Bicolano epic on Manila stage -- Tanghalang Pilipino brings Ibalong

Tanghalang Pilipino brings our own epic story from the Bicol region, IBALONG. the love story of a mortal and a monster in their protection against the merciless human actions for urbanization and development.

the musical exhibits Filipino cultural artistry featuring design creativity and musicality of locals. Jenine Desiderio plays Oryol, the half-woman, half-snake deity who protects the environment and its creatures. she falls in love with Handyong, played by Myke Salomon, alternated by Remus Villanueva, a warrior. as odds fall upon them, they establish the greatness of the land we know Bicol of.

cast and creative team of IBALONG

IBALONG the musical opens February 8 - March 3 2013 at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino in CCP. with shows at 3PM, Saturdays and Sundays and 8PM, Fridays - Sundays. take your Humanities class in the theaters and support Philippine arts.

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NIKKI GIL and LORENZ MARTINEZ star in 9WT new rom-com

how do you fall in love? a few days before Valentine's Day, remember how you fall in love in 9 Works Theatrical's presentation, They're Playing Our Song. yes, and they're back with Nikki Gil and Lorenz Martinez playing the leads.

this musical is a musical with a book by Neil Simon, lyrics by Carole Bayer Sager, and music by Marvin Hamlisch. it's about Hamlisch and Sager's love story with Vernon and Sonia playing their parts. each had their own three-character chorus as their inner voices. 9PO accompanies their singing with their high-class playing as Robbie Guevara directs.

at first, i was not really aware that the song "Fallin'" came in this musical. and i've gotta watch out for Lorenz Martinez pairing up with Nikki Gil. if Lorenz got your funny bones tingling at Forbidden Broadway and Nikki Gil on Sweet Charity, it would definitely be a riot with them two on stage. plus, this would be extra special if you're watching it with your loved one. more fun with their inner voices: Anna Santamaria, Peachy Atilano, Jill Pena, James Stacey, Reb Atadero (9WT first-timer) and Noel Rayos.

for those who like to take the Valentine's in a fancy hotel, the Peninsula Manila will also give you a VIP treatment bringing you to see They're Playing Our Song musical also with the amenities they have. see the poster below for details.

so grab your dates and close the schedule starting February 8 to March at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. for ticket inquiries, call 586-7105 / 09175445560 or TicketNet office at 8919999.

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RUNRIO's Battle of the Sexes Benefit Run

getting on with the 10K attempt. at least this will be done in the night so i can rest much before the race.

run for a cause, join the Sofitel Run Rio, Battle of the Sexes, a 10k and 5K morning Fun Run this March 3 2013 at the SM Mall of Asia Grounds. this unique concept of male vs female is a first in the country. all runners get a chance to win in the raffle for the 1 million hotel luxury stay package. i know you want to stay in that world-class hotel, so join now!

for more information on the Run Rio Fun Run, please log on to http://www.facebook.com/events/183480295126412/ or call Sofitel Philippine Plaza at 551 5555 loc. 7789.

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Les Misérables movie review

one word is not enough to discuss the grandeur of the movie Les Misérables which makes a buzz in the Philippines today. after a very unfortunate incident from last week's screening, every body still looked forward to seeing it finally.

so this one word is just: WOW! i've really anticipated for the performances by Hugh Jackman as Jean Valjean, Anne Hathaway as Fantine, Russell Crowe as Inspector Javert, Amanda Seyfried as Cosette, Samantha Barks as Eponine, Eddie Redmayne as Marius, Helena Bonham Carter and Sacha Baron Cohen as the Thénardiers. all the cast had their own spectacular scenes and musical numbers. vocals are amazing and worked pretty well except for Russell Crowe who didn't have that vocal power among the rest. but he still stood out for that. haha!

among all the cast, Amanda Seyfried had the sweetest voice. but it was just used for their scene with Marius. and the most powerful was from Fantine. Anne Hathaway and Samantha Barks delivered the most emotional songs which i felt very well for the first time.

as for the make up and prosthetics, they were really executed very well especially for Hugh. adding to it when he dedicatedly lose some pounds for the Valjean role. Russell Crowe as Javert was different from Geoffrey Rush's delivery which was more obsessed in finding Valjean. but his death was more solid that Rush's.

well i hope you would also enjoy Les Miserables in the way i loved it. i'd like to see it again soon. :)

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KAILANGAN KO'Y IKAW to steam up Kapamilya nights

box office king and queens Robin Padilla, Anne Curtis and Kris Aquino teams up on the newest Kapamilya teleserye that will surely hook loyal televiewers during primetime. Kailangan Ko'y Ikaw premieres tonight at ABS-CBN with the Idol of the Masses, Box-Office Queen and Queen of All Media in this one of a kind story you shouldn't miss.

