#REPERTORY PHILIPPINES

[judebautista]

Karylle & Gian are Dazzling in REP’s CAROUSEL

Karylle & Gian are Dazzling in REP’s CAROUSEL

Gian Magdangal (Billy Bigelow) and Karylle (Julie Jordan); Watch hit show REP’s CAROUSEL at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Blackbox Theater), on its last weekend December 16, 17 and 18, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista Written and photographed By Jude Bautista There’s nothing like the crystal clear voice of Karylle to breathe life into the role of Julie Jordan. Across from her is the strong tenor of…

[akocomyk]

1. What is your most favorite movie of all time?

2. What is your most favorite filipino movie?

3. What is your favorite international series?

4. What is your favorite filipino series?

5. What type of movie you usually watch?

6. What was the last movie you watched in cinema?

7. Have you watched any theater play? What is it?

8. If a movie was made about your life, what genre would it be?

9. Who’s actor would be best to play as you?

10. What ending would you like it to have?

There's a lot. And I'm a Star Wars fan, so there's that. Outside of that franchise, my favorite film would be Pan's Labyrinth (2006).

First movie that came into my mind is That Thing Called Tadhana (2014).

Right now, Heartstopper.

None, 'coz I'm not really a fan of Filipino series.

Movies that have good reviews or are worthy of awards.

Barbie (2023).

Only the ones produced by Repertory Philippines, when they performed in Greenbelt. We watched plays as a part of our field trips. The ones we watched were Aladdin, Mulan, and Jack and the Beanstalk.

Animation! Hahaha

If the film is gonna be animated, eh di voice actor? Hmm... I don't have anyone in mind, I'll leave this job to the casting director as they would know better than I do.

A bittersweet ending.

[marjmae]

"ARTICLE ABOUT NEW SOCIETY "

The New Society started in 1972 and focused on the development of the country. It tried to stop pornography and established a new office called the Ministry of Public Affairs. The government also reviving old plays such as the Cenaculo, Zarzuela and Embayoka of the Muslims. Singing both Filipino and English songs received fresh incentives and those sent abroad promoted many Filipino songs. Weekly publications like KISLAP and LIWAYWAY helped to develop literature in the Philippines during the New Society period. Filipino poets such as Ponciano Pineda, Aniceto Silvestre, Jose Garcia Revelo, Bienvenido Ramos, Vicente Dimasalang, Cir Lopez Francisco, and Pelagio Sulit Cruz wrote poems about patience, respect for native culture, customs, and nature. Composers such as Freddie Aguilar, Jose Marie Chan, and Tito, Vic and Joey also contributed to the period. ANAK of Freddie Aguilar became an instant success due to its spirit and emotions.The government led in reviving old plays and dramas, such as the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo and the Embayoka of the Muslims, which were presented in the rebuilt Metropolitan Theater, the Folk Arts Theater and the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Many schools and organizations also presented varied plays, such as the Sining Embayoka at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In 1977, the Tales of Manuvu was added to these presentations, performed by Celeste Legaspi, Lea Navarro, Hadji Alejandro, Boy Camara, Anthony Castello, Rey Dizon and choreographed by Alic Reyes. The following organizations contributed to the development of plays during this period: PETA of Cecille Guidote and Lino Brocka, Repertory Philippines of Rebecca Godines and Zenaida Amador, UP Repertory of Behn Cervantes, and Teatro Filipino by Rolando Tinio. Radio and television continued to be patronized, with play series like SI MATAR, DAHLIA, ITO AND PALAD KO, and MR The New Society of the Philippines was characterized by a number of popular television plays, such as Gulong ng Palad, FLOR DE LUNA, and ANNA LIZA, as well as popular Filipino films such as Pista ng mga Pelikulng Pilipino (Yearly Filipino Film Festival).

Bilingual education was initiated by the Board of National Education in 1958 and continued up to the period of Martial Rule in 1972. The focus of education and culture was on problems of national identity, re-orientation, renewed vigor and a firm resolve to carry out plans and programs. The forms of literature that led during this period were essays, debates, and poetry. Short stories, novels, and plays were no different in style from those written before the onset of activism.

