A Life in the Theater

The Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group (PHILSTAGE), the country's only organization of professional performing arts companies, invites critics, educators, researchers and regular audiences of theater, music and dance productions to seek Jury Panel membership slots for the 2008 PHILSTAGE Awards for the Performing Arts. Conceived as peer awards similar to many of the performing arts industry awards abroad, the PHILSTAGE Awards are conferred for outstanding achievements in the performing arts by PHILSTAGE member-companies such as Actors Actors, Inc. (AAI), Ballet Manila (BM), Ballet Philippines (BP), Gantimpala Theater Foundation(GANTIMPALA), Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM), Philippine Education Theater Association (PETA), Repertory Philippines (REP), Tanghalang Pilipino (TP), and Triumphant People's Evangelistic Theater Society, Inc. (TRUMPETS). Awards shall be given for outstanding achievements in production or performance, stage direction, original script/con...

Every year for three years now, the Philippine Daily Inquirer's Gibbs Cadiz comes up with his list of the Best in Philippine Theater. For 2007, I am proud that a number of productions and performers from Tanghalang Pilipno, (this blogger's productions included) made it into the list. Leading the list are "Ellas Inocentes” (written by Layeta Bucoy and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio), an entry in the 3rd Virgin Labfest, which is cited as the year's Best One-act Play, and "Insiang" (by Mario O’ Hara, directed by Chris Millado) for Best Full-length play. "Ellas Inocentes" is described as "A hypnotic, heartbreaking portrait of a pair of warped childhoods, featuring astonishing performances and astute direction. Simply the most compelling entry in this year’s Virgin Labfest." "Insiang," in turn, is a reworking of Lino Brocka's film into "a brilliant piece of contemporary social realist theater, redolent of the fetid air of lives ...

Tanghalang Pilipino holds open auditions for two forthcoming productions: the rock musical “EJ:Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Evelio Javier at Edgar Jopson” scheduled in February and March 2008, and the Philippine premiere of David Henry Hwang’s “GOLDEN CHILD ” which will run from August to September 2008. The rock musical “EJ: Ang Pinagdaanang Buhay nina Edgar Jopson at Evelio Javier” is written by Palanca Hall of Fame awardee Ed Maranan with music by The Dawn under the direction of Chris Millado. Auditions are scheduled from 5pm to 9pm on December 19 and 20, 5pm to 9pm, at the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining, 4th Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines. Those interested must be prepared to perform a song of their choice and another song from the album “Tulad ng Dati” by The Dawn. “GOLDEN CHILD” wll be performed in both English and Filipino under the direction of Loy Arcenas, who also directed “The Romance of Magno Rubio/Ang Romansa ni Magno Rubio.” Needed are actors and actr...

Ricky Davao is a multi-awarded film, television and theater actor who would really rather be known as a singer who can act. He will jump at every opportunity to show off his singing voice and whose plans for the future not only include directing a film version of Rene Villanueva's "Hiblang Abo" but also an album of salinawits, or standards transliterated into Filipino. Which is not to say that he will also not take advantage of every chance to perform on stage. This week, he resurrects his role as Dado in the Mario O'Hara's adaptation of his own screenplay for Lino Brocka's "Insiang." Directed by Chris Millado (who, like Ricky, also won an Aliw Award for his work on the play), Ricky plays opposite Sheenly Vee Gener (as Insiang) and Mailes Kanapi (as Pacing). As he normally would, Ricky set aside time to do Insiang, making sure that he can devote all his attention and time for the project. Ricky once said in an interview that we have known each other ...

When I go back to Silliman next week with Tanghalang Pilipino's productions of GEE GEE AT WATERINA and WELCOME TO INTELSTAR, it will be my third time to visit the place. I have been to Silliman University and Luce Auditorium twice before : the first was in 1978 when U.P. and PNB brought Tony Mabesa's production of Nick Joaquin's "Tatarin" back to back with Isagani Cruz' "Josephine"; the second was with Repertory Philippines' "The Gingerbread Lady" by Neil Simon in 1983. I have very fond memories of both trips. In 1978, Amiel Leonardia was still the Luce Auditorium's Technical Director. His assistant was a graduate student named Junix Inocian. I recall that Luce Auditorium was comparable with the best theaters in the country, probably next only to Philamlife Auditorium in terms of acoustics. Among the company in that 1978 tour (which was also memorable because I lost my entire bag when we were dropped off by a C-130 cargo plane at...