Robin Padilla plays Bogs (aka Dagohoy) a dedicated policeman from QCPD hailing from the honor of his deceased father. he falls to Ruth (Anne Curtis), a model aspirant raised from a high profile family doing security services for business. unfortunately, as both were really out of their leagues to get into the relationship, Ruth still has the support of her sister Roxanne (Kris Aquino) in anything that her sister wants to pursue. Ruth also has this difficulty going on in relation to his father (Tirso Cruz III) and in coping up with the achievements of her siblings. but what if her dreams cost her the man of her life? the once close sisterhood will become a big rivalry among the two.

Ruth, Bogs and Roxanne

in review of the first five episodes, unexpected circumstances were rapidly revealed. unfold the mysteries of each character night after night in this heart warming series.

adding to the powerhouse cast are Ian Veneracion, Smokey Manaloto, Karla Estrada, Gloria Sevilla, Emilio Garcia, Xyriel Manabat with special participation of Melissa Mendez, and Lito Pimentel. directed by Joyce Bernal and Malu Sevilla.

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can't decide on these Valentine concerts

there are major concerts happening on Valentines Day, February 14 2013. yes, two different concerts featuring OPM and foreign artists. this would make fans like me very confused on deciding which concert to go to.

for all those OPM lovers out there, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid will have a FOURSOME at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.

on the other hand, Ovation Productions brings Jessica Sanchez and Colton Dixon at the Big Dome, Smart Araneta Coliseum.

and lastly, Side A, Top Suzara and Jinky Vidal will be having their own collaborative concert at Resorts World Manila.

waaah! my favorite artists in one day! i just don't know which one to go to! i've seen Jessica and Colton during their AI Tour last year but i want to see our OPM artists live for the first time. if you're to choose, which one would you go to?

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OSCAR 2013 nominations

the countdown on night that will tell who's the best among the rest has finally began. the Academy has officially announced the contenders for this year's Oscar Awards. well surprisingly, The Hobbit didn't get the nominations for Best Picture. it's unusual for me because The Lord of the Rings trilogy got the Best Picture and Best Direction for a Feature film with Peter Jackson.

but now, as it was lately announced, i am so happy to see many of the movies i've seen were nominated. Argo, Life of Pi, Mirror Mirror, Snow White and the Huntsman, Skyfall are the movies that i saw from the past year. and the other movies like Zero Dark Thirty and Silver Linings Playbook are yet to be seen. hope they can get it her in the Philippines soon so everybody can check.

here are a partial list of nominees:

Best Picture - Amour, Argo, Beasts of Southern Wild, Django Unchained, Les Miserables, Life of Pi, Lincoln, Silver Linings Playbook, Zero Dark Thirty

Best Actor in a Leading Role - Bradley Cooper (Silver Linings Playbook), Daniel Day Lewis (Lincoln), Hugh Jackman (Les Miserables), Joaquin Phoenix (The Master), Denzel Washington (Flight)

Best Actress in a Leading Role - Jessica Chastain (Zero Dark Thirty), Jennifer Lawrence (Silver Linings Playbook), Emmanuelle Riva (Amour), Quvenzhané Wallis (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Naomi Watts (The Impossible)

Actor in a Supporting Role - Alan Arkin (Argo), Robert De Niro (Silver Linings Playbook), Philip Seymour Hoffman (The Master), Tommy Lee Jones (Lincoln), Christoph Waltz (Django Unchained)

Actress in a Supporting Role - Amy Adams (The Master), Sally Field (Lincoln), Anne Hathaway (Les Misérables), Helen Hunt (The Sessions), Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook)

Best Director - Jacki Weaver (Silver Linings Playbook), Benh Zeitlin (Beasts of the Southern Wild), Ang Lee (Life of Pi), Steven Spielberg (Lincoln), David O. Russell (Silver Linings Playbook)

i cannot bet on my choices since i haven't seen them all. but it will be great to know if the movies i've seen gets major awards. to get the full list of nominations, you can check the Academy Awards website. the awarding ceremonies will be commenced on February 26 2013.

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