Repertory Philippines Presents Seussical at Onstage Greenbelt

Tony winners Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty have brought to life your favorite Dr. Seuss characters in a magical, fantastical, musical extravaganza.  Seussical opens on August 13, 2011 at Onstage Theater, Greenbelt 1, Makati City a 7:30PM.

“The story revolves around Horton the Elephant, who finds himself faced with a double challenge – not only must he protect his tiny friend Jojo (and all the invisible Whos) from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must also guard an abandoned egg, left to his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. ”

Watch a fantastic ensemble cast including Filipino singing diva Bituin Escalante bring to life a well-loved story. For ticket inquiries and reservation, contact Butch Buenaventura at 0916-7687790 or email brb8976@yahoo.com.

The I-Witness Docufest 2009

This year’s I-Witness Docufest was held at the Gateway Cineplex last       October 10 and 17.  Eight documentaries were screened in three two-hour slots. We arrived in time to catch the first four,  which were screened from 11AM to 1PM. After that, grabbed some popcorn and lined up again for the for the screening of the next four, from 2PM to 4PM. From 5PM-7PM, the first set were shown again, but this time it was followed by an open forum. The winning documentary at the Student Docu was also featured. I wanted to watch again, just so I could get a chance to ask Howie Severino some questions about his documentary, Don’t English Me. When I stepped out of the cinema to line up again, however, the line was already long and I thought I would’t be able to sit. “I’d just email Howie,” I thought.

Here are the documentaries featured this year:

AMBULANSIYANG DE PAA – Kara David travels to a remote town in Oriental Mindoro and witnesses the dismal state of healthcare in the area. With only hammocks for an “ambulance”, residents bring their sick from the mountains to the nearest health center.

LABORATORYO NI MANG DOMENG – Documentarist Jay Taruc follows the work of Mang Domeng, a man who makes a living by buying animals and killing them, in order to sell skeletal displays and stuffed animals to medical schools.

PAG-IBIG SA MAGKABILANG DAIGDIG – Sandra Aguinaldo shares the joy and anticipation of two Filipinas who have found their partners through the Internet, and shows how technology has opened the doors to interracial marriages. (My own cousin, in fact, met her husband through chat–help with grammar coming from me.)

DON’T ENGLISH ME! – On board his bike, Howie Severino travels the streets of Manila and discovers errors in English usage. This documentary elicited occasional laughter from the audience.

HINGALO NI BUNSO – Known for her documentaries about children, Kara David delivers yet another heart-wrenching documentary about children suffering from tuberculosis and the vicious cycle of poverty and malnutrition.

KALABAW - What was intended to be a merry Carabao Festival turns tragic when one carabao runs amuck. I wonder what Howie Severino initially wanted to portray. Surely he did not predict that the carabao would go berserk? What was the original flow of the documentary, I wonder?

BOOK TO SCHOOL – Sandra Aguinaldo witnesses the joys and the hope brought to remote schools by a new supply of textbooks. She says that she traveled to help inspire the pupils in these schools, but ended up being inspired herself.

PAC-MOM – Jay Taruc veers away from his “immersion” style documentaries, and follows a day in the life of Dionisia Pacquiao, mother of Filipino boxing phenomenon Manny Pacquiao.

Watch out for GMA7′s newest I-Witness documentaries.

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Repertory Philippines Presents Sweeney Todd

Call it a Halloween in December.

Repertory Philippines will be staging Sweeney Todd from November 14 to December 13 this year. Veteran stage actor Audie Gemora will play the character of Sweeney Todd, a man who returns to his London village after years in a penal colony, and opens his barbershop as the stage on which to exact his revenge on the judge that raped his wife.

Sweeney Todd was made into a film in 2007 by director Tim Burton, starring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. They were the same team that gave life to Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

The musical will be performed by Filharmonika, and will be conducted by renowned conductor Gerard Salonga.

I invite you to watch the musical. By watching the show, you will be able to support the less fortunate as we will be partnering with a charitable organization. Also, ticket holders will have a chance to enter Ascend for an “after party” in Bonifacio High Street for free. Ticket prices are P400, P700, P800 and P 1,000. (P400 and P700 are free seating while P800 and P1,000 are reserved seating).

Visit Repertory Philippines’ site for more details.

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On The 26th Anniversary of Ninoy Aquino’s Assasination

“I have carefully weighed the virtues and the faults of the FILIPINO,
& I have come to the conclusion that the he is worth dying for!”
- Benigno “Ninoy” S. Aquino, Jr.

