The Kundiman Party comes into a new home this weekend

Floy Quintos' play The Kundiman Party will be performing for a limited run at the PETA Theater Center starting May 24 to June 2 2019. This acclaimed Filipino play also brings back majority of the stellar cast to give a relevant and crucial performance on national issues seaming modern topics that can bind old schoolers and millennials alike.

CB Garrucho has opened the doors of PETA Theater Center to UP Playwright's play in continuing the advocacy in providing audiences narratives to keep the nationalism alive and to cement what the Philippine Educational Theater Association stands for. Just in time after the mid-term elections, they believe that it will be another chapter of struggle in fighting national dignity.
The cast of The Kundiman Party still includes most of the ensemble led by Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino as Maestra Adela, a reclusive voice teacher whose latent nationalism is awakened. Together with Frances Makil-Ignacio, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, Jenny Jamora and Missy Maramara as Adela's close circle of Titas, the cast painted a portrait of contemporary Pinoy society that was both poignant as well as wildly entertaining.

Dexter Santos still directs The Kundiman Party in PETA and joined by talented artists who reprise their roles: Miah Canton as Antoinette, Rica Nepomuceno as Melissa. Watch their videos below as they sing kundiman songs in the play. Some songs are arranged by National Artist for Music, Mr. Ryan Cayabyab.

Newcomers such as Gabriel Paguirigan makes his acting debut as Ludwig, who has a lot of achievements on his plate -- including bagging the first prize in the NAMCYA 2011 competition and winning again in 2015 in the Senior division. Boo Gabunada (Cyrano, Mula sa Buwan and Emman, Ang Huling El Bimbo) plays the young activist Bobby Valderama. Nonie Buencamino is also in the play as Sen. Juancho Valderama who will confront in a scene with his wife, Ms. Shamaine.

The cast with Mitch Valdez during the presscon (May 2, 2019)

The original creative team of The Kundiman Party is a reunion of playwright Floy Quintos and director Dexter M. Santos. Production design by Mitoy Sta.Ana, Krina Cayabyab as the musical designer, Meliton Roxas (Lights Designer), Nour Houshmand (Asst Director), Io Balanon (Technical Director) and Steven Tansiongco (Video & Graphics Designer).

For interested showbuyers, you may contact the following:
May 24, 8pm - Carmela Pangilinan | 09178900050
May 25, 3pm - Denise Nayve/Ticket2Me | 09176601714
May 25, 8pm - Fe Canton | 09989818696
May 26, 3pm - Denise Nayve/Ticket2Me | 09176601714
May 26, 8pm - Denise Nayve/Ticket2Me | 09176601714
May 30, 8pm - Waya Araos | 09209890227
May 31, 8pm - Alejandro Santos | 09399257499
June 1, 3pm - The Julia Buencamino Project | 09177012489
June 1, 8pm - Marvin Olaes | 09175336267
June 2, 3pm - Micheangelo de Leon Alvarez | 09178316480
June 2, 8pm - Denise Nayve/Ticket2Me | 09176601714

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

CAREDIVAS pays tribute to OFWs in new run

The Philippine Educational Theater Association or PETA remembers our beloved OFWs in this rerun of the widely-acclaimed musical, CareDivas which will play starting June 24 to July 30 at the PETA Theater Center. It is a big partnership with the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration (OWWA) in spearheading the project once again and in celebration of the International Migrants Day on Jun 8, selected families of OFWs will get the chance to watch this moving musical to give a better understanding of the life of an OFW. Care Divas is one of the productions coming back this year in celebration of PETA's 50th anniversary.

