JASMINE FITZGERALD: A MIXTURE OF BROOKE SHIELDS/CATRIONA GRAY/SNOOKY SERNA/DAWN ZULUETA ALL IN ONE....

jasmine: beauty and talent combined

jasmine: among the cast of the play "ang huling el bimbo"

jasmine: unassuming and smart

jasmine: just like Catriona Gray

jasmine: a Filipina by heart

jasmine: conquering greater horizons

Upon the invitation of Mr. Martin Bellosillo and Ms. Glorietta Gerio, one blogger (me- r.s.*) had a chance of interviewing and meeting this great, nice lady.  She's very charming, articulate, sweet and smart. Even though she looks foreign with her mestiza looks and confident ways, you could feel an enigmatic impression- that, of her loving heart, a Filipina heart, for that matter.

Because Filipinas have a soft heart, you could at once feel it by the look in their eyes, and the gentle caresses of one's soul. Surely, Jasmine, with all her Filipina feelings (her mom is a true Filipina) could capture the innermost recesses of your loving feelings.

After having a fabulous dinner at the Recipe restaurant in Resorts World, Ms. Jasmine Fitzgerald accommodated one blogger for a quick interview. And in between the questions and the answers, one blogger captured and saw the very wonderful soul of one lady named JASMINE FITZGERALD.

What could you say about your experience last year in joining THE CLASH? How would you describe it, Jasmine?

"It's one of the toughest and pretty exciting experiences of my life", Jasmine quickly answered back. "The experience pushed me to become a better performer- it did push me towards the edge and with that, I became a better person, too.

"The experience was life-changing, too", Jasmine added. "It made me grow-up a lot and enhance more my talents. I was so glad to be a part of THE CLASH last year. I landed in Top 16. That's pretty good, isn't it? Now, I am soaring higher and expanding more of my horizons in life. It did not stop there. But my many different worlds simply added-up."

Jasmine also is now a part of GMA Artist Center's crop of great and pretty handsome talents. She's currently busy performing as among the cast of the magnificent play Ang Huling El Bimbo, which is currently running at Resorts World Manila. 

"I was called on for an audition and everything else followed", Jasmine revealed on how she landed a good part on the play Ang Huling El Bimbo. "They asked me to sing a couple of Tagalog songs during the audition. And I landed the part of the starlet girlfriend of one of the major characters there. The story of the play revolved around 3 male friends and one lady. It's a pretty great play and my biggest fear of singing a Tagalog song in one scene of the play made me realize that being a performer really brings out the best in you.

"My fellow cast in the play were so supportive of me also", Jasmine continued to say. "They all taught me on how to pronounce Tagalog words properly and they were very gentle in that way. We all pretty bonded so fine. We're all buddies. It was indeed a great time."

Asked if she wanna land and act in the movie industry soon, Jasmine answered:

"Yes, I would love to", she responded. "If given the opportunity, I definitely would love to appear in the movies. I am proud to say that I can speak Tagalog well. With that, my speaking lines would not be a hindrance."

Just like Catriona Gray (the reigning Miss Universe 2019), Jasmine also grew-up in Australia and has an Australian dad and a Filipina mother. Just like Catriona, Jasmine is also a title-holder, as she won Little Miss Philippines at Eat Bulaga in 1997. 

What can you say then about Catriona, one blogger asked to Jasmine.

"I am so proud of her, because like her, I'm also half-Australian", Jasmine answered. "And we both represented strong characters of a Filipina woman. Independent, competitive, talented. We both gave honor and prestige to all other Filipinas like us."

One last question to Jasmine: Will you be staying at the Philippines for good?

"Yes, I am", Jasmine answered in the end. "Even forever."



(words by robert manuguid silverio)

blogger robert interviews Jasmine. On the right side is mr. martin bellosillo

jasmine, her mom linda fitzgerald, ms. glorietta gerio, dad martin, and benedict santiago

the group: from left to right- blogger robert, jasmine, dad martin, glorietta gerio, mom linda fitzgerald, and mr. benedict santiago

jasmine and robert in a sweet pose

LANCE RAYMUNDO PERFORMS SOON AT THE CULTURAL CENTER OF THE PHILIPPINES AS JESUS CHRIST...

lance raymundo: perfect as jesus christ

Singer-actor Lance Raymundo, and voted as one of the Most Empowered Man of the Philippines recently, will now finally conquer the most legitimate and the most snobbish center stage of the Philippines- and that is the Cultural Center of the Philippines!

