Come and get it: Tickets for RENT 2010- FEB 7, 2010

RENT, the phenomenal rock musical with the hit song "Seasons of Love" is coming to Manila this February 2010!!!

RENT swept all the major theater awards of 1996 including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, four Tony Awa...rds, and three Drama Desk Awards.

CAST:

Gian Magdangal as songwriter Roger Davis
Fred Lo as filmmaker Mark
Nicole Laurel Asensio/Cara Barredo as dancer Mimi
OJ Mariano as Tom Collins
Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson
Noel Rayos as Benny
Job Bautista as Angel Schunard
Jenny Villegas as Joanne
Ensemble members: Gugi Lorenzana, Johann Dela Fuente, Raul Montesa, Gary Junsay, Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano and Anna Santamaria


TICKET PRICES:

Orchestra Center - 1700
Orchestra Side - 1600
Loge Center - 1400
Loge Sides - 1100
Balcony - 800

February 7, 2010, 8:00PM (Sunday) at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati

Tickets for the show are now available. To reserve or purchase, please see the following contact details:
- Mobile: 0917.8394314 (JD), 0917.5354711 (Wendi)

- E-mail: rentbroadwaymanila@gmail.com

- Website: http:// http://rentbroadwaymanila.blogspot.com/

- Seat Plan: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApQTNyYisHONdHJEOWR4aHlWQTEwTmMzMU1aU0NWeXc&hl=en

Come and get it: Tickets for RENT 2010- FEB 7, 2010

RENT, the phenomenal rock musical with the hit song "Seasons of Love" is coming to Manila this February 2010!!!

RENT swept all the major theater awards of 1996 including the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, the Obie Award, the New York Drama Critics Circle Award, four Tony Awards, and three Drama Desk Awards.

CAST:

Gian Magdangal as songwriter Roger Davis
Fred Lo as filmmaker Mark
Nicole Laurel Asensio/Cara Barredo as dancer Mimi
OJ Mariano as Tom Collins
Carla Guevara-Laforteza as Maureen Johnson
Noel Rayos as Benny
Job Bautista as Angel Schunard
Jenny Villegas as Joanne
Ensemble members: Gugi Lorenzana, Johann Dela Fuente, Raul Montesa, Gary Junsay, Ring Antonio, Peachy Atilano and Anna Santamaria


TICKET PRICES:

Orchestra Center - 1700
Orchestra Side - 1600
Loge Center - 1400
Loge Sides - 1100
Balcony - 800

February 7, 2010, 8:00PM (Sunday) at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati

Tickets for the show are now available. To reserve or purchase, please see the following contact details:
- Mobile: 0917.8394314 (JD), 0917.5354711 (Wendi)

- E-mail: rentbroadwaymanila@gmail.com

- Website: http:// http://rentbroadwaymanila.blogspot.com/

- Seat Plan: http://spreadsheets.google.com/ccc?key=0ApQTNyYisHONdHJEOWR4aHlWQTEwTmMzMU1aU0NWeXc&hl=en

New Moon Photo Contest

Who would have thought that posing for and expressing your love, fascination & adoration for a series could be this exciting or in this case full of incentive. Unless your just coming out from hibernation, you would have known that the past couple of weeks, before the metro was gripped with horrific accounts of dynastic family cruelty, the metro was beset by the equally gripping and anticipated arrival of a very successful franchise. Yup, New Moon has arrived. Fans of the series, new and old, have all flocked to the cinemas wanting to see their beloved Edward once more and for some to get acquainted with Jacob and the pack from La Push. As I am guilty of the same, fans of the series can be seen taking a snapshot of the movie standees outside the cinema, enacting and striking their best Bella, Edward or Jacob pose. But just in case you didn’t know, those poses can actually be beneficial to you if you put it to good use.

You see there is an ongoing contest on the newest social networking site, Fizzer.Ph.  The prize? Oh just a cool Canon 450D Rebel Digital Camera complete with lenses and joining it is as easy as pie. Of course, one would have to sign up first on the site, making sure that you are a Filipino and of legal age. Get to know the site and upload a photo of you that is Twilight inspired. Some of the members have already uploaded their own poses ranging from having a Moon as your backdrop, colored it sepia and thus reveal your own lineage from La Push. Or you may also keep the sepia theme and with your best tank top and hair down stand just like Bella in anticipation of the fate that awaits you and brace for Edward’s arrival. Two of my fellow Twilight Coven Philippines members, Penny and Ginnie have already uploaded their photos and are raking in the votes. You can vote for them and the other entries by just clicking the Vote button at the bottom of their entry pictures and give them the rating you feel the photo deserves. The photo with the most number of star wins. Easy, right?