Chelsea, Shai, Kyla, Jonee and Thalia are back to show us the adventures, and help us understand the situation and hardships of the OFWs since they may be our relatives and loved ones. CareDivas includes a powerhouse cast of theater actors: PETA artists Melvin Lee, Vince De Jesus, Ron Alfonso, Dudz Teraña, Jerald Napoles, Jason Barcial, Phil Noble, Buddy Caramat, Gio Gahol, Joan Bugcat, Eric Dela Cruz, Joseph Madriaga, and Gold Villar; plus guest artists Eko Baquial, Ricci Chan, Paul Holme, Sherry Lara, Thou Reyes, Leo Rialp, Dom Miclat-Jansen and Myke Salomon.

Hear the moving songs from Vince De Jesus while we all laugh, cry and love the Care Divas in this spectacular production.


Care Divas is showing from June 24 until July 30 at the PETA Theater Center. For inquiries and ticket reservations, contact PETA Marketing and Public Relations Office at Tel. No. 725-6244, petatheater@gmail.com or Ticket World at 891-9999, www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Subscribe to my updates:

Read More

Saving my Christmas Bonus for RAK OF AEGIS!

I'm just sharing this and to those who have seen and would like to see it again, Rak of Aegis from PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) will be back for another run this December! Better be saving a portion of your Christmas Bonus to see this wonderful all-Pinoy original musical featuring the songs of the country's favorite novelty band, Aegis!

Featuring Aicelle Santos, Isay Alvarez-Sena, Robert Sena and the citizens of Barangay Venizia, we will be again be entertained with magical moments of Aileen and the gang. Their life stories and hopes despite the flood that dwell in their town for months.

Celebrities like Ogie Alcasid and Lea Salonga and theater enthusiasts strongly endorse Rak of Aegis with its flawless presentation and fun musicality, thanks to Maribel Legarda (director) and Myke Salomon (musical director).

Here is a video during the press preview of Rak of Aegis.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

PETA announces 47th season offerings

the Philippine Educational Theater Association or PETA proudly announces their 47th season offerings composed of both local and international productions and it's a big comeback for the previous season's Rak of Aegis. everybody has been very excited and requesting for this box office musical featuring the songs of Aegis in a story very relatable to the Filipino audience.

Rak of Aegis opens June 20 - August 31 at PETA Theater Center

starting in August is also another PETA original, remastered from the famous Balagtas composition, Florante at Laura, which is a fusion of the masterpiece and today's world. its objective is for the students nowadays to appreciate the sentiments of great poets in the times of our heroes and martyrs. presented in the contemporary genre, hiphop with the movements of today's dancing, Florante at Laura Remastered will be embraced by people who forgot and students who took it for granted.

Florante at Laura (Remastered) opens August 8 at Springs Production Studios

from the local literary pieces, PETA also presents Anton Chekov's Cherry Orchard. an adaptation set in the 1960s of Manila aristocracy, Palanca Awardee Rody Vera takes the story to us in collaboration with independent film director and Obie-awardee production designer, Loy Arcenas.

PETA also brings in talents from other places like UK, Japan and Finland to present cultural and art diversity. this July, two non-verbal performances about adversity hope and triumph will be showcased by Strong Boy, Deaf Boy and a Girl in an Abaya and Ayanasu (Woven). these presentations were in partnership with Japan Foundation Manila and the latter was with Dora Theater Company.

more of PETA's 47th season offering will be presented. not only for adult theater goers, but also for kids and art enthusiasts. currently, PETA shows Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang, William and Batang Rizal are on tour to different schools to adhere to the company's objectives. shows are open for show-buying, so for more information, contact contact (02) 725-6244, 0917-5765400, petatheater@gmail.com, www.petatheater.com. follow them also at their Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

a casting call for RAK OF AEGIS

PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) posted on Facebook and in my surprise, the high-pitched Filipino rock band Aegis will be in tune in the latest musical, Rak of Aegis!

a casting call will be held on September 25-26, at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City and you have to prepare for these roles; and of course, your vocal chords:

