Virgin Labfest 2020 to be shown on YouTube, Facebook, iWant

MANILA -- Virgin Labfest, the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) annual theater event for "unpublished, unstaged, untested and untried" plays, will go online this year as the novel coronavirus pandemic continues.

In a statement, CCP said the 16th edition will feature 10 new works, three revisited plays, and six staged readings. 

Billed as "VLF 2020 KAPIT: Lab in the Time of Covid (A Virtual Labfest Lockdown Edition)," it will run from June 10 to 28 on CCP's Facebook and YouTube pages.

From June 14 to 28, the shows will be streamed on ABS-CBN's iWant.

Check out the lineup, as described by CCP, below:

NEW WORKS

1. "Doggy" (live on June 10, 3 p.m. and June 26, 2 p.m.) is about a man's fiancee's sexual peculiarity that becomes his source of repressed anger. 

2. "Pilot Episode" (live on June 13, 5 p.m. and June 24, 8 p.m.) shows a young gay man who just quit his job through a text message, and how his parents attempt to de-escalate his extreme manic-depressive episode.

3. "Dapithapon" (live on June 14, 3 p.m. and June 27, 5 p.m.) follows the story of three boys in senior high school who have to confront their greatest fears in a single day: flunking out of school, impossible parental expectations, and an unhealthy infatuation with a teacher. 

4. "Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril" (live on June 13, 3 p.m. and June 24, 2 p.m.) shows what happens when a man reunites with his pregnant wife upon returning home from an encounter against the NPA.

5. "BlackPink" (live on June 11, 5 p.m. and June 28, 8 p.m.) tells of a father's discovery that his youngest son who is a staunch fan of Blackpink was prohibited by his school principal to dance "Kill This Love" in their Family Day talent contest, and the only way for him to join the competition is if he finds other male students to dance with him. 

6. "Multiverse" (live on June 14, 8 p.m. and June 26, 8 p.m.) reunites two estranged brothers -- a writer and a recovering alcoholic. The two reconnect through their mutual love of comic books. 

7. "Titser Kit" (live on June 11, 3 p.m. and June 27, 2 p.m.) tells of a young student who gets into trouble in his new school and hides inside a dilapidated storage room, afraid of what punishment the principal might sanction him with. He feels safe until Titser Kit finds him there.

8. "Mayang Bubot sa Tag-araw" (live on June 12, 5 p.m. and June 23, 2 p.m.) is a painful tale of two Ayta children whose friendship is tested as they choose different paths. 

9. "Gin Bilog" (live on June 12, 3 p.m. and June 25, 2 p.m.) focuses on old issues that are rehashed in a drinking session of family and friends.

10. "Boyboy and Friends Channel" (live on June 12, 8 p.m. and June 23, 8 p.m.) was written by Anthony Kim Vergara and is directed by Joshua Tayco. It tells the tale of friends who lost their jobs as production crew members after the timely untimely shutdown of their TV network and find successful making a new career as YouTubers. Now, Boy-boy with his buddies make a decision that forever changes their friendship.

REVISITED PLAYS

1. "Fangirl" by Herlyn Alegre, directed by Charles Yee (June 14, 5 p.m. and June 25, 8 p.m.)

2. "Anak Ka Ng" by U Z Eliserio, directed by Maynard Manansala (June 10, 8 p.m. and June 23, 5 p.m.)

3. "Wanted: Male Boarders" by Rick Patriarca, directed by George De Jesus III (June 10, 5 p.m. and June 27, 8 p.m.)

STAGED READINGS

1. "Jenny Li" by Buch Dacanay, directed by Nour Hooshmand (June 20, 5 p.m.)

2. "Dominador Gonzales - National Artist" by Dingdong Novenario, directed by Bunny Cadag (June 19, 5 p.m.)

3. "LadyMasters" by Rouchelle Dinglasan, directed by Joy Cerro (June 25, 5 p.m.)

4. "Matira ang Matibay" by Bernice Dacara, directed by Alon Segara (June 26, 5 p.m.)

5. "Bagahe" by Nicko de Guzman, directed by Joel Saracho (June 18, 5 p.m.)

6. "Mongoloida's Casa de Pun" by Claro delos Reyes, directed by Guelan Luarca (June 24, 5 p.m.)

Meanwhile, other Virgin Labfest events include an online edition of the playwright's fair, web discussions, and a writing fellowship program.

More details can be found on the website and social media accounts of CCP. 

news.abs-cbn.com

Review: Fun, exuberant 'Cinderella' ballet

We are all familiar with the story of Cinderella from the classic 1950 Disney full-length animated film. We know her Wicked Stepmother and stepsisters who maltreated her. We know her Fairy Godmother who magically helped her get to the Ball. We know about the Prince and his kingdom-wide search for the owner of glass slipper the mystery lady who ran off at midnight left behind.

We can see all this and more in the latest offering of Ballet Philippines this holiday season, "Cinderella," as choreographed by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes.

