PUP SLP’s 2nd Phase: An Adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town”

    For 39 years, PUP Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory continues its mission in further propagating culture and arts to the institute it belongs to and to the nearby communities as well. PUP SLP has already staged its season opener for its theatre season last August 2019 with Rody Vera’s “Ang Unang Aswang” that showcased the group’s 1st phase – KAAKUHAN. Now on its 2nd phase – KAMALAYAN, the group will be staging a play entitled “Aguas Santas 1901,” an adaptation of Thornton Wilder’s “Our Town” and directed by Bunny Cadag, this December 3, 4, and 5, 2019 with show times of 2pm, 4pm, and 6pm in the Tanghalang PUP, COC Building, Anonas St., Sta. Mesa, Manila.

    The group’s 39th theatrical season entitled NENA personifies innocence from colonialism and free expression and will be having four different phases. “Nena” comes from the Spanish word “Nay-nah” that is usually used as a term of endearment such as “sweetheart” in the English Language. “Aguas Santas 1901” will be representing the 2nd phase which is KAMALAYAN. (Read more about the group’s theatrical season’s theme in: https://www.facebook.com/169928869695635/posts/2358443670844133/).

    KAMALAYAN phase aims to promote people to open characteristics of their minds and to be more aware of what is happening in their surroundings. Awareness, also being a characteristic of the mind, is to be alert, to meddle, and to respond to one’s society’s issues and crises. 

    “Aguas Santas 1901” is a three-act play with music wherein each act represents their own themes about life . The first act will focus more on the daily lives of the townspeople. The 2nd focuses more on love, marriage, and unity between lovers. And lastly, the 3rd act discusses more about death. The play is set in the year 1901, in a fictional little town in Los Baños, Laguna called Aguas Santas.

    “Our Town” by Thornton Wilder maybe based on American context and culture, but the members of the group ensures that the adaptation, “Aguas Santas 1901,” will show more of the Philippine Culture and more original content to the direction of the play.

The production would also like to thank the following:

Our Official Event Partner and Co-Presentor, Old Spice. 

Our Media Partners:     Astig.PH, Whatshappening.ph, Wazzup Pilipinas, Pinoyscreenstage, Fringe             Magazine, and Theatre Fans Manila.

About us:

    Sining-Lahi Polyrepertory, also known as "Polyrep," is the resident theater organization of the Polytechnic University under the University Center for Culture and the Arts, celebrating 39 years of artistic excellence.

Unang Hirit celebrates 20 years of great mornings

It's been 20 years of great mornings with Unang Hirit!

Kapuso viewers will be in for a super fun week as the country's longest-running morning show marks its 20th year on Philippine television. 

Since 1999, Unang Hirit (UH) continues to be the Filipinos’ companion as they jumpstart their day. They turn to UH for the latest weather updates, breaking news, and other special features to keep them informed and entertained.

Over the years, the UH barkada has grown. Pioneer hosts Arnold Clavio, Suzi Entrata-Abrera, and Lhar Santiago are joined by Lyn Ching, Love Añover-Llanko, Susan Enriquez, Connie Sison, Ivan Mayrina, Mariz Umali, and Luane Dy.  The program also has its team of experts, Nathaniel “Mang Tani” Cruz, Atty. Gaby Concepcion, and Mareng Winnie Monsod. Now the group is made extra colorful with the presence of regular UH katambays Boobay, Juancho Triviño and Joyce Pring, and also recently, with Mga Batang UH Yuan Francisco, Angelica Ulip, and Leanne Bautista.

Coinciding with the show’s anniversary is the contract renewal of its hosts last November 26 attended by GMA Network Chairman and CEO Atty. Felipe L. Gozon, President and COO Gilberto R. Duavit, Jr., Senior Vice President for News and Public Affairs Marissa L. Flores, and First Vice President for Public Affairs Nessa Valdellon. Vice President for Corporate Affairs and Communications Angela Javier Cruz, Senior AVP for Public Affairs Arlene Carnay, and Program Managers Queenie Dimapawi and Mon Torres were also present.

