SM Lifestyle Entertainment Inc hosts Philippine National Skating Tournament

Ice skating as a sport gave a boost among Filipinos after Philippine home-grown skater Michael Martinez took part in the Winter Olympics. SM Malls continues to showcase more talents who are also training themselves in the sport.

As the only facility that operates skating rinks in the country, SM Lifestyle & Entertainment, Inc. hosts for the 15^th year, the National Figure Skating Championship at SM Mall Of Asia Skating Rink on November 26 to 27.

This two-day event will serve as a pre-final round wherein the participating skaters are required to perform interpretative routines on the first day and on the second/final day will showcase the free-skating program.

Twenty-nine young skaters will participate with age ranging from 8 to 17 years in nine categories.  According to Ms. Nicole Deato of SMLI’s Educational Leisure Center and Mr. Manuel Pocholo Veguillas, President of Philippine Skating Union;  these competitions will give them the proper exposure in the sports and to be better in the next competitions. This also includes international competitions.

Mr. Veguillas added, “Just to be fair, they will prioritize the winners.  Ms. Deato also shares that it also opens a lot of doors. Our country was taken seriously in the sport even though we are a tropical country. The story of Michael Martinez is a Cinderella story. It also provides awareness that these athletes need financial support if they want to represent our country.  Not to mention the cost of training with coaches for a long term. They will need corporate partners.

The competition will be a whole day affair from 9:00 to 4:00. For more updates about the competition, follow this blog or like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

R&E Group of Taxi Pioneer GPS-enabled Taxi Dispatching System in PH

The R&E Group of Taxi -- Nine Stars, Sturdy, EFE and R&E fleet have started using its own Global Positioning System (GPS) enabled dispatching systemwith its very own taxi booking app.

The integrated R&E taxi dispatching system will automatically take bookings received from the R&E call centre and booking app and assign them to the nearest available taxi in the area. 

R&E taxi drivers can easily monitor and respond to incoming job orders through a GPS –enabled 7-inch monitor installed on each taxi unit. This results in faster response time from the point of order to passenger pick-up.

R&E partnered with local tech-solutions firm Govago Inc., which brought the Singapore-based transport system in the country.

Govago Managing Director Dennis Ng said that the innovation is a timely opportunity for the R&E group as the Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) urges Taxi operators to modernize and shift to tech-based land transport services and solutions.

“We provide a tried and tested full fleet management system that can help taxi operators like R&E to maximize their revenue and give the riding public a convenient and user-friendly tech-based solution.”

Dennis shares that R&E preferred to use the 7-inch monitor over the usual mobile phone device used by other taxi booking app providers because of its reliability and safety.

“Dispatching systems using mobile phone devices are dependent on the device’s battery. If the mobile phone is turned off, it can no longer receive bookings or dispatches. The R&E dispatching system is triggered by engine power which informs the call centre whether a taxi is running or not.

“More importantly, the use of mobile phones while driving is a hazardous practice for drivers.”

According to R&E group representative Ramil Enriquez, “The development of a GPS enabled dispatching system and booking app is aimed at better customer service and efficient fleet management.  Most importantly, we want to build a sustainable working relationship with our drivers.

“With our own system, R&E drivers can build a stronger and more stable income as they no longer need to rely on other taxi booking apps for additional income.”

Ramil added that the R&E dispatching system is equipped with an emergency button that allow their drivers to immediately  alert the R&E call centre  during emergency situations such as hold-ups or vehicle break downs.

To date, 500 taxis from the R&E group have been installed with the system and are readily available for online booking orders. Passengers can easily download the R&E Taxi booking app from the Apple App store or Android Playstore.

Ramil stressed that bookings made through the R&E app assure passengers that they are exclusively served by R&E taxis only.

“The R&E group of taxis share one unified hub. In the event that items are accidentally left behind, we can easily track and trace it for our passengers through their booking details.”

Passengers can also call the R&E call centre at 362.1890.