Photo credit/reference: The Period of Activism and the New Society. (2014, November 3). Philippine Literature. https://group4lit1webpage.wordpress.com/period-of-activism-and-the-new-society/#:~:text=Period%20of%20the%20New%20Society%20(1972%2D1980)&text=The%20New%20Society%20tried%20to,and%20so%20with%20school%20organizations.

[kikodora]

Snow White and the Prince: A Production of Repertory Philippines’ Theater for Young Audiences Opens September 16, 2023

Repertory Philippines’ Theater for Young Audiences opens its first production after the COVID-19 pandemic with a new version of a classic fairy tale. Snow White and the Prince is a love story between these two iconic characters. Written by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman, the same authors of RTYA’s very successful 2017 production Rapunzel, Rapunzel! A Very Hairy Fairy Tale, it is a musical…

[arenakoraine]

THE NEW SOCIETY

The period of the New Society in the Philippines began on September 21, 1972, under the leadership of Ferdinand Marcos. During this time, efforts were made to promote Filipino literature and culture. The Don Carlos Palanca Memorial Awards for Literature continued to recognize outstanding Philippine writers, while attempts were made to discourage pornography and other forms of literature deemed to have negative moral influences. The government played a significant role in reviving traditional plays such as the Tagalog Zarzuela, Cenaculo, and Embayoka of the Muslims. Filipino poetry during this period often focused on themes of patience, cultural traditions, and appreciation for nature. Additionally, radio and television remained popular, and the annual Pista ng mga Pelikulang Pilipino showcased Filipino films. Many performing artists in radio moved over to television because of higher pay. Moreover, organizations such as PETA, Repertory Philippines, UP Repertory, and Teatro Filipino contributed significantly to the development of plays during this time. Meanwhile, newspapers shifted their focus to news on economic progress, culture, and tourism, and bilingual education led to a renewed focus on national identity and resolving societal problems. Overall, the New Society period was marked by a renewed appreciation for Filipino culture and an emphasis on national identity. While efforts were made to promote literature and the arts, the government also sought to maintain moral standards through censorship and regulation. Despite its challenges, this era left a lasting impact on Philippine society and culture.

Reference:

The Period of Activism and the New Society. (2014, November 3). Philippine Literature. https://group4lit1webpage.wordpress.com/period-of-activism-and-the-new-society/

Photo source: https://group4lit1webpage.files.wordpress.com/2014/11/download-3.jpg

[bdsrsated]

MEET YOUR CHAMPION TEACHER AT UNIDA CHRISTIAN COLLEGES! BDMS Selfie with MR. DWIGHT ANGELO Y. VITO CRUZ UCC SHS Performing Arts Instructor THEATER CREDITS Miong (2019) Repertory Philippines Rapunzel (2018) Repertory Philippines Beauty & the Beast (2017) Repertory Philippines Hansel & Gretel (2016) Repertory Philippines In the Spotlight (2016) Repertory Philippines Scrooge (2014) Repertory Philippines Pinocchio (2014) Repertory Philippines CORPORATE SHOW CREDITS Singer Dec. 2016 – May 2017) Ibiza Beach Club BGC Actor (June 2018 & March 2019) Solaire Resort COACHING CREDITS Stagedreams’ Summer Musical Workshop (Summer 2016 - 2018) SDM Got Talent (DXC Technologies – Taguig City (November 2018) Repertory Philippines Adult Musical Workshop (Summer 2019) Stagedreams’ Intense Acting Workshop (June 9, 2019) SHOW AND EVENT ORGANIZING/PRODUCER CREDITS Joseph’s Dreams “the musical” (2014, 2015 & 2017) Cos-Con Cavite (Cosplay Convention Cavite) (2016) Our Time To Shine “a musical revue” (May 2018) The Second Last Supper “a new musical” (August 2018) AFFILIATION Founder Stagedreams Performing and Cultural Arts Society Cavite, Philippines Actor/Workshop Mentor Repertory Philippines Foundation Makati City, Metro Manila, Philippines UCC💚 Your Top-Choice School

[yesthatssadirichardslove]

David Byrne's next Broadway show will be 'Here Lies Love'

NEW YORK

David Byrne's “American Utopia” may have left Broadway but the Talking Heads leader is plotting a return — with disco.

Byrne and Fatboy Slim plan to put their musical “Here Lies Love,” a show that charts the rise and fall of Philippine ex-first lady Imelda Marcos, on a Broadway stage this summer.