Atty. Gozon underscored the contribution of the longest-running morning show to Philippine TV. 

“Institusyon na sila sa Unang Hirit kaya tayo talaga ay nagagalak na hanggang ngayon at sa mga dadating pang taon ay mananatili sila [mga host] sa Unang Hirit,” he said, congratulating the program on its milestone. “Dalawampung taon na ang UH sa atin, I wish them another 20 successful years.”

Meanwhile, Mr. Duavit gives credit to the UH hosts who are individually talented and more so when they are together as the UH barkada.

“Kumbinasyon ng maraming bagay kaya nagtatagal ang show—ang husay nila individually at ‘yung nadadala nilang kasiyahan at impormasyon. Magandang umpisahan ang umaga kasama sila. Individually, they are highly talented and great people so ngayon 20 years, baka sa susunod pang 20 na taon makakasiguro tayo na ang pinakamahusay na barkada sa umaga ay magpapatuloy,” he said.  “[Sa] Unang Hirit, sa mga kasamahan nito, tayo ay nagpapasalamat sa patuloy nilang tiwala. Sila'y tumatayong ehemplo ng kaisahan at integridad at maraming bagay na kahanga-hanga. So maraming salamat sa kanila,” he added.

This week until Dec 6, loyal followers will be treated with special episodes and surprises with former hosts visiting to join in the fun. The show will be giving away special prizes such as home appliances, furniture, negosyo packages, and gadgets. One lucky loyal viewer will even have a chance to win a brand-new house and lot! 

This is the longest-running, award-winning morning show's way of saying thanks for all the support and loyalty through the years. 

Unang Hirit prides itself for having bagged the Catholic Mass Media Awards (CMMA) “Best Live Special Event Coverage Award” for “Unang Hirit sa Vatican and Italy” and “Live sa Holy Land” hosted by Susan Enriquez and Rhea Santos, respectively. A back-to-back win for two consecutive years.

Keep having great mornings with the Unang Hirit barkada, every Monday to Friday, 4:55 a.m. on GMA 7. See you, mga Kapuso!

Janella and Maricel, extremely excited for their movie THE HEIRESS, showing in more than 180 cinemas nationwide today November 27

Janella Salvador has been vocal in saying that she felt intimidated by Diamond Maricel Soriano from the moment she found out that they were filming a movie together, The Heiress, produced by Regal Entertainment, Inc.

Being an institution in the showbiz industry, it does not come as a surprise that younger actors get intimidated by Maricel.

But Janella later found out that some impressions are not true, which was the case with Maricel in their upcoming horror flick.

“Na-pressure ako,” admits Janella about working with the Diamond Star.

“Syempre, ikaw ba naman maka-work mo siya. Nung nakita ko nga siya sabi ko kay Tita Beth, ‘yung handler ko, sabi ko, ‘Tita, di ko alam kung paano ko pakikibagayan. Nahihiya ako kasi na-starstruck ako.’

“Pero, when I started talking to her, she’s very warm, sobrang warm niya, tapos andami mo ring matututunan sa kanya kasi ang dami na din niyang pinagdaanan, lalo na in terms of acting din.

“Pag ka-eksena mo siya, andami mong matututunan.”  

For her part, Maricel reveals that it was her who broke the ice between her and Janella.

She says that it was not new to her that younger actors feel intimidated by her, which is why she takes the initiative to reach out.

She explains, “Ako lumalapit sa kanila. Naiintindihan ko kasi mga bata ‘yan, syempre na-aano yung bata, kaya ako na ang lumalapit.”

The seasoned actress also relates how she made Janella be comfortable around her.

“Ni-relax ko muna ang bata. Kinuwentuhan ko muna nang kinuwentuhan. Pinatawa ko muna nang pinatawa, o, di ba?

“Tapos sabi ko, ‘O, ano, at ease na, ha, wala nang problema.’”

After that, Maricel continues that Janella became more comfortable with her and they even had talks about personal stuff.

