Ward 448, Debunking the HIV Stigma, Sowing Compassion and Understanding, Giving Information

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“WARD 448”a play written and directed by Rodel Mercado is a trilogy that presents the stories of individuals that have HIV virus affliction. The play depicts the fight-or-flight response of persons infected with this devastating and life-threatening disease and how discrimination, ignorance and the stigma exacerbates the predicament of the persons with HIV.

From the point of view and reportage of Jennylyn Braza, a news reporter with Karina Macaspac and Jenney Cañeja as alternates, the story of three (3) RITM in-patients who stay in the same ward will figure in their news story.

The headliners are Carla Mae, a mother of three with Anna Escobia and Justine Torralba as alternates; the men who have sex with other men group who work at a BPO are VJ Mendoza, Kevin Posadas and Rey Correjado; and seasoned thespians Ronnie Martinez and Roeder Camanag who alternately portray Francis, a jaded drag performer.

Director Mercado says: “The production’s main reason for being is that we want to shed light and give the correct information about people with HIV affliction. Yes, we focus on their difficulties and struggles, especially in coming to terms that they have the HIV infection and how they manage to maintain their dignity and humanity”.

Adds Mercado: “The play employs of humor, drama, paghaplos sa puso at pagbubukas ng pang-unawa elements to its narrative. The medium of theater here has become a powerful tool to impart knowledge about the affliction that is HIV, to push safe sex practices and help build a a community that does not judge, but understands and helps those who are HIV afflicted and their loved ones.”

The figures of people with HIV affliction have skyrocketed and DOH reports say that the Philippines has become the fastest HIV/AIDS growing population in the Asia and Pacific region with 237% increase in an exhaustive and verified report on HIV infections FROM the periods of 2010 to 2022.

Director Mercado concludes: “By watching our play, you’re also exercising your power to contribute to the collective efforts to minimize, and hopefully end the escalating digits of individuals with HIV. Be one with us as we debunk the stigma, sow compassion and understanding, and give accurate information on HIV affliction”.

"WARD 448", produced Frontline Production Inc. is slated on October 29 and 30, 2022 , with matinee (3pm and gala 7pm) performances at the RCBC THEATER (Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium), 4th Floor, Tower II, RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Ave., Makati City.

Tickets are available now at ticket2me.net

Falling In Love with INN Love the Series

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There are still so many beautiful boy’s love stories waiting to be told and shared and fortunately for us, one fine BL drama airing this merry month of May is INN LOVE. The Series.

Rodel J. Mercado directs. Script by MJ Diaz. First BL offering of Frontline Production Inc. and FLP Artist Management, INN LOVE The Series is a peek into an inclusive world where BL aficionados and the audiences will experience an authentic concept of love which will surely resonate to their emotions, eliciting delight kilig and good vibes and pulling the heart strings..

The latest BL romance presents the story of VJ Mendoza who plays Gino, a scriptwriter for an upcoming digital campaign who visits TK Resort for a much needed inspiration and summoning of his creative muses.

In the resort, he crosses path with Migo de Vera, who portrays Alex, a freelance model who is in it as well to to escape mend his broken heart. What happens to Gino and Alex, the paths they want to follow and are forced to follow and how from strangers to friends and to beingi n a a different kind of love, its blooming and blossoming are the highlights of this fresh BL series.

Mendoza on Gino: “He is a writer for an ad agency who finds himself having writers block so he decides to go to a resort so he can concentrate on writing,”

He adds:“Embracing him is easy because I believe that, everyone should be allowed to love anyone and everyone and not deal with the idea of suppressing it because of societal expectations and constraints. For me, love is such a powerful force that confinement is impossible. The only way through is by embracing it. I also believe that like gender, love is also a construct. So, there’s no right or wrong when it comes to choosing who and how you love.

“Alex is a tough looking guy who works as a freelance model who went to the resort to reflect, deal with a terrible break-up, and figure out what to do next,” De Vera talks about his role. “What I love about being him is is the manner he discovered the true meaning of self-love and acceptance.”

“For me, love is the most magical thing,” he carries on. “It always wins and if I have enough courage to trust love, then I will be able to trust life and receive my natural birthright of joy. Love has no timelines, expectations, or requirements. We should be able to love freely whoever we want.”

Introducing cast members are Niel Lariosa (Derrick, who is secretly attracted to Gino), Rey Correjado (Louise, TK Resort manager who admires Alex) and Anna Escobia (Leslie, Gino’s girl bestfriend).

Completing the cast are Pauline Almero (Kelly), Aaron Caringal (Nip), Daven Noveno (Cole), JC Legaspi (Drew), Micah Guevarra (Jesse) and Mitch Dayupat as Ms. Maya – Creative Director of Advertising Agency, boss of Gino.

In conclusion, Director Rodel Mercado declares: “We want our viewers to relish on the deliciousness of loving freely with no strings attached in contrast to self-torture brought by labeling one’s feelings as wrong or fearing of being judged. Each existing community is unique and perfect given all of its imperfections. Only when disallowance of other’s choices like having relationship with same sex begets a problem. Inn Love, The Series prays and wishes that aside from the BL drama supporters, the general public will have an open mind and heart or a curiosity to see beyond the external facade in order to discover the “being” behind it, the soul trying to express itself in hysical form.”

Media partners are Village Pipol Magazine and Mulat Media.

Pictorial Team are Creative Director: Rodel Mercado Photographer: Mark Rean Ramos Stylist: Joseph Palma Suit by: Jovan Dela Cruz Designer: Joseph Palma & Elsie Delos Reyes HMUA : Carl Siocon Studio: Village Pipol.

Inn Love The Series premiere is slated on MAY 29, 2021 8:00pm,and every Saturday night, at FLP YOUTUBE Channel and at MULAT Streaming Digital Media.