unSAULicited

When the going gets tough, where do you get your strength? Artist Playground’s Playlist TRACK 2 proudly presents I REMEMBER A BOY - an original musical revue featuring OPM’s most classic hits on Nov. 11 – 12 at Arts Above located at West Venue Bldg., 112 West Avenue, QC. Made by Millenials, for Millenials, AP’s Playlist, Track 2: I Remember A Boy, is about a group of friends who reunite at a cafe they once frequented when they were still college students. They shall recall how their friendship came together, how they fell in love and fell apart. While reminiscing on their past - remembering the best and worst memories - they unearth feelings which were once laid to rest. With ties severed and hearts broken through the years, will this short reunion allow them to rekindle old flames and begin anew? This fresh yet nostalgic story of love and friendship that transcends time will be featuring six young, experienced and talented performing artists: Kathleen Francisco, Cathrine Go, ...

Being staged at Newport Performing Arts Theater until November 12, Ian Fleming's Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is now being told to a new generation. The creative imagination of Jemima and Jeremy Potts has brought to life several adventures and then they find themselves in an adventure to Vulgaria. Along with several adults such us their dad and a famous tycoon's daughter, and of course, Chitty, they learn what life has got for them. As always, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo shines as the villain Baroness. Gian Magdangal continues to further be greater with his role as a father of two. Whimsical and mainly for the kids, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, is best enjoyed by kids, and those that are kids-at-heart. It was truly heartwarming to hear the reactions of the kids in the audience. Watch a play today and bring a kid along. He or she will thank you and remember the gesture for life!

Oscar winner Kate Winslet and Golden Globe winner Idris Elba star in the riveting drama, “The Mountain Between Us” as survivors of a plane crash who are stranded in bleak conditions with no help in sight. Winslet and Elba play strangers thrown together in a remote, mountainous region. Directed by the masterful Oscar nominated director Hany Abu-Assad, this visually breathtaking film is exciting and emotional. Winslet’s Alex, a journalist, and Elba’s Ben, a neurosurgeon, embark on a perilous, transformational journey, despite the odds stacked firmly against them. Braving the elements in freezing temperatures, they have to use all their resources to stay alive. Winslet’s Alex, a fearless, pragmatic photojournalist had never set eyes on Ben before taking the doomed flight on the plane they chartered because their scheduled flights have been cancelled due to looming weather conditions. When their pilot (Beau Bridges) suffers a stroke and loses control, the plane plunges into the moun...

Meet Hercule Poirot, the greatest detective on earth in the upcoming thrilling adventure “Murder on the Orient Express” composed of an impressive cast that includes Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, Daisy Ridley, Judi Dench, Penélope Cruz, Josh Gad, Derek Jacobi, Willem Dafoe and Kenneth Branagh. Our mystery detective’s exploits begin when someone is murdered in the luxurious Orient Express where a set of strangers have all become suspects in the crime committed inside the train. The setting for the thrilling and visually breathtaking detective story is a train ride through Europe – from Istanbul to London. Taking the audience back in time to the Golden Age of rail travel, the cracking murder mystery is directed with ingenuity and flair by Kenneth Branagh. As the story unfolds, someone is murdered. 13 strangers are stranded on the train in a snowdrift. Every one of them is a suspect. It’s a race against time to discover the identity of the mu...

After more than fourteen years and grossing $874 million worldwide, one of the most critically acclaimed horror franchise is back, taking the Jigsaw killer’s signature brand of twisted scenarios to the next level in “Jigsaw.” Considered as one of the goriest films in Hollywood horror history, the “Saw” franchise which was launched on the big screen in 2004 has become a timeless cult-classic in people’s Halloween must-watch slasher film list, and now it is back on its’ eight installment, making sure that audiences begin to hide and run for their lives all over again. The newest instalment’s story takes off 10 years after the death of sociopath killer, John Kramer, who is also known as the “Jigsaw Killer” or simply “Jigsaw”. After a series of murders bearing all the markings of the Jigsaw killer, law enforcement officers find themselves chasing the ghost of a man dead for over a decade and embroiled in a new game that’s only just begun. Is John Kramer back from the dead to remind...

Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Ultimate Shows, Inc. is set to stage for the first time in the country, Ian Fleming’s Chitty Chitty Bang Bang on October 21 at the award-winning Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT). Thirty-four years after its movie version was released in 1968, the English musical was first staged at the London Palladium in 2002 and became its longest running show ever with a three and a half year run. A UK tour also ran from 2005 until 2008. Prior to the Manila production, the musical was also staged on Broadway, New York; the Capitol Theater, Sydney; the State Theater, Munich; and Singapore’s Esplanade, among others. Known to deliver world-class productions that champion the Filipino, RWM finally reveals its all-Filipino cast for the upcoming family musical led by stage actor Gian Magdangal who comes back to the country after three years of performing theater roles in Hong Kong Disneyland’s The Golden Mickeys and Mickey and the Wondrous Book, and a...

Adolf Alix Jr.’s LGBT themed film “4 Days” starring indie actor Mikoy Morales and Sebastian Castro that made its debut at the 2016 Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival will now screen at exclusively at Ayala Malls Cinemas’ Greenbelt 1 and Trinoma starting October 18. “4 Days” takes on the struggles of a gay relationship in times of confusion, curiosity and whether to stay inside or come out of the closet. The movie is not the highly typical gay love story where boy meets boy and falls in love, it goes through the downfall of questioning the reality of one man’s own sexuality, whether or not to choose a woman because of societal culture or to accept the fact that it is okay to love a man even if you’re a man yourself. A showcase of the brilliance and bold directing style of Adolfo Alix Jr. who started his career in TV but is now making his name in the world of films, “4 Days” is an affecting and delicate take on wrestling with one’s own demons and finding one’s true self and ...