However, Maricel says she prefers to keep their private talks private.

“Alam mo kasi ako, I don’t ask personal questions when it comes sa mga bata, kasi they will be the ones to tell you kung ano nararamdaman nila. Hinahayaan ko siya. Their secret is safe with me,” says Maricel.

The veteran actress also adds that while younger actors may feel intimidated by her, she prefers that their shooting be at ease.

“Syempre, ‘di ba, parang gusto ko kasi maging at ease sila, yung mag-enjoy lang kami sa shooting, magsaya lang kami. Gusto ko talaga masaya.

“Ang gusto ko happy sila, gusto ko happy din kami sa set.”

The Heiress tells the story of Luna, a powerful “mambabarang” (demon sorceress) who’d ruthlessly punish or kill anyone who would steal from her the love and attention of her niece Guia (Janella), including her biological Mother, Carmen (Sunshine Cruz), and her boyfriend, Renz (McCoy de Leon). 

Unbeknownst to Guia, she is the next heiress, and the only one who can stop the evil spirit Malalarang that controls Luna. 

But at the same time, since she is the heir, Guia is also capable of inheriting the powers of her aunt and can also be a threat to those who will belittle her.

The movie boasts a very well thought of story and promises to exceed in visuals and production value, which are evident in the previous movies of Regal Entertainment, Inc. such as Shake Rattle and Roll franchise movies, Haunted Mansion (MMFF2016) & Haunted Forest (MMFF2017). 

The film is directed by Frasco Mortiz, who proved his mettle in horror genre with his exceptional work in PAGPAG, which was an MMFF blockbuster in 2013.

The Heiress, will surely be the newest scare which will end 2019 in extreme horror and is sure to HAUNT you wherever you are!

So let the scream begin with The Heiress opening in cinemas this November 27 in more than 180 cinemas nationwide. Graded B by the Cinema Evaluation Board and R13 by the MTRCB.

For more updates, follow Regal Entertainment Inc on Facebook, @RegalFilms on Twitter, @RegalFilms50 on IG and Regal Cinema channel on YouTube.

"UNBREAKABLE" SCRIPTWRITER & DIRECTOR MAY KINLARO

Words and photos by Danny Vibas

Kahit pala bisperas na ng premiere night ng "Unbreakable," nagpapa-pocket bloggers' conference pa rin ang Star Cinema. Um-appear kami as proxy for a blogger friend who couldn't make it at lunchtime today at the ABS-CBN preview room. 

The event turned out to be meant exclusively for the film's director, Mae Cruz-Alvarez, and its scriptwriter Vanessa Valdez. Hearing them talk very eloquently--mostly in English at that--about the theme of their film, we knew why they had to be given an exclusive huddle with the bloggers. 

Sa so-called "grand media conference" kasi, it's the lead cast that the reporters, columnists, and bloggers barrage with questions silly and substantial. It's very likely, too, na nagpipigil magsalita nang mahaba ang mga napakaartikulanteng direktor at scriptwriter na gaya nina Mae at Vanessa dahil maa-outshine nila ang mga artistang dungo at limitado ang  bokabularyo.

The tandem stressed that the film is about friendship and how it just began to erode due to factors they hardly bothered with. No, they further stressed, the friendship did not malfunction because the two lady friends found their respective  boyfriends and relished the thrill of romance.

"Unbreakable," starring Anjelica Panganiban, Bea Alonzo, Richard Gutierrez, Ian Veneracion, Gloria Diaz and Rosanna Roces, will have its premiere at 6pm tomorrow (Tuesday), at SM Megamall Cinema 1.

Pelikulang Adan, May Bayag Kahit Parehong Pechay ang Bida

Mahigit kalahating milyon ang views ng trailer ng pelikulang Adan na pinagbibidahan nina Cindy Miranda at Rhen Escano, dalawang palabang mga dalaga na sumabak sa maiinit at mapangahas na eksena sa ilalim ng direksyon ni Roman, Perez Jr.