Production: PETA's "Rak of Aegis"
Date: Sept 25-26 PETA theater center 3pm-7pm

Roles:
MARY JANE – 40, papuntang noveau poor (prepare the ff songs: LUHA, HALIK)
AILEEN – 20, promodizer; anak ni Aling Mercy (prepare the ff songs: LUHA, BASANG BASA SA ULAN: preferably original key)
KENNY – 20, anak ni Mary Jane sa pagkadalaga, bad boy ang dating (prepare the ff songs: SINTA, ROCKIN IN THE CITY)
JEWEL - 18, baklang bestfriend ni Aileen
TOLITS – 19, nagmamaneho ng bangka, gusto si Aileen (prepare the ff songs: SINTA, I LOVE YOU NA LANG SA TAGO)
KIEL – 42, short for “kilabot” ng chicks (noong panahon niya); ama ni Aileen (prepare the ff songs: SINTA, LUHA)
ALING MERCY – 41, ina ni Aileen, asawa ni Kiel, (prepare the ff songs: LUHA, HALIK)
FERNAN – 45, separado, may pera; taga ibang subdivision; kunwari concerned pero actually self-absorbed (prepare the ff songs: SINTA, MARY JANE)

Chuwariwariwap- (5) Chorus members, choose from the ff songs: Halik, Luha, Basang Basa sa Ulan, Sinta, Rockin in the City

if you're not familiar with the songs, here's a sample of Halik:

for more info contact: Pam Ovejas: 0917-5260534

i am still clueless about the storyline and plot, but i am really curious about it.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

BONA review

admitting i'm a fan of the one and only Eugene Domingo, it was a great pleasure seeing her comeback to the theater scene in PETA Theater's BONA, where she plays the title role.

BONA is based in the 1980's movie by Lino Brocka, starring Nora Aunor and Phillip Salvador. with the same style of plot while set in contemporary Manila, BONA is about a call center agent who became a fan of a talent search Star of Tomorrow wannabe, Gino Sanchez (Edgar Allan Guzman).

after hearing his story in the show, she has already connected herself to him and devoted all her resources. despite of the hopeless future for the actor, she continues to support him in every way possible until she loses most things she had. and with chosen circumstances, Bona had developed a romantic feeling as Gino found better ways to take advantage of her.

it was long before Bona realized that Gino is taking advantage of her. her exhaustion from efforts and money giving in to the media people to save Gino's career, caused her to get angry to Gino and even herself. she didn't even listen to the people around her about the things happening because she fell in love. now that she had nothing, also a potential lover is not an answer to come to when she needed help.

we saw Eugene's flexibility as an actress and this was a tedious work for her. grateful to PETA for offering her the role as she misses her first stint as an actress. it's good that they capitalized first on Eugene's strength as a comedienne and we were introduced on how she can be a dramatic actress. bravo in every single scene, even her co-actors, Edgar Allan and the rest.

also, the story development draws audiences to the highs and lows. first part is a sitcom where you would obviously have fun. you'll get to know Bona more and what she does. you'll know her friends and family too. i swear, you'll love them all. and as the story progresses, you will wish to save her condition and applaud her as she redeems herself.

another character which maybe unsung from the other reviews is her landlord, (Juliene Mendoza) who gives the striking lines, pick-up lines that is.

Bona is written in such a way where its audiences will easily relate to Bona. her character, her friends, her dreams and it seems that Bona help us realize that we are all like her in many cases. so the lesson here is how we can control ourselves and still love.

PETA's BONA runs from August 24 - September 23, 2012 at the PETA Theater, #5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City. tickets are still on sale at Php 1000, Php 800 and Php 600. please support Philippine arts.

photo credits Jory Rivera of BroadwayWorld.com

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

EUGENE DOMINGO is BONA

in tribute to renowned and multi-awarded director, Mr. Lino Brocka and only Philippine superstar, Ms. Nora Aunor, the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) brings the classic story of fan and idol in the modernized BONA. starring Eugene Domingo as Bona and Edgar Allan Guzman as Gino Sanchez. playing from August 24 to September 23, 2012 at the PETA Theater Center in Quezon City.