Music, Shadow Play and Puppetry in Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Prinsipe Munti”

By Regina De Vera

Music, shadow play and puppetry provide the spectacle for the adventures of Tanghalang Pilipino’s “Prinsipe Munti” – Layeta Bucoy’s adaptation of the beloved children’s book, “Le Petit Prince” by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. A little prince leaves his planet and goes off into an adventure, discovering that “it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what is essential is invisible to the eye.”  In this staging, audiences will witness actors performing live mixed with puppetry led by Ms. Teta Tulay of the Anino Shadowplay Collective together with original music by Toni Muñoz and lighting design by John Batalla. Karilyo, the shadowplay group of DLS-College of Saint Benilde’s Office of Culture and the Arts are the pupper creators and shadowplay mentors. Micko Laurente and Allen Immanuel Ryce (“AIR”) alternate as “Prinsipe Munti” with the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company playing multiple roles. Tuxqs Rutaquio provides overall direction.

“Prinsipe Munti” runs from November 28 – December 7, 2014 with shows at 10AM, 2PM and 6PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater). Tickets (P600, P800 and P1,000) are available through Tanghalang Pilipino: 832-1125 loc 1620 / 1621 (0905-254-4930/0908-894-1384) and Ticketworld: 891-9999 / www.ticketworld.com.ph. For blurbs, promos and updates, please visit www.facebook.com/tanghalangpilipino. 

Wattpad Presents...Four more stories starting Nov. 24

During the last launch, I realized how much trend from writing online makes it possible for getting your work published in print. This is why TV5 once again releases four more stories at Wattpad Presents.

This batch of stories opens on November 24 with Mr.Popular Meets Ms. Nobody Book 2 which continues the story of "Kamahalan" Kyle.. Original work by Pinky Jhewlii that has 15.6M reads on Wattpad. Featured in this episode are Mark Neumann and Shaira Mae Dela Cruz, Diego Loyzaga and Yassi Pressman, who is also part of another Wattpad story adapted into movie, "She's Dating A Gangster".

Game Of Love author Aine_Tan

Opening December on it's first Monday, Wattpad Presents "His Secretary" by Elise Mae that has 10M reads on Wattpad featuring Bianca King and John James Uy followed by Just For A While by Orange Leaf(almost 1.5M reads) featuring Eula Caballero and Martin Escudero who is also an HRM student and applies his culinary skills for his role in the story as Chef Luke.

To end the year year 2014, Wattpad Presents "Game Of Love" as the last of this batch of story which features Kean Cipriano Chanel Marquez, Nicole Estrada and Phytos Ramirez which airs Dec, 15. I got to meet it's author Aine_Tan who was the only Wattpad author present during the presscon. In a short interview, she told me that the story was already three years old now and she was glad that it is now adapted for television. She was present during the shoot and she believes that it is not far from her original work. Although the cast was not her ideal choice in mind but she was convinced that the actors embodied the characters she created.

According to a Nielsen research, 31% of increased of viewers are teenagers who watches Wattpad Presents basing on social network trends. The next batch of Wattpad stories will be released in 2015. For more Wattpad adaptation and TV5 shows updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

MELANIE elevates the role of actors on stage

Tanghalang Pilipino release material

Manila, Philippines - MELANIE, a joint project of Tanghalang Pilipino, the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and global organization UNICEF, which has toured different areas in Metro Manila, returns this December for the celebration of World AIDS Day. Penned by renowned playwright Layeta Bucoy, MELANIE brings together a powerful ensemble, which includes the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company, with guest artists Phi Palmos, Cyril Balderama, and Anton Nolasco. Using Forum Theater as a device, the production effectively inculcates important information about HIV and AIDS to the audience by involving them into the performance through an interactive ‘breaking of the fourth wall’. This way, audiences feel that they are part of the process, and at a greater extent, are involved in creating an effective solution. In order to equip the actors with the right skills in mounting the production, they underwent rigorous workshops and seminars which helped broaden their understanding of, not just the principles behind Forum Theater, but of the essential information on HIV and AIDS.

