Daragang Magayon: An Istorya ni Mayon, An Epic Love Tale at the CCP this Feb 8

Tweet

The legend of Mayon’s origins has been told and re-told through  generations and remains very much a part of the Bicolano culture and imagination. Fabled for its beautiful symmetry, Mayon Volcano has always inspired poets, painters and musicians. And, there are many works of art that depict and pay tribute to its beauty.

Presentation during the Daragang Magayon Press Conference held at Barbara Restaurant , Intramuros Manila

When clouds sheath the peak of the perfect cone of the Mayon Volcano in Albay, Bicol, locals say that the lovers Magayon, the lovely maiden after whom the volcano is named, and her handsome Ulap, must be kissing.

The myth of Daragang Mayon is a timeless tale of love that almost every Bicolano knows.   It is the story of Magayon (beautiful maiden), the only daughter of chieftain Makusog, and Ulap (Cloud), the brave son of a chieftain from another region.  They fall in love and are engaged when Pagtuga, a jealous suitor foils their plans to marry.  Pagtuga kidnaps Makusog and threatens to kill him unless Magayon consents to marry him instead of her beloved Ulap.  To her great grief, Magayon gives up Ulap to save her father’s life.  Magayon and Pagtuga are about to be wed when Ulap disrupts the wedding and slays Pagtuga.  Magayon rushes into the arms of Ulap but  is struck by an arrow.  As she lay dying in his arms, Magayon is fatally stabbed in the back by one of Pagtuga’s men. The ill-starred lovers are laid to rest, together for eternity, in a mound of earth that grew bigger and bigger with the passage of time, eventually becoming the volcano that is known as Mayon.

This February, the month of hearts and lovers, Filipino audiences will have the chance to witness a unique and exciting reprise of this age-old and romantic love story, retold through music, dance, poetry and film, in DARAGANG MAGAYON:  AN ISTORYA NI MAYON slated on February 8,  2013, with    matinee performance  at 3pm and Gala performance at  8pm, at  the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Blvd, Pasay City.

Daragang Magayon is a presentation of E-Dance Theater, the Provincial Government of Albay, Bicol University in cooperation with Goodwill Bookstore and Ballet Manila.  The production is supported by the Bicol Provincial government as part of its efforts to revitalize the tourist development program, highlighting Albay’s rich cultural heritage.

Gov. Joey Salceda of Albay

Daragang Magayon:  An Istorya ni Mayon  boasts of a new twist---the use of multimedia---to tell the story of how Mayon volcano was born.

Adding luster to the production are two of the country’s foremost artists who collaborated on Daragang Magayon.  National Artist for Literature Virgilio S. Almario (Rio Alma) penned the poetry for this new production.

 Gawad CCP para sa Sining awardee Ramon P. Santos composed the music.

The people behind "Daragang Magayon: Ang Istorya ni Mayon", 
a unique presentation of ballet, poetry, rondalla orchestra with film animation
 about the alamat of Mayon.

Albay poet laureate Abdon Balde Jr. did the dramaturgy for the production, adapting the Mayon legend for stage. Aimee Escasa and Boni Ilagan did the storyline and script, while Leo Abaya and John Batalla did the set and lighting designs respectively.  Filmmakers Chuck Escasa, Niko Salazar and Henry Posadas worked on the filmic elements of the production that included animation, adding to the visual excitement of the production.

Gerald Mercado did the choreography and direction for Daragang Magayon.

Daragang Magayon features the dancers of E-Dance Theater led by Ea Torrado as Magayon, Victor Maguad as Ulap, Francis Cascano as Pagtuga, Pamela Josef as Usa, Marcus Tolentino as Makusog and Roduardo Ma and Earvin Guillermo alternating as Linog.  The show is highlighted by the special participation of Ronnie Lazaro as Gugurang, Pontri Bernardo as the Aswang, soprano Stephanie Quintin, tenor Jay-El Viteno, Bass Jonak Del Fierro, and performing groups  E-Dance Theater, UP Rondalla and Novo Concertante.