Umiikot ang istorya sa pagkakaibigan nina Ellen (Rhen) at Marian (Cindy) na simula pagkabata ay maganda na ang chemistry. Nang hindi makabayad ang magsasakang ama (Bembol Roco) ni Ellen ng utang nila kay Allan, kukumplikahin ng sitwasyong ito ang pagkikita ng dalawa kaya mauuwi ito sa isang kinabukasang walang katiyakan sa dalawang magkadaop ng palad.

Lubos na ipinagmamalaki ni Cindy ang pelikula na maging sina Annabelle Rama at Ruffa Gutierrez ay tinapos. Inamin niyang niyaya lang niya ang dalawa at hindi nila nakita ang trailers kaya prior ay wala silang idea na ito ay isang erotic thriller. 

Sa pelikulang ito ay ang mga babae ay nakukuha ang kanilang gusto, umabot man sa sukdulan at madugong pagpupursigi. Walang kiyeme ang dalawa sa pagbalandra ng dalawang bundok nilang mapipintog. Si Rhen ay may mga nakakapanginig laman nang mga eksena dati sa Magdalola pati na rin sa Untrue samantalang si Cindy naman ay may nakalinya na uling mga pelikula na mas magpapakita ng kanyang flexibility.

Nitong taong 2019 ay mas nagexplore ng iba't ibang genre maliban sa romcom ang Viva Films. Wag mainip at matutunghayan n'yo na ito ngayong November 20 in cinemas nationwide.

The Hidden Meaning of JBK of X Factor UK New Song "Anestisya" Revealed

Even before joining X Factor UK 2 years ago. JBK, made up of Josh Bulot, Bryan del Rosario, and Kim Ordonio, had already been selected to sing this new composition by Yman titled Anestisya. The singer-songwriter Yman is a friend of their former manager and that's how they met. This was a song from the youthful days of the composer and he chose to release it now. He asked the group to perform a demo and the rest was history.

"The song is about life. 'Pag may mga problema tayong malaki, sobra-sobra na yung problema, kailangan natin ng anestisya o pampamanhid," explained Josh, echoing the vision of the composer. The comments section of the official video reveals that some of the 260K+ people who viewed it actually compare some of the lyrics to Manok na Pula because the former talks about a "sabungero" and this one talks about a "laklakero" (at least that's what most think), because the chorus goes like this:

Nasaan na ang baso't yelo
Ibuhos yan dito
Gusto kong makalimot
Ano ba'ng pakialam mo

The trio expressed interest in collaborating with Kyline Alcantara, Julie Anne San Jose, and Golden Cañedo in the future.

Yman, on the other hand, made a comeback in 2017 with Rain Song. He was last active in the 90s with Di Ako Marunong Kumanta, a 1996 Metro Pop Song Festival finalist, as well as Sa 'Yong Mundo.

Rider.ph Studios which produced the new song is mainly managed by Lester Ramos and started originally as an entertainment-focused Youtube account with almost 200,000 subscribers after just a 16 months. The full arrangement of the song can be found here or you can always search "JBK Official Lyric Video" on Youtube to find it easily. The song is available via streaming on Spotify and iTunes.

The ScAvengers: Bubble Gang celebrates 24th anniversary with two-part superhero telemovie special

The country’s longest-running and multi-awarded gag show, GMA Network’s Bubble Gang treats viewers with a two-part superhero telemovie special for its 24^th anniversary entitled “The ScAvengers” airing on November 15 and 22.

Michael V., whose monumental contributions for Bubble Gang lead to the show’s unwavering success, playfully shared what loyal viewers and fresh audiences alike should look forward to in the anniversary special,”Medyo baliw at ambisyosong project ito. Sa totoo lang, laro lang ‘yung gusto namin and yet gusto namin ipakita na kahit kami naglalaro, ‘yung quality hindi mawawala. So this time around, it’s a visual treat na talagang sa teaser pa lang gugulatin namin kayo.”

