Once On This Island - making waves of emotions in a spectacular musical

Saw the matinee show of 9 Works Theatrical’s Once On This Island last weekend with Angela Ken as Ti Moune and Sam Concepcion as Daniel.

The stage immediately took us to the sea. The drapes and fringes are constantly flowing while you hear the calming sound of the waves. If you’re not familiar with the show like me, you will immediately think you’re in a very colorful seaside vibe which they did deliver. I admit I was a bit worried about the sloped platforms and how they’d sing and dance but trusting the theater gods, our actors were completely safe to prance and give us a great show. The stage was indeed beautifully done. 

The songs and dances are quite inviting to a party. It would be delightful if they pulled some audiences to dance onstage for a moment to remember. 

This might be the most pleasant sounding musical for me to date. Angela Ken got the sound of a siren and pure emotions that comes out of Ti Moune. An early congratulations to her. Supported with many theater veterans in the show, all have complimented their harmonies.

Sam Concepcion who headlines another musical at the northern part of the Metro is also a must see. He and Angela make a cute chemistry that will swoon the audiences with their love story. Don't want to give spoilers but it is something emotionally devastating. It means that they are both great and effective in their parts.

And oh, I love the gods' hats. Hoped they could be part of the available merch so we can play gods at one time. 

Once On This Island runs until September 29 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC Plaza, Makati. Directed by Robbie Guevara. For tickets, visit bit.ly/OnceOnThisIslandMNL.

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NO FILTER 2.0

If you were born before the turn of the millennium, you consider yourself as a Millennial. And you face issues that only you could understand. And these issues will be discussed -- again, in the rerun of The Sandbox Collective's NO FILTER that we'll be looking forward this October 3-25 and will happen at the Power Mac Center Spotlight in Circuit Makati.

Featuring a series of monologues and multimedia performances, the production explores anything and everything millennial—from the evolution of social media, life after college, the woes of work and finding a job, pursuing one’s passions, Tinder, intimacy, finding love, success and happiness, among other issues.

The fun and bubbly cast returns with Jasmine Curtis-Smith, Lauren Young, Saab Magalona-Bacarro, Mikael Daez, Cai Cortez, Sarah Facuri, Micah Munoz, and Khalil Kaimo. They will be joined by Sam Concepcion, Paolo Valenciano and Carla Humphries on stage for new monologues. Take a look at these videos:


With critically acclaimed director, Toff De Venecia still at the helm, No Filter 2.0 promises to be a new and improved version of its widely successful first run—a refined but similarly raw and honest portrayal of what it means to be millennial in this day and age. For tickets and other inquiries, call The Sandbox Collective at 585-6909 or 0917-8996680. Tickets may also be purchased through TICKETWORLD at 891-9999.

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Solaire Resort's The Theatre is now open!

I was privileged to experience the newest entertainment home for performing artists all over the world. Solaire Resort's The Theater which opened last night makes its mark in the entertainment industry and it is definitely an awesome feeling while inside it.

Last night's opening was a blast, combining all great theater and musical artists in one roof. The wonderful productions started by Audie Gemora opened our eyes for big things unfolding.

The Theater is equipped with state-of-the-art sound system called Constellation which is best recommended by sound and music master, Gerard Salonga to give the audience a whole new musical experience. Maestro Ryan Cayabyab also is fascinated with The Theatre's rehearsal studio where he can find focus for his masterpieces. For Ms. World Philippines 2014 Valerie Weigmann, artists would definitely appreciate the changing process with The Theatre's spacious dressers. For actress Mitch Valdez, the 1,760-seater facility gives all the best seats in place. For me, reclining in The Theatre's seats is also a huge factor for people to see great shows and relax on the comfortable foam.

The Theatre also proves its versatility as a venue with numerous type of performances that can be done in it. The musicales and concerts are the best to experience with the great acoustics and the Constellation system that goes with it. You can really tell the difference with only one click of the button from the control room. It was surreal.

The star-studded opening night featured OPM artists, theater personalities, and dancers collaborating for an amazing show. We've got the Philippine Opera Company, Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Robert Sena, Isay Alvarez, Karylle, Aicelle Santos, the Ryan Cayabyab Singers, Manoeuvres, The Theatre Ensemble, Sam Concepcion, Regine Tolentino, Ednah Ledesma, Morrisette Amon, Christian Bautista, and Yeng Constantino. Solaire's LED background give more vibrance to the performances and everyone was in awe in the productions. It's very touching that our Filipino artists perform first in this amazing place.

Opera Ensembles

Original Pinoy Musicals Ensembles

Sam Concepcion

Morrisette Amon, Christian Bautista, Yeng Constantino

The highlights of night were Martin Nievera singing his marvelous hits quieting the whole venue. Even more when Lea Salonga served us with Broadway hits from Cats, Les Miserables and Wicked.

Martin Nievera

For more information about The Theatre, call 888-8888 or visit solaireresort.com/enjoy/theatre/.

