FLORANTE AT LAURA will return to Theater starting JULY 31

 JEFREY CARPIO will play as ALADDIN and
IRA RUZZ as FLERIDA
© Gantimpala Theater Foundation Inc.

Gantimpala Theater Foundation Inc. proudly presents its 38th season opening production Francisco Balagtas’ “FLORANTE AT LAURA” -- one of the most enduring Filipino literary masterpieces described by many as a poetic art that examines the nature of justice, truth and commitment to fairness, written into a play by award-winning and respected playwright Boni Ilagan, with multi-awarded actor, Roeder Camañag as its director.

The famous Filipino love story uses the theater form of the ‘komedya’ complete with its majestic marches and grand batalia. See how the love of florante, laura, Aladin and Flerida conqyered the warring Moors and Christians.

“Boni Ilagan wrote such a superb script!” exclaims director Camañag. “His interpretation of the classic focuses on the many facets of love — from its purest form to its most corrupted version. His understanding of Balagtas’ words allows audiences the opportunities to witness Florante’s encounters with love — his love for knowledge, his love for his parents, his brotherly love for his best friend Minandro, his romantic love for Laura, his love for his enemies, and ultimately, the love for his country and the Higher Cause.”

“We are highlighting the beauty of the language and the elements of komedya,” he continues. “What we give the public now is a tribute to Florante and Laura, as literary characters, a tribute to Francisco Balagtas and his mastery of the Tagalog language, and a tribute to the komedya, which is a true Filipino theater form.

The Main Protagonists: PAUL JAKE PAULE will portray FLORANTE and
ELLRICA LA GUARDIA will play as LAURA
© Gantimpala Theater Foundation Inc.

Portraying the lead roles of FLORANTE AT LAURA 2015  are Paul Jake Paule (Florante), Ellrica Laguardia (Laura), Ace Urieta (Adolfo), Jefrey Carpio (Aladin), and Sharlene Rivera and Ira Ruzz (Flerida). Majority of my cast are members of Gantimpala’s Actor’s Company. I think I have chosen a formidable group. All of them are doing very well. We are pushing them, bringing out their best.” Playing the Albanian prince Florante is Paul Jake Paule. Ellrica Laguardia portrays Laura, princess and Florante’s sweetheart. “If I were to describe my leads, they are the perfect personification of the values, virtues and symbols of Balagtas’ written texts, Paul Jake exudes regal air, bravery and sincerity while Ellrica is passionate, fiery and strikingly beautiful.”

The supporting cast include Ku Aquino (Haring Linceo/Sultan Ali-Adab), Billy Parjan (Duke Briseo), Julena Dondon (Reyna Floresca), Morris Sevilla (Menandro), Basty Batistis (Antenor), and King Urieta (Makata).

The ensemble is composed of  Julius Empredo, Aaron Dioquino (Batang Florante, Kych Minemoto (Batang Adolfo), Masanori Mentuda, Ian De Leon, Sem Pabion, Bong Moreno, Jernice Maturan, Sheila Reyes, Jeanneth Cruz, Rein Ramos, Ronnel Allanigue.

The artistic team of FLORANTE AT LAURA 2015 are Bonifacio Ilagan (Playwright/Librettist), Roeder Camañag (Director), Toni Muñoz (Composer/Musical Director), Ian De Leon (Choreographer), Andy Villareal (Lighting Director), Vangie Inocencio (Costume Head), Joey De Guzman (Set Designer).

The Production team is composed of Pauwie Garcia (Production Manager), Rojean Regoso (Asst. Production Manager), Mary Joyce Tejero (Stage Manager), John Sanchez, Cecilia Buban, and Marsheen Arcilla (Assistant Stage Managers), Toots Tolentino (Publicist).

The venue and performance schedules of 

FLORANTE AT LAURA 

2015 are as follows: 

AFP THEATER, CAMP AGUINALDO, QC: July 31 (Fri.),

August 1 (Sat.) --- 9 am, 12 pm and 3 pm ; 

STAR THEATER, STAR CITY:  August 7 (Fri.) – 9 am, 12 pm, 3 pm;  

CINEMA 3 , SM SOUTHMALL

August 14 (Fri.), August 15 (Sat.) – 11 am, 2 pm

For more information, booking reservations, and show buys, call
GANTIMPALA Marketing Office at tel. numbers: 998-5622 and 872-0261 or
text at mobile number 0921-251 3733 or send email to
gantimpalatheatermarketing@yahoo.com.

Connect to FLORANTE AT LAURA online through the following social
media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/gantimpala
Twitter: @gantimpalatf
Instagram: @gantimpalatf

See you at the theater!  

