French Film Festival at 20

Time to head out to the cinemas as the French Film Festival will be running from June 3 to 9, 2015 in two venues simultaneously -- at the Greenbelt 3 cinemas in Makati City and at the Bonifacio High Street cinemas in Taguig.   

The 2015 French Film Festival celebrates two decades of bringing critically-acclaimed and blockbuster films to the Philippine audience, not only promoting the French culture but lending support to the local movie industry by screening classic and contemporary Philippine films. It is also worthy to note that for years, the French government, through its embassy, has assisted local filmmakers in bringing their films to France and has supported initiatives to preserve Philippine film heritage. 

To commemorate the 2oth year of the French Film Festival, two films will be screened at the red carpet opening night on June 3 at Greenbelt.   The opening French film, La Famille Bélier (The Bélier Family), tells the story of a provincial deaf-mute family that must deal with the desire of their daughter to study music in Paris.  On the same night, Taklub, Brillante Mendoza’s latest film and the only Philippine entry to the Un Certain Regard section of the 2015 Cannes Film Festival, will be premiering at the festival’s red carpet opening night. 

Here are the screening schedules in Greenbelt 3 and Bonifacio High Street cinemas (click to enlarge):

I had a great time watching the participating films in last year's French Film Festival that's why I am eagerly anticipating this year's run!

Tickets for each screening are priced at P100.00 to cover the operational costs of the cinema. Tickets are available at the box office or through www.sureseats.com. 

Aside from diamonds, beauty stuff are a girl's best friend that's why I got excited to be invited to this event that promises to be a whole lot of fun with activities and beauty loots.

Rustan's The Beauty Source left no stones unturned for their second season. Inspired by modern art, Rustan's foyer in Glorietta 1 was dressed in intricate origami patterns and awash in bright pops of color --white couches, a DJ's booth and various display and activity stations like L’occitane's cotton candy art booth.

Well-loved beauty brands such as Chanel, Clarins, La Prairie, Sisley, Nars, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Estee Lauder, Clinique, La Mer, Benefit, Bobbi Brown, Guerlain, Hermes, Murad, Perricone, Lancome, Mac, L’Occitane, and Acca Kappa, among others, each prepared creative ways to keep the guests busy while having fun.

At Chanel, guests made their own palettes using yummy chocolate balls designed to look like the brand's iconic pearl-shaped eyeshadows. Nail Polish brands, OPI and Deborah Lippmann, gave out free manicures and notepads, which they painted with their favorite shades. Free makeovers were in full force with complementary glam sessions from Benefit and Estee Lauder and quick brow fixes at Bobbi Brown. Clarin’s literally combined beauty and brains with their All Time Must Haves Memory Game. Participants were challenged to match cards with images of Clarins products, in order to take home their coveted must-haves. On the other hand, Dermalogica offered a Speed Mapping Skin Analysis plus free samples based on one’s skin type. For fragrance fans, a generous bar was set up for endless testing of sultry scents from Acca Kappa, Diptyque, Annick Goutal, Rance, Montheme, Hierbas de Ibiza and Gendarme. When navigating the counters, some relaxing body pampering was also in order. Guests head over to La Mer for hand and arm indulgences using the brand’s opulent body cream.

Colored this poster using real makeup products.

But the true beauty of the event was the purpose of helping afflicted women. Everyone was encouraged to write beautiful and inspiring messages of love and hope, using lipstick, on the Signed With Love mirror freedom wall. For every note, Rustan’s donated a P300 pledge to ICanServe, a Philippine foundation of breast cancer survivors promoting early detection. 

As a treat to beauty junkies, the event also launches The Beauty Addict card, so that customers can further indulge in their favorite brands through exclusive discounts, complementary products and spa services. 

Jessica Sanchez Donates Via Charity Single

After making waves in American Idol Season 11 (2012) and winning 2nd place, Jessica Sanchez is one artist to watch out for.  Busy with her singing career in the United States of America doing shows and tours, she first released her debut single last March 21. Titled "Tonight," the song features Ne-Yo and is now enjoying heavy exposure on radio and tv channels and also charting Top 1-5 on radio stations all over the Philippines.