It turned out the former beauty queen-turned-dictator's wife apparently loved to dance, converted the roof of one of her Manila palaces into a nightclub and hit discos regularly in the 1970s.

“I thought, ‘There’s the soundtrack,’” Byrne told The Associated Press in 2014.

Byrne’s 90-minute show about Marcos’ rags-to-riches-to-exile journey played off-Broadway in 2013 and in a clutch of cities, including London in 2014 and Seattle Repertory Theatre in 2017.

The project began as a concept album, performed in a handful of live concerts including a 2007 engagement at Carnegie Hall, before it was developed into a full-blown theater piece directed by Alex Timbers with 360-degree staging.

Timbers this time will be charged with turning the 1,763-seat Broadway Theatre into an immersive experience. According to a press release, he and choreographer Annie-B Parson “will transform the venue’s traditional proscenium floor space into a dance club environment, where audiences will stand and move with the actors.”

The energetic, catchy musical begins with Imelda as a poor girl who gains fame as a beauty pageant winner. Following a whirlwind courtship, she marries up-and-coming politician and soon-to-be president, Ferdinand Marcos.

The lyrics are mostly taken from speeches or interviews from all sides during Marcos’ era and the standing-only audience moves around the space with the 15 actors.

The Marcoses ruled the Philippines from 1965 to 1986 — the last 14 years of that under martial law — before being driven into exile in Hawaii during a 1986 popular revolt, leaving the country’s economy faltering under huge debts. Ferdinand Marcos died in 1989 and Imelda, now 93, has returned to her homeland and entered politics. Their son Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr. is now president of the Philippines.

“I wanted you to understand a little bit what’s motivating Imelda, what’s driving her, what her delusions are, but also what her pain is, what she loves, so you understand what makes her do the things that she does,” Byrne said in 2014.

Byrne — an art-rock progressive who famously sang “This ain’t no party/This ain’t no disco” — said he’d never had anything against club music. In fact, his record collection includes Donna Summer, The O’Jays and The Spinners.

Using disco in “Here Lies Love,” he said, allowed him to pay his respects to that sound but also freed him to write songs for other people that he wouldn’t write for himself.

[milkyetoile]

!! I finally sent payment for PETA's Under My Skin video on demand on Dec. 5 (PETA here is the Philippine Educational Theater Association). still waiting for confirmation but I'm super excited. I wanted to watch this in person but if I remember right, they were in the middle of their run when lockdown started in 2020 😔

anyway, the friend who referred me to the seller said to prepare to cry so I guess I'm gonna need more tissues 🙃

Repertory Philippines' The Great Christmas Cookie Bake-Off will be running until Dec. 12 so I'll probably reserve a slot to watch next week. if anyone is interested, REP is actually streaming it internationally on Broadway on Demand!! prepare to wish you could eat cookies tho haha their promo photos alone make me want to order 😂

[teresayandco]

Catch the rerun of REP’s The Glitter Trap - August 20 at Circuit, Makati

The Glitter Trap, directed by Joel Trinidad and Nicky Triviño, holds a weekend run on August 20 at Circuit Makati.

22 performers will be bringing their talents to the stage again on August 20 at Circuit, Makati

REP is giving everyone another chance to catch their magical musical masterpiece as The Glitter Trap holds a weekend run on August 20 at Circuit, Makati.  

Starring a young and talented cast, all aged 11 to 17, Repertory Philippines’ The Glitter Trap is based on Barbara Brauner and James Iver Mattson’s young adult novel of the same title.

The original musical production tells the story of middle school misfit Lacey Unger-Ware as she takes on the responsibilities of the cranky, glitter-loving, fairy godmother Katarina who accidentally gets trapped in Lacey’s hair. As the new fairy godmother of the most popular girl in school, Lacey learns that things aren’t always what they seem from the outside, and gains a better appreciation for what she has.

Chez Cuenca as fairy godmother Katarina

Stacy Tsai as Lacey's best friend Sunny

Rayne Cortez as Lacey

22 performers, including Rayne Cortez as Lacey, Michelle Cornejo as popular girl Paige, Chez Cuenca as fairy godmother Katarina, and Stacy Tsai as Lacey's best friend Sunny, will be bringing their talents to the stage.