MELANIE tells the story of gay parlorista who became the subject of gossip after his death, due to an AIDS-related complication. At his funeral-turned-disco party, his friends and colleagues gather to discuss the horrors of ‘becoming like Melanie’, showing a fear of infection, which is caused by sheer ignorance on the virus and the disease. Each one has a story to tell; and each one has a fear to conquer. In the end, everyone is left with an eye-opener: we are only afraid of what we don’t understand.

MELANIE is directed by Tanghalang Pilipino’s Associate Artistic Director Tuxqs Rutaqio and is written by Layeta Bucoy. Jed Balsamo creates the music, while John Batalla designs the lights.

MELANIE runs at the CCP Tanghalang Huseng Batute (Studio Theater), from December 3 – 14, 2014, Thursday to Sundays, at 7:30pm. Tickets are priced at Php800 and Php600. Discounts 20% discount on the regular price for senior citizens, government employees, military employees and PWDs. (Please present valid ID). Tickets can be purchased at Ticketworld, or you may call Tanghalang Pilipino at (02) 832-1125, local 1621.

Kathryn Bernardo renews contract with Juicy Cologne

Juicy Cologne is composed of eight variants of scents from the same company that brought you Silka Papaya. The image of Juicy appeals to teen girls who fits the image which is why the ideal endorser is a teen celebrity influencer Kathryn Bernardo. Besides that, her personality that she shares with Juicy as fun and vibrant which is the criteria that made her a household name.

I joined the blogcon as Juicy Cologne renews their contract with Kathryn Bernardo on a fun-filled event. What made Kathryn find it appealing because the scents are not that strong that even her mother uses the brand.

Juicy comes from three different sizes to choose from (45ml, 75ml and 125ml) and is available in leading stores. Watch out for her new TVC soon. For more updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S.blogs on Facebook.

Greenhills COD 2014

Every year, I go to cover one of Metro Manila's longest running cosmopolitan tradition: The Christmas On Display by Greenhills Shopping Center. This display first started by COD in Cubao. When it ceased operation, the holiday tradition was continued today with the help of the original marionette designers.

The COD draws the crowd from the nearby areas and shoppers in the parking lot to watch the display. Besides the display, the Christmas tiangge is now open for your shopping needs and the snacks to enjoy while watching.

The annual COD launch is not just for show but it also gives back to the community. Every year, Ortigas and Company with the help of the local municipal government gives gifts to White Cross which is not far from the venue. White Cross is an NGO that housed abandoned children. Some of these children are abandoned after their birth.

The theme of the display is the first Christmas which is actually good to get back to where it all started since for the longest time, I've seen their futuristic theme and an ancient imperial Chinese theme. It's only flaw was that the Magi was never part of the Nativity event but on Epiphany.

The display is now ongoing every night from 6PM onward every 30 minutes until Epiphany which is January 6th. For more holiday updates, follow this blog or follow L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

SAVING AFRICA’S GIANTS WITH YAO MING PREMIERES NOVEMBER 21 ON DISCOVERY CHANNEL; NARRATED BY EDWARD NORTON

- World-famous basketball star Yao Ming, WildAid and Discovery Channel expose the African poaching epidemic, which fuels a multi-billion-dollar global black market -

In partnership with basketball superstar Yao Ming and WildAid, Discovery Channel announces the premiere of SAVING AFRICA’S GIANTS WITH YAO MING, which looks at the worldwide crisis of elephant and rhino poaching. The one-hour feature documentary – narrated by award-winning actor Edward Norton – premieres on Friday, November 21 at 9:00 p.m., exclusively on Discovery Channel.

