GERALD SANTOS AT LEA SALONGA: BUKOD SA SWEET NA SWEET NGAYON SA ISA'T-ISA, MAGKAKASAMA PA SA DULANG SWEENEY TODD!

Huwag naman po sanang bigyan ng malisya ng iba ang titulo ng aming artikulo. Hindi porke't sweet sa isa't-isa ngayon ang mga Broadway stars na sin Lea Salonga at Gerald Santos, eh, may ibig nang sabihin 'yun. Sa mga makikitid ang pag-iisip diyan, hindi po kami gumagawa ng tsismis! The title simply suggests na sweet sa isa't-isa ngayon sina Lea at Gerald dahil pareho silang nakasama sa hit musical Broadway play na Miss Saigon, and with that reason alone, 'yung friendship nila ay mas nagkaroon ng iba't-ibang kulay.

Lea looks at Gerald as a younger brother and younger colleague also in the singing profession. At ang paghanga nila sa isa't-isa bilang magagaling na performers ang siyang naging dahilan kung bakit tunay naman silang sweet na sweet talaga sa isa't-isa. Hindi ba, Oliver Oliveros?

Sa totoo lang kasi, marami ngayon ang nakakapuna ng pagiging sweet sa isa't-isa nina Gerald at Lea. Hindi na maikukubli o made-deny pa iyon. Kalimitan kasi, mga media people na ang nakakapuna.

"It's an honor on my part na maging sweet po sa akin si Lea", very humble namang nabanggit ni Gerald sa isang blogger. "She's like an elder sister to me who supports me, boosts me up, lifts me up and cheers me up. She also writes me beautiful notes every now and then that further inspires me to do my best. Ang sarap palang maging ka-close at kaibigan ang isang Lea Salonga!"

Sa mga taong hindi pa kasi nakakaalam, si Lea ay gumanap na Kim sa Miss Saigon ng kung ilang taon, at si Gerald naman ay Thuy sa last previous years ng Miss Saigon UK Tour. Pareho nang recognized international Broadway talents ang dalawang ito.

And the good news is, magkakasama na for the first time sina Gerald at Lea sa dulang Sweeney Todd ng Atlantis Theatrical. Sa buwan ng Oktubre itatanghal ang dula sa Solaire Theater. In-announce na formally ng mga taga-Atlantis Theatrical ang balitang ito at tunay na marami ang nalugod at nasiyahan. 

"How cool is that! I will be working with Lea Salonga in this play, and Lea is one of my inspirations talaga sa career ko", nasabi pa ni Gerald. "Sobrang challenge ulit ito sa akin. Tiyak niyan, na bukod sa challenges, I will also be very happy working with Lea and the rest of the cast and staff of Sweeney Todd."

Masasabi ni Gerald, ang pagganap bilang Anthony Hope sa dulang Sweeney Todd ang magsisilbing biggest theater role niya to date sa bansang Pilipinas.

"Kakaiba kasi ang papel na iyon, dahil ang dulang Sweeney Todd ay isang Tony-award-winning play", huling sabi ni Gerald. "I simply promise to give all my best. Ayokong mag-fail ang napakataas nilang expectations nila sa akin ngayon."

Isa pa lamang ito sa magagandang pangyayari na maganap kay Gerald. Definitely, more to come .... SOON!




(sinulat ni robert silverio)

THE MID-YEAR RERUN OF "NOLI, THE OPERA" AT THE CCP, ONE OF THE MOST EXCITING THEATRICAL EVENTS OF THE YEAR 2019...

THE TWO "J"'s OF NOLI, THE OPERA: JERRY AND JEFFREY

THE ANGER OF CRISOSTOMO IBARRA UNLEASHED IN ONE SCENE FROM "NOLI, THE OPERA"

THE RIVER OUTING SCENE IN "NOLI, THE OPERA"

A SCENE FROM "NOLI, THE OPERA": WITH BASILIO, CRISPIN AND PILOSOPONG TASYO

Based on National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal's 1887 classic novel of the same name, NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA, which premiered in 1957 and features the music and libretto by National Artists Felipe Padilla De Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, respectively, broke box office records at the CCP with three sold-out performances last March, which prompted this mid-year rerun.