Yeah, you heard and read it right. Lance, for the first time, will act and perform on the country's "real home" of the Arts. The truest one, the most sophisticated one. And he will not simply act there. He will convey there the great teachings and message of our one and only JESUS CHRIST!

"Lance is still mum about this great news, he wants to surprise everybody", a production staffer of the Kristo Senakulo by Tanghalang Sta. Ana revealed to a blogger. "He had already committed to us and we started rehearsing already. Lance is very cooperative. We are all so happy to have him again portray as Jesus Christ in our traditional Senakulo, held every year at the Plaza Hugo in Sta. Ana, Manila. This time around, we will conquer the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

"At first, Lance wanted to portray Judas for a change", the staffer continued on saying. "But we all convinced him that he's better in portraying Jesus Christ. Since Jesus Christ has touched his life in many ways than one, he easily convened to our suggestion."

Wow, this is an amazing development on Lance Raymundo's career as an actor. Now that he's so successful on his comeback as a recording artist at Viva Records, it seemed that the other aspect of his being a celebrity is greatly flourishing as well. And that is acting. Embracing the world of theater with all its passion is simply great.

As of press time, Lance is not commenting about this great career development. He will be meeting soon with some of his closest friends on the media regarding this awesome theater acting invasion.

Lance Raymundo and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and Jesus Christ?

Indeed, what a great artistic combination.

Pretty exciting, isn't it?



(words by robert manuguid silverio)
PHOTOS BY: WILSON FERNANDEZ of MANILA BULLETIN

the cultural center of the phils.: every artists' home, now lance raymundo will conquer it!

jesus christ parallels his life with lance raymundo

MS MELLANY ZAMBRANO AND "BRAWL": A NATIONWIDE COMPETITION FROM DIFFERENT SCHOOLS ON HIPHOP DANCING...

ms. mellany zambrano: producing a main event on hiphop dancing competition from different schools

Ms. Mellany Zambrano, the lady producer behind Media Biz Productions Entertainment and now producing Gerald Santos' homecoming concert on May 4 at the Solaire Theater, has another big venture coming-up from her Media Biz camp.

"It's like the UAAP of dance competition", Ms. Mellany happily told one blogger. "It's a dance challenge with many different schools from all over the Philippines competing to one another. Each school will have a representative for hiphop dancing. And these representative from each school will compete from one another in one major event this year. We name this event BRAWL."

There will be five qualifying events from different regions of different schools. And the main event is going to be held at the Mall of Asia arena before the year ends.

"In 2 to 3 years, we will establish BRAWL first in the Philippines", Mellany added. "But as early as now, we are working it out to our neighboring countries like Indonesia. My target is, after 3 years, we will be having other countries joining BRAWL in an international competition. I got an intial call from Indonesia and they are pretty interested to join BRAWL."

Filipinos are known as great dancers. And it's high time for the Filipino youth in the Millenial age to showcase their great dancing skills to one another, just like basketball and the UAAP, this time, it's dancing and BRAWL.

"What a better way to keep our kids focused and pull them away from dark vices", Mellany said in the end. "They will bring pride and honor to their school, and at the same time, show to the world how great dancers they could be. Please, Robert, support me in this project."

Very well, Ms. Mellany Zambrano.



(as written by robert manuguid silverio)

mellany: will give the young kids a chance to showcase their dancing skills

mellany: a worthwhile producer

"si gerald ay maihahambing sa isang saranggola, at mula sa ibaba, siya'y patuloy nating hahawakan"- MELLANY ZAMBRANO of Media Biz Entertainment Productions

mellany: a very pretty concert producer

(from left to right: rommel ramilo, gerald santos, mellany zambrano and mr. nestor cuartero

(from left to right: mr. rommel ramilo, mr. ricky lo, mellany and gerald santos)

Gustong-gusto namin ang mga nilalang na may malawak at malalim na pananaw at pagtingin sa buhay. 'Yun bang tipong mga POETIC na tao, na nabibigyan ng mga kakaibang mga sari-saring kulay ang katotohanan at masalimuot na buhay at pagibig.