 

Photo courtesy of Discovery Channel

Background on the crisis and the demand that fuels it

Each year, the death toll rises with 25,000 African elephants murdered last year alone, and 4.5 million killed in the last 60 years. These magnificent creatures are victims of ivory poaching, perpetrated by one of the most organized, widespread wildlife trafficking networks in history. The growing demand in China and Southeast Asia is driving sharp increases[1] in poaching. In China, ivory is prized as a status symbol by the nation’s growing affluent and middle classes, and the country’s legal market perpetuates demand and provides a laundering mechanism for illegal, poached ivory from Africa. Rhino horn is highly sought after for purported health benefits. In Vietnam, rhino horn has a reputation as a cancer treatment and a hangover cure regardless of the fact that the horn is composed of keratin – the same substance as human hair and fingernails.

Fortunately, Africa's giants have their defenders. Basketball legend and wildlife advocate Yao Ming travels to Africa in SAVING AFRICA'S GIANTS WITH YAO MING to uncover the brutal secrets of this multi-million-dollar underground trade, and spotlights Yao's mission to educate and inspire his countrymen and the world alike, in the effort to stop the killings and save these innocent creatures from the very real possibility of extinction. Yao’s combination of strength, vision and voice serves as a megaphone to help spread awareness about the cruelty of poaching.

 "Yao Ming represents the next generation of conservationists. Having him as an ambassador is probably the best thing that could happen to wildlife," says Peter Knights, executive director of WildAid, the world's only organization focused on reducing the demand for poached products. On his journey, Yao sees for himself the evidence of a losing battle, where Africa's giants are senselessly slain every day for their tusks. Yao, who is a cultural icon in both his native China and across the globe, quickly realizes the real war is not in Africa but in the marketplace.

In the program, Yao travels to Kenya, home to the ancient Samburu people and a natural habitat of African elephants. Elephants are part of the Samburu heritage and are critical to their livelihood. Poaching not only destroys the wild species but also the tribal villagers who depend on them. Yao meets with Sir Iain Douglas-Hamilton, renowned elephant expert who echoes WildAid's dire conservation message, which he urges Yao to bring home and disseminate globally: it is a race against time for these elephants – when the buying stops, the killing will too.

"The huge price motivates poachers to persist," says Yao. "And if we buy ivory, it makes all of us killers as well."

Unfortunately, elephants are not the only victims to poaching. Rhinos are poached for their horns at a record rate as two rhinos a day are slain in South Africa alone. Yao travels to the Kariega Game Reserve, located at South Africa's East Cape, to experience the struggle and pain of orphaned rhinos, whose parents have been killed.  

"When our message is spread by those who see this documentary, people can join us and hopefully wipe out this black market," says Yao.

To play a part in saving elephants and rhinos from possible extinction, make a donation or sign the pledge against purchasing or consuming products made from endangered species at www.DiscoveryChannelAsia.com.

SAVING AFRICA’S GIANTS WITH YAO MING encores on Saturday, November 22 at 6:00 p.m., Sunday, November 23 at 10:00 p.m. and Monday, November 24 at 2:00 p.m.

---

[1] WildAid | Yao Ming Urges China to ‘Say No To Ivory and Rhino Horn’ With New Film. 2014. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.wildaid.org/news/yao-ming-urges-china-%E2%80%98say-no-ivory-and-rhino-horn%E2%80%99-new-film. [Accessed 24 October 2014].

The Galleon Launch and Groundbreaking Ceremony

SM Lifestyle and Entertainment is offering more than just a mall experience. After the Exploreum, another educational and entertaining facility is going to make a huge waves in the future. The Galleon is a museum which add more options for educational field trips.

The Galleon will soon rise at a former parking lot near IMAX theater at Mall Of Asia. It will also has the same specs(65x65m) like a real galleon during the old trade route( Manila-Acapulco). During the launch, We were also honored by the company of Sen. Edgardo Angara. He regaled us with the stories of history from his native town of Baler. 

According to the senator, Baler was the last stronghold of the Spaniards before they realized that the Spain has turned the Philippines over to the Americans. Another fact the senator mentioned that because of the Galleon, some Filipinos were already OFWs transported to Mexico.