The production is co-directed by international event stylist Jerry Sibal and veteran theater director-playwright Jose Jeffrey Camañag, featuring the 53-piece NOLI Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Galang Ranera.

!The opera also features returning cast members Bianca Lopez (Maria Clara), Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Ivan Nery (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra), Joseleo Logdat (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Greg Abelardo De Leon (Elias, Pilosopo Tasyo), Nil's Flores (Padre Damaso), Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso, Kapitan Tiago), Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago), Allison Cervantes (Sisa), Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa), Mia Bolaños (Doña Victorina), Charina Althea Balmores (Sinang), Micah David J. Galang (Andeng), Krissan Manikan-Tan (Tiya Isabel), Rare Jireh Yzel Columna (Victoria), Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin), Jose Mari Javato (Padre Salvi), Oliver Pineda (Tenyente Guevarra), Timothy Racho (Alferez), Ruzzel Clemeno (Don Filipo), Lorenz Edward Sarondo (Linares), Renz Nathaniel Cruz (Manlilibing), and Airo Saret (Manlilibing).

Rounding out the cast are Angeli Benipayo, Cris Go, Eden Lorrice Dumlao, Erielle Fornes, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Kevin Chen, Marifel Motilla, Mavel Bautista, Michael Del Rosario, Neomi Giron, Otepp Billeza, Ray Justin Cornelio, Roxanne Abuel, Sheila Gamo, and Via Villasin.

In its 50th anniversary, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and J&S Productions Inc. are thrilled to welcome new cast additions to the smash-hit NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA's limited return engagement at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo from June 21 to 23, 2019. Lyric soprano Mheco Manlangit joins the cast as Maria Clara; boy sopranos Miguel Suarez, Matteo Teehankee, and Johann Andra to play Basilio, and tenor Paul Dominique Galvez to play Albino.

NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA tells the timeless story about love, betrayal, and hope set against a repulsive backdrop of tyranny, torture, and murder. It follows Juan Crisostomo Ibarra who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo's agenda. NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA paints a clear picture of the so-called "social cancer" that illustrates the rotten system of governance, the illicit way of the church, and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class.

The show's creative team reunites Sibal (who is also the set and costume designer), Camañag, and Ranera with their collaborators Dingdong Fiel (assistant musical director, pianist), Ronan H. Ferrer (voice coach, choirmaster), Albert Figueras (co-costume designer), Dennis Marasigan (lighting designer), TJ Ramos (sound designer/engineer), and Alan Dela Rama (graphics and video designer).

Performed with English supertitles, NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA will run for one weekend only at the CCP Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo: June 21-June 23, 2019, at 2 p.m., and June 22, 2019, at 8 p.m.

Ticket Outlets: J&S Productions Inc. 63915 593 4777, 63947 168 1714; CCP Box Office 632 832 3704/06, or TicketWorld 632 891 9999, or visit TicketWorld.com.ph.

Production Photos: Mark Francis Parallag

VIDEO ABOVE: CREDITS GOES TO THE REAL OWNER OF THE VIDEO, TAKEN AT "NOLI, THE OPERA" PRESSCON EARLY THIS YEAR.---rms***

(TICKET SALE ALERT: The smash-hit “Noli Me Tangere, The Opera” returns to the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) main theatre for a strictly limited engagement: June 21-June 23, 2019, at 2 p.m., and June 22, 2019, at 8 p.m.

Book your tickets today: J&S Productions Inc. 0915 593 4777, 0947 168 1714; CCP Box Office 02 832 3704/06, or TicketWorld 02 891 9999.

Ticket Prices: Orchestra Center/Parterre Box - P2,800; Orchestra Side/Lower Box - P2,300; Balcony 1 Center - P1,400; Balcony I Side/Upper Box - P1,200, and Balcony II Center & Side – P900

25% off for students and 20% off for seniors, PWDs, government employees, and the military. Pls present valid ID card.)

WHEN THE JOSE RIZAL PROPHECY COMES FULLY ALIVE, PERFECTLY (a review and photo coverage for "Noli Me Tangere, The Opera")....

SILENCE IS LIKE A CANCER GROWS.

In the old classic song The Sound of Silence originally sung by Simon & Garfunkel, so went the lyrics- "Silence is Like a Cancer Grows".