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SAM CONCEPCION and NEIL COLETA team up for upcoming movie

i feel so lucky to have an upclose interview with Sam Concepcion and Neil Coleta, two stars from ABS-CBN. the two are on their shoot of an upcoming movie, I Do Bidoo, Bidoo that is targeted to premiere in theaters on the third quarter of 2012.

Sam Concepcion and Neil Coleta

Sam Concepcion is Rock Polotan. raised from the not-so-rich family under Eugene Domingo and Ogie Alcasid. musicality and hardwork is in the genes of the family. however, being the first child of the couple, he accidentally trips down to Tracy Fuentebella (Tippy Dos Santos) whom he got pregnant.

Neil Coleta is Brent, Rock's best friend who stands by him all the time. we didn't have much information on the character but Neil is pretty thankful that he was chosen to be part of the film. known from his stints starting with an iced tea commercial, blessings keep coming in through movies, TV series and the like.

I Do Bidoo, Bidoo is a comedy-musical-drama going around two families: the humble Polotans and the rich Fuentebellas taking care of the struggles of a young nurse, Rocky and his pregnant girlfriend, Tracy. the movie also features songs from OPM legends, the APO Hiking Society weaved in the storyline.

Sam Concepcion is really excited teaming up with Tippy Dos Santos. they are known paired as Peter Pan and Wendy in Repertory Philippines' version of Peter Pan. they have done other projects together but this would be a major one. impregnating a girl in a movie is a new role for Sam. but he takes this as another step in his career and at least he gets versed in different roles. he is willing to get into mature roles but in a wholesome mode. he is also looking forward to working with his brothers, Red and Kevin Concepcion who mostly gets projects in the theater scene.

we also got to see the set of the Polotan residence in Quezon City. characters of the Polotan is noticeable in the house's colorful accentuations and design. Digo Nicio, the production designer, wanted to create pattern over pattern in the walls of the house. twisted 80's design in the realm when APO's songs soared the hit waves. the set is typically Filipino until i saw Rock's room.

jeepney signboards and posters of musicians cover the walls as a regular teenager would do it.

catch more updates about I Do Bidoo, Bidoo, the new movie by Unitel Productions. written and directed by Chris Martinez.

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Kids and pirates in Peter Pan!

Few nights to go and we're off to Neverland. Seeing familiar faces like the Darling children, Wendy, John and Michael, together with Tiger Lily, Tinkerbell, the Lost Boys, and of course the evil pirates, drawn me back to my childhood and also wished that I never grew up.

Repertory Philippines will stage their last production this season as they bring the new version of Peter Pan with Sam Concepcion playing the title role. Seeing their rehearsals in Makati gave me chills of excitement to see it in Meralco Theater starting on September 29!

Directors Jaime de Mundo and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo also gave us a glimpse of how the stage will look like. It resembles the past of Peter when he left his home and returning finding another child in his mother's arms. This will open into his rebellious but fun childhood in Neverland. And every scene will draw you into Neverland and its amazing creatures.

Now take a look at what's happening during the rehearsals. See excerpts of two songs: The Lost Boys Gang and Good Old Captain Hook performed by the cast.



Indeed Peter Pan and his friends will fly on secure harnesses for better effect. Songs and great dances await the audiences into a magical experience.

Repertory Philippines' PETER PAN is staged by the Children's Theater starting from September 29 - December 2011 at the Meralco Theater.

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SAM CONCEPCION flies as PETER PAN!

Repertory Philippines and Stages bring us to Neverland in their own rendition of the classic and well-loved JM Barrie book, PETER PAN. Peter Pan will be starred by celebrity youth icon, Sam Concepcion and will be staged in Meralco Theater on September 29 - October 30 2011.

Peter Pan is about a boy who never grew up who lives in a magical place called Neverland. where he had lots of adventures and fighting the nemesis Captain Hook. as he accidentally went to London, he meets these children and shared his adventures going back to Neverland. meeting with fairies, pirates, mermaids and the Lost Boys, the Darling children had their share of happy thoughts and a good story that may pass generation to generation.

JM Barrie created the boy who never grew up and has been portrayed many times by a girl so this will be the first, as Repertory Philippines and Stages placed a boy in the production. also, this will be a darker version of the musical but it will be a great show for everyone to enjoy. our favorite pirate villain Captain James Hook will be played by no other than Michael Williams. Ms Pinky Marquez will take on the role of Mrs. Darling. the role of Wendy will be taken on by two great actresses, Tippy Dos Santos and Cara Barredo. and happy for their biggest break yet in Repertory, Nacho Tambunting and Juan Miguel Santos will play the roles of John and Michael, Wendy's brothers.

expect a good production as Meralco Theater can make Peter Pan really fly. as Menchu Lauchenco-Yulo and Jaime Del Mundo guarantees the safety of our cast. the magic of fairy dust will be upon us with the happy thoughts in our heads. this will be a show that children will really remember and adults to recall their childhood.

for inquiries and other information, call Repertory Philippines at 571-6926 and 571-4941 or email info@repertory.ph. tickets are also available at Ticketworld at 891-9999 or
www.ticketworld.com.ph. Visit www.repertory.ph, subscribe to youtube.com/repertoryphils, and add “Rep Phils” in Facebook.

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