Instead of the traditional Prokofiev score, Ms. Reyes used various pieces by Tchaikovsky to create the perfect musical score for the ballet she had in mind. She added various original elements, like the dance of animals in the garden and the two mischievous brothers of the prince, to lighten the mood for her target audience, the children.

This is already the fifth staging of this original Alice Reyes ballet since she premiered it first in 1981. The restagers this time around are BP Dance School director and ballet masters Victor Ursabia and Ramon Victoria.

The sets and costumes were originally designed by Salvador Bernal, himself a National Artist for Theater Design. The palace set was so opulent and grandiose with meticulous details, enhancing the elegance and vibrancy of the dances performed.

Cinderella was played by a young, upcoming soloist Denise Parungao. She has such a pretty smile and and kind face, perfect for her lead role. Her very slim and lithe physique gives her a very light feeling when she dances, even as she performs difficult moves. (Monica Amanda Gana alternates in this role.)

The most elegant dancer on that stage last night was the regal Rita Angela Winder, who portrayed Fairy Godmother, certainly younger and more beautiful than the one we know from the Disney cartoon. Her stage presence is riveting, always drawing audience attention to her dignified stance. (Katherine Trofeo alternates in this role.)

The male characters play second fiddle to their female counterparts in this program as they mainly play consorts and dance partners. Even the Prince had to dance in groups of multiple dancers during Act 1. Richardson Yadao is a principal dancer of BP but he seemed to lack the regal stature and presence to be the Prince. There were some male members of the company (was that JM Cordero?) looked more "princely" than him, sad to say. He did show why he earned his rank in the company when he danced his solo spots with excellent flourish in Act III. (Earl John Arisola alternates in this role.)

However, definitely the most memorable characters for the audience in this show are the Wicked Stepmother Brunhilda and the comic stepsisters Griselda and Prunella.

For the opening night last November 27, Brunhilda was played by Isabelle Garachon, the wife of the French ambassador, who was a professional dancer back when she was younger. Her face was made up to look scary and stern, but she had a natural sense of humor with her facial expressions. Her moves seemed more flamenco-inspired than ballet, very graceful. BP president Margie Moran-Floriendo will alternate in this role, I am very curious on how she would pull it off. There is a third alternate, Butch Esperanza, a guy -- now that might be fun!

The role of the two stepsisters are probably the most demanding of the whole cast. They had to do physical slapstick comedy in balletic style. That is as difficult as it sounds, but it had to look like they were having a lot of fun doing it. Dancing the clumsy and heavy-footed pair on opening night were Ma. Celina Dofitas (as Griselda) and BP Principal Dancer Katherine Trofeo (as Prunella). They were a riot with the kids and kids at heart in the audience. People were actually laughing out loud at their antics, as unseeming as it may be at a ballet. (Edana Mae Labitoria alternates as Griselda. Rita Angela Winder alternates as Prunella -- now that is something to watch out for!)

I am not really a ballet connoisseur by any measure, but judging this as a casual viewer, this is one full-length ballet my daughter and I truly enjoyed watching. The humorous elements Ms. Reyes added into her choreography really enhanced the enjoyment of the show. I would say that the degree of difficulty of the dancing was heightened because of the sense of comedy it had to project to the audience in the form of dance. This show proved that ballet can indeed be fun to watch!

"Cinderella" will be performed at the CCP Main Theater on December 5 (3 p.m. and 8 p.m.), December 6 (10 a.m. and 6 p.m.), and December 7 (2 p.m. and 6 p.m.).

This review was originally published in the author's blog, "Fred Said."

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Search is on for PH's top ballet dancers

MANILA – The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has begun accepting applications for its first national ballet competition.

The CCP National Ballet Competition 2014 will be held from November 5 to 8 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). It is open to male and female solo ballet dancers in the junior and senior categories who can perform both classical variations and original or contemporary pieces.

The junior category includes ballet dancers aged 13 to 18 years old by November 4, 2014. On the other hand, the senior category is open to those who are above 18 years and one day old to 25 years old.

Five adjudicators – four Filipinos and one from the Asian region – will evaluate the competition, with the dancers to be scored based on technique and artistry.

Winners in both junior and senior categories will receive P35,000 (first prize), P25,000 (second prize) and P15,000 (third prize) and the Trudl Dubsky Award for Choreography.

A maximum of 15 finalists will be accepted for each category, with the deadline for submission of applications on July 31, 2014.

For more information, visit the CCP website.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

PEP: Lea Salonga does not mind being compared to Charice Pempengco

"Momentous occasion" ang description ni John "Sweet" Lapus sa pagkakasalang ng world-class artist na si Lea Salonga sa kanyang "Don't Lie To Me" segment sa Showbiz Central last Sunday, July 4. Sa bihirang pagkakataon nga ay napapayag si Lea na maupo sa lie-detector test at tanungin ng mga kontrobersiyal na isyu.

Dagdag pa ni Sweet, na halatang masayang-masaya noong hapong yun, magandang advance birthday gift para sa kanya ang pagge-guest na yun ng international singer. Sa Miyerkules, July 9, ang birthday ni Sweet.