For more information, please call: 4250509, 09209266387, 8321125 loc 1116; for ticket inquiries, please contact  829-3591,  09062735400 / 09228477639 / 09334372744 TICKET WORLD: (02) 891 9999.

Star World throws AI Season 12 bash at URBN

Tweet

Enjoying the wonderful world of Star World's American Idol ! I enjoyed being the part of Team Mariah! Do you know why and what about?  Here. 

To celebrate the premiere of American Idol Season 12, Star World treated 150 lucky members of the press, Twitter personalities, the hottest celebrities and some big AI fans to an exclusive viewing party at URBN Bar and Kitchen at the Fort Strip, Bonifacio Global City. 

Hosted by DJ Tracy Abad of Mellow 94.7 and DJ Suzy from Magic 89.9, the event happened on January 17 and lasted from 5 PM to 12 MN, with many surprises for special guests that stoked their American Idol excitement and made their viewing experience all the more enjoyable.

As guests entered the club, they were asked to choose between joining Team Mariah or Team Nicki, a play at the rumored rivalry between two of the new American Idol judges, legendary diva Mariah Carey and rap superstar Nicki Minaj. I am with Team Mariah! 

Fantastic giveaways were presented to each guest based on which team they joined along with other choice Star World items. The program began with welcome remarks from Jude Turcuato, VP Territory Head of Fox International Channels, Philippines before the premiere episode of American Idol Season 12 was screened at 6 PM.

At this event, even the commercial breaks were highly anticipated, with prizes from Star World being raffled off to lucky viewers during each break. A repeat screening was held at 8 PM for all the die-hard AI fans in the audience, with more prizes being raffled off at every commercial break.

Super happy to be one of the winners in the raffle, I got the Devant Blu-ray Disc Player!

The party continued after the final screening as DJ Nina lured everyone onto the dance floor with her Mariah Carey and Nicki Minaj mash-ups.

Thank you Star World and to Ms Tricia Pablo who invited me to join this awesome party of Star world American Idol Season 12. 

Surprises from Star World American Idol Season 12 Viewing Party

Season 12 of the No. 1 reality entertainment show is expected to amaze audiences and fans with a revamp of its judging panel as well as some new twists in the audition process to ensure that the most talented contestants from across the US will end up on the American Idol stage.

In addition to Carey and Minaj, country singer Keith Urban is joining founding judge and respected music producer Randy Jackson on the American Idol judging panel. Their combined wealth of experience in the music industry will allow them to pick the best contestants that will journey on to becoming the next American Idol. This season, the show puts into effect the "American Idol Small Town Audition Bus Tour" and “Nominate an Idol” program, which are new ways to audition that will surely make waves in American Idol history. All these updates and more will be brought straight into viewer’s homes this 12^th season of American Idol by Star World, the Home of Idols.

IBALONG – A Dance Musical Of Bicolano Epic

Tweet

“Ibalong” highlights the preservation of our environment in a magical and musical setting. Entitled after Legazpi City’s week-long festivity, “Ibalong,” the musical tells the story of Handyong and his warriors who come to Bicol – formerly known as Ibalon – and wage war against beasts and monsters pillaging the land’s natural wealth. Handyong mightily battles creatures bearing a solitary eye and three throats, several winged sharks, and wild carabaos.

In introducing civilization to the barbaric land, Handyong matches wit and might with the scheming snake, Oryol.  A master of deceit, Oryol disguises herself into a sweet, young lady in order to seduce Handyong. But not to be outwitted, Handyong eventually makes Oryol fall in love with him.

Their love story – between a warrior and a monster – defines the greatness of Bicol as it explores an individual’s capacity for good and evil, and a land’s history marked by progress and destruction.