August 21, 2009 will mark the 26th anniversary of Ninoy Aquino’s assassination. He was shot on the airport–it was Manila International Airport in those days–after returning from the US, where he had medical treatment. He was believed to be Marcos’ most vocal critic. His assassination caused nationwide protest that culminated to what is now known as The 1986 EDSA People Power revolt. The rest, as they say, is history.

Where were you then? What were you doing during that fateful day? I wonder. As for me, I don’t remember much; I was in Grade 1 then. It was a Sunday, so probably I had been outside playing. I know from History how the funeral had looked like, how many people mourned his death on the streets. I got a more vivid image recently when Cory Aquino died.

Did You Know…?

…that to protect his identity on his return to the Philippines, Ninoy Aquino used the name Marcial Bonifacio on his passport. Marcial is supposedly for Martial Law and Bonifacio is for Fort Bonifacio, where he was imprisoned.

…he made a public appearance where he showed the bulletproof vest he was going to wear on his return, and said that as for the head, there was nothing they could do. He returned to the Philippines despite the fact.

…that he made a phone call to a man named Steve Psinakis, a prominent figure in the anti-Marcos era, in which he expressed his knowledge of what he was coming home to and his plans if he got back alive.

I want to share this video, which was uploaded on YouTube by user NinoyAquinoTv.

This video is being presented for posterity and educational purposes only.
No copyright infringement intended.

The Books Are Not Enough

It seems classroom books and newspaper clippings and our parents’ stories are not enough. I am grateful for the fact that there are Ninoy Aquino videos o YouTube, and that there are people who painstakingly do the research, just to be able to share these videos to the younger Pinoys. Kudos to you, guys! Watching these videos, especially the speeches, gave me more insight into Ninoy’s patriotism.

View other videos of Ninoy Aquino on YouTube.

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Incomparable: The Joey Albert and Basil Valdez Concert

I am not sure if this is their first concert together, but I am going to make this my first—and hopefully not the last—time to see them live. Basil Valdez and Joey Albert just happen to be two of my favorite Pinoy singers.

Yes, in this age of iPod and iTunes, and Pussycat Dolls and hiphop, I am one of the few who find beauty in Kastilyong Buhangin. The songs of Basil Valdez are simply timeless, beautiful and full of poetry. The songs of Joey Albert, on the other hand, are enduring love songs. Today’s Pinoy teens can sing Beyonce or Fergie—but let them have a heartbreak, and they’re sure to come back, singing Tell Me or Iisa Pa Lamang. Hehehe.

They were guests on GMA7’s SIS, and they were made to sing a few notes from their songs. Joey Albert’s voice has changed, but still beautiful.

Anyway, the concert is going to be at the SM North EDSA Skydome this August 15. Tickets are at P2,750 and P1,750. A little expensive, I know. I just hope it’s going to be incomparable indeed.

You can get your tickets at Ticketnet at 911-5555 or Viva Concerts & Events office at 687-6181 locals 627 and 620.

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The 12 Little Things We Can Do

With the passing of former President Cory Aquino, a sense of nationalism was awakened among many Pinoys. After all, Cory led the country to regain democracy in 1986, and she was proud and thankful that she was a Filipino. But not all of us can march the street and lead hundreds of people. Not everyone can fight dictators.

However, every Pinoy can do some things to help the Philippines.

Which is why I decided to write about a little book entitled 12 Little Things Every Filipino Can Do To Help Our Country, which was written by Alex Lacson. Cory Aquino wrote the Foreword, in which she quoted Kennedy, reminding the Pinoy reader to ask what one can do for the country.

A little book of twelve noble ideas.

In this book, the author gives twelve “nugget-size” advice that are practical and realistic. To summarize Alex Lacson’s tips, here are the twelve things:

1.      Obey the laws, especially traffic rules, which are the simplest  laws of a society.

2.      When you buy something, ask for an official receipt.

3.      Don’t buy smuggled goods. Buy Filipino.

4.      Speak positively about the Philippines , especially to foreigners.

5.      Respect the traffic officer, policeman and soldier.

6.      Dispose your garbage properly.

7.      Support your church.

8.      During elections, do your solemn duty.

9.      Pay your employees well.

10.   Pay your taxes.

11.    Adopt a scholar or a poor child.

12.    Be a good parent. Teach your kids to follow the law and love our country.

These are simple steps. But imagine, really imagine, the kind of change it could create if Pinoys are to follow them.

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