unSAULicited

One of the main contributions of the Dulaang UP to Philippine Theatre are the actors who have crossed over from the stage to television, independent films, and other genres. Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Stella Cañete-Mendoza, and Teroy Guzman are renowned for their crossovers and are proud to state that their training ground and home base will always be DUP and the Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater. Another bond shared is their having appeared in many of Floy Quintos’ original works. Shamaine was Atang, and Yolanda in Kalungkutan ng mga Reyna. Frances starred at Suor Clara and as Mamang in Evening at the Opera both at the Virgin Lab Fest. She took a comic turn as Dita in Shock Value and shared the role of Atang with Shamaine. Stella starred as Simone in Fluid, Tatiana in Collection, and the Barones Ade de Bethune in Angry Christ. Teroy on the other hand was the original Pepe in Fili, Fred in the original St. Louis Loves Dem Filipinos, and as Amado Hernandez in ...

In challenging times like the one we Filipinos find ourselves in today, how does Resistance take on creative and powerful forms? And how can Art unify different generations of Filipinos in a time when protest is so vital? These questions are addressed in the season ender of the UP Playwrights’ Theatre’s 26 th season, The Kundiman Party, a play with music by Floy Quintos and directed by Dexter M. Santos. The Kundiman Party is set in the tumultuous present. It revolves around a retired singer, Maestra Adela Dolores and her belief in the transformative power of the Kundiman art song. When she meets a young, tech-savvy activist, Bobby, her long-dormant sense of Nationalism is awakened. Together they embark on a crusade that surprisingly becomes a viral sensation. Their eccentric form of protest and its dangerous consequences are the stuff of bittersweet comedy about the times we live in and the choices we all must make. The production boasts of a powerhouse ensemble of actors led by ...

MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Colorful and eye-catching characters in exciting and relatable stories doing impressive athletic feats. This is what the new Pinoy-flavored professional wrestling is all about. After last month’s highly successful preview and re-launch event MWF Open House: Level UP, the Manila Wrestling Federation (MWF) promises to deliver a full package of sports-entertainment with its first major offering titled MWF 1: Kasaysayan. The spectacle will be held at Elements at Centris, EDSA Quezon Avenue in Quezon City, on April 8, Sunday, 7 PM. MWF’s roster of physically gifted entertainers is set to pack the show with family-friendly fun and action, headlined by a main event match of international proportions featuring Kenneth ‘The Eurasian Dragon’ Thexeira from Singapore Pro Wrestling going against former WWE and NXT competitor Ho Ho Lun of Hong Kong Wrestling Federation, with MWF flag-bearers Mr. Lucha and Robin Sane as their respective tag team partners. Fabio Makisig ...

Red-dy yourselves as 20th Century Fox unravels more in the latest full trailer of what’s in store in the hugely anticipated “Deadpool 2” that will open on May 16 in Philippine cinemas. Starring Ryan Reynolds as the returning titular character, “Deadpool 2” trailer explodes with familiar and new characters, friends and fiends of Wade Wilson aka Deadpool in a series of non-stop, high-octane action. An action adventure unlike any other in the hero universe, Deadpool, the Merc with the Mouth as seen in the trailer, assembles his own motley bunch to help him fight enemies and save it against the wrath of the dreadful Cable, played by Josh Brolin. Directed by David Leitch, a filmmaker, stuntman and stunt coordinator, “Deadpool 2” also stars Morena Baccarin, Brianna Hildebrand, T.J. Miller, Stefan Kapicic, Karan Soni, Zazie Beetz and Julian Denison. Mark your calendars red on May 16, the day that “Deadpool 2” opens in Philippine cinemas nationwide. Check 20th CenturyFox (PH...

Soaking in the glory of multiple awards, the thrill-seeking horror “Ghostland” (aka Incident in a Ghost Land) is set to show us why it’s captivating and mind-boggling story is a must-watch horror film this 2018. With versatile actress Crystal Reed (“Teen Wolf”) as the main lead. The film begins with a mother and her two daughters inheriting an old house, during their first night in their new home, murderers enter the home, putting Colleen in a situation where she must fight to save her daughters’ lives. When the girls suffer a terrible trauma during the night, their disparate personalities diverge even further. The eldest daughter, Beth (Reed), becomes a famous horror author with a perfect family and life in Los Angeles, while her sister, Vera (Anastasia Philips), can’t cope, and loses her mind to an unshakable sense of paranoia. Sixteen years later the daughters and mother reunite at the house where Colleen and Vera continue to reside. It is then that strange events begin to ta...

Acclaimed filmmaker Greg Berlanti, the force behind the most inventive and acclaimed works in film and television who has been credited with being at the forefront of introducing gay characters and storylines into mainstream entertainment helms the upcoming funny and heartfelt coming-of-age story about the thrilling ride of finding yourself and falling in love in “Love, Simon”. Berlanti is best known for his work in The CW’s Arrow, The Flash, DC’s Legends of Tomorrow, and Supergirl, collectively referred to as The CW’s Arrowverse. Additionally, Berlanti serves as executive producer on The CW’s Riverdale, Black Lightning, and NBC’s Blindspot. He started in television as a staff writer on the hit show Dawson’s Creek where he was promoted to showrunner by his second year on the series. “Love, Simon” was adapted from Becky Albertalli’s young adult novel Simon vs The Homo Sapien’s Agenda. Published in January 2012, the book won the William C. Morris Award for Best Young Adult Debut of...

March 12, 2018 – After over 2 months of rehearsals, the excitement in Manila is building as the world’s #1 musical begins performances this weekend at The Theatre at Solaire. The first international tour of THE LION KING kicks off in the Philippines before additional engagements in Singapore, Korea and Taiwan. Disney’s THE LION KING runs from 18 March to 6 May 2018 and is presented by Michael Cassel Group and Concertus Manila in association with Disney Theatrical Productions. The production’s co-presenting sponsors in Manila are Globe and Visa. The principal cast of THE LION KING includes Ntsepa Pitjeng who is returning to the role of ‘Rafiki’, having performed the role in the USA, UK, Brazil, and Switzerland productions. Direct from London’s West End production is Mthokozisi Emkay Khanyile in the role of ‘Mufasa’. Also from the United Kingdom is music theatre performer Antony Lawrence as ‘Scar’. Australian actor André Jewson will feature as ‘Zazu’; the charismatic New Zealan...

Through Facebook Live, the Gawad Buhay—the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, which marks its 10th anniversary this year—announced the nominations for the 2017 awards, culled from productions and performances by Philstage member-companies last year. The FB Live event, held at the lobby of The Theatre at Solaire, was hosted by Audie Gemora and Karla Gutierrez, Philstage president and treasurer, respectively. “Ang Pag-uusig,” Tanghalang Pilipino’s production of a new translation (by Jerry Respeto) of “The Crucible,” Arthur Miller’s classic play about socio-political paranoia, and the world premiere of Ballet Manila’s “Ibong Adarna,” featuring choreography by Gerardo Francisco and music by Diwa de Leon, both received 12 nods to lead this year’s roster of nominations. Following them are Ballet Philippines’ restaging of its Filipino-themed “The Nutcracker,” choreographed by Edna Vida and Alice Reyes, with additional choreography by Adam Sage, with 11 nominations; and Reperto...