Joanna Ampil and MiG Ayesa lead the cast of the Tony Award winning musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY

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Two iconic performers share the same stage for the first time in what is sure to be the most romantic musical of the year. West End musical theatre star Joanna Ampil and Broadway and West End rock star MiG Ayesa lead the cast of the first international production of the Tony Award winning musical THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, produced by Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) in November 2015.

Fresh from the success of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, which is now embarking on an Asian Tour, ATEG brings you THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, one of the most romantic stories ever written. 

Now an irresistible, two-time Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, based on the best-selling novel by Robert James Waller, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY tells the story of Iowa housewife Francesca Johnson and her life-changing, four-day whirlwind romance with traveling photographer Robert Kincaid. It’s an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more.

Joanna Ampil

This brand new production features gorgeous, soulful music by Tony Award-winning composer Jason Robert Brown (Parade, The Last Five Years) that draws upon the rich textures of Americana and folk and the sweeping, expressive balladry of classic Broadway. The Daily News hails it as “one of Broadway’s best scores in the last decade.”

Joanna Ampil, who rose to stardom in London’s West End as Kim in Miss Saigon and Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar, says of her latest role, “It will be my first musical in Manila after a long hiatus. The last one was The Sound of Music in 2012. I'm hungry for a new challenge and this role of Francesca will certainly give me that challenge, stretch and creativity that I'm always craving for as an artist. Jason Robert Brown and I performed in London sometime ago way before he wrote Bridges and to be able to play a lead in one of his works will be a wonderful experience; because I know that he writes some amazing stuff. I look forward to sharing the stage with MiG Ayesa, also. But, the thing that appealed to me the most was the idea of working for ATLANTIS for the first time and being directed by Bobby Garcia.”

MiG Ayesa

MiG Ayesa, who performed the role of Stacee Jaxx in ROCK OF AGES on Broadway and in Manila. “I am so thrilled to be returning to the Manila stage with this production of THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY. The score written by Jason Robert Brown is so breathtakingly beautiful it has to be considered a modern classic, and well deserved of the Tony Awards it received. I cannot wait to show such a different side to me, as the last time Manila audiences saw me was as the crazed rocker ‘Stacee Jaxx’ in ROCK OF AGES. The chance to be working opposite such a world class performer such as Jo Ampil, as well as under the direction of Bobby Garcia, promises to be an experience I will never forget. This will be my second stage production with ATEG, and it has always been a labour of love in that camp. Any excuse to visit the Philippines is worth the work! I cannot think of a better way than to return with such a production as beautiful as this,” said MiG .

Directed by Bobby Garcia, who recently directed the critically acclaimed Asian Tour of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY opens on November 20, 2015 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Select shows are now available for Show Buying and fundraising opportunities. Corporate Packages are also available. 

Contact Jorelle at 0917-8381534 or info@ategasia.com for more information.

China to host 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup

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(L-R) Chinese delegation, basketball star Yao Ming, Chinese Olympic Committee vice president Gao Zhidan : Vice Mayor of Beijing and China 2019 bid committee chairman Zhang Jiandong; and Philippines’ delegation, president of Philippines Basketball Manuel V Pangilinan; Eight-time world boxing champion Emmanuel “Manny” Pacquiao; and actor Lou Diamond Phillips during the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup host announcement ceremony in Tokyo on August 7, 2015. (Photo by Toshifumi Kitamura/ AFP)

China wins the bidding war against the Philippines in the final presentations to become the official host of the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, the FIBA Central Board announced Friday, August 7 in Tokyo, Japan.for the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup hosting.

The delegations of the People's Republic of China and of the Republic of the Philippines presented clear impressions that the love of the sport is what drives them to want to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

China edged Philippines, which banked on the Filipinos’ passion for the sports and reach on social media in its bid for the hosting, with a presentation focusing on its strength in infrastructure, hosting experience, and resources.

The Chinese have hosted several international tournaments including the 2008 Beijing Olympics, 2010 Asian Games and the 2014 Nanjing Youth Olympics. They will also host the upcoming 2015 Fiba Asia Championships. Last Friday, July 31, China also won the rights to host the 2022 Winter Olympics. 