Last May 14, Jessica Sanchez finally released her first solo album called "Me, You & the Music" on MCA Music that's brimming with high-energy beat repertoire.  The debut album features 13 tracks, including "Tonight" featuring Ne-Yo and "No One Compares" featuring Prince Royce in Spanglish version.

Jessica Sanchez at the press conference arranged by
MCA Music to promote her debut album and the charity single

Being half Filipino, it is inevitable that Jessica Sanchez does her share to raise funds to help the typhoon Yolanda survivors in the Philippines.  As of this writing, she is here in the country to promote her new charity single "Lead Me Home" that was released in iTunes.  Proceeds from single sales will be donated to the Red Cross benefiting typhoon Yolanda survivors.  To preview and download the song, click here: http://smarturl.it/JS-LeadMeHome.

"Lead Me Home" is actually the first single from the forthcoming Original Cast Recording, "Heartbeat of Home," a new music and dance spectacular with music by Brian Byrne.  The full length album will be released under MCA Music/Universal Music Philippines in February 2014.

It is really wonderful to know that a lot of individuals and organizations (even countries) are helping out for the rehabilitation of the devastated Tacloban and nearby affected cities.  May God bless them back.  God bless Jessica!

Barbie Live: A Dream Come True

What's almost always pink and sparkling?  Well, for me that would only mean Barbie, the fashion icon doll that has been a little girl's dream toy since the 1960s.  After a successful conquering of the globe with various versions of Barbie, now comes "Barbie Live! The Musical."

This Christmas season, Barbie lovers will be treated to a musical theatrical show that will bring the famous doll characters Barbie, Ken (Barbie's love interest) and Teresa (Barbie's best friend) to life.  "Barbie Live! The Musical" is set on a Hollywood sound stage and follows Barbie with Teresa on the set of their new film as Barbie reminisces on the lessons learned from her past movies like Swan Lake, Princess & the Popstar, and Mariposa & Fairy Princess in trying to help Teresa gain back her confidence and strengthen their friendship.

A cast of 19 singers and dancers, led by Chelsea Bernier (Barbie), Kristina Miller (Teresa) and Randy Dierkes (Ken), will be donning stunning costumes for their high energy numbers that kids and adults will relate to and enjoy. 

Barbie Live! lead casts Chelsea Bernier (Barbie),
Kristina Miller (Teresa) and Randy Dierkes (Ken)

Catch Barbie Live! in Manila from December 11-15, 2013 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena.  Book your tickets at smtickets.com or call 470-2222.  Get 20% discount when you use e-PLUS Tap to Pay to purchase Barbie Live! tickets.



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A Party Called Grease

Yup, "Grease" is the word...the word that transported me back to my childhood days when I fondly recall my 4-year old self holding a hairbrush for a microphone and singing along "You're the One that I Want" while going down a flight of stairs at my lola's house, imitating the song's choreography.

Now, with 9Works Theatrical's staging of the updated version of "Grease", the younger generation can watch what "Grease" is all about (in case they have never seen the movie starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton John) while those who saw the movie and grew up with its songs can enjoy the 1950s pop culture all over again.

A powerhouse cast that is led by Gian Magdangal (Danny Zuko) and Frencheska Farr (Sandy Dumbrowski) promises to electrify its audiences and make them fall in love with the characters once more.  Joining Magdangal and Farr are Iya Villania and Jennifer Blair-Bianco (alternating as Betty Rizzo), newcomer Rafa Siguion-Reyna (Kenickie), Reb Atadero (Roger), Mark Tayag (Sonny Latierri), and Vince Lim (Doody) completes the T-bird members, while Carla Dunareanu (Marty), Peachy Atilano (Frenchie), and Sarah Facuri (Jan) rounds up the Pink Ladies.  Supporting cast members are Carlos Canlas (Johnny Cash), James Stacey (DJ Vince Fontaine), HArold Cruz (Eugene Florcyzk), Sab Jose (Patty Simcox), Angela Padilla (Miss Lynch), and Carmelle Ros and Ciara Sotto (alternating as Cha-cha Digregorio).

"You're the One that I Want"

And as for the Teen Angel who serenades Frenchie during "Beauty School Dropout," each show will feature a surprise guest for the role -- each one a notable stage, film or TV actor. The Teen Angel during the preview that I watched was Franco Laurel while JM Rodriguez, Raul Montesa and Michael de Mesa have appeared in the succeeding shows.

