RENT cast talk to their 2024 alter egos -- life advices from their characters.

The highly anticipated return of the iconic musical RENT is poised to captivate audiences once again, gracing the stage of the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium starting April 19, 2024, under the esteemed production of 9 Works Theatrical. Jonathan Larson's timeless masterpiece continues to resonate deeply, portraying a group of individuals navigating the trials and triumphs of life, a narrative that remains as poignant and relevant today as ever before.

During an exclusive media conference with the cast, we delved into a thought-provoking inquiry: what wisdom would their characters impart to them as actors? This introspective question sparked profound reflections, especially considering the youthful composition of the cast and the evolving landscape since the musical's inception. Yet, the enduring relevance of its social themes persists.

Paul Valdez, embodying the role of Steve, a pillar of support for PLHIV, shared a poignant insight. Steve, he mused, would underscore the significance of family—whether by blood or choice—and the imperative to cherish every fleeting moment. For Paul, the experience of collaborating with the ensemble has reignited his passion for theater, forging bonds akin to a supportive family.

Reb Atadero, portraying Mark Cohen, encapsulated a crucial message: "Live for the art, don't die for it." His words resonated deeply, urging fellow artists to prioritize self-care amidst the pursuit of their craft, echoing Mark's struggles as a starving artist.

Ally, another luminary in the PLHIV support network, conveyed a message of solidarity to Misha Fabian, emphasizing the importance of community and empathy, epitomizing the central ethos of RENT—making the most of life's fleeting moments and fostering meaningful connections.

Kai Banson, in the role of Alexi Darling, reflected on the theme of choice, navigating the intersection between circumstance and aspiration. Alexi's hypothetical counsel echoed Kai's assertion that every choice is valid, free from judgment—a sentiment underscored by the musical's narrative.

For Abi Sulit, portraying Pam, the essence of empathy resounded deeply. Pam's hypothetical query—how does one measure a life?—encapsulates the complexity of human experience, urging against facile judgments.

Lance Reblando, embodying the ethereal Angel, imparted a message of hope amidst heartbreak, affirming the existence of genuine love—a testament to the resilience of the human spirit.

Vyen Villanueva echoed the sentiments of his peers, advocating for courage over fear, a resonant theme in the characters' journeys of self-discovery.

The cast and creative team of 9 Works Theatrical's RENT

These insights offer a glimpse into the profound connection between actor and character, underscoring the enduring resonance of RENT's narrative. They are but a few luminaries in the rich tapestry of 9 Works Theatrical's production, which features a stellar ensemble cast.

Experience the unfolding of their narrative firsthand! Secure your tickets via ticket2me.net and embark on a journey of self-discovery, celebrating the vitality of life, health, and friendship.

RENT will grace the stage from April 19 to the first weekend of June 2024, with performances at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and 8:00 pm on Fridays, at the CPR Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati.

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“TAMnan: Yugto ng Pag-Aani”: Annual Dance Concert of the FEU Dance Company April 20, 2024

The FEU Dance Company (FDC) will take center stage with its annual dance concert entitled "TAMnan: Yugto ng Pag-aani" on April 20, 2024 at 3:00 PM in the Far Eastern University Auditorium.

Set against the backdrop of agriculture and horticulture, "TAMnan: Yugto ng Pag-aani" will take the audience through the core stages of planting — a significant metaphor chosen to mirror the phases of personal life and community growth through the lens and movement language of the current student artists of the Company.

Tamnan means to plant something. A seed should be buried in dirt before it can begin to sprout and grow. The concert aims to portray human struggles as an integral part of development.

Pag-aani is a native word that refers to the act of harvesting fruit. A movement narrative of human experiences, this concert shows that by overcoming challenges, embracing individuality, and celebrating each other's differences, we allow ourselves to grow and bloom.

This concert is headed by the FEU Dance Company’s Artistic Director, Deborah Afuang, along with Folkdance Coach Albert Furing (IARFA 2022) and choreographers Sean Marc Pescador (IABF 2025), Ronieth Dayao (IE 2025), El Bautista (ITHM 2025), Adelaine Perez (IAS 2026), Tonnie Padayao (IAS 2026), Xyron Godfrey Apostol (IAS 2027), Johann Jabrica (IAS 2027), Stephanie Palconit (IARFA ‘27, and Danyel Reyes, FDC Alumnus of IARFA 2023.

Let this story not only be a celebration of individuality through dance, but also a commemoration of the power of harvesting a culture we have planted and continuously nurtured.

Tickets for the FEU Community are P100. Tickets for other guests are P150. For tickets and more information, visit: https://feudancecompany.crd.co/#register

From the dirt to the sun and from the soil to the harvest, join us as we embark on a seedling’s journey of celebrating unity through diversity!