China also boasted of holding the Fiba World Cup, which is held every four years, in eight keys cities which are easily connected by several forms of modern transportation.

Presenters for the Philippine pitch were business tycoon and Samahang Basketbol ng Pilipinas president Manny V. Pangilinan; Filipino Hollywood actor Lou Diamond Phillips; former national team player Jimmy Alapag; and former national team head coach Chot Reyes.

The Philippine bid highlighted the Southeast Asian nation's deep-rooted love affair with basketball as FIBA's ticket to achieving its goal. It also leverage the country's Internet reach as the Social Media Capital of the world.

Basketball's world governing body made the decision after a stringent process that began right after last year's World Cup in Spain, and culiminated Friday in Tokyo with 20-minute presentations from each country followed by question-and-answer sessions.

Here are some of the strong statements of intent that were made. An evident as the leading figures behind both bids addressed the media, just hours before FIBA's Central Board is set to make its decision.

Yao Ming, China 2019 Ambassador and basketball star (asked to compare, based on his visits to the Philippines, the love of basketball there compared to the love of basketball in China): "You can't say that one type of love is better than the other. Both are great. Both countries have a great passion for basketball, particularly for FIBA basketball."

Manny Pacquiao, Philippines Congressman and eight-time world boxing champion: "I am a boxer but I am here because I love basketball so that tells you the passion that Filipinos have for basketball. If we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can show that passion to the world."

Zhang Jiandong, Vice Mayor of Beijing and Chairman of the China 2019 bid committee: "At least 300 million people play basketball in China and if we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can increase that participation. China is the most populous country in the world and we can make basketball the most popular sport in the world. We believe that we can make the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup a complete success because of China's economic stability, strong financial guarantee and the government's complete support. We can make it a safe, most reliable and risk-free event."

Manuel V Pangilinan, President of the Philippines Basketball Association: "In our country, basketball is number one. Ninety percent of the population play, watch or follow the sport in one way or another. It's not just Filipinos in the Philippines that are passionate about the sport. It's Filipinos all over the world. Football may be number one in many places around the world, but basketball is number one in the Philippines."

Gao Zhidan, Vice-President of the Chinese Olympic Committee: "Basketball is very popular in China and if we host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup, we can foresee a great rise in that popularity. This will have a great impact on the professional league (CBA) as well as the university league which is developing very fast. It will help with our aim to train more athletes and get a bigger pool of talented players."

Lou Diamond Phillips, Filipino actor and director: "The Philippines has come of age and we are incredibly hopeful of geting to host the 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup. We are the biggest social media country and we already have more than two billion impressions of #PUSO2019."

Source : 2019 FIBA Basketball World Cup.

Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga next movie will push through in 2016

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The most awaited reunion movie of Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga will push through in 2016. 

This was announced by Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos during the “Chat with the Chairman” event at ABS-CBN on Tuesday, as reported by Star Cinema in its website.

According to a report from Star Cinema’s website, Star Cinema managing director Malou Santos confirmed the news during a “chat with the chairman” event last August 4.

Aga Muhlach and Lea Salonga were together in  their 1995 film “Sana Maulit Muli.” The first one was in 1993, Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal.) Both films earned Muhlach Best Actor trophies from the Gawad-Urian critics society

Aga and Lea remaining good friends over the years.  

They were asked by reporters on separate occasions about that long-awaited third team-up. Last July, Lea and Aga attended and been reunited at the premiere of digitally restored version of "Sana Maulit Muli' held at the Cine Adarna, University of the Philippines Film Institute, Diliman, Quezon City. This is a part of ABS-CBN’s ongoing Film Restoration campaign.

In an interview with some reporters, Aga said he was hoping for the reunion movie for them to happen soon.

In an interview with dzMM, Salonga hinted that the warm reception at the premiere could help railroad the reunion movie that has been in limbo.

"Maraming oras na ang nakalipas since we did a movie and then to receive that kind of reception doon sa screening, talagang hindi ako makapaniwala na ganun ang naging pagtanggap ng very, very young audience," she said.