According to the curator, Cavite is known for shipbuilders during that time. The Manila Galleon was responsible for transporting the Lady of Antipolo which is originally from Mexico which is why we have pilgrimages from Mexico. The Galleon was able to bring 33 countries across the three continents more closer. The Galleon was a medium of commerce, trade, banking, diplomacy,etc. Just like my favorite sci-fi series, the Galleon was already doing "Trek" in fairer seas.

The Galleon museum will bring people to be interested in history. It will also proved something that we don't know yet. There are most historical facts that our high school or elementary textbooks haven't written yet. The Galleon will search new findings that time forgot.

The Andalucia. A Spanish Galleon ship.

Who knows what new historical discoveries The Galleon will uncover. Probably, it may require rewriting our textbook curriculum. For more updates on The Galleon, follow this blog or like the L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Ballet Philippines' Cinderella on November 28 at CCP

As part of their Sapphire Season, the longest running dance company Ballet Philippines presents Alice Reyes' Cinderella starting November 28 at CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Earlier this year, Ms. Reyes was named National Artist For Dance.

Ms. Alice stressed that despite the title given to her, she is still the same person. She started dancing since 4 years old. She showcases her range of choreography in neo-classical and original classical forms. 

Why should anyone watch this production? Not only that it showcases Ms. Alice's choreography but it also features two guest artist: Ms. Isabel Garacion and Ballet Phils. president Ms. Margie Moran alternates for the the role of the wicked stepmother. Taking note of the word wicked not ugly which is the description of the stepsisters, says Ms. Margie.

Artistic Director of BP Mr. Paul Alexander Morales plays the role of the King. Performing for the major roles are Denise Parungao and Monica Gana alternates for the title role. Richardson Yadao and Jean Marc Cordero alternates for the role of the Prince. Ms. Parungao just won in the recent Ballet Competition.

The production set also costs half a million and there are some special effects applied especially on transformation of Cinderella's dress which will make you ask, how did she do that? After Cinderella, the next production will be Manhid, the Pinoy Superhero musicale. For more updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Coca Cola Sari-Sari Happiness For Christmas

Going to communities and establishing their development is what I do during my younger years as a volunteer. For the Coca-Cola's campaign of Sari-Sari Happiness, it was similar to what I used to do. This campaign empowers women from these selected communities to start their own sari-sari store business.

Coca Cola did not just gave it simultaneously. They selected the right candidates for their capability to handle a sari-sari store. Also, they undergo several months of training from TESDA before they are awarded with certificates and their own sari-sari store.

Just before Christmas, these empowered women are finished with their training and are ready to open for business. But this didn't happen in the Taguig which I covered, but also simultaneously in Batangas, Pampanga, Davao, Bacolod especially in calamity-ravaged Tacloban. More than 100,000 stores are awarded and are called Christmas Hubs.

Truly this is an ideal Christmas gift especially in Tacloban so they can start anew. I can understand that this campaign also needs the cooperation of the local government office. For more updates on the social campaigns of Coca Cola, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Share Photos The Way You Want With Photo Chat

We Filipinos like to have our photos taken. With the innovation of digital camera phones, social media and wifi connections, the Philippines is now the selfie capital of the world. But in order to share photos, you need a stable connection to a wifi hub or a mobile subscriptions but most can't afford it.

Photo Chat is a new mobile that let's you share your photos even without wifi connection. You can also choose who to share your photos with if you are concerned with privacy or security. Photo Chat partnered with Globe to provide services of P1/day of unlimited use of Photo Chat.

Just like any mobile app, it is also fun. You also get stickers. Even if you are not a Globe subscriber, you can still use Photo Chat via wifi. To download Photo Chat via Google Play, search Paloma Photo Chat. 