Tanghalang Pilipino caps its 26th season with a dance-theatre musical interpretation of the Bicolano epic, “Ibalong,” adapted for the stage by prolific playwright Rody Vera and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio with Carol Bello’s musical direction, and Alden Lugnasin’s choreography.

IBALONG opens with a gala premiere on February 8 at the Tanghalang Aurelio V. Tolentino, Cultural Center of the Philippines at 8pm. The musical will run until March 3, 2013.

The cast of IBALONG include Jenine Desiderio - Oryol; May Bayot - Gugurang; Myke Salomon - Handyong; Red Nuestro - Opon; Delphine Buencamino - Koro / Understudy Oryol; Trixie Esteban - Young Oryol / Koro; Cheeno Macaraig - Young Handyong / Makusog / Kawal/ibingan; Tara Cabaero - Buring/Anino; Hazel Maranan - Onglo/Anino; Opaline Santos - Sarimao/Anino; Kristofer Kliatchko -Angongolood/Kawal; Cyril Balderama - Sarimao/Kawal; and Philip Palmos - Kikik.

The ensemble is composed of TP’s Actor's Company featuring Jonathan Tadioan - Aswang / Koro; Marco Viaña -   Rabot/Koro; Remus Villanueva - Handyong / Kawal/Angongolood; Nicolo Magno -    Baltog / Koro; Ralph Mateo -Bantong / Kalabaw/ Tambaluslos/Kawal; Regina De Vera - Bonggo/Anino; Jovanni Cadag -Sarimao ; and Doray Dayao - Popo/Anino.

Nanding Josef, Artistic Director of Tanghalang Pilipino cited that this production which is being done in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the City of Legazpi of Bicol, is a special offering to the Bicolanos and the rest of the Filipino people who are committed to protecting our natural resources and cultural heritage from the onslaught of irresponsible commercialism, modernization, frenetic world trade and homogenizing globalization ---- all hiding under the name of human progress and development, but in reality, are all motivated by self-centered motives and selfish interests of the greedy, materialistic, powerful evil creatures of this earth which was originally created by the Supreme Being only for everything that is good, true and beautiful.

Janine  Desiderio and cast presentation during the Ibalong Press Conference 

SYNOPSIS

The play will focus on the middle story of the Ibalong epic fragment, since we feel this is the most substantial of the three seemingly separate stories of the short poem. We focus on Handyong when he and his warriors come to Bicol and wage war against the wild creatures of the land. Handyong uses might to wipe out the wild creatures perceived as barbaric and monstrous. There are beasts with one eye and three throats.  Winged sharks ploughing the deep, wild carabaos were all subdued.

It seems that Handyong the mighty has begun to subdue the land of Bicol in the name of civilization except for Oryol, the sagacious snake. Handyong is eluded by Oryol. she then appears as a sweet young thing, as a way of seducing him. Oryol was a champion of deceit.

This is why Handyong finds a way to lure Oryol to help him. In the end, Oryol agrees to help Handyong destroy her own kind for a great deception that our hero is able to heap on the snake. Handyong makes the snake monster fall in love with him.

The land is set free when Oryol betrays the wild creatures of the land of Bicol. Handyong's heroism is fully established. But not without a tinge of guilt.

This love story between a mighty warrior and a monster becomes the central focus of the Ibalong, the capacity for good and evil, for progress and destruction, love and deceit are equally imprinted in the descendants of Handyong. The precarious balance between these two opposites defines the greatness of the land of Bicol.

The artistic team of IBALONG is led by Nanding Josef  ( Artistic Director ), Rody Vera ( Playwright ); Tuxqs Rutaquio ( Director/Set Designer ); Carol Bello (Composer/Musical Director ); Rizalino Reyes & Inkantada, All-Women Group (Arranger );  Leeroy New ( Costume & Puppet Designer ); Alden Lugnasin (Choreographer ); Katsch Catoy ( Lights Designer and Technical Director ) and   TJ Ramos ( Sound Designer ).