“We have new audience every single day and episode. It’s like our duty and also our pleasure to create something for these new audiences, sa mga bagong sumusuporta at sumusubaybay.  At the same time, we are maintaining ‘yung mga suki na namin,” he added.

The ScAvengers, which is a word play on Marvel Studio’s eponymous characters, the Avengers, revolves around an outcast group of homeless people who scavenge for a living and find extraordinary scraps which fell from the outer space. Little do they know that these garbage possess superpowers that will transform them from outcasts to their barangay’s greatest superheroes collectively called as The ScAvengers.

Michael V. is Allan Peter Kuya Thanos, the main villain who is determined to wipe half of the universe’s population with a snap of his fingers; and the ScAvengers whose mission is to stop him and save the world are: Antonio Aquitania as Thorpe/Tor; Paolo Contis as Plantsa Man/Mr. Tonio; Kim Domingo as Black Panty/Tasia; Boy 2 Quizon as Capt. American Tiki Tiki/Esteban; Sef Cadayona as Hukay-Ukay/Boy Pana; Betong Sumaya as Hulkluban/T’yo Bruce; Analyn Barro as Regyula.; Archie Alemania as Mang Stan; Mikoy Morales as Squatterman/Pedrito; and  Chariz Solomon as Gumorah.  Valeen Montenegro, Lovely Abella, Arra San Agustin, Jak Roberto, and Denise Barbacena  play Kuya Thanos’ cohorts, while Arny Ross, Liezel Lopez, Roadfill, Mykah, and Diego are townspeople.

The ScAvengers also features the special participation of Manila mayor Isko Moreno as Yorme and Spiderman star Jacob Batalon as Need.

Under the helm of esteemed creative heads Chito Francisco and Caesar Cosme and directors Rico Gutierrez and Bert  de Leon, don’t miss Bubble Gang’s two-part anniversary special ‘The ScAvengers’ on November 15 and 22 after One of the Baes on GMA Telebabad.

Kapuso viewers from across the globe can also catch their favorite Kapuso shows via GMA’s international channels GMA Pinoy TV, GMA Life TV, and GMA News TV International. For the program guide, visit www.gmapinoytv.com.

Vice Ganda at Anne Curtis, Nagkasakitan sa Set ng The Mall, the Merrier?

"Sa Showtime kasi, puro verbal ang okrayan namin [Anne Curtis]. Dito, physical," sabi ni Vice Ganda na sa kanyang gayak ay maaalala mo si Vilma Santos. Silang dalawa ang bibida sa The Mall, The Merrier na isang official entry ng Star Cinema para sa Metro Manila Film Festival 2019.

"Akala ko madali...action siya meets comedy meets fantasy meets drama," amazed na sabi ni Anne. Pinuri ni Vice si Anne kasi dahil nga sa Buy Bust ay wala itong kiyeme sa actiom scenes kahit malakasang bugbugan na siya namang kinailangan niyang sabayan kaya challenging for Vice. Okey din daw sa comedy si Anne at gaya ng past Vice Ganda films, tinease niya ang multiple cameos ng various big stars.

Aminado si Vice na pinakamasaya niya itong Halloween na kasama si Ion Perez. Kinwento niya na last minute decision pala ang Japan at nasa Italian embassy pa ang visa ng barkada niya at late lumabas kaya di natuloy ang plano nilang pumunta sa Korea.

Ang pangalan ng character ni Vice ay Tita Moody samantalang Morisette naman ang kay Anne. Kasama rin nila sa pelikulang ito ang mga ilan sa Kadenang Ginto cast members na sina Dimples Romana, Andrea Brillantes, Kyle Echarri at Francine Diaz. Ang iba pang supporting cast ay sina Tony Labrusca, Chad Kinis, John Prats, Isabel Oli, Brenda Mage, at Lassy Marquez.

Matatandaan na noong episode ng Gandang Gabi Vice last Sunday November 3, guest ni Vice and Kadenang Ginto stars at nagkaroon ng showdown sina Negi at Brenda Mage bilang Romina at Daniela.