Photo Chat was launched exclusively for bloggers last November 10 in Ortigas. For more techie updates, follow this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook. Do visit the L.E.N.S. blog booth at Glorietta Activity Area this November 23. L.E.N.S. blog is the official media partner of this year's Kiddo-Preneur Xmas Bazaar.

It's A Yo-Ho-Ho Xmas at SM Sucat

The Christmas Season is the longest holiday celebrated in the Philippines. When the last quarter starts, everyone in who celebrates the Nativity in the country is beginning to prepare for the Advent. Public establishments are already preparing for the decorations and SM Malls is no exceptions.

Ever since I can recall, each SM Mall have different theme display for Christmas. It makes us want to bring our families go all over the Metro wherever we can to see the displays they prepared. Most of these displays are sometimes licensed characters like Hello Kitty in SM The Block last year.

In one of the SM Mall Xmas Display launch at SM Sucat, the theme that was revealed is Pirate theme. You can see Santa is manning the helm of a sailing ship than a sled wearing the pirate hat and an eye patch instead of the usual red one we are familiar with.

During the launch, the choir that looks like a merry band of pirates sang some Yuletide tunes to start spreading the Holiday cheer among the passing mall patrons. The display also includes a towering ice mountain standing approximately two floors high beside Santa's ship. The ship display can only accommodate two people at the time including Santa so people should take turns taking photos taken one at a time.

In addition of the celebration, SM highlights their campaign to sell stuffed bears for two hundred a pair. One bear will be donated to less fortunate child and the other will be kept by the buyer as part of the advocacy program of SMCares. You can find these bears in Toy Kingdom or SM department stores.

Watch out for the activities SM Sucat in store for you this season. The Santa Meet-and-Greet started during the launch and will appear on the next dates: Nov, 22, 29, Dec. 6, 13, 20, 21, at the Christmas display at Atrium B.

There will be fireworks display outside the mall on Dec. 6, 13, 20, 21 at Open Parking D starting at 7PM and a Christmas musicale on December 8, 14 and 27 also at Atrium B starting at 5PM. It will surely making our mall visit festive as we do our Christmas rush.

Feel free to get more holiday updates by following this blog or like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

ROEDER CAMANAG REPRISES ROLE OF DON SIMOUN IN “EL FILIBUSTERISMO” FROM NOV. 14 – 28, 2014

Fresh from his critically-acclaimed performance as the sublime paralytic in “Ang Huling Lagda ni Apolinario Mabini,”  ROEDER CAMANAG

shall once again reprise his role in Gantimapala Theater’s EL FILIBUSTERISMO.

            “ EL FILIBUSTERISMO ” --- the novel of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal written by noted playwright Jomar Fleras narrates the return of the protagonist of Noli Me Tangere, Crisostomo Ibarra, under the guise of the wealthy jeweler named Don Simoun.

            The role is being essayed by multi-talented actor Roeder Camañag who is stepping into this role for the 7^th time for Gantimpala Theater Foundation. His foray as Don Simoun started in 1998 and then again in 2005, 2009, 2011, 2012 and 2013. Indeed, Roeder’s celebration of his 27^th year as an artist in the entertainment and theater industry is being etched  with very significant roles in the legitimate stage. He also won the 2013 Aliw Awards for  Best Actor (Musical) for “Stageshow” under Tanghalang Pilipino.

            “El Filibusterismo, whose alternate title is The Reign of Greed, is a very dark novel, it was set in a dark time, written during the dark days of the Spanish tyranny, the themes progression is wheeled by an unseen dark force, a force that is so powerful that it controls even the characters trivial actions and choices that often lead to nothing but tragic endings. This unseen and destructive force is greed,” said director Jose Jeffrey Camañag.

            “It is the intention of this production to reconstruct the face of greed as painted by the great Jose Rizal in this novel and to resonate Rizal’s definition of greed as the key evil that chains and enslaves the mind, heart and soul of a society away from the real path toward genuine freedom,” Camañag continues.