-- Toots Tolentino (Head Publicist)

Mercedes Cabral, kinagat ng aso.

Habang nag-su-shooting ng pelikula, Aksidenteng nakagat ng aso ang tinaguriang 'Indie Film Princess' na si Mercedes Cabral, dahil daw ito marahil sa kalituhan at dala na rin ng stress ng aso. Oo, napapagod din ang mga aso tulad natin. Ito'y nangyari mga ilang taon na rin ang nakalipas. Sa ngayon ay mabuti naman ang kalagayan ni Mercedes. Marami na nga syang nagawang pelikula pagkatapos nuon at ang pinakahuli ay sa Denmark na may pamagat na "Rosita" at ang kakapalabas pa lamang dito sa Maynila na "An Kubo sa Kawayanan" directed by Alvin Yapan na official entry sa 'World Premieres Film Festival - Philippines' Filipino New Cinema section.

Ang pelikulang ginagawa nuon ni Mercedes na may kasamang aso ay pinamagatang "Da Dog Show" directed by Ralston Jover na sya ring nag-direk ng 'Bakal Boys' at Cinema One Originals entry 'Bendor'. "Da Dog Show" ay base sa dokumentaryong ginawa nuong 2009 ni Sir Howie Severino at ipinalabas sa GMA Network. Ito ay kwento ni Mang Sergio na nagpapalabas ng dogtrick show sa mga kalye ng Maynila kasama ang kanyang dalawang aso na sina Habagat at Bagwis upang makalikom ng salapi pangtustos sa kanyang pamilya. Si Mang Sergio ay gagampanan ni Lou Veloso sa "Da Dog Show" at si Mercedes Cabral naman ay ang anak ni Mang Sergio na si Celia na may karamdaman.  Naumpisahan nina Direk Ralston mag-shoot ng pelikula nuong 2010 isang taon pagkatapos maipalabas ang dokumentaryo ni sir Howie, Kasama ang dalawang orihinal na aso ni Mang Sergio ngunit hindi pa man natatapos ang pelikula ay isang malungkot na balita ang kanilang natanggap, na magkasunod na namatay ang dalawang alaga nina Mang Sergio kaya kinailangang ire-shoot ang pelikula at kinailangan nilang humanap nang papalit kina Bagwis at Habagat. Isa sa asong napili nila ay si Princess na sya ring nakasama ni Sir Eddie Garcia nuon sa Cinemalaya entry movie na "Bwakaw". Sa "Da Dog Show, maipapakita ang isang totoong kalagayan at nangyayari sa isang pamilyang pilipino, na anuman ang mangyari o estado sa buhay ay sisikaping maka-angat at malagpasan ang mga paghihirap at makapagpa-saya hindi lamang sa sarili kundi pati na rin sa ibang mga tao. Maipapakita rin sa pelikula ang ilang pangyayari na sumasalamin sa tunay na estado ng ating bansa.

Five Years in The Making, "Da Dog Show" is now part of the 'World Premieres Film Festival - Philippines' now happening in selected SM Malls. The movie is an Official entry for the ASEAN Skies Section.

We can watch "Da Dog Show" in very limited screening Dates: 

On Monday, June 29th, 2015 at SM North Edsa, Cinema 2, 5pm.  On July 3rd (Friday) at SM Mega Mall, Cinema 6 - 5 pm   

and on  

July 7th (Tuesday) at SM North Edsa, Cinema 2 -  1 pm  

Kasama rin sa pelikula sina Aljon Ibanez at Micko Laurente.
Producers: Bessie Padilla (Queen B Productions), Sven Schnell (San Cinema, Germany),
Line Producer: Darlene Malimas,
Director-Of-Photography is Carlo Mendoza, Assistant Directors are Jomar Quintos and Menchie Tabije, Production Designer is Deans Habal and the Editor is Kats Serraon.

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© Photographs by Erickson Dela Cruz 

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Allen Dizon is very thankful to the blessings and recognitions he received

Allen Dizon holding his trophy
from the 38th Gawad Urian.

Sa kakatapos lamang na 38th Gawad Urian, Tinanghal bilang Pinakamahusay na Aktor si Allen Dizon para sa pagganap nya sa pelikulang "Magkakabaung" (coffin maker) directed by Jason Paul Laxamana na naipalabas last year sa Metro Manila Film Festival - New Wave section. Pero bago iyon ay maraming beses na rin syang binigyan ng parangal ng iba't ibang award giving bodies sa loob at labas ng bansa, kabilang na rito ang Harlem International Filmfest in New York, 3rd Silk Road International Filmfest from Ireland at ang 3rd Hanoi International Filmfest in Vietnam. 