Playful, poignant and entertaining, the show is directed by Joel Trinidad and Nicky Triviño, with book and lyrics by Joel Trinidad, music by Jon Meer Vera-Perez, musical direction from Adonis Tabanda, and choreography from Deana Aquino.

Get your tickets for The Glitter Trap on August 20 to catch these young, wonderful performers as they sing, dance, and act their hearts out and make magic on stage with this unlikely fairytale.

For inquiries, you may call REP at 843.3570, and Ticketworld at 891.999 or log on to www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram, and follow @repphils on Twitter.

[max-crawford]

“When the red curtain opens

A biography

Act 1. “Draw the Curtains!”

Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga or more famously known as simply “Lea Salonga” was born on the 22nd of February, 1971 in Ermita, Manila. She was born to her father, Feliciano Genuino Salonga and her mother Ligaya Alcantara Imutan and became a sister to her brother, Gerard Salonga. Mr. Feliciano was a naval rear admiral and a shipping company owner. For her first six years in life, she lived in Angeles City before moving to Manila. She was a kid who loved to sing with dreams bigger than the Earth itself.

Her childhood was already part of the opening act of her life’s play as at the early age of seven, she made her professional debut in the musical “The King and I” in 1978 with Repertory Philippines. A Filipino theater company. After “The King in I”, she managed to secure the title role in her next play “Annie” and acted in the play in 1980. By the age of 10, she was able to record her first album “Small voice” in 1981 and it was well received by the masses as it was certified gold here in the Philippines. She also made left and right appearances in various plays such as “The Fantasticks” and “Paper moon” from 1988 and 1983 respectively. Her early childhood was full of acting and theater as that’s what she loved doing. She was a performer at heart.

Throughout the 1980s, Lea Salonga was steadily gaining popularity as she was featured in many television projects from GMA radio television arts. She was a child actress at the time and following her first album’s success, she was given an opportunity to host her own television show and this was named “Love, Lea”. Lea also made appearances as a member of the cast for a teen variety show “That’s entertainment” hosted by the late German Moreno. Because of her amazing acting skills and innate talent for it, Lea received multiple awards from FAMAS (Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences) and Aliw awards. The latter awarded her three times for three consecutive years for being the “Best Child Performer” of 1980, 1981, and 1982. Talk about consistency! 

By 1988, Lea released her second album simply entitled “Lea” and in that same year, she finished her High School Education) at O.B. Montessori Center located at Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. Lea also attended an extension program by the University of the Philippines College of Music that trains musically talented children and teens in Music and stage acting.

Act 2. “The Opening Act”

At the age of 17 years old, Lea auditioned for the role of the main character in the play “Miss Saigon” named “Kim”. In her audition, Lea chose to sing “Boublil” and “On my Own” by Claude-Michel Schonberg from the play “Les Miserables”. Because of her amazing singing ability, she was asked by the audition panel to sing “Sun and Moon” which impressed them. At the age of 18 in 1989, Lea was picked to play the role of Kim in Miss Saigon’s debut production held in London.

Lea Salonga was able to win the “Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Musical” in 1990 because of her successful performance as Kim in Miss Saigon. This made her one of the world’s youngest winners of the award which was a feat on its own. Also in the same year, she performed a homecoming concert in Manila named “A Miss Called Lea. In the following year, Lea won multiple awards from Theater World, Outer Critics Circle and Drama Desk from playing the same role in Miss Saigon’s play on Broadway. In the 1992 Disney animated film “Aladdin”, Lea became the singing voice for our beloved Princess Jasmine. In 1993, she achieved yet another feat of becoming the first ever woman of Asian descent to be awarded a “Tony Award”. 

Act 3. “To The Center Stage!”

 “Les Miserables” has been one of the most well known plays worldwide and in 1993, for the broadway production of the play, Salonga played the role of “Eponine”, the daughter of the Thenardiers. When the 65th Annual Academy Awards happened in Los Angeles in the same year, Lea performed as Jasmine in the song “A Whole New World” along with Brad Kane. In the awards show, the song won a deserving, Golden Globe Award! With the help of Atlantic Records, Lea was able to release her self-titled international debut album. In 1994, she was able to partake in multiple musical theater plays in the countries Singapore and Philippines. She took the roles of the witch in “Into the Woods” and Sandy in “Grease” to mention. 