The Grease cast class picture

Watching the show, I couldn't help but stomp my feet, wiggle my fingers and sing-along to "Grease" favorites such as "Hopelessly Devoted to You," "Grease Lightning," and of course, "You're the One that I Want."  I really enjoyed the whole production and I must say that casting was perfect so congratulations to the artistic team led by  director Robbie Guevara and assistant director Lorenz Martinez, and to the production team led by executive producer Santi Santamaria.

Want to have a musical blast from the past? Join the gang and party with "Grease" at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City on all weekends of November until December 1, 2013, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday gala at 8 pm, Saturday matinees at 3:30 pm and Sunday matinees at 4 pm.



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Colors of Hope and Unity

The Philippine flag's lively colors and spirit magnified by the show of support of the Empire State Building and Houston City Hall to the survivors of super typhoon Haiyan/Yolanda. To all those who are involved in the relief operations, keep the donations coming. God bless all of you and thank you.

Photos of the Empire State Building and Houston City Hall from posts in Instagram and Facebook.

Maxie: A Musical to Love

I first heard about the plans to stage the live theater adaptation of the successful indie film "Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" last 2012 and finally, it's here!  

The theater scene welcomed Bit by Company's production of "Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" as it opened to the public last November 8, 2013.  "Maxie" is the coming-of-age musical about a gay teen who is torn between his love for a young cop and his loyalty to his family.

Based on Michiko Yamamoto's screenplay (ufo Pictures, 2005), "Maxie" features book and lyrics by Nicolas B. Pichay, music by William Elvin Manzano, JJ Pimpinio and Janine Santos, and direction and choreography by Dexter M. Santos.

I know about the film but I was not able to watch it in its entirety so I had an almost blank canvass for my mind when I watched the press preview at the PETA Theater Center.  The stage design, meant to portray a slice of life in Sampaloc, Manila, was simple but every nook and cranny was utilized to its fullest with the various scenes that came to fruition.  The songs reflect the true to life events that take place daily in an oppressed neighborhood -- episodes of people trying to earn a living through decent and otherwise means.

The cast was a well-put together group that's a mix of experienced and new talents: Jayvhot Galang (Maxie), Roeder Camanag and Nazer Salcedo (alternating as Paco Oliveros, Maxie's father), Jojo Riguerra (Victor Perez, the policeman love interest of Maxie), Al Gatmaitan and OJ Mariano (alternating as Boy Oliveros, Maxie's brother) and Hay Gonzaga (Bogs Oliveros, Maxie's other brother).  The other cast members are Aaron Ching (Nar), Nomer Limatog, Jr. (Leslie), Teetin Villanueva (Monique), Eo de Guzman and Merdin Mojica (alternating as Peter), and Greg de Leon (Chief Dominguez).  The ensemble is composed of Ruth Alferez, John Paul Basco, Jules dela Paz, Irene Delarmente, Elliot Eustacio, Karyl Factora, Jim Andrew Ferrer, Francelle Fetalvero, Al Bernard Garcia, Jeffrey Hernandez, Ronah Rostata, and Christian Velarde.

14-year old Galang, who has been joining singing contests in various barangays and in a reality-search TV show, is a theater newbie.  His raw but powerful singing prowess bagged him the title role of Maxie and he joined the PETA Summer Acting Workshop to prepare for the challenges that come with the role.  As Maxie, Galang was charming, funny and seemed to belt out the songs effortlessly. Riguerra, on the other hand, was fit to the role of Victor, the young policeman who is uncorrupted by the system and Maxie's apple of the eye.

What's my favorite part of the play? Aside from the scene where Maxie meets Victor, is the BeauCon or beauty contest which is an integral thing for every community.  I love the contestants' transformation and the talent portion which was more of a production number for each candidate.  Overall, "Maxie" is a production that was conceived and staged with the heart and soul of all those involved that I didn't feel shortchanged but rather felt wanting to watch it one more time.

"Maxie the Musicale: Ang Pagdadalaga ni Maximo Oliveros" will run until December 8, 2013, with shows on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays at 8 pm and matinee shows on Saturdays and Sundays at 3 pm.  All performances are at the PETA Theater Center, No. 5 Eymard Drive, New Manila, Quezon City.



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