            “Through creative staging, powerful visuals, clear storytelling and moving music, we hope to usher and challenge the audience especially the students who will be watching this show as an aid to their curriculum, to look beyond the entertaining value of our production and try to listen to the remarkable messages embedded in Don Simoun’s confessions to Padre Florentino,” states Camañag.

            The artistic team of EL FILIBUSTERISMO include Joel Lamangan (Artistic Director), Jose Jeffrey Camanag (Director), Andy Villareal (Lighting Director), Joey de Guzman (Set Designer), Pauwie Garcia (Production Manager), and Kate Butch Weaver (Stage Manager). 

PLAYDATES:

November  14 & 15 - AFP Theater 9AM/12NN

November  21 & 22 - STAR Theater 9AM/12NN

November  28 - SM Southmall Cinema 3 11AM/2PM

For tickets, call Gantimpala Theater at 998-5622 or 872-0261. 

SCROOGE THE MUSICAL - A JOYOUS CHRISTMAS SPECIAL ALL SET TO OPEN ON NOVEMBER 21

Repertory Philippines release material

Repertory Philippines proudly announces its special holiday treat for the entire family with the new production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL live on stage.

            SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is set to open on November 21, 2014 at Onstage, 2/F, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas cor. Legazpi St., Makati City.

            Renowned writer-composer-lyricist Leslie Bricusse has adapted the classic Charles Dickens tale, A Christmas Carol, into the hit musical. SCROOGE THE MUSICAL closely follows the classic story with the miserly Ebenezer Scrooge undergoing a profound experience of redemption over the course of a Christmas Eve night, after being visited by the ghost of his former partner Jacob Marley and the Ghosts of Christmas past, present and future.

           

            Based on the 1970 film musical of the same name, the original production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL opened in 1992 in Birmingham, United Kingdom. After a series of UK tours, the show opened at the London Palladium in 2005 where stage veteran Tommy Steele took on the leading role. The production continued on tour and was revived again for the 2012-2013 Christmas season at the London Palladium. The musical features all the songs from the film, including the Oscar nominated song ‘Thank You Very Much’, written by Leslie Bricusse.

            The Repertory Philippines’ production of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL will be directed by Ms. Baby Barredo, the company’s artistic director.

The cast of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL and the characters they portray are as follows:

Miguel Faustmann and Chinggoy Alonso will alternately play the role of Ebenezer Scrooge –  a stingy, chilly, cowardly, grumpy and money-hungry businessman. While he is much more benevolent than before his “caroling” experience, he is still uncertain as to the reason behind generosity in general.

            Raul Montesa will play the role of Jacob Marley – the business partner of Scrooge who died seven years ago.

            Cara Barredo plays the role of Ghost of Christmas Past – the first of the spirits foretold by Marley who shows Scrooge his past Christmases.

             Oliver Usison plays the role of Ghost of Christmas Present – the second of the spirits foretold by Marley that shows Scrooge Christmas celebrations in the present time.

            Dwight Angelo Vito Cruz plays the role of  Ghost of Christmas Yet-to-Come – the third spirit foretold by Marley that shows Scrooge Christmases in the Future.

            Chino Veguillas plays the role of Bob Cratchit – Scrooge’s clerk.

            Gabo Tiongson and Soleil Luna Bueno will alternately play the role of

Tiny Tim – the crippled son of the Cratchits who is the beneficiary of physical therapy paid for by Scrooge.

            The other cast  members are Justine Peña as Ethel Cratchit, Ashlee Factor as Kathy,  Arnel Carrion as Young Ebenezer,  Christine Flores as Isabel,  Noel Comia as Ebby (child Ebenezer), Steven Conde as Tom Jenkins,  Alexander Cortez as Mr. Fezziwig and Sheila Francisco as Mrs. Fezziwig. 