By 1995, Lea Salonga went back to the US to bring to life the role of an 18-year-old Vietnamese American adopted child named “Geri Riordan” in the television film “Redwood Curtain”. She proved herself to be still a busy woman as at the same year, she went back to the Philippines to act in the film “Sana Maulit Muli” along with Ariel Aquino Mulach or more famously known as Aga Mulach. Through this film, she was able to get her second FAMAS nomination as “Best Actress”. 1995 was also the 10th anniversary of Les Miserables and so, Lea flew all the way back to London to play Eponine in “Les Miserables: The dream cast concert” held at the prestigious Royal Albert Hall.

1997 was the year when Lea Salonga started making recordings and she started that off with her album entitled “I’d like to teach the world sing”. This album was well received by the Filipino people as the album reached gold sales in the Philippines. This album was then followed by the 1998 album “Lea…In heart” and the 2000 album “By heart”. These two albums were able to reach Platinum sales multiple times in the Philippines. 

In 1998, she again collaborated with Disney and became the voice of the Disney animated film character “Mulan” and the singing voice of the same character in the film sequel “Mulan II” in 2004. Lea moved to New York City, USA where she purchased her apartment at the age of 28 and owned it until 2013. In the same year, Lea participated and performed at a tribute concert held for Cameron Mackintosh entitled “Hey, Mr. Producer: The musical world of Cameron Mackintosh.” By the years 1999 and 2000, Lea played the role of “Sonia Walsk” in the “They’re playing our song” musical.

Throughout the years of 2000 to 2003, Lea Salonga continued on making multiple appearances in various kinds of platforms from TV shows, musical and nonmusical theaters, and films which led to her appearances in multiple awards shows as well. By the 10th of January, 2004, she married the love of her life Mr. Robert Charles Chien whom she met in “Flower Drum Song”. The same year, she also performed her all-Filipino concerts entitled ”Songs from Home” which made her win the “Entertainer of the year” award from Aliw awards.

Act 4. “The Climax”

2005 was the year when Lea Salonga reached international status as she started to tour the world. She conducted her first US concert tour and in the same year, she managed to perform to a sold-out crowd at Carnegie Hall. Because of her international ventures, Lea was awarded with a “Golden Artist” award from FAMAS. In 2006, she performed for the closing ceremony of the 15th Asian Games held in Doha, Qatar with the song “Triumph of the one” at the Khalifa Stadium.

Lea then proceeded to release her first studio album in 2007 entitled “Inspired” which gained popularity and got platinum sales in the Philippines. She was also awarded by the former president Gloria Arroyo with the “Order of Lakandula” for using her abilities to the benefit of the Philippines and its people. Lea made more appearances on the theater scene with the return of Les Miserables, Broadway on Broadway, Stars in the alley, and more.

By 2008, she became a columnist for the Philippine Daily inquirer. She wrote her column “Introducing: Lea Salonga, writer” and from then on, started writing more and more columns. Lea went on to do singing performances throughout 2009 with her appearance in the 95th anniversary special of Iglesia ni Cristo singing the song “Bayan ko” and the concerts “Lea Salonga…Your songs” for the 20 years of “Miss Saigon”.

Following her singing performances, Lea made an appearance as a celebrity judge for the show “Avon Voices”. Speaking of being a judge, she also became one of the judges to sit on the judges panel of the 60th Miss Universe 2011 held in Sao Paulo, Brazil which happened at the 20th of September, 2011

Lea Salonga continued on making more concert appearances as in 2013, she was part of the Lincoln Center’s American Songbook Concert Series. She also played as a mother in the concert performance of “Ragtime”. In the same year, she started her concert tour in the Philippines “Lea Salonga: Playlist” which was done to celebrate her 35 years of hardwork and dedication in show business. 

By 2014, she went back to making judge appearances to “The Voice” and “The Voice kids”. Throughout 2014, she continued touring around the world with multiple concerts. She made an American television appearance in 2016 with “Crazy-Ex Girlfriend” and another for the international premiere of “Fun Home” as Helen Bechdel in Manila.