"I think microcosm siya of a possibly bigger market na siguro tatangkilikin din nila 'yung pelikula namin kung sakaling gumawa kami ng isa pa," she added.

Salonga earlier said that she will be very busy in the remaining months of 2015 and won’t be able to do a movie this year.

"I have 'The Voice' and then I have a Broadway show. As in the day after the grand finals, I leave for New York. Our finals will be on August 29 and August 30, August 31, I'm on a plane out. So no movie this year," she had said.

Salonga will be part of the musical "Allegiance" with Japanese-American actor George Takei, which is scheduled to start previews October 6 at the Longacre Theater in New York prior to its official opening on November 8.

Salonga had said that she only wants to be paired with Muhlach because she is already comfortable working with the actor.

“Minsan lang kasi ako gumawa ng pelikula. As in once every 17 years. I don’t do movies very often so I want to be with people that I’m already comfortable with. There are certain risks that I’d like take when I perform live. But when I do a film, I’d like to stay with a team na nakasanayan ko na,” she explained.

This will be the 3rd time Aga and Lea will do a movie together. Aside from "Sana Maulit Muli," Muhlach and Salonga starred in an earlier movie, "Bakit Labis Kitang Mahal."

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SM shares PWD social inclusion efforts in US Embassy Forum

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Photo shows (L-R) SM Supermalls President Annie Garcia,  US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, SM VP Bien Mateo and United Architects of the Philippines’ Committee on Accessibility Chair, Arch. Jaime Silva during the event.

Just days after the culmination of the Philippine National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation Week, the U.S. Embassy held a forum to commemorate the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities (ADA) act. The forum, entitled “PWD Rights: Diversity and Social Inclusion”, served as an avenue for inclusive dialogue between PWD advocacy groups and various stakholders like the academe, the government, and private companies.

Distinguished members of the panel included Senator Sonny Angara, Honorable US Ambassador Philip Goldberg, National Council on Disability Affairs (NCDA) Executive Director Carmen Zubiaga, Executive Vice President and CEO of Tahanang Walang Hagdanan (TWH) Joy Cevallos-Garcia, Be-medaled Paralympian Powerlifter Adeline Dumapong, and SM Vice President for Operations and Program Director of Disability Affairs Bien Mateo.

US Ambassador Goldberg expressed his gratitude to all the stakeholders present during the forum, with special mention to SM, which according to him has done so much in the area of disability affairs.

SM VP Mateo affirmed during his talk that SM is strongly advocating for PWD inclusion and that several programs under SM Cares underscore this advocacy. Some of the projects he mentioned were the Angels Walk for Autism, the Happy Walk for Down Syndrome, the earthquake resilience briefing for Senior Citizens and PWDs, and the SM Supermalls’ special screening of audio descriptive movies for the blind and the deaf.

The forum concluded with the agreement that providing equal opportunities and helping PWDs to become active and contributing members of the community are necessary in creating a caring, nurturing, and more sustainable society.

Seven heritage places in the Philippines worth visiting

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Vigan Ilocos Sur - Calle Crisologo

It's more fun in the Philippines! Explore the diverse culture of the Philippines as MyProperty.ph lists some of the most popular heritage towns and cities in the country.

If you attended a Filipino school as a kid, chances are you know that whenever August rolled around, it was time to polish your skills in declamation, singing, or slogan making in celebration of the Buwan ng Wika . As a nationalistic event, it aims to celebrate the Filipino language while also embracing our linguistic diversity.

This month is also an apt time to visit some of the country’s towns and cities that helped shape our history and heritage. You can make a holiday out of your visit to any of these sites, as many of them are located in distant provinces, although some of them are close enough to Metro Manila for a day tour.

