A Funny Post-Valentine Musical Treat

After a successful stint in The Kitchen Musical, Christian Bautista and Karylle will headline the first of Resorts World Manila Concert Series this 2012. Together with veteran comedian Nanette Inventor, Christian and Karylle will serenade audiences with a funny twist in Love & Laughter, a post-Valentine concert on February 29 at The Newport Performing Arts Theater. The three stars will be joined by singing sensations Primo, and the Opera Belles.

Christian and Karylle have been friends way back and have worked together on stage for West Side Story and on television for The Kitchen Musical and ASAP but this will be their first time to do a concert together and I am sure their chemistry will shine through. "Karylle and I worked together in so many gigs, even before, "Christian said, "but doing this concert with her is something new and very exciting to us." When asked on where their chemistry comes from, Karylle had this to say, "Christian and I are so alike in so many ways and we have always been good friends."

At the press conference

Witty lady Nanette Inventor will give the show a funny dimension. "Leap year only happens once every four years," says Nanette, "so the concept of this concert