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DITO Celebrates Ookla Win with Latest Campaign "DITO sa PUSO ko" featuring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera

DITO Telecommunity, the fastest-growing telecom provider in the country, launches DITO SA PUSO KO- a campaign that celebrates DITO subscribers' love and loyalty to the brand, featuring the Philippines’ most popular and sought-after real-life couple, Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera.

In a significant leap forward of being the Rated # 1 Mobile Network in the Philippines, DITO Telecommunity, the fastest-growing telecom provider in the country, proudly launches its newest campaign, DITO SA PUSO KO, featuring Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, the stars of the top-grossing Filipino film of all time - Rewind. This campaign celebrates their love for DITO with all the DITOZENS who motivate DITO's constant pursuit of excellent customer satisfaction and digital innovations.

The release of the heartwarming online video with a special rendition of the iconic Filipino song "Dito Sa Puso Ko" captures the meaning of DITO's latest milestone of being the Rated #1 Mobile Network in the Philippines as awarded by Ookla, the global leader in network intelligence and connectivity insights.

This campaign underscores DITO's unwavering dedication to enriching the lives of the Filipino people, providing them with reliable connectivity and innovative solutions to help turn their digital aspirations into reality. It also reflects DITO's growing fan base, with more and more Filipinos subscribing to its quality products and services.

"Our newest campaign isn't just about showcasing our products and services; it's about celebrating the mutual love that we have with our millions of DITOzens. Galing na mismo sa mga subscribers namin, as evidenced by the Ookla Rated #1 Mobile Network award, napusuan na talaga nila ang DITO. Truly grateful that we are now number one in their hearts and minds," said Evelyn Jimenez, DITO Chief Revenue Officer-Consumer.

#1 power couple DongYan now joins the Rated # 1 Mobile Network in PH

Renowned for their charm and charisma on and off screen, DITO brings in Dingdong Dantes and Marian Rivera, the stars of Rewind, as the power couple behind this new and exciting chapter in DITO's journey.

"Launching this campaign with Dingdong and Marian, the newest members of the DITO family, is a pivotal move to encourage more Filipinos to experience our next-generation technology. As we all know, Dingdong and Marian are not just big names in the Philippine entertainment industry; they are icons that inspire positive change and growth across diverse communities. Being the digital stars of DITO signifies not just a collaboration but a sweeping movement across the country—a shared vision of empowering and connecting more Filipinos nationwide," said Jasper Evangelist, DITO Brand and Marketing Director.

In the recently released online video of DITO SA PUSO KO, Dingdong and Marian were initially seen as the only ones with hearts. Eventually, hearts blasted all over the place, spreading the DITO love to everybody. This scene reflects the journey of DITO; through the power of high-speed connectivity and value-for-money products, along with the DITOzens' constant support and trust, DITO is now loved by millions of subscribers nationwide.

"At the outset, breaking into the market was a really a daunting challenge, specially amidst the long-standing duopoly. We needed to fight for our place on the table and establish who we are as a telco brand and what we really value as a company. Armed with a customer-centric mentality and a passion to make a difference , DITO thrived and flourished. We only started with thousands of subscribers, and now, after three years, we have millions of DITOzens who love and trust our brand and our products. And because of that, we are really grateful." Jimenez added.

Embracing this milestone and embarking on a new chapter with Dingdong and Marian is not merely a measure of success but a call to further elevate DITO's standards.

"As we embrace this achievement with grateful hearts, we also acknowledge that this is just the beginning of our journey. Moving forward, we remain steadfast in our commitment to provide, consistent customer satisfaction, value-driven products, and inclusive next-generation technology for the Filipino people," Jimenez concluded.

Watch DITO’s newest campaign:

 

For updates and promotions, follow DITO Telecommunity's official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram and Tiktok (@ditophofficial).

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The first trailer for “Joker: Folie à Deux” debuts at CinemaCon

He’s back, and this time he’s not alone anymore. Director Todd Philips takes us back inside the mind of one of the greatest villains of Gotham in Joker: Folie à Deux.

The highly anticipated follow-up to the two-time Academy Award winning Joker, the film has Joaquin Phoenix reprising his role as Arthur Fleck, now turned into The Joker, and alongside him stars Lady Gaga as the iconic Harley Quinn. Joker: Folie à Deux opens Philippine cinemas on October 2.

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Turn Meals into Jackpots: Join the Excitement of foodpanda's MINE Raffle

Get hyped as your favorite foodpanda treats can transform into mega wins and adventures! Teamed up with Coke and GCash, foodpanda will spice up your food game with the MINE Raffle!