Kaya naman nu'ng minsang makapanayam namin si Ms. Mellany Zambrano ng Media Biz Entertainment Productions, ang producer ng homecoming concert ni Gerald entitled Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert, napahanga kami ng usto sa kanyang matalinhagang mga pananalita ukol kay Gerald Santos.

Heto po ang mga nasabi ni Ms. Zambrano ukol kay Gerald:

"Like everybody telling to someone he or she cares for, sana ay maabot pa ng husto ni Gerald ang kanyang mga pangarap", nasambit pa ni Mellany. "I just hope that Gerald Santos will stay grounded for years, I mean, his foot on the ground. Na patuloy pa ring nakatapak ang kanyang mga paa sa lupa na siyang pinapakita pa rin niya ngayon sa madla. Naroon pa rin ang kanyang outmost humility sa pakikitungo sa mga tao. Hindi siya nagbago.
Isa pa, huwag sanang kalilimutan ni Gerald ang roots niya", pagpapatuloy na wika pa ni Ms. Mellany, na napakagandang producer para sa isang blogger. "Huwag sanang pumasok sa utak niya ang salitang 'success' na ikalalaki ng ulo niya. Si gerald ay maihahambing sa isang saranggola, at mula sa ibaba, patuloy natin siyang hahawakan at ang paglipad niya sa ere ay patuloy din nating masasaksihan."

Hindi na rin kasi iba ang turing ni Mellany kay Gerald, sa manager ni gerald at sa pamilya nito.

"I've seen Gerald grew-up since his Pinoy Pop Superstar days sa channel 7", pagpapatuloy na wika ni Mellany. "Hanggang sa umalis siya sa channel 7, nagsarili, gumawa ng mga concerts, plays and until mapunta siya sa Miss Saigon UK Tour cast as Thuy. Nabasa ko lahat ang nga good rave revies sa kanya sa Miss Saigon. Grabe. Bilang isang Pilipino rin, sobrang proud ako kay gerald!"

Dahil sa matagal na kaibigan ni Mellany sina Gerald (maski ang blogger na ito ay matagal na ring FB friend si Mellany), siya ang napaunlakan ng manager ni Gerald na si Mr. Rommel Ramilo na mag-produce ng Honecoming concert ni Gerald na gaganapin sa Solaire Theatre sa May 4, 2019, at ito ay pinamagatang Gerald Santos: The Homecoming Concert.

"And I am so happy na ako ang napili nilang mag-produce at ako ang naging priority nila", sabi pa ni Mellany. "Ang Media Biz Entertainment lang talaga dapat ang magpo-produce ng homecoming concert na ito, pero dahil kaibigan din namin si Mr. Mario Marcos, I agreed that he also came-in as part of the people producing the concert. Pero ang Media Biz ko talaga ang siyang main producer ng concert.

"Maraming bago na ipapakita si Gerald sa concert na ito", dugtong na wika ni Mellany. "So expect the unexpected. And the highlight of this concert is Gerald singing with other Pinoys na naging cast din sa Miss Saigon, like Leo Valdez and Aicelle Santos. He will be singing with them some original broadway songs."

Masaya rin si Mellany na magbabalik na siya ngayon sa kanyang FIRST LOVE, at ito ay ang pagpo-produce niya ng mga major concerts na siyang na-miss niya dahil na-busy siya sa mga corporate shows.

"That's why this homecoming concert of Gerald is so sentimental for me", pagtatapos na wika ni Mellany. "Dahil hndi lang sa kadahilanang si Gerald ang bida sa concert na ito, bale it will also rekindle my affair to concert producing. Sobrang na-miss ko. At mas masaya ako sa mundong ito."

May your tribe increase, Miss Mellany Zambrano.




(sinulat ni robert manuguid silverio)

mellany: a passion for concert producing

mellany: her close-up smile

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")

"Hindi ako nagsasalita kapag may mga performances kami sa Miss Saigon, ni hindi ko kinakausap ang mga kasama ko, kasi mauubos ang boses ko!"--- gerald santos

GEALD: HANEP ANG PORMA!

Sa dami ng mga naging performances ni Gerald Santos sa Miss Saigon UK tour, talagang kamangha-mangha kung iisipin mo- na, kung paano pa rin niya na-retain ang napakagandang kalidad ng kanyang tinig. 