I started a new poll, which you can see on the left side of this site: which of the following actors would you want to seen onstage again soon: 1. Nonie Buencamino 2. Ricky Davao 3. Michael de Mesa 4. Ronnie Lazaro 5. Mario O'Hara 6. Jet Pangan Feel free to share your choices, or to feedback on the list.

The year’s best stage event invades Cebu this November!Tanghalang Pilipino’s production of “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal” goes onstage at the SM Cebu Cinema 1 on November 16 to 18 at 3pm and 8pm, sure to give Cebuanos a rip-roaring time as the beloved parlorista turned bodacious superhero shows off her powers outside of Manila for the very first time. Playing Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah once again is singer-comedienne K Brosas. Already famous for her television appearances in Bitoy’s Funniest Home Videos and Hokus Pokus plus her villainous turn as Divina Demonica in Mars Ravelo’s Darna, K Brosas combines zany humor and peculiar vulnerability as the red-headed warrior heroine. Providing ample support to K Brosas are some of the country’s best musical theater artists, among them Arnold Reyes as Dodong, the man with the perfect “noodles”; Kalila Aguilos as the archnemesis Queen Femina Suarestella Baroux, Tuxqs Rutaquio as the gay beautician Ada; Wenah Nagales, Mayen Estanero, Skyzx Labastilla and ...

TUKSO is back for more screenings at the Indie Sine at Robinsons' Galleria Movieworld, together with STILL LIFE. Screenings are until Tuesday, October 23, 2007. As screening times are subject to change, please check the papers or call the cinema for precise schedules. TUKSO is also showing this week Robinson's Bacolod, so those who are trooping to that city for the Masskara Festival has another reason to go. You can watch the TUKSO trailer here.

The word is out. The following made it to the semi-finals of the 2008 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival on the basis of their submitted synopses. Thanks to bigredbakulaw for the heads up, as the list is still not posted in the Cinemalaya website (paging the Festival Committee!) 1. 100 / Chris Martinez 2. Abalorio / Norman S. Regalado 3. Ang Tagabasa / Dale Custodio 4. Antiparang Basag / Edith Asuncion 5. Asan na nga ba si Tupe? / Carlo F. C. Castro 6. Baby Angelo /Joel Ruiz & Abi Aquino 7. Bakal Boys / Ralston Jover 8. Bantay / Marinette Lusanta 9. Biyaheng Norte / Bong Ramos 10. Brutus /Tara Illenberger 11. Frames / Enrico Aragon 12. Huling Pasada / Paul Sta. Ana 13. Jay / Francis Xavier E. Pasion 14. KAHOS: The Purge / Boyette Rimban 15. Konsyerto sa Kagubatan / Paul Y. Morales 16. Kristo /Jerwin D. Espiritu 17. My Fake American Accent / Onnah Valera 18. Namets (Yummy) / Jay Abello 19. Ranchero Michael Christian Cardoz 20. Sa Ilalim Ng Aratiles / Pam Miras 21. The G...

I got the following in my mailbox today, and I thought I should share it with readers of this blog. “You gotta watch the play directed by Chris Millado – once more he has outdone himself. I didn’t know it was kinda x-rated so I brought along my 16 year old daughter T. and her two friends. But what a revelation! It was the best thing for them to learn about the facts of life and issues of premarital sex, abuse, rape, etc. I thought I was in the play myself being so near the characters! My daughter remarked that she rates it as good as Broadway’s “Lion King”! Say what? Coming from a stage enthusiast she might just be right. The set is fantastic , can’t believe it was a stage – thought I was really there where it was happening! Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow Wow!!! - Carmen Prieto ‘This is your chance to imagine, to feel, to watch, and to ‘live’ with Insiang! We’ve seen it and we’re in awe! And yes, we’re watching it again! And you should watch it too! A different kind of experience in the theater ...

Entertainment Tukso: A whodunit Rashomon STARBYTES By Butch Francisco Thursday, October 4, 2007 The truth told in different versions — as popularized by best foreign film winner Rashomon — is still alive and well in Philippine cinema. This device was previously used in Laurice Guillen’s Salome in 1981 and in Chito Roño’s Itanong Mo sa Buwan in 1988. Both films won Best Picture in the Gawad Urian. In Dennis Marasigan’s Tukso, which is currently showing in Robinsons Galleria’s IndieSine, the story is also told from various perspectives. Winner of Cinemalaya’s Best Screenplay award, the film gives the viewer the task of finding out who and how a barrio lass named Monica (Diana Malahay) is killed. Tukso is basically a whodunit Rashomon and we are presented with different suspects: Suspect No. 1 is Carlo (Sid Lucero), a fresh architecture graduate who is assigned to the province to design and supervise the construction of a local subdivision. He meets Monica and they become intimate in spi...