Now apart from registering on the site and making sure that your photo is Twilight inspired which means either, it’s vampiric, wolfish or otherwordly if not ethereal, your photo should exactly be 382 by 500 pixels and it has not been posted anywhere else on the net. So that means no Facebook, No Multiply, Friendster, Myspace, Flicker, PhotoBucket and others of the like.  Bear in mind that the contest ends on Decemer 20th at exactly 10am; just before the forecasted New Moon on the 26th  and the Blue Moon on the 31st. Sorry, can’t help it. I love looking at the moon.  So don’t be like me just gazing at the moon at night, go join the contest, take your snapshot and get yourself that Canon 450D Rebel Digital Camera this Holiday Season.

If not let me know, I sure could use some company looking up at the moon. Besides we still have ECLIPSE and BREAKING DAWN to look forward to. :)

New Moon Premiere- CAZ

How does one get ready for the most anticipated movie of the season?

Well, apart from reading the book and buying the merchandise, you wear it on you and attend the 1st day screening. That’s what I felt when I recently hosted and attended the first day opening of NEW MOON. Rushing to Greenbelt 3 for the event, I considered myself to be well armed as I was wearing my favorite Twilight shirt that read “I am Jacob’s IMPRINT”. I figured that would get me some Wolf points among the pack or at least create some attention for myself.

As I got there, the theatre lobby was already packed with people waiting for the next scheduled screening and the Cinema 3 lobby was already teeming with youngsters all waiting for the doors to be opened. But lucky for them members of Twilight Coven PH were on hand to entertain and keep their energies up. With a brief introduction from Mabs and Meanne about my voice-over contribution to the Twilight “DANAG” Podcast, I quickly jumped into the fray.

We played about 3 games with each game designed to test a fan’s true knowledge of the series; from re-enacting 5 Key Scenes in the book as effectively and creatively possible, to guessing the titles of the songs featured in both movie soundtracks, to the classic “Bring Me” game that got them rummaging into their bags to bring the required New Moon and Twilight items. The games soon made me aware that my own breadth of “research” was not enough and that for the life of me I couldn’t remember a specific passage taken from the book, unless I read it again. This was bad. And I call myself well-armed. Nonetheless the games ended and the crowd was made to queue outside the cinema as I, Meanne, Mabs and the rest of the Twilight Coven went inside the cinema to get ready.

Before the film, another round of raffle and games was made. There were some who won free copies of New Moon, Twilight, Eclipse, The Host and the “Edward” action figure. Along with the games, celebrity hosts JM Rodgriguez and Geneva Cruz were introduced to promote the evening’s succeding event following the screening, which was the launch of FIZZER.COM; the country’s newest social networking site. And this was to be done at Capone’s located in A-venue along Makati Avenue where I-pods and other goodies were to be raffled.

After the games and thanking the sponsors once again, the movie started off without a hitch. I felt it was a little longer than Twilight & I liked it better. Is it a reflection of the progression in Meyer’s storyline or a male director just certainly has different styles as compared to a female director?

That question of course is for another blog entry but on a whole, I felt that second film was a wonderful vehicle for the Wolf Pack to get star billing and attention while the Cullen vampires took the backseat and allowed some spotlight sharing with the La Push denizens. But whether you are Team Edward or Team Jacob, the true stars of the night were the fans who would squeel and holler at key points in the film, knowing that there are 2 more films on the way where they can scream, squeel to their hearts content and bond together like a Pack!

CAZ on MTV EMERGE! - Pls Vote

Hope ya guys can check out my single and vote for it on the MTV EMERGE website.

Thanks in advance. :)

http://www.mtvemerge.com/browse/view.php?key=7FFD72ADB075C244

Buffy's "Cordy" on Legend Of The Seeker- Season 2

Our beloved Cordy has left Sunnydale and joined the battle of the Midlands and D'harans in the TV Series, Legend of the Seeker. The series based on the Sword of Truth novels by Terry Goodkind, begins it's Second Season (yes!) on November 7 in the US.

From the pic she is playing Triana, a Mord-Sith; an extraordinary race of women impervious to magic (as magic casted on them is reverted back to the source) and delights in inflicting pain and torture. They were the "lackeys" of Season 1's bad guy, Darken Rahl. Her character joins the show in the season premiere.

Season 2 is based on the second novel of the series, Stone of Tears; while Season 1 was based on book one which was Wizard's 1st rule. :) 

Carlo J Caparas mulls over Senate in 2010

After the controversy over the National Artist Award, it looks like we have another one coming as a recent interview, film director Carlo J. Caparas admits being overwhelmed at the prospect of being considered a National Artist; having come from a poor and humble background.

On top of that, he is mulling over the possibility of running for the Senate in 2010!!!!

Mama Mia! Ay Caramba!