Act 5. “The Curtain Call”

Lea Salonga’s career has been going smoothly even until the present. With her steady amount of appearances in the theater scene for the past 4 years, it proves that Lea has made her mark in the theater scene as a whole which she worked hard for since age seven. She’s currently living with her family and has a daughter named Nicole Chien. This year, Lea is planning to embark on another world tour on the 6th of April, 2022 entitled “Dream Again” which will start in North America. 

To many theater kids, Lea Salonga is one of the many theater actors and actresses that these kids can look up to. She’s the perfect example of one who’s passionate about their dreams whatever it may be. Once a small town girl, now one of the big names of show business, Lea Salonga is a woman of passion, pure talent, and dedication to her craft. A true performer.

[coda-cola-39]

A Star Is Born

{A biography on Lea Salonga.}

Renowned for her crystalline voice and perfect pitch, Lea Salonga truly is one of Broadway’s best. An inspiration to aspiring Asian actors and actresses, she is best known for her various roles in musical theatre, as well as being the iconic voice behind Disney princesses, Jasmine and Mulan.

Born Maria Lea Carmen Imutan Salonga, she hails from Ermita, Manila, but spent the first six years of her life in Angeles City before moving there. Her parents were Feliciano Genuino Salonga, a naval rear admiral and shipping company owner, and María Ligaya Alcantara, whose father once served as mayor of the town. Musical talent seemed to run within the Salonga family, as her younger brother, Gerard Salonga, likewise thrived in the industry as an orchestral conductor.

Even in childhood, theatre intertwined with Lea’s life. She debuted at the age of seven in The King and I with Repertory Philippines, and soon played the titular role in Annie two years after. At the age of nine, she also recorded her first album, Small Voice, with her brother, which went on to receive a Gold record in the Philippines. Following the success of her debut album, she hosted her own musical television show, Love, Lea, and appeared in a number of television projects and films.

In 1988, she finished her secondary education at the O. B. Montessori Center in Greenhills, San Juan, Metro Manila. In addition to that, she participated in the University of the Philippines College of Music's extension program, which trained musically talented children in music and stage movement. Later on in life, she studied at Ateneo de Manila University. When she moved to New York, she took on two courses at Fordham University and juggled it in between jobs.

Despite her musical prowess, Salonga originally planned to pursue a medical career, and studied biology throughout her freshman years in Ateneo de Manila University. Her Broadway career was kickstarted by that fateful audition during her college years. Unable to find the right East Asian actress to fill the role as Kim, the producers of Miss Saigon traveled from country to country and eventually settled in the Philippines. For her audition, the then-17-year-old Lea chose to sing On My Own from Les Miserables; to this day, she credits this song as the catalyst for her international career.

And in 1989, the extensive search for Miss Saigon’s Kim draws to a close, with Salonga originating the role. Although the shot to fame daunted her, she would go on to garner multiple awards for her performance, including being the first woman of Asian descent to win the coveted Tony Award. It all comes full circle back to the song that launched her Broadway journey when she stars in Les Miserables as Eponine, returning later on as Fantine.

Salonga officially moves to New York City at age 28, purchasing her own apartment. She returns to the theatre scene in 2002, playing the lead role in a revival of Rodger and Hammerstein’s Flower Drum Song. Over the course of the musical’s Broadway run, she meets Robert Chien, whose cousin was in the cast. The two take a liking to each other, and after a few years of dating, the couple married in 2004 in Los Angeles. The arrival of their first child, Nicole Beverly Chien, follows shortly after in 2006. The Salonga family appears to have a penchant for perfect pipes, as their daughter follows her mother’s footsteps by starring in a choral performance of Matilda.

Salonga’s talent doesn’t start and stop with just her luscious vocals. Besides theatre, she’s ventured into writing in 2008 and has written numerous columns for the Philippine Daily Inquirer. She has also published a book, Playlist: A Celebration of 35 Years, documenting her experiences in the show business. In October 2010, she was also named a United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization Goodwill Ambassador, and she has pledged to be an advocate for the FAO's Youth and United Nations Global Alliance initiative.

There’s no doubt that Lea Salonga has made quite the name for herself. Over the 43 years of her career, she has performed for countless national leaders: from the Queen Elizabeth herself to Corazon Aquino. She has collaborated with the most popular artists. She has won the most prestigious awards and heralded as a household name in the industry.