Flash report! "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal" was awarded as the Best Stage Event in this year's Nocturnal Awards organized by 24/7 and held tonight at the BMW Pavilion at Fort Bonifacio. Other nominees for the category included "Aida Gomez:Carmen" and Repertory Philippines' "The Sound of Music." What's next for "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah, Ze Muzikal?" It will be presented next month at the SM Cebu Cinema 1 in cooperation with Elite International. There will be six performances in all on November 16-18, 3pm and 8pm. For tickets and other information, please call Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-3661 or 832-1125 loc. 1620 or 1621.

Here's an insider alert for those planning to watch "INSIANG": better catch the performances this weekend rather than wait for the second weekend, as there are hardly any tickets left. You have better chances coming to the CCP Tanghalang Batute on Saturday, Oct. 6 and Sunday, Oct. 7. Better yet, reserve your tickets now through the INSIANG website here. Tanghalang Pilipino's production of "INSIANG" presented in cooperation with Bright Eyed Boys Events and Ideas Inc. runs from Oct. 5- 7 and Oct. 12-14 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Huseng Batute. Shows at 8pm Fridays to Sundays and 3pm matinees on Saturdays and Sundays. Directed by Chris Millado from the play by Mario O'Hara adapted from his own screenplay, with Ricky Davao, Mailes Kanapi, Mae Paner, Peewee O'Hara and Sheenly Vee Gener as Insiang.

“TUKSO,” winner of the Best Screenplay Award at the 2007 CINEMALAYA Philippine Independent Film Festival, receieved a “B” grading from the Cinema Evaluation Board of the Film Development Council of the Philippines. The fifteen members of the Board who viewed the film unanimously voted that “TUKSO” deserved a grade. Subsequently, eight (8) members voted to give it a “B” grade as against seven (7) members who gave it an “A”. The “B” grade entitles the film to a rebate on amusement taxes collected in certain cities where the film will be screened. “TUKSO” will have its theatrical screening on October 3-9, 2007 at the Indie Sine, Robinson’s Galleria Movieworld. SYNOPSIS: A young village lass is found dead. An investigator (ADEL) is assigned to look into the case and gets to learn more about the girl and the people whose lives were affected by her and her death: her father (BAL), a young architect (CARLO), a businessman (DAVID), her childhood friend (EMER) and a widow (FE). CAST: IRMA ADLA...

INSIANG, the stage adaptation of the Lino Brocka film that swept the 2003 Aliw Awards (Best Play, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress) returns to the CCP for a limited two-weekend run from October 5 to 15, 2007. The Tanghalang Pilipino production is directed by Chris Millado from the script by Mario O'Hara and features Ricky Davao, Mailes Kanapi, Mae Paner, Peewee O'Hara with Sheenly Vee Gener in the title role. For tickets and other inquiries, check out the Insiang Website at http://www.brighteyedboys.com/insiang/ .

PILIPINAS CIRCA 1907 was the first play of the 21st season of Tanghalang Pilipino. With Libretto by Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson and music by Jose Estella, Lutgardo Labad, Louie Pascasio, Lucien Letaba, Nicanor Abeladro, Scott Joplin, and Barry Fagan, the sarswela was staged for four weeks at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) with a cast headed by Ana Guillen Feleo, Miguel Castro, Lani Mabilangan Ligot and Arnold Reyes. Googling through cyberspace, I came across several web posts from people who saw the production. Following are some of them, edited for this page. The links are provided, in case anyone might be interested to read through. I Solemnly Swear to Watch It Again Nasa cloud nine pa rin ako. As in over the moon happiness. . . . WOW! . . . Found my new love: THEATER. read the entire blog here Despite the heavy political theme, "Pilipinas Circa 1907" is quite a delight to sit through. All three hours of it! First, there's good singing. . . . Second, ...