Binigyan din sya ng pagkilala bilang pinakamahusay na aktor ng mga guro sa 17th Gawad Pasado at 13th Gawad Tanglaw, sa 40th Metro Manila Filmfest at ito ngang pinaka-latest ay ang 38th Gawad Urian. Unang kinilala ang kahusayan ni Allen nuong 2007 bilang Best Supporting Actor sa FAMAS at sa PMPC Star Award for Movies sa pagganap nya sa pelikulang "Twilight Dancers" na dinirek ni Sir Mel Chionglo, at mula nuon ay sunod-sunod na ang mga parangal at pagkilala na natatanggap nya. 

Unang nakilala si Allen bilang Hunk sexy model at napabilang nuon sa grupong Viva Hot Men. Madalas din syang napapanuod sa mga drama TV shows tulad ng Maalaala Mo Kaya, Ipaglaban Mo at drama series Princess and I. 

Dahil sa sunod-sunod na mga parangal at pagkilala ay maaari nang maihanay si Allen sa mga beterano at pinakamahuhusay na aktor ng Pilipinas tulad nina Sir Eddie Garcia, Tirso Cruz III at Christopher de Leon. Sa kabila nito, nananatiling mapagpakumbaba si Allen. Hindi nya nga inaasahan na ang pangalan nya ang tatawagin sa entablado nuong Gawad Urian, ang inaasahan nya ay si Nonie Buencamino (para sa pelikulang Dagitab) o kaya ay si Sir Robert Arevalo (para sa pelikulang Hari ng Tondo) ang tatawagin. Ang pinakahuling pelikula na 
pinagbidahan ni Allen ay ang "Imbisibol" directed by Lawrence Fajardo, na entry sa 1st Sinag Maynila Film Festival.  

Ang mga susunod na Pelikula ni Allen na kaabang-abang ay ang "Iadya Mo Kami" directed by Mel Chionglo at "Sekyu" directed by Joel Lamangan. 

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© Photographs by Erickson Dela Cruz 

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Tanghalang Pilipino presents a Steampunk Musical through Mabining Mandirigma

The Ensemble cast of Tanghalang Pilipino's
Mabining Mandirigma.

Sa pagbubukas ng ika-29th Season ng Tanghalang Pilipino (the resident theater company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, with the support of the National Commission for the Culture and Arts, NCCA) inihahandog ang 

Mabining Mandirigma, a contemporary dance musical that foregrounds the legal and diplomatic heroism of Apolinario Mabini. 

Delphine Buencamino will portray

Apolinario Mabini.

Mabining Mandirigma promises a highly-charged musical that will take the audience to a different journey through history. Steampunk, a sub-genre of science fiction that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th Century industrial steam-powered machinery, provides a fitting backdrop to an already action-packed musical. 

Arman Ferrer will play
as Emilio Aguinaldo.

Mula sa Direksyon ni G. Chris Millado (CCP Vice President and Artistic Director) at mula sa Panulat ni Dr. Nicanor Tiongson. 

Ang mga magsisiganap sa "Mabining Mandirigma" ay sina Delphine Buencamino bilang nakatatandang Mabini (Older Mabini). 

Si Arman Ferrer na kilalang "OPERAtic Tenor" bilang Emilio Aguinaldo, 

Carol Bello bilang Dionisia, ang Nanay ni Mabini. 

Kasama ang mga residenteng aktor ng Tanghalang Pilipino bilang Ensemble. 

Tj Ramos for Sound Design.

Binubuo naman ang Artistic Staff nina: 
Jed Balsamo para sa Musika, 
Denisa Reyes sa Koreograpiya (Choreography), 
G. Toym Imao para sa Disenyo ng Entablado (Set Design), 
Katsch Catoy para sa Disenyong Pang-Ilaw (Lighting Design), 
GA Fallarme para sa Projection Design,
James Reyes para sa Costume Design, 
Barbie Tan-Tiongco para sa Technical Direction, 
at si TJ Ramos para sa Sound Design. 

Direk Chris Millado

* Isa sa mga pangunahing tanong ng karamihan ay kung bakit babae ang gaganap bilang Apolinario Mabini, mabilis naman itong naipaliwanag ng TP. Sang-ayon sa ibang cast, Dahil ito'y isang Musical, *Steampunk Musical, may ilang parte ng pagtatanghal na kailangan maabot ang pinakamataas ng tinig na babae lamang ang makakagawa.  

The Cast of Mabining Mandirigma.

"Hindi namin inilagay si Delphine para gawing babae si Mabini, No!  Inilagay namin si Delphine para gumanap bilang Apolinario Mabini." Sang-ayon naman kay G. Chris Millado. "Malaki ang pagkaka-iba nito."  