"Imagine po, Tito Robert, we have eight shows and performances in a week", nasabi ni Gerald sa kanyang kaibigang blogger nu'ng nagdaang press conference para sa kanyang homecoming concert. "Halfway along the eight performances, talagang halos mawalan na ako ng boses. Very strenuous po kasi and hectic ang bawat performances namin.

"Kaya ang ginagawa ko, every after our performance at pag-uwi sa tinutuluyan namin, hindi na po ako nagsasalita kasi takot akong mawalan ng boses", dugtong ni Gerald. "Ni hindi ko kinakausap ang mga kasamahan ko and co-actors ko. Nawi-'weirduhan' tuloy sila sa akin. Tinitipid ko kasi ang boses ko, baka maubos, e. Hahaha!"

Hindi naman nagulat ang mga media people sa naging revelation ni Gerald kung paano niya na-preseve ang kanyang boses while on Miss Saigon UK Tour. Kasi, ganu'n din pala si Lea Salonga nuong gumanap naman itong si Kim sa Miss Saigon din. Hindi rin ito nagsasalita right after every performance.

Samantala, isang movie columnist naman, in person of Rodel Ocampo Fernando ang nakapansin ng husto sa "looks" ni Gerald nung hapon na iyon sa kanyang press con.

"Gerald, ang guwapo-guwapo mo!", sabi ni Rodel, na imbes magtanong ay walang nasabi sa mikropono kundi ang i-express ang kanyang nararamdaman for Gerald. Pero sinang-ayunan naman ng lahat ang naturan ni Rodel. Tunay namang kaibig-ibig ang kaguwapuhan ni Gerald nu'ng hapon na iyon na muli niyang nakasama ang mga press people.

Kauuwi lang niya mula sa Europe at kakabalik lang sa Pilipinas. Sa Germany sila huling nag-tour at 'yun nga, finally, it's over. Tapos na ang stint ni Gerald sa Miss Saigon UK tour, tapos na rin ang kontrata.

"Pero there are hearsays po na malamang na magkaroon din kami ng Miss Saigon Australia tour", dugtong ni Gerald. "The same cast, crew and staff din po ang kasama sa Australia tour ng Miss Saigon. Hopefully po, matuloy. Kung hindi man, marami pong horizons ngayon sa buhay ko ang kino-conquer ko. And they are all pretty exciting.

"Nag-audition po ako sa ilang international movies, sa Net Flix, TV dramas and the likes", dugtong pa ni Gerald. "May talent agent na po kasi kaming naghahanap sa amin na projects sa Hollywoord. Halos lahat po ng major cast sa Miss Saigon, madami pong nag-apply na agents sa amin."

Wala pang balitang natatanggap si Gerald kung makakasali naman siya sa isang pang classic Broadway play na The King And I.

"Opo, nag-audition din po ako sa The King & I", sagot ni Gerald. "Pero wala pa po kaming natatanggap na feedback. Wala pa po silang sinasabi kung makakapasok ako sa cast."

Sa Homecomg Concert ni Gerald entitled Gerald Santos: The Homecomg Concert, magiging guests niya ang mga Filipino performers na nakasama din sa cast ng Miss Saigon present and past. Sila ay sina Leo Valdez, Aicelle Santos at Joreen Bautista. Na bale ang pinaka-highlight sa homecoming concert ni Gerald ay ang pag-awit nilang apat ng mga excerpts sa Miss Saigon at sa ilan pang mga hit Broadway musicals.

Ang homecoming concert ni Gerald ay produced ng Media Biz Entertainmenmt Productions, na pag-aari ng magandang producer na si  Ms. Mellany Zambrano.

"Na-miss ko po kayong lahat", pagtatapos na wika ni Gerald. "And I miss the Filipino audience here sa sarili kong bansa. Actually, pareho namang warm and loving ang both Filipino and international audience. Pero iba pa rin po kapag kapwa Pilipino mo ang mga nanonood sa iyo. Mas masarap po sa pakiramdam. Dahil maski gaano man kalayo ang marating ko, mananatiling Pilipino pa rin ako."

Talagang dapat ka ngang mahalin, Gerald Santos.



(sinulat ni robert manuguid silverio)

PHOTOS BY MR. JAPS RAMISCAL

GERALD: BEST-DRESSED

GERALD: MYSTIFYING

MR ROMMEL RAMILO, RICKY LO of PHILIPPINE STAR, PRODUCER MELLANY ZAMBRANO AND RALD

GERALD WITH A "FRIEND"