REFLECTION. Ang unang tanong ni Sweet kay Lea ay may kaugnayan sa tagumpay na tinatamasa ngayon ni Charice Pempengco sa international music scene. Tipong "reflection" daw ng naging tagumpay ni Lea ang nangyayari ngayon sa career ni Charice. Okey lang ba kay Lea na ikinukumpara si Charice sa kanya?

"Yes" ang sagot ni Lea at sumang-ayon naman sa kanya ang lie-detector machine at sinabing "Truth" ang kanyang kasagutan.

Sweet asked Lea kung nagkaroon na ba sila ng chance na mag-meet ni Charice?

"Yes, we've worked a couple of times. Oo, magaling na magaling talaga siya," sagot naman ng Tony-winning actress-singer.

Naaalala ba ni Lea ang sarili niya kay Charice ngayon?

"Yes, when I was a little girl," sagot niya. "It happened to her at around the same age na nangyari sa akin yung Miss Saigon. I was 18 and now she's 18, and she's exploding all over the world which is fantastic for her. I kind of see myself a little bit, pero siyempre, sa ibang larangan naman ng showbiz. Now, hers is really with music, me naman is on music/theater."

Ayon kay Sweet, nananawagan ang mga fans na sana ay magkaroon sila ng concert ni Charice sa Pilipinas.

"That would be awesome," sabi ni Lea. "Hindi nga lang ako marunong magbirit. Pero sige, pipilitin ko ang sarili ko."

A WHOLE NEW WORLD. Alam naman ng marami na isa si Lea sa original members ng That's Entertainment, kung saan kabilang siya sa Thursday group. Noong mga panahong yun ay usung-uso ang mga loveteams. Totoo ba na during those times, naging sila ng ngayon ay Mayor na ng Quezon City na si Herbert Bautista?

"No" ang sagot ni Lea at "Truth" na naman ang naging resulta.

Ayon kay Lea, magka-loveteam lang daw talaga sila ni Mayor Bistek nung mga panahong yun, pero inamin niyang nanligaw ito sa kanya. "But I'm not interested at that time with anybody," dagdag niya.

Hindi kaya natakot noon si Herbert sa mommy ni Lea na si Mrs. Ligaya Salonga?

Umiling ng ilang beses si Lea sabay sabing, "Walang takot yun sa nanay ko. What I'm saying is, he was never intimidated with my mom or anything like that. But it just never happened."

Nagkikita pa ba sila ni Mayor Herbert?

"Nagte-text minsan. Noong nanalo siyang mayor ng Quezon City, tinext ko. Nag-congratulate ako," sagot ni Lea.

I REMEMBER THE BOY. Na-link din si Lea noon sa matinee idol na si Aga Muhlach, na nakasama niya sa dalawang pelikula—Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal (1992) at Sana Maulit Muli (1995). Naging mag-on ba sila ni Aga noon?

"No" ulit ang sagot ni Lea, pero this time ay "Lie" ang lumabas na resulta. Dahil dito ay walang nagawa si Sweet kundi sayawin ang kanyang "buwis-buhay dance."

Hirit ni John, umapela raw si Lea dahil lie ang naging result.
"Malay ko ba!" ang nangingiti namang sagot ni Lea.

Kung si Herbert ay inamin niyang nanligaw sa kanya, si Aga ba ay nanligaw rin?

"Hindi rin," tanggi ni Lea. "I think we worked really well as actors. At that time kasi, when we were doing Sana Maulit Muli, he was nursing a broken heart from one girl. And then, he was with another girl again at that time when we got together again in Manila."

Flashback naman ni Sweet, parang naaalala raw niya na manliligaw na sana si Aga kay Lea, pero nakilala ng aktor ang dating Miss Universe na si Dayanara Torres.

"Malay ko ba! Wala akong alam sa private life niya. Hindi ko siya tinatanong," reaksiyon ni Lea.

What about a movie with Aga Muhlach again?

"I would love one," sambit ni Lea.

Sabi naman ni Sweet, wala raw masamang anggulo si Aga, lahat ay guwapo.

"Walang anggulong masama," pagsang-ayon naman ni Lea. "At habang tumatanda, gumuguwapo."

Follow-up pa ni Sweet kay Lea, crush nga ba niya ang lead singer ng The Dawn na si Jet Pangan noong araw?

"Jet Pangan? Oh yes, absolutely!" pag-amin naman ni Lea.

Hirit naman ni Sweet kay Lea, parang crush na rin daw pala siya ni Lea bilang sinasabing kamukha niya si Jet. Pero hindi pumayag si Lea at sinabi nitong "hindi rin" nang natatawa.

On July 24 ay magsisimula na sa Cultural Center of the Philippines ang pagtatanghal dito sa Pilipinas na sikat at award-winning musical na Cats, kung saan gumaganap si Lea bilang Grizabella. Si Lea lamang ang Filipino sa cast. - Rose Garcia, PEP

Source : gmanews.tv