SUSAN VALDEZ, the actress most famous for her role in Mike de Leon's "Itim", is in town for a short visit, her first after moving to New York in 1985. We met up last Saturday after the one-night performance of ART at the Music Museum, and together with Raquel Villavicencio, Gina Alajar, Rez Cortez, Bembol Roco, and for a brief while, Ricky Davao and Mark Gil, reminisced about all the productions and film projects done in the past and good naturedly ribbed her about what the future might hold for her if she decides to come back for good. I had the glorious fortune of working with Susan on a number of plays (that's us above flanking Barbara Perez, together with Tony Mabesa, Cris Michelena and Sonia Valenciano inBehn Cervantes' 1982 production of "Larawan" for UP Repertory, which we even toured to Cagayan and the Visayas) that included "Peer Gynt", "Hedda Gabler/A Doll's House", and Chris Millado's "Intermedyo" where s...

Tanghalang Pilipino's new musical "MULAN" for children of ALL ages, is on its last two weekends at the CCP's Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) on September 28-30 and October 5-7, with Friday performances at 8pm and Saturdays and Sundays at 3pm. From the audience feedback on its first two weekends, the production is a delight for both young and old. Most viewers are raving about Gino Gonzales' production design, particularly the costumes, as well as the choreographed routines that are heavily influenced by the Chinese martial arts of Wushu. Disney, it ain't. For those interested, do call the Tanghalang Pilipino office at 832-3661, Ticketworld at 891-9999 or the CCP Box Office at 832-3704. Tickets are at P500 (regular) and P250 for students, with discounts for groups. Tanghalang Pilipino's MULAN features the Tanghalang Pilipino ACTORS COMPANY. Libretto by Rody Vera, Music by Jed Caballero Balsamo, Choreography by Denisa Reyes, Production Des...

TUKSO, which won for myself and my co-writers Nikki Torres and Mara Paulina Marasigan the Best Screenplay Award in the 2007 Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival, will be screened at the Indie Sine at the Robinson's Movieworld Galleria from October 3 to 9, 2007. TUKSO is a mystery film with a twist. A young village lass is found dead. An investigator is assigned to the case, and the film presents the different perspectives of the people who know her. In the cast are award-winning film, television and theater actors led by RICKY DAVAO and IRMA ADLAWAN together with SHAMAINE BUENCAMINO, SOLIMAN CRUZ, SID LUCERO, PING MEDINA, and DIANA MALAHAY. RICKY plays David Solomon, a businessman whose subdivision project and personal life are affected by the girl’s mysterious death. IRMA plays the role of Fe, a widow who may have the key that can help unravel the mystery. SOLIMAN portrays the deceased girl's father; SHAMAINE is the investigator. PING is the girl's childhood fr...

The last three months have been hectic, and I was surprised to realize I have not posted any new blog for over ten weeks. In defense, I have to state that July was witness to the Virgin Labfest 3, the Asian Voyage of Songs in Pattaya, and Cinemalaya 2007. In August came the opening of the Tanghalang Pilipino 21st Theater Season with "Pilipinas Circa 1907" and elections of new officers for the Philippine Independent Filmmakers Multipurpose Cooperative (IFC). Earlier in this September month were the openings of "Mulan" and "Quiapo." All of these I will write about, no matter how briefly, if only to make amends for the prolonged silence. And this site is sporting a new look which I hope echoes the colors of Tanghalang Pilipino's logo and primspark design.

Guess what? Two of the actors who sent heart rates soaring in the previous Cinemalaya festivals are back, this time in one film. In the first Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival 2007, the surprise hit with both audiences and critics was “ANG PAGDADALAGA NI MAXIMO OLIVEROS.” Next to Nathan Lopez who played the title role, it was PING MEDINA who connected to the audiences the most with his touching portrayal of Maxie’s older brother. The following year, it was SID LUCERO’s turn to charm audiences and critics alike with his seemingly effortless portrayal of a BIO (Butanding Information Officer) in in “DONSOL”, a role that fittingly won him Golden Screen’s Award for breakthrough performance. For this year’s edition of Cinemalaya, both actors are back to tempt audiences anew as they pit talents against each other in Dennis Marasigan’s “TUKSO”, one of the full-length feature film finalists. Sid and Ping are only too happy to be part of “TUKSO” playing two men who become romantica...