20th Century Fox finally released the first trailer of “The New Mutants” directed by Josh Boone that will open in Philippine cinemas on April 11, 2018. The story of the “The New Mutants” revolves around a team of mutant heroes comprised of the first graduates from Charles Xavier’s school. The exciting new movie stars Anya Taylor-Joy as Illyana Rasputin/Magik, Maisie Williams as Rahne Sinclair/Wolfsbane, Charlie Heaton as Sam Guthrie/ Cannonball, Alice Braga as Dr. Cecilia Reyes, Henry Zaga as Roberto da Costa / Sunspot, and Blu Hunt as Danielle Moonstar/Mirage. In recent news, Stacey Snider, chairman and CEO of 20th Century Fox shared, “New Mutants” is about these teenagers who are just coming into their powers. It’s like watching mutants go through adolescence and they have no impulse control, so they’re dangerous. The only solution is to put them in a “Breakfast Club” detention/“Cuckoo’s Nest” institutional setting. It protects the people on the outside, but it’s strange and ...

Fly Me To The Moon, written by the talented Rody Vera will be staged for the first time in the Philippines this month, starting on the 13th. Artist Playground presents the story of a Karayuki and a Japayuki, filled with experiences of what love has done to them. Arts Above at the penthouse of the West Venue Building along West Avenue houses this rare masterpiece. Directed by Paul Jake Paule, “ Fly Me To The Moon” is about the story of Melanie who embarks on a journey to Japan to help her family make ends meet. Using her charm, she boards on a ship full of flesh-hungry sea crew, and finds comfort in Jo, a karayuki-san who longs for her one true love Ibrahim. On the ship, the two draw parallels between their lives as they unfold their own stories. Soon, Melanie and Jo part ways to follow their own pavement, but still keep a piece of each other’s heart. As you enter the theater, music relaxes and lulls you into a golden time. Right after the chimes end, the actors capture your a...

I know you've already seen it online. Ampalaya Monologues will be celebrating two years of wonderful performances! Other than monologues and one-act plays, spoken word artists are to grace the stage this Saturday, October 14. To get you prepared, here are videos of some of my favorite pieces from the performers that you'll see at PETA: (Don't forget to buy your tickets!) Of course, you have to start with Mark Ghosn's "Dapithapon." I have long been single but this takes me back to that corner where you see that you can still fight for love but then you decide to just join the other in ending things. Jihad Mambuay's "Palakpak" is a commentary on how the Spoken Word scene is in the Philippines. We all love a great pouring of emotions on stage, but do we see and appreciate how much work is put into every piece? Leondro Reyes' "Umpisa, Gitna, Dulo" is an exploration of how words in different parts of a sentence may shift...

Currently on screen until October 15, PELÍCULA-PELIKULA, the biggest Spanish film festival in Asia, will be featuring the best of contemporary Spanish cinema at the Greenbelt 3 Cinemas, Makati. Presented by Instituto Cervantes, the Embassy of Spain-AECID, the Film Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP) and Ayala Cinemas, the 16th edition of the Spanish Film Festival will screen more than 20 films. Since its conception in 2002 by Instituto Cervantes, the Festival has traditionally been graced by the presence of Spanish and Latin American filmmakers. In this edition, film director Salvador Calvo will fly to Manila to open the Festival with his movie 1898, Los últimos de Filipinas. Produced in 2016, the film retells the story of the Baler siege, where in 1898 a group of Spanish soldiers resisted for 337 days without knowing that the war was over. Director Salvador Calvo will have a Q&A with the audience on October 6, at 9:30pm. The line-up of films shows a list of genres ...

Love holds no bounds they say, and for people who are part of the LGBT community, your first love is what sometimes define you and what you want in a partner. When things don’t work out, that love is what teaches you lessons in love and life. Most of us want a love that lasts, a love that will be nourished and cherished, and is what’s in store in Adolfo Alix Jr’s “4 Days” starring Mikoy Morales and Sebastian Castro. Set inside the spacious and beautiful grounds of the University of the Philippines Diliman, it tells the story of Mark (Mikoy Morales) who goes about in his first day of college inside UP, where he meets his roommate Derek (Sebastian Castro) and as the two go through four years of college together, with every valentine’s day they try to get through their feelings for each other while staying inside the closet. For those who have had or at least tried relationships from within the closet, this movie is sure to hit you to the bones with feels. Team Magazine calls ...

To celebrate two years of artistic bitterness, the team from Ampalaya Monologues have decided to double up the bitterness with a one-night only anniversary show “Ampalaya Dialogues #TwoIsBitterThanOne” on October 14 – Saturday from 7 pm – 10 pm at the PETA Theater Center located at Eymard Road, E. Rodriguez Q.C. Ampalaya Dialogues #TwoIsBitterThanOne will showcase six short one-act plays that will feature two characters in each story. All of which are written by Mark Ghosn and will be performed by actors of Theatre in Alternative Platforms (TAP). Known for being the country’s most popular venue for ‘hugot’ artistry, Team Ampalaya promises that this year’s feels-fest will still have those witty and relatable punchlines that are combined with unique, heart wrenching, yet entertaining stories. A formula that we’ve all been a fan of and has served as their trademark throughout the years. The 6 One-Act Plays Tayo, Sa Pagitan Ng Mga Salita Starring: Thalia Nicole and Kenneth Monser...