in today's rendition of Bona, Bona is a call center agent who finds an eye to Gino Sanchez who comes out from a TV talent search, Star of Tomorrow. she followed Gino's career and eventually invested all of her strength, time and resources taking care of the actor. his father and friends tried to stop her from doing it, but her admiration grows into obsession despite that the actor only has the poor reputation in the industry. on the other hand, this opens the idea for Gino to abuse Bona's efforts and take all her resources. even more, he seduces Bona. what's left is, will Bona stay as Gino's emotional slave or will she regain her normal self as the people around her wishes her to be?

back on the theater scene, Eugene Domingo finds herself grounded again and devoted her time to all duration of the run. she remembers when she starts from theater in UP where she had a very strict training, very different from the PETA crowd where she had a fun time. although, she thanked both theater companies for molding her talent the way we appreciate it today.

one of the major discussions during the press conference is her long kissing scene with Edgar Allan who is relatively young from her. Edgar noted that it was sweet but Eugene stressed that it was minty. she had to prepare very well of the scene as it will be more talked about when more people see it on stage.

BONA starring Eugene Domingo is presented by the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) under the direction of Soxie Topacio.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

CAREDIVAS and PETA goes to the movies!

congratulations to the very successful run of Caredivas held last weekend at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt, Makati. and just by this time, PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) had squealed that the play might just go to the movies!

it is really exciting to see how this will work and that more and more people will be able to see it! i wonder who will play our divas Chelsea, Shai, Thalia, Kayla and Jonee. i just hope it won't get too commercialized that the original actors would be replaced. Melvin Lee, Vince de Jesus and the rest are very good as they are.

with discussions on going to put this play into a movie, the objective is still to educate the people of acceptance about the gay community and to understand the lives of OFWs on how they strive to give their loved ones in the Philippines good life.

or maybe I'm wrong. PETA GOES TO THE MOVIES? it would've meant that the next season will be staging movies at the home of PETA. let's think "Tinimbang Ka Ngunit Kulang" and other Filipino classics could be opening its doors to the new audiences. well, i still wish them luck.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More

CAREDIVAS back for a limited run

the hit musical CAREDIVAS will be back for a limited run and what's more special is it will be seen in a friendly place like Onstage at Greenbelt 1! surprised? Repertory Philippines welcomes the divas in their home and all will be painted in pink. this is in celebration of both theater companies in their more than 45 years of co-existence and this time, to hail to the Philippine theater scene.

Chelsea (Melvin Lee), Shai (Vincent De Jesus), Kayla (Jerald Napoles, Ricci Chan), Thalia (Dudz Teraña, Jason Barcial) and Jonee (Phil Noble, Buddy Caramat) literally will be far from their home at the PETA Theater but it will be a great privilege for them to share their story to the busy Makati district and teach us how some OFWs thrive to increase their income to upgrade the lives of the families here in the Philippines. we'll these five gays laugh, cry and even fall in love in a place where they slave themselves.

Melvin Lee (Chelsea) and Vince de Jesus (Shai)

Jerald Napoles (Kayla), Jason Barcial (Thalia) and Buddy Caramat (Jonee)

recall all the songs that portray their lives as friends and individuals who struggle each other's lives. here is Good Gurlz which is one of Vince de Jesus' (musical director) compositions for the stage play.

Good Gurlz - The Divas
Repertory's Joy Virata is joining the divas along with Mike Salomon and the rest of the crew of PETA for this special run. directed by Maribel Legarda and written by Liza Magtoto who weaved her researches from personal experiences and interviews into a great musical.

CAREDIVAS by PETA (Philippine Educational Theater Association) aims to educate the public how OFWs live and risk their lives for a better living. special run starts on April 27 - 28, 2012 with 3PM and 8PM shows at Repertory Philippines' home, Onstage, Greenbelt 1 at Makati City.

Want to receive more stuff from me? Enter your email address and click the button:

Read More