In the revolutionary novel Noli Me Tangere written by Philippine national hero Dr. Jose Rizal, he talked about the CANCER of society. 

And now I knew, that the cancer sickness he was referring to was the SILENCE of the people amidst the tyrants and foreign colonizers. The bad religious ways, too, of an old society.

At a time that people never talked about their sufferings, someone fought for them. On his own way, and the best that he could.

Because if we would forever linger in silence, afraid of our own vanities, there would never be change and healing treatments. The cancer would be spreading all throughout our system of things.

Thus, in the enigmatic and profound Opera- Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, presented by J&S Productions and Cultural Center of the Philippines, once more, I remembered the sacrifices of the old and ancient Filipinos in an abusive Spanish regime. Forgive me now to be personal and using the word "I". Because this review is a very personal one, really. For the third time, I repeat, PERSONAL.

Because being a Filipino for me is very personal, the Opera made me feel that way.

In its Finale scene, as Basilio embraced her dead mom Sisa and Elias laid dead, too, beside him- amidst the dark forest of fear and sadness- a LIGHT came in.

The fire, as instructed by Elias to Basilio before he died to be set upon on their dead bodies, became strong and prominent. It was the Fire of all other dead Filipinos, too, who all fought and became victims of the evil tyrants.

But the fire and the light were different. The fire was the passion to continue on fighting and the light was the hope held on by young people like Basilio.

Suddenly, the living soul of Crisostomo Ibarra appeared, too, holding the light of the LAMP.

It was so BEAUTIFUL. So symbolic, too.

Because without Basilio and Crisostomo, the Mother Land...

would never be

the same

again.

as in



FOREVER.


***************    **************   **************

There was great rhythm, unison, splendor and perfection in Noli Me Tangere, The Opera. As if going into ONE, the mixing of all the factors and ingredients to create a wonderful Opera, alongside with the great message of its story- was simply quenching and overwhelming.

Plus factor was the great set design (by Mr. Jerry Sibal) in neon lights and 3-dimensional full-blown photos of real-life scenery, old Filipino street and house, falling leaves from a tree, a dark underground church lobby and the great dark forest in the ending. You could feel that you were right there on the place being performed on stage. And it even comprehended with the old Opera songs composed by a National Artist (Mr. Felipe de Leon).

The costumes were truly authentic, and did not mean to impress, but only to create. Kudos to its Costume Designer, Mr. Albert Figueras.

The lighting on stage was simply fabulous in execution and presentation. It revealed a feeling, somehow. A dramatic feeling of old Filipinos past. Congratulations, sir Dennis Marasigan.

The direction, alongside with its vision- were TWO but ONE, because they simply transformed into an execution of class, grandeur, magic.

And the Opera was still an Opera, never loosing its form and look. And I wondered, how could the two have done that? (we meant, the directors of this Opera- the visionary director and the co-director- no less than Mr. Jerry Sibal, the visionary director and Jose Jeffrey Camanag, the co-director)- well, I concluded, the task of creating the true platform could be added upon to the great and charming co-director of this Opera.

The cast, wow, the cast. They were 99% new, minus Noel Comia (who portrayed Basilio) who's a popular young actor on television and the movies.

Noel was outstanding on the final scene. He very well deserved to be the Poster Boy of this Opera.

The other major and minor cast, together with the whole cast ensemble- who all performed on the last performance of this Opera (March 10, 2019 at 1 p.m.) at the Cultural center of the Philippines, were all real, delicate, unassuming, fresh, strong, wonderful. Because when 'genuine artists' taught them how- it all went fully well.

With a couple of Producers (Mr. Jerry Sibal and Edwin Josue) who invested but never expected,

a product of an Art came fully alive, and the Dr. Jose Rizal prophecy was mastered upon, PERFECTLY.

The Opera, amidst all its sophistication and snubbing ways- reached the hearts and minds of all the young people who watched it.

And UP from nowhere


the smiles of Dr. Jose Rizal was seen and felt-

in the heavenly boundaries of time and space

and Filipinos past and present


lingered




ETERNALLY.






(as written by robert manuguid silverio)

mark francis parallag, fotog

WITH EXCLUSIVE PHOTOS BY MR. MARK FRANCIS PARALLAG (ON THE FEW ACTUAL SCENES OF "NOLI ME TANGERE, THE OPERA")