Here's the deal: Just use the code "MINE" when you order on foodpanda, with a minimum spend of P199. Each time you use the code, you score entries into the weekly raffle draw.

But hold up, let’s boost our chances! Here's how: Ordering food delivery? That's one entry.

• Perhaps you prefer groceries, or picking something up using pandago, double your chances with two entries for each order.
• Feeling extra positive with your entries? Stay chill when you add some Coke to your order, and get 3 extra entries.
• We all know the convenience of topup payment. Pay via GCash and get 2 entries, or via pandapay, and get 1 more entry.
• And of course, every customer is important. 2 entries can be acquired if you are a new customer or a pandapro subscriber.

Amp up your winning potential with these huge deals! Now, what are all these efforts for if not for these weekly prizes? Each entry has a chance to win iPhone, PS5, MacBook, AirPods, Nintendo Switch, Apple Watch, foodpanda vouchers, and plenty more!

But that’s just the beginning, as you can also win either of the grand prizes of 1 Million Pesos, you can also drive a Geely - Okavango Urban Plus car, and 2 winners will get an exciting getaway trip to Bali, Indonesia!

Everyone's in the game! Tune in every Friday on Twitter and Viber to catch the announcement of our weekly winners. And mark your calendars for July 7, 2023, when we'll reveal the grand prize winners!

Grand winners will be chosen from all voucher redemptions made between April 2, 2024, and June 30, 2024. Weekly winners will be picked from voucher redemptions made between Monday to Sunday weekly. Don't pass up the opportunity to win!

Every bite brings you closer to winning awesome rewards. Happy ordering and good luck! 🛩🏞🚘

For more information about foodpanda and the incredible offers available, visit the official website at https://www.foodpanda.ph. Also like and follow the official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Tiktok and Youtube.

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PUCCINI PA MORE all set on April 20

Vissi d'arte. Vissi d'amore.
"I live for art. I live for love."
- From Giacomo Puccini's Tosca (1900)

Dive into the interesting and somewhat controversial life and works of Giacomo Puccini, regarded as the greatest composer of Italian opera after Giuseppe Verdi.

Learn more about him on the occasion of the centennial of his death from radio host and annotator Joanna Go.

Dr. Renato Lucas, professor, esteemed cellist, and President of the National Music Competition for Young Artists will discuss Puccini and opera in the Philippines.

His Excellency Marco Clemente, Ambassador of Italy to the Philippines will discuss the importance of opera in 21st century society.

Tiffany Liong Gabuya, station manager of DZFE 98.7 FM, the country's only classical radio station will share how to best present opera to a new generation of inquisitive and interested audiences.

Martin Lopez, Senior Director of the FEU Center for the Arts will moderate the informal and engaging panel discussion.

Join us in this conversation commemorating the 100th death anniversary of Puccini on April 20, 2024, from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM at the newly renovated University Conference Center (UCC), Far Eastern University, Manila.

Free Admission!

Register here: https://forms.office.com/r/xmN4QqzxiL
(First Come, First Served - Limited Slots Only)


Presented by the Embassy of Italy in the Philippines and the FEU Center for the Arts in cooperation with the FEU Institute of Arts and Sciences.

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Easter Fun in the East at SM

The warm summer sun is upon us, and with it comes the promise of beach getaways, relaxing staycations, and joyous Easter celebrations. Whether you're planning to hit the waves, cozy up at home during Holy Week, or join the festivities, SM City Marikina, SM City Masinag, SM City San Mateo, and SM Cherry Antipolo have you covered!

EGGciting Easter

Fun-filled Easter egg hunts and costume contests are happening on Easter Sunday at your nearest SM Mall. No Easter celebration is complete without a delicious meal to treat your family to—brunch, merienda, dinner, or even sweet coolers to beat the heat—all available at your convenience.

Beach-Bound Bliss

Stock up on essential beach essentials like sunscreen, swimsuits, and beach towels at the SM Store. Don't forget fun beach toys and floaties for the kids! Look effortlessly chic with breezy summer wear. Make sure to stay protected from the harsh summer sun with sunglasses, hats, and rash guards. Find light and airy dresses, cool polos, and comfy shorts for both men and women from all from Coco Cabana and Coco Republic at the SM Store.

Holy Week Staycation

Stock up on popcorn, chips, and your favorite snacks at SM Supermarket for cozy movie nights. Turn on that new AC from SM Appliance Center to beat the hot and humid weather outside. Dip into inflatable pools from Toy Kingdom while drinking an ice-cold cola at your garage sounds refreshing.

This summer and Easter, SM Supermalls has everything you need to make the most of the season. So, head on over to your nearest SM mall, soak up the summer vibes, celebrate Easter, and create fun memories with loved ones.

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