The production team is composed of Jennifer Bautista ( Production Manager ),  Alpha Joy Ruiz ( Deputy Production Manager ),  Jo  Ann Requiestas ( Assistant Production Manager ), Jerome Aytona ( Stage Manager ), Noel Taylo and Eric Sindol ( Assistant Stage Managers ), Daniel Gregorio ( Costume Custodian ), Zaldy Baldelobar ( Property Master ), Raphael David (Make-Up and Prosthetic Artist ), and Jerry Ramirez ( Stunt Choreography ).

The Marketing / Sales, and publicity group is led by Cherry Bong Z. Edralin ( Marketing Manager ), Toots Tolentino ( Publicist ), Jojit Lorenzo ( Photography ), Carlo Vergara  ( Poster Design ),  Joan Abubo ( Ticket Officer ),   Lorelei Celestino ( Marketing & Sales Associate ) and Juan Lorenzo Marco ( Sales Executive ).   

The schedule of performances of IBALONG are as follows: 

( Fri ) February 8, 15, 22, March 1, 2013 at 8:00 pm; 

( Sat ) February 9, 16, 23, March 2, 2013 at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm; 

( Sun ) February 10, 17, 24, March 3, 2013 at 3:00 pm.

Ticket prices are: 

P 800.00 ( regular ); 

P 400.00 ( students ) and 

P 640.00 (for senior citizens -- 20% discount on the regular price)

 For  the  Feb.  8  gala  night, tickets  are  at  

P 1,000.00  ( regular );  

P 500.00  ( students ) and 

P 800.00 ( for senior citizens -- 20% discount on the regular price)

Support our contribution to save our planet, our environment, and our cultural heritage. 

Don’t fail to watch IBALONG!

With elaborate costumes, energetic fight choreography, and haunting music, IBALONG guarantees audiences of all ages an enthralling experience rarely seen in original Filipino theatre.

Tickets are now available at all TicketWorld Outlets.  Call TicketWorld at 891-9999  and CCP Box Office at 832-3704

For inquiries on ticket reservations, group sales, sponsorships, special performances, call Tanghalang Pilipino at 832-1125 local 1620/1621 or contact Cherry Bong Z. Edralin at 0917-750-0107, 0918-959-3949 for more details.

Visit our website at www.tanghalangpilipino.org.ph or
E-mail us at ccptanghalan@yahoo.com or cherry_edralin888@yahoo.com.

Dr. Vicki Belo, Atom and Cristalle Henares join Asia’s Songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid in Sarap Diva this Saturday

Tweet

It's another Saturday morning filled with good food, talk and music in Sarap Diva!

Asia’s songbird Regine Velasquez-Alcasid welcomes into her kitchen Dr. Vicki Belo, ex-husband Atom Henares and their daughter Cristalle.

Regine's guilty pleasure is special baked ribs. The Belo's will prepare their special chocolate chip cookies which they share as gifts with celebrity friends. More than the recipes, secrets about their unusual and modern family set-up will be revealed.

How do Vicky and Cristalle bond despite their different views especially on each other's lovelife? How has the former couple Vicky and Atom maintained a special kind of relationship through the years?

Watch and enjoy the wonderful world of  Sarap Diva , this Saturday at 9:40 am on GMA7.

New Year, new you, and new resolutions too

Tweet

Forget the clichés—make your resolutions truly meaningful

Always reading new year resolution and making your own with a special significance in your mind will kick-start 2013. 

Every January, after the euphoria—and the eating and shopping binges—of the holidays subside, the resolutions inevitably come. From trimming one’s waistline to simply getting out of bed five minutes earlier, people swear by these resolutions year after year.

Indeed, the New Year is a wonderful time for making a change and promoting positive vibes. But don’t you notice that pretty much the same generic resolutions pop up every year? Losing weight and eating right are excellent resolutions to live by, but it’s quite ironic to be making old resolutions to welcome the New Year!