The 2nd and final weekend performances for Virgin Labfest 3 take place at the CCP beginning today until Sunday, July 8. Do not be like those who wait until the last day to come, only to find out that there are no longer any tickets left. Call the CCP Box-Office (832-3704) or the Tanghalang Pilipino office (832-3661) for schedules and tickets. (Look up Gibbs Cadiz' blog at http://www.gibbscadiz.blogspot.com/ to read more about some of the plays being staged this year. He also has links to other bloggers who have seen some of the plays.)

Two of the outstanding productions featured in last year's Virgin Labfest 2 return for a limited run in the 2007 Virgin Labfest 3, the annual festival of untried, untested, unpublished and unstaged plays. Writing about these plays, the Philippine Daily Inquirer's Gibbs Cadiz wrote that Job Pagsibigan’s “The Palanca in My Mind” directed Roobak Valle Valle "offered a diverting (if sitcom-ish) stab at the stuffed, geriatric image of the Palanca Awards, the country’s premier literary competition." Heading the cast is Wenah Nagales, who "virtually gobbled up the scenery as the starry-eyed writer Dory, supported by a shape-shifting cast of talented Tanghalang Pilipino actors." "Hubad" features Irma Adlawan and Nonie Buencamino who play a husband and wife who’ve taken to playing sexual games to spice up their marriage. According to Cadiz, the two actors "were a wonder to watch—nothing less than master classes on the use of body, voice, mind and exper...

The trailer for "TUKSO" is now online. The link is http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AT51ZqZVNgQ Screening schedules for the Cinemalaya 2007 Philipppine Independent Film Festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines are as follows: TUKSO by Dennis Marasigan 21 Jul/Sat - 06:15 PM Venue 5 - CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute 22 Jul/Sun - 09:00 PM Venue 2 - CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino 24 Jul/Tue - 03:30 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo 26 Jul/Thu - 12:45 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo 27 Jul/Fri - 06:15 PM Venue 4 - CCP MKP Hall / Bulwagang Alagad Ng Sining 28 Jul/Sat - 09:00 PM Venue 1 - CCP Main Theatre / Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo 29 Jul/Sun - 12:45 PM Venue 2 - CCP Little Theatre / Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino Tickets to the screenings are at P 100.00 (regular) and P50.00 (students). I hope to see you there! Dennis

Last night was the open dress rehearsal for the fifth run of ZSA ZSA ZATURNNAH ZE MUZIKAL with K BROSAS stepping into the shoes of the heroine, and it was a blast! Audiences are sure to enjoy sitting through the musical, even if they have seen it before. K was consistently good, at times goofy, at times surprisingly vulnerable, always a joy to watch as she goes through the moves the role demands. I am sure even EULA VALDES, who created the role and who alternates with K in this staging, will more than be delighted to watch K transform into ZSA ZSA and make it her own. And with NAR CABICO as the new DIDI and VINCE DE JESUS alternating with TUXQS RUTAQUIO as ADA, and the trio of ARNOLD REYES, LAUREN NOVERO and JANVIER DAILY reporting back alternately as DODONG, trooping to the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium at the RCBC Plaza will be more than well rewarded.

Film viewers can expect a veritable lode of acting talent in “TUKSO” which will be shown as part of this year’s CINEMALAYA PHILIPPINE INDEPENDENT FILM FESTIVAL scheduled on July 20-29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. “TUKSO” is a mystery film with a twist. A young village lass is found dead. An investigator is assigned to the case, and the film presents the different perspectives of the people who know her. A “revisionist Rashomon” is how one writer describes it, recalling the classic film by Japanese Director Akira Kurosawa. In the cast are award-winning film, television and theater actors led by RICKY DAVAO and IRMA ADLAWAN. Last seen together on screen in “MGA PUSANG GALA” for which they received nominations from almost all of local filmdom’s award-winning bodies, both actors also won Aliw Awards for their work on stage in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “SPEAKING IN TONGUES.” In TUKSO, Ricky Davao plays David Solomon, a businessman whose subdivision project and personal life are af...

A THIRD SERVING OF THE VIRGIN LABFEST VIRGIN LABFEST 3, the year’s most anticipated festival of new and untried, untested, unpublished and unstaged plays, runs from June 28 until July 8 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. This year, the festival features the premiere of eighteen (18) new one-act plays plus staged readings of full-length plays, directed and acted by artists from some of the country’s most respected performing companies. The first set, INTERNATIONAL NIGHT, is a compilation of plays by foreign playwrights, an innovation for this year’s festival. He-Me-She-It by Narumol Thammapruksa and directed by Jaime del Mundo is a poetic improvisation where a newcomer, an alien/stranger both influences and terrifies the members of an undisclosed remote town. Lizard by Haresh Sharma, directed by Nicolas Pichay, is a surreal and inertly violent depiction of a Singaporean household whose scheming, double-dealing, and at times cruel transactions negotiated with each other makes for...