Isa lamang ito sa mga dahilan upang Tuklasin, Saksihan at Kilalanin ang isa sa ating mga Bayani, bilang Mabining Mandirigma. 

Sa CCP, Little Theater. 

July 3 to 19, 2015 (Fridays to Sundays) 

3pm (Matinee) and 8pm (Gala) shows.

 

For tickets and more information,

please call Pie Umali or Lei Celestino

at 832-1125 local 1620 or 1621.

© Photographs by Erickson Dela Cruz 

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Siddharta The Musical - a Biographical play that offers full Entertainment and Education

"Siddharta: The Musical"  a Biographical play that offers full Entertainment and also gives Educational insight about a person who seek peace and harmony through his environment. Whatever your religion is, you will surely enjoy this.

Fo Guang Shan Philippines in cooperation with the Buddha’s Light International Association will restage Siddhartha: The Musical at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on July 17, at 2 pm and 8 pm.

Directed by Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson and with musical direction by Jude Gitamondoc, Siddhartha: The Musical tells the story of Siddhartha, the prince who renounced his royal status to seek enlightenment. He would eventually become the Buddha, the awakened one. His teachings are still kept alive today by millions of people all over the world.
The musical is based on the book The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist order. Most of the songs used in the musical are also based on the writings of the Venerable Master.

 
To date, Siddhartha: The Musical has been staged a total of 55 times. It has been shown in Cebu, Manila, Iloilo, Bacolod, Taiwan and the United States. The cast of over 70 volunteer actors and dancers showcases the musical and performing talents of Filipinos, particularly of Cebuanos.
In November 2013, the entire cast and crew of the production was invited to perform by Fo Guang Shan Hsi Lai Temple in southern California to take part in the temple’s 25th anniversary celebration. The production also traveled to Northern California and other parts of the U.S. Proceeds from the shows were used to rebuild structures damaged by the earthquake that struck Bohol and Cebu, as well as in relief operations for the victims of typhoon Yolanda.

All proceeds of the restaging of the musical will benefit Guang Ming College based in Manila for the training of scholars from financially-challenged families all over the country in the fields of Performing Arts and Buddhist Studies.

SIDDHARTA THE MUSICAL will have a one day run in Manila on 
JULY 17, 2015
2 PM (matinee) and 7 PM (gala) 
@ the CCP, TANGHALANG NICANOR ABELARDO

For ticket inquiries, please call Fo Guang Shan Mabuhay Temple at 559-9540.

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El Gamma Penumbra gave tribute to movies at the 38th Gawad Urian

The first Grand Winner of the Asia's Got Talent last May 2015, El Gamma Penumbra gave another wonderful performance in an opening production number for the 38th Gawad Urian, the most respected award giving body for all the finest in the Philippine movie industry similar to Academy Awards of the Hollywood, it was held in Studio 10 of ABS-CBN.

Here is the amateur video of their performance:

The 38th Gawad Urian is in collaboration with the Cinema One cable channel.

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© Photographs by Erickson Dela Cruz 

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GINUGUNITA KITA - a musical tribute to Maningning Miclat's poetry and artistry

"GINUGUNITA KITA" - a musical tribute to Maningning Miclat's poetry and artistry happened in UP Diliman last May 28, 2015. Isang gabi na kung ako ay tatanungin ay gusto kong ulit-ulitin. 

Gusto kong marinig muli at paulit-ulit ang Napakagandang Tinig ng kapatid ni Maningning na si Banaue, na binigyang buhay ang mga tula na umaapaw sa kayamanan ng Kultura at Sining.

Tinig na sinabayan ng napaka-gagandang tempo o himno mula sa Piano at Violin o Cello.
Ang Pinaka-Paborito kong parte ng pagtatanghal ay ang Nilikhang Awit para sa character nina Jose Rizal at Josephine Bracken na pinamagatang 'Duet' na inawit nina G. Al Gatmaitan at Banaue, sa ganda ng musika, parang gustong tumulo ng luha sa aking mga mata, nakakadala ng emosyon. 

Nagbigay kulay din nung gabing iyon ang dance interpretation ni Delphine Buencamino. At katulad ng Hiling ng karamihan nung gabing iyon. Hinihiling ko na Magkaroon sa cd ng mga Awiting ito mula sa mga nakakabighaning mga Tula.

Banaue Miclat-Janssen and Jesse Lucas

Maningning and Banaue's mother, Mam Alma Cruz Miclat

Banaue Miclat-Janssen

Al Gatmaitan

Delphine Buencamino, daughter of Actors Anthony and Shamaine Buencamino

Jesse Lucas

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