What has happened to this country of ours. (SIGH)

We need Divine Intervention......

see http://www.gmanews.tv/index.html

P.E.N. Calls for Abolition of Tax on Imported Books

The Philippine Center of the International PEN (Poets & Playwrights, Essayists & Novelists), led by National Artists Bienvenido Lumbera (chair) and F. Sionil Jose (founder and chair emeritus), has issued a resolution calling for the scrapping of Department of Finance Order 17-09, which levies duties on imported books.

 

While Malacanang has suspended the order, writers, and publishers are afraid that the tax would be re-imposed soon.

 

Text of the resolution is as follows:

 

We, The BOARD of DIRECTORS and members of the Philippine center of the International PEN, invoking the international PEN charter, join the many other sectors of our society in denouncing the Department of Finance Order 17-09, which imposes duty on the importation of books.

 

We believe that “literature though national in origin knows no frontiers, and should remain common currency between nations in spite of political or international upheavals” (Article 1, PEN Charter)

 

We, as a worldwide organization founded in London in 1921, consisting originally of Poets & Playwrights, Essayists, and Novelists, but now also of Journalists & Historians, were organized precisely and principally to promote friendship and intellectual cooperation among writers everywhere.

 

We are of the firm conviction that literature plays a crucial role in developing world culture and global understanding, and that the most accessible way of spreading thoughts and ideas, vision and imagination along this line in through books: “PEN stands for the unhampered transmission of such thoughts and ideas through books between nations all over the world” (Article IV, PEN Charter). To be left behind will certainly not be good for our youth and our country.

 

Moreover, the unenlightened and misinformed Department Order violates the Florence Agreement, an international treaty the Philippines signed in 1952. It also violates Republic Act 8047, the Book Publishing Industry Development Act passed in 1995.

 

The Philippine Center of International PEN joins other writer groups and publisher associations, and the general reading public, in urging the Department of Finance, to permanently withdraw—and not just suspend—Department Order 17-09, so as to finally allow the continued duty-free importation of books.

David Archuleta on SIS

David Archuleta on SIS.

First, it was really cool of David to have taken the time to guest on the GMA-7 talk show inspite of his busy and hectic sked as the big show is already on Saturday. How he would have to fit in the scheduled practices and seeing other scenic parts of the country is all part of time management.

What I'm griping here is the overall treatment and how his guesting on the show was done and "managed". Here are my gripes about it:

1. When the show opened, they had Gma talents sing his first hit single, "Crush". - this was horrible as some of the talents did not only give the song any form of justice or conviction but to quote Randy Jackson...the singing was way too PITCHY! The 3 girls who call themselves La Divas were also way off. The arrangement of the song didn't even fit the girl's range so much so that when Kyla did her part, it was too high for her to sing it. (duh, where's Ricky Minor when you need him?)

2. Throughout the show, they also had their own talents come out and sing songs that were associated with David, from his rendition of Angels on Idol, to his singing "And I'm Telling You" to Kelly Clarkson then during his first visit to the show on its first season as a fan. The writer's didn't bother to include in the hosts spiel to translate for David what was going on and David would be left just listening to mediocre renditions while flashing his boyish smile. The only one who did any justice was Kyla, who sang the "And I'm Telling You".

3. But apart from having them sing, the hosts would ask for David's opinion how the talents fared. Jeez, guys the show isn't about GMA talents but about David; his influences; his musicality; his memories on Idol and where he hopes to go at this point in his career. These are the questions that should have been asked not lame and shallow questions like, "who are your idols, or who did you listen to growing up". True that we need to know these things too but c'mon please re-phrase them intelligently.

4. Also when David was singing, as the crowd was really in the "super kilig" mode, he could hardly hear himself singing. On top of that, they didn't give him an earpiece so he can hear himself. Either that or the show doesn't have the budget for it. (GASP!)

5. Along with that, the show's hosts and the subsequent talents who would come out to sing would pose and have a photo-op moment after each number that they do. (in tribute to David). What the frak? Didn't the director foresee or even bar this from happening? It may look cute at first but when it becomes "routine" for each and every GMA talent that comes out to sing, it just gets irritating.

At the end of the hour long show, did we leave knowing more about David? Well, apart from him naming his musical influences growing up that ranged from Stevie Wonder, Michael Jackson and to his current favorite Jason Mraz; all we could do like David is smile back at him and at the show which failed to unravel and enlighten the audience as to who David is both as a person and as an artist. And although he is still on the road to fully flesh his own artistry, we can sit back and watch him and grow....and smile.....and hope that any future guestings of international talents would be handled more intelligently and not fawned on.

And as a nation, i hope that we be aware also of that. That WHAT and HOW you say on LIVE TV subliminally affects and influences your viewers. One would want viewers leaving the show with a sense of inspiration and awe not left with the polite smiles of people and the histrionics of the crowd all blurring the main purpose at hand.