In place of cliché resolutions, Philips is suggesting these doable, meaningful resolutions that have a bright chance of igniting the change you’ve always wanted through and beyond 2013:

1. Give up the grease, while still enjoying fried goodness

A lot of people strive to eat healthier, but are unsure where or how to start. A great first step to a healthier diet is cutting down on greasy fried meals. But really, who can say no to fried chicken? To help make fried meals a notch healthier, Philips offers its AirFryer.

This innovative and revolutionary fryer has its own patented Rapid Air technology that lets you fry food without oil, resulting in dishes that have up to 80% less fat compared to deep-fried food.

2. Watch more films, and do it like you’re in a theater

Catch up on all those old blockbusters you’ve put aside all these years, and watch more new films this 2013. After all, one of the best ways to explore and see other worlds is through the magic of movies. And the best way to fully appreciate a great flick is with high fidelity audio using the Philips SoundBar CSS5123.

A 2012 Red Dot Design winner, the SoundBar CSS5123 is a premium speaker system that utilizes Virtual Surround Sound technology, wherein the speakers are angled accordingly to create a surround sound effect for a realistic movie experience. It also features a DoubleBASS technology which enhances the bass for a deeper and fuller effect.

3. Make music your fitness buddy, and work out more

The only thing standing between you and that fit frame is yourself. Vying to get back in shape is indeed a steep mountain climb. Make the trip a little lighter by getting a workout buddy. And who best to fill that motivator role than music? Working out to your favorite tunes is sure to help you finish tougher routines as well as bring out those good calorie-burning vibes. The Philips Action Fit Earhook Headphones is the only headphones out there cut out for the job.

Engineered specifically for fitness enthusiasts, these headphones feature innovative and water resistant seals which make it sweat proof, and keep it protected from sweat-related damage. The earhook is washable under running tap water, allowing you to clean it after every workout.

4. Get yourself a 2013 look, and look stunning all year

Chuck all those fears into the trash bin and open yourself up to the little adventure of sporting a new look. Impress yourself and the people around you by investing in the Philips ProCare Straightener HP8339. Boost your bravado through a style upgrade. Who knows? Smooth straight hair could be exactly what you need to make 2013 your best year yet.

The HP8339 from the Philips ProCare Range not only straightens hair smoothly and efficiently, but it also protects hair from overheating with its Dual-Care plates. It is safer to use than other regular straighteners because of its constant temperature and Even Heat Distribution. Constant temperature allows the user to straighten hair at a more caring and manageable temperature, yet still getting the desired style.

5. Spoil yourself a little, and indulge in your favorite brews

In working towards your goals, never forget to spoil yourself a little. Loosen up! For this year, make it a point to acquire things that make you happy without feeling guilty about it afterward. If you’ve been eyeing to start brewing coffee at home rather than constantly purchasing from coffee shops, it’s time to spoil yourself and invest in the Philips Saeco Royal.

Enjoy great-tasting coffee in the comfort of your home with this automatic espresso machine that’s highly customizable from bean to cup at just the touch of a button. The Royal enables the user to adjust every element of coffee including coffee length, temperature as well as strength or the amount of coffee to be ground, to get the desired taste, texture and volume. It also has an insulated milk container and cup warmer, offers large capacity containers and is highly ergonomic.

With this line-up of simple resolutions in hand, you’re now set to take on 2013 with the confidence that you can, without a doubt, make this year count.

About Royal Philips Electronics

Royal Philips Electronics (NYSE: PHG, AEX: PHIA) is a diversified health and well-being company, focused on improving people’s lives through meaningful innovation in the areas of Healthcare, Consumer Lifestyle and Lighting. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Philips posted 2011 sales of EUR 22.6 billion and employs approximately 121,000 employees with sales and services in more than 100 countries. The company is a leader in cardiac care, acute care and home healthcare, energy efficient lighting solutions and new lighting applications, as well as male shaving and grooming, home and portable entertainment and oral healthcare. News from Philips is located at www.philips.com/newscenter.