            The ensemble is composed of  Andee Achacoso, Khevin Almario,  Rachel Coates, David Shawn Delgado, Daniel Drilon, Natalie Everett, Thea Gloria, Vien Alen King, Bianca Mauricio, Chill Ocampo, Jay Pangilinan, Joshua Ramirez, Albert Silos and Dwight Angelo Vito Cruz.

The artistic team of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is composed of  Baby Barredo (Director), Natalie Everett (Assistant Director), Onyl Torres (Musical Director),  Jason Zamora (Choreographer),  Miguel Faustmann (Set Designer),  Valeen Vicente (Costume Designer),  John Batalla (Lights Designer) and the Manila String Machine (Orchestra).

            SCROOGE THE MUSICAL runs until December 14, 2014 with shows on Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m. and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3:30 p.m.

            Come and share the wonder and magic of SCROOGE THE MUSICAL.  We guarantee your heart will be blessed, your toes will be tapping, and you will be humming as you leave the theatre, full of the “Spirit of Christmas (Past, Present, and Future!).”

            For details of the show, you may contact us the following ways:

            By phone      :           843-3570 and 451-1474

            By e-mail       :           shows@repertoryphilippines.com

            By Internet   :           http://www.repertoryphilippines.com

Tickets are available through Ticketworld at 891-9999, or via http://www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Connect to Repertory Philippines online through the following social media networks:

           Facebook      :           www.facebook.com/repertoryphilippines

Twitter           :           www.twitter.com/repphils

Instagram     :           www.instagram.com/repphils

YouTube      :           www.youtube.com/repphils

Repertory Philippines would like to thank the City of Makati, BusinessWorld, Ticketworld, Raintree Restaurants: Mr. Jones, Kabila, MOMO Café and Museum as well as Art Magazine, WhenInManila, Chihuahua Restaurant, Astroplus, AstroVision, Lane Moving and Storage, Greenbelt, and Ayala Malls for their continuing partnerships.

            SCROOGE THE MUSICAL is presented by special arrangement with SAMUEL FRENCH, INC.

            See you at the theater!!!

Pure Love ends on November 14. Presscon coverage

After 19 weeks approximately, Pure Love is going to take a bow from television  as the local adaptation ends on November 14. One time, I was privilege to see the cast while on the set and now I got to attend the presscon as the cast and the production thanks the audience and the media for the support. The event was based on a Q & A.

GIVEN A CHANCE, HOW DO YOU WISH YOUR CHARACTER WOULD END IN THE STORY?

Joseph Marco: More time with Diane(Alex's character).

Yen Santos: More time with Jake(Matt Evans, The Scheduler's real name).

Matt Evans: Would like to extend.

HOW DID YOU BENEFIT FROM THE SERIES?

Anna Luna: The bonding with the cast. I was received well because it's my first project in the network.

Yen: It was my big break.

Yam Concepcion: Fulfilled. I like playing the part of an anti-heroine. Especially when I developed a conscience in the end.

It is also director Veronica Velasco's first time to do an adaptation from a Korean series and she shares that it is faithful to the original story. Expect new twists and more character developments not only with Diane and Ysabel but also with other characters.

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adidas Originals by NIGO FW14

Known to many as the man behind some of streetwear’s most seminal labels, few names hit as hard as NIGO. For two decades the Japanese style icon has carved out the landscape of youth culture with his unforgettable clothing and creations, and for Fall/Winter 2014 adidas Originals joins forces with the street pioneer for a special collaborative collection – adidas Originals by NIGO.

True to his passion for classic and vintage clothing, NIGO has handpicked and re-interpreted pieces from the adidas Originals archives, blending a sportswear aesthetic with contemporary street style to create new street classics. The apparel collection features unforgettable adidas Originals pieces alongside staples of American sportswear such as coach and varsity jackets.

With the rich and impassioned history of adidas Originals alongside NIGO’s own iconic legacy as a pioneer of clothing and culture, one thing is clear – it will be Original.

Global release dates:
Launch dates: 1^st  of November. Available at leading adidas stores in the Philippines.

adidas.com/nigo