hit songs including the #1 single "Mr. Kupido". Rachel's latest movie Ang Larawan The Movie is a musical.

Tanya Manalang

Tanya alternated as Kim, the lead role for the musical revival Miss Saigon, originally played by Lea Salonga. Other roles Tanya has played, Tuptim in The King and I, Resorts World Manila (2012-2013), Carla in In The Heights, Atlantis Productions (2011/2012), Liesl Von Trapp in The Sound of Music, Resorts World Manila (2011-2012), Curtains Up!, Newport Performing Arts Theater (2016) – featuring MiG Ayesa, Tanya Manalang and special guest Lea Salonga. 

Raymund Concepcion
Concepcion started acting in theater during the 1980s at the Manila Metropolitan Theater where he was a resident artist. After about a 20-year hiatus from the theater scene, his comeback productions were Triumphant People’s Evangelistic Theater Society’s (Trumpets) Joseph The Dreamer and The Little Mermaid. He was in The King and I as the Kralahome and its Singapore run of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. Most recently, he played Larry Calma in Bituing Walang Ningning, The Musica” and as Ahoshta and The Hermit of Southern March in Trumpets’ The Horse and His Boy.

Jamie Wilson

Jamie Wilson began his professional theater career at the tender age of 7 years old, as Theo in Repertory Philippines' production of Pippin. Since then he has made the stage his home, appearing in numerous musicals and straight plays, and tackling a wide range of characters and roles in his 32 years as an actor. Recently, he played Miss Trunchbull in Matilda the Musical and Manila audience saw him in Kinky Boots. And this year made his directorial debut in Arsenic and Old Lace.

The World Premiere of All Out Of Love the Musical opens at Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT) in Resorts World Manila (RWM) on Thursday 18 October 2018.

The show will feature 17 Air Supply songs including "Lost in Love", "All Out of Love", "The One That You Love", "You are the Reason", and many others from yesteryear.

The Story

The story of the musical happens over the course of one evening, as music mogul Tommy King tries to convince struggling rock star Jamie Crimson to embark on a world tour to promote his new album and save Tommy King’s record company. 

Jamie is struggling having left behind his song writing partner and love of his life Rayne, while Tommy is dealing with his own loss, that of his wife and his distant relationship with his daughter.

This is a strictly limited season so don’t miss out on this opportunity to see All Out Of Love: the Musical.

Thursday 18 October 8pm Performance

Friday 19 October 8pm Performance

Saturday 20 October 3pm Matinee Performance 8pm Gala Performance

Sunday 21 October 3pm Matinee Performance 8pm Performance

Thursday 25 October 8pm Performance

Friday 26 October 8pm Performance

Saturday 27 October 3pm Matinee Performance 8pm Performance

Sunday 28 October 3pm Matinee Performance 8pm Performance

Tickets are on sale now at TicketWorld.

https://goo.gl/PDVkZZ

More information about the show is available on All Out Of Love the Musical website

www.alloutoflovemusical.com

Join our fans on

https://www.facebook.com/alloutoflovemusical/

Aliw @40 Concert set on October 4, 2018 at Aliw Theater

Back to the Filipino roots, Back to the Filipino Culture. Let’s support one another. For the benefit & to support the Filipino Entertainers under Aliw Awards Foundation, the only Grammys in the Philippines, we will present the biggest concert with Aliw “Entertainer of the Year” awardees as performers. Join us on October 4, 2018 at Aliw Theater and be among those 2350 attendees who will experience how great our local entertainers are who captured the hearts of millions from different generations; Ms. Pilita Corales, Rico J. Puno, Hajji Alejandro, Kuh Ledesma, Liza Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila, Jun Polistico and Ms. Imelda Papin. We are still waiting for other performers confirmations. It will be directed by our award winning director Freddie Santos. Tickets; VIP Php 4500 Gold Php 3500 Silver Php 2500 Bronze Php 1500 We are accepting sponsors and exhibitors. For more information: grace@tagmedia.asia |09778978877 or 2193503

RENAISSANCE GALLERY CELEBRATES ITS 15TH ANNIVERSARY AMBIDEXTROUS: THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT JUNE 24 – JULY 4, 2018

In celebration of its 15th Anniversary, Renaissance Gallery, a leading purveyor of non-representational art in the country, presents “AMBIDEXTROUS: THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT” which opens on June 24 till July 4 at the SM Art Center, with
cocktail reception on June 25 at 6 pm.

A group exhibition of artists working in both representational art and abstraction, “AMBIDEXTROUS” shall feature the works of Hermes Alegre, Art Bermido, Remy Boquiren, Arley Carig, Addie Cukingnan, Egai Fernandez, Sam Penaso, Ronaldo Ruiz, Aner Sebastian, Valen Valero and Janice Young.

“AMBIDEXTROUS” is curated by noted art critic, writer and visual artist Cid Reyes.

The Art Center is on the 4/F, Bldg. A, SM Megamall, EDSA cor. Julia Vargas Ave., Mandaluyong City. For inquiries, call Margaux Romero-Oracion at mobile: 0925-555-7790.
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AMBIDEXTROUS: THE LEFT AND THE RIGHT

By CID REYES

Henry Moore, the great British sculptor, stated, “All art is abstract in one sense. Not to like abstract qualities or not to like reality is to misunderstand what sculpture and art are about … I see no reason why realistic art and purely
abstract art can’t exist in the world side by side at the same time, even in one artist at the same time. One isn’t right and the other wrong.”

On the other hand, Picasso declared, “There is no such thing as abstract art. You must always start with something. Afterward you can remove all traces of reality.” In fact, the greatest titan of twentieth century art who was a genius in
representational painting, drove his works in the Cubist style to the very edge of abstraction.

The Renaissance Art Gallery, as part of its fifteenth anniversary exhibition, celebrates the talent of artists who might be regarded as ambidextrous, or possessing the ability to paint with either hand with equal ease or dexterity. Both
hands, in this case, do not literally signify the left and the right hand, but rather, that each hand can represent representational art, and the other, abstraction.

Participating artists in “Ambidextrous” are Hermes Alegre, Art Bermido, Remy Boquiren, Arley Carig, Addie Cukingnan, Egai Fernandez, Sam Penaso, Ronaldo Ruiz, Aner Sebastian, Valen Valero, and Janice Young.

The show will be a revelation: some artists better known for their abstraction will demonstrate their skill and talent from years of academic and classical art, in works executed in a range of styles inflected by Impressionism and Magic Realism; while those whose reputations were built on the Mother and Child theme, still lives, portraiture, or social realist figuration, can be impressive with their purely abstract works.

All this proves that, in certain individuals gifted in both styles, the division between figuration and abstraction is “porous,” allowing for the crossing of boundaries and demarcations, which are, to these ambidextrous artists,
essentially non-existent.

Renaissance Art Gallery raises a toast - with two glasses of wine ! - to celebrate the unlimited skill and talent of the Filipino artist !