Kawit Cavite - Aguinaldo Shrine by Antonio V. Oquias

Kawit

Province: Cavite

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Chavacano

Considered as Cavite’s oldest municipality, Kawit was founded in 1587 for the Spanish Crown and referred to by the Spaniards as “Cavite El Viejo.” Its most famous spot is the Aguinaldo Shrine, the ancestral home of General Emilio Aguinaldo and the site where the Philippine independence from Spanish rule was declared. It is also home to St. Mary Magdalene Church, one of the oldest churches in the Philippines; as well as the Battle of Binakayan Monument, which commemorates a struggle between Spanish and Filipino soldiers in 1896.

Malolos

Province: Bulacan

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Kapampangan

Malolos is recognized as the Premiere Heritage City of Bulacan for its ancestral houses, Spanish colonial churches and chapels, and historical landmarks. The Barasoain Church, for one, is the site of the First Philippine Congress in 1898. Also worth visiting is the neoclassic Bautista-Uytangcoy Mansion, known as home of Aguinaldo’s interior secretary Don Antonio Bautista, but is more recognizable as the site where Jose Rizal and Marcelo H. Del Pilar spoke with the 21 women of Malolos in 1892.

Pila

Province: Laguna

Spoken language: Tagalog

Pila, specifically the Pila Historic Town Center, was declared a National Historical Landmark for being an early pre-Hispanic center of culture and trade, owing to the discovery of clay potteries during excavations in Pinagbayanan in 1967. Some of the Spanish- and American-era architecture found in the locale are the 19th-century Baroque church Diocesan Shrine, and the Parish Church of San Antonio de Padua, founded in 1578 and regarded as the country’s first Antonine parish.

Taal

Province: Batangas

Spoken languages: Tagalog, Spanish

Most famous for its namesake lake and for balisong (fan knife) and barong (local garb) making, Taal has been labeled a National Historical Landmark because of its well-restored ancestral houses. One such property is the Agoncillo-Mariño House, considered a national shrine by the National Historical Institute where the national flag was first made by Marcela Mariño de Agoncillo. Other historical landmarks include the Old Taal Church ruins, where the original Church of St. Martin de Tours was built in 1575; and Escuela Pia, built in 1885 and considered the central school during the American regime.

Vigan

Province: Ilocos Sur

Spoken languages: Ilocano, Pangasinan, Tagalog

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and recently named as one of the New7Wonders Cities, Vigan is one of the few Hispanic towns in the country where visitors can appreciate intact buildings that display a fusion of Filipino, Oriental, and European aesthetic. Its most famous attraction is Calle Crisologo, a cobblestone street flanked by Spanish-era homes and traversed by horse-drawn carriages or calesas. Other points of interest include the earthquake Baroque-style Vigan Cathedral, the history of which can be traced back to 1574; and the Archbishop’s Residence, which was built in the 16th century.

Silay Negros Occidental - Balay Negrense

Silay

Province: Negros Occidental

Spoken languages: Hiligaynon, Cebuano, Tagalog

Silay is often referred to as the Paris of Negros and considered by the Department of Tourism as Western Visayas’ seat of arts, culture, and ecotourism. The city is known for its artists and numerous cultural shows, but its most prized attractions are its well-preserved heritage houses, which were built during the heyday of the Philippine sugar industry. Some of the more famous homes are Balay Negrense, a late-19th-century home that has been transformed into a museum; and Hofileña Ancestral House, which was constructed in 1934 by Manuel Severino Hofileña and continues to be occupied by one of his heirs.

Dapitan

Province: Zamboanga Del Norte

Spoken languages: Cebuano, Subanen, Zamboangueño, Chavacano, Tagalog

Known as the “Shrine City in the Philippines,” Dapitan’s popularity lies in its historical significance as the place of exile of Rizal. In fact, its most famous sites are ones related to Rizal, such as Liwasan ng Dapitan, which the national hero helped designed; Punto del Desembarco de Rizal, where he disembarked from the steamer “Cebu” in 1565; and Rizal Park and Shrine, where he lived from 1893 to 1896.

Source : MyProperty.ph,  a leading Philippine real estate online and print brand that brings property buyers and sellers together. The website’s main offerings are listings of pre-selling properties and properties for sale and for rent. Both website and magazine also provide relevant and updated industry news and information for its clients and consumers.

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