May 10, 2021

Miss Celia Diaz-Laurel launches a book on her thespian life

How do we immortalize our life? Many would like to become legends and those we look up to open the pages and write themselves a book. On her 93rd birthday, Ms Celia Diaz-Laurel gives as a read about her life in marriage with the arts in a coffee table book called "My Lives Behind the Proscenium" - something that she has worked on this time of pandemic and we think that it could be a good time to share her story.


A mother, wife, philanthropist, writer, painter, thespian, theater production and costume designer, she dedicates her book to the women and men whose encouragement and confidence helped her become an actress namely: Mother IMMACULADA (Assumption Convent); WILFRIDO MA. GUERRERO (UP Dramatic Club, University of the Philippines); SONIA RIFKIN and DOÑA TRINING LEGARDA (Manila Community Players); JAMES B. REUTER S.J. (Ave Maria Players and The Cathedral Players); CONSTANCE WELCH (Drama Department, Yale University); BEHN CERVANTES (who persisted in urging her to write this book about her life in the theatre); and husband SALVADOR ‘DOY’ LAUREL, who understood her calling and allowed her to grow not only as an actress but as a person.
 

The book chronicles the life that Celia Diaz Laurel led with chapter titles: Stage-struck at Five, Wartime Years, Dramatic UP Days, Yale Years, Back to the Stage at Repertory Philippines.


“Celia has written an entertaining story about her theatrical life in a straightforward, simple, style that not only will give the curious reader an insight into her life and the social milieu of her time but is a historical narrative of the early years of Manila theatre and the personalities who were part of it. She writes about her early personal life as the background for the successful career she carved out for herself—not only as an actress but as a set and costume designer,” wrote Joy Virata in the foreword of the book.
 
Celia Diaz Laurel shares her insights about her book -- how she so much enjoyed her life as an artist, how she impacts the people she works with, and most of all, to share art to the audience.

MY LIVES BEHIND THE PROSCENIUM is edited by Suzie Laurel-Delgado and Cocoy Laurel; Dulce Festin-Baybay (Editorial Consultant), Miriam R. Castillo (Project Coordinator), Sarah L. Sanz (Photo Editor), Nestor Amador Malgapo Jr. (Book Design and Cover). Printed by GA Printing.

For book reservations and inquiries, kindly please contact Ms. Jenn Tejada c/o 88697298 Mon. - Fri. 1pm - 5 pm. Online orders can be placed on May 29 Facebook Live launch www.facebook.com/CeliaDiazLaurel.

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May 9, 2021

The scenes Steven Spielberg's captured in West Side Story 1961

I've just seen West Side Story of 1961. So I tried to look back on the trailer released a few weeks ago that was directed by Steven Spielberg.
I think it will capture almost all the iconic moments, shot by shot, from the 60s movie in his adaptation of the West Side Story in a modern day setting and West Side fans will have a trip on memory lane in these scenes. Let me break some of them for you from Act 1.
Maria prepares for her first dance in the United States. She is hesitant to wear a simple white dress but Anita helps her to wear it and she will be the most beautiful maiden in the event.
The dance event where everyone will be enjoying
Tony glances at Maria for the very first time 
Maria looks back towards Tony.
Tony visits Maria and meets him at the balcony after the dance despite the dangerous fate in store for both of them.

Have you spot more scenes that look similar from the 1961 and this year's version? Tell them in the comments below. Steven Spielberg's West Side Story features Ansel Elgort as Tony, Rachel Zegler as Maria, Ariana Debose as Anita, David Alvarez as Bernardo of the Sharks gang, Mike Faist as Riff of the Jets gang and more.

Opening December 10, 2021 in theaters worldwide, a Christmas musical event from Disney.
 
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May 7, 2021

Why we can't stop watching PETA's Rak of Aegis online

It will be a delight for OPM fans to get back to Villa Venezia and relive the story of Aileen, Ken, Mary Jane, Kiel, Jewel and the rest of their neighbors singing the songs of Aegis in Rak of Aegis, one of my most loved musicals from the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). Now, everyone will got the chance to see it as it will be streamed online on July 31, August 1, 7 and 8, 2021 via www.ticket2me.net.
This run is a fundraising drive to help PETA's community of dedicated artists survive that has been greatly affected by the pandemic. The lack of shows, events, workshops and the painful layoff of artists, staff, and crew made them decide to do this initiative in this trying times.

Rak of Aegis' story has a similarity in today's pandemic that Aileen (Aicelle Santos), Tolits (Pepe Herrera), Ken (Poppert Bernadas), Mary Jane (Isay Alvarez), Kiel (Robert Sena) and the rest of Villa Venezia who faced a challenge by helping each other during a calamity -- a scenario which is very similar today that needs to be addressed as everybody are struggling their ways to survive in the crisis brought by COVID-19.

Pepe Herrera (Tolits) and Aicelle Santos (Aileen)

Isay Alvarez (Mary Jane) and Robert Sena (Kiel)

Poppert Bernadas as Ken

It is also a celebration of OPM music, with the songs of rockband Aegis that crosses the borders of social class. This online show will feature subtitles, and yes, you can sing-along to the top of your lungs octaves higher than Luha, Halik, Sinta, Basang-basa sa Ulan and more. The drama, humor, music and messages of hope, resiliency, family and community will now be available to everyone who wants to see it around the world! 

Tickets are now ON SALE when you visit www.ticket2me.net and choose the following pay-per-view options:
  • Livestream at Php 350 - 8:00 P.M to 11:00 P.M. (Philippine Standard Time)
  • Video On Demand at Php 500 - 24-hours streaming from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. the next day (Philippine Standard Time)
  • Video on Demand Premium at Php 1,000 - 24-hours streaming from 10:00 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. the next day (Philippine Standard Time) plus exclusive access to the Rak with Aegis LIVE virtual concert on August 8, 8:00 P.M., featuring the Aegis Band and select cast of Rak of Aegis.
Get full Rak of Aegis experience with an Aegis concert! 

You can also help PETA and the artists and keep the arts alive by donating through their bank and Gcash accounts below:



For bulk tickets and partnerships, contact Mitch Go, mitchgo@petatheater.com, 0917-5391112. For more information, follow PETA’s social media pages: Facebook www.facebook.com/petatheater; Instagram @petatheater; Twitter @petatheater; YouTube www.youtube.com/petatheateronline or visit www.petatheater.com/rakofaegis.

*images courtesy of PETA

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