Classes open this week, which means that it has been thirty years since I auditioned for my first play in Dulaang U.P. I still remember very clearly that the audition posters for Dulaang U.P. 1977-1978 2nd season opener, a translation of Bertolt Brecht's Der kaukasische Kreiderkreis (Caucasian Chalk Circle) went up on the third day of classes. Having been a part of theater and radio productions in high school, I was eager to try out my luck in the play which, the announcements said, was to be directed by Tony Mabesa. On the appointed day of auditions, I walked into the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater (which then til now is still referred to as the A.S. Theater -- A.S. for Arts and Sciences, which was the college housed in the Palma Hall before it was divided into three different colleges some years after) and was called to read a few lines from the play. I remember Tony Mabesa's booming voice and the loud banter among the other auditionees (who I would learn later were students...

Here's the composition of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors' Company for 2007-2008 (21st Theater Season). MEMBERS Mayen Estanero Marj Lorico Wenah Nagales Bong Cabrera APPRENTICE Jonathan Tadioan SCHOLARS Tara Cabaero Jennifer Chuaunsu Anna Deroca Rommel Benedicto Kathlyn Castillo Chromewell Cosio Sheenly Vee Gener Russell Legaspi Sugus Legaspi Daniel Ramonal Each of them receives a salary or stipend plus allowances for classes and rehearsals and fees for performances. They will be seen in most of the productions of Tanghalang Pilipino's 21st Theater Season which opens in August 10 with a new production of the sarswela PILIPINAS CIRCA 1907 written by Dr. Nicanor G. Tiongson. In case anyone wants to find out more about them, do drop me a line. They will also have their photos and short bio's in the Tanghalang Pilipino web...

Here are some photos from TUKSO, my digital film entry to this year's Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival scheduled on July 20-29 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In the cast are Irma Adlawan, Shamaine Buencamino, Soliman Cruz, Ricky Davao, Sid Lucero, Ping Medina, and Diana Malahay. Special appearances by Nonie Buencamino, Mailes Kanapi, Ronnie Lazaro, Paolo O'Hara and Bing Pimentel.

I'm back in circulation after an appendectomy that kept me five days in the hospital (which would probably be the subject of a separate blog by itself) and two more weeks in recovery. I apologize to everyone who might have been expecting more from this site, and I promise updates more often from hereon.

The award-wnning digital film adaptation of SA NORTH DIVERSION ROAD based on the play by Tony Perez and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan finally has its theatrical run exclusively at the Indie Sine Robinson’s Movieworld Galleria from April 28 to May 1. SA NORTH DIVERSION ROAD was a finalist in the 2005 Cinema One Originals and was an official selection in the 19th Singapore International Film Festival and the 42nd Pesaro International Film Festival. It was nominated for Best Actress at the 2006 Gawad Urian and for Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Song in the 2006 Golden Screen Awards where it also won Best Screenplay Adaptation. John Arcilla and Irma Adlawan play 10 different couples, all of them travelling in a car along North Diversion Road. Revolving around the theme of infidelity, love and redemption, the film is adapted for the screen and directed by Dennis N. Marasigan, with cinematography, editing and sound design by Mo Zee, production design by Bianca Dadivas, and music by Jes...

For Rogelio Salvador Lachica Juliano Jr. (January 22, 1961 - April 7, 2007) FAREWELL TO A FRIEND Dear Ogie, Yes, I was there at the Guerrero Theater for your curtain call. I wouldn’t have missed it. After all, how long have we known each other? The people who spoke during the service—I mean, performance, all praised you for your contributions to Philippine theater; particularly, your work in U.P. where you’ve practically lived your entire life. They praised you for your work as an actor, director, and costume designer, and deservedly so. That was something we all knew. Some spoke of your temper and tantrums, not without basis, but hardly anyone spoke about your soft side. They didn’t know you had that, Ogie. I knew. I know. It was also at the Guerrero Theater that we first met for the first U.P. Summer Theater Arts Workshop in 1978. You had just graduated from UPIS, I had just finished first year in college. You had just turned 17, I was a few months from being 16. We naturally gravita...