But the road to success isn’t a smooth-sailing one, and she’s faced her fair share of difficulties and setbacks. As a person of color working in a foreign country, she’s faced prejudice and has been rejected theatre roles for being Asian. She mentions spending many sleepless nights over the expectations that come with being an Asian playing typically Caucasian roles. Despite this, Lea doesn’t resent any of it. Not if all those trials led to where she’s standing now.

“It was all worth it,” she states in an interview for Sky News. “If it meant making it easier for generations of Asian actors, it was all worth it.”

Through the characters she has played, Lea Salonga has continued to inspire and touch people's hearts. As for me, she has certainly been what sparked my love for theatre. I fondly recall when I heard her sing the iconic On My Own piece in the Les Miserables Dream Cast for the first time through the radio. Her voice told me a story of love, loss and life with such ease, and in a way, it’s what spurred me to tell stories of my own through song. Lea Salonga told me stories I saw myself in – and in return, I did my part in telling hers.

[johnmarkv]

Di Niyo Ba Naririnig?

#MedikalHindiMilitar #FreeMassTestingNow #DefendPressFreedom 

49 voices from theatre and music organisations of the Philippines from the Philippine Stagers Foundation (PSF) to the Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA) to UP Repertory to Ateneo Blue Repertory have come together in a song of protest. We will not be silent. We will sing. We will let our voices be heard.

Thank you to everyone who submitted their videos and to every organisation that partnered with us. I'd like to extend a special thanks to direk Vince Tanada, Shé Maala, Pat Valera, Joel Saracho, Kip Oebanda, Jb Bejarin, Voltaire Avendaño III, Rona Alondra, Dylan Ray Talon, Quiel Quiwa, Nicole Chua, Andy Reysio-Cruz, Andrea Bello, Muy Maglaya, and เจียนคาร์โล การ์เซีย for putting us in contact with their organizations, helping us gather voices, and helping us with the video, as well as sirs Vincent A. DeJesus, Joel Saracho, and Rody Vera for translating this wonderful song and giving us permission to use it. And of course, to my amazing team composed of Ariel Ignacio, Charlize Kirsten, and Raphael Villanueva

This is for the Philippines. This is for democracy. 

This online video protest campaign is brought to you in cooperation with: Sanggunian ng mga Paaralang Loyola ng Ateneo de Manila  Philippine Stagers Foundation  Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA)  Ateneo Blue Repertory  Ateneo ENTABLADO  Tanghalang Ateneo Musikang Sikat ng mga Tomasino (MUSIKAT) The UP Repertory Company Artistang Artlets - UST MEDIARTRIX - UST 

Head Organizer: Jake Consing Editors: Charlize Kirsten Co and Ariel Ignacio Sound Design: Raphael Villanueva 

 “Di Niyo Ba Naririnig?” Translated by Vincent De Jesus, Joel Saracho, and Rody Vera (apologies for the spelling) Musical Arrangement by Vincent De Jesus Based off “Do You Hear the People Sing?” composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg from the musical Les Miserables

#DiNiyoBaNaririnig

[huttson-blog]

‘Anna in the Tropics’: a brave, provocative production audiences won’t get to see — Inquirer Lifestyle

Read more at Inquirer Lifestyle

— by Arturo Hilado: Repertory Philippines’ (Rep) staging of Nilo Cruz’s “Anna in the Tropics” was a theater landmark of sorts: It was the last stage performance, if only in invitational preview mode, before Manila—and its cultural life—was locked down as a preventive measure against the COVID-19 pandemic…

Image courtesy of Repertory Philippines/Santy Calalay

[ginuhit]

A Comedy of Tenors in the key of Laughter

#AComedyofTenors in the key of Laughter #Rep2018 This @RepPhils season opener is set to show until 18th Feb. Get your tickets now via @TicketWorldInc

OnStage, Greenbelt 1 – What happens when you put a harassed producer, the producer’s assistant, an aging, temperamental, and sometimes missing Italian opera star, his hot-blooded wife, their daughter, his lover, a Russian opera diva, and a bellhop in a posh hotel suite in Paris mid-1930s? Laughter, for the audience, ensues at every turn of the play. “A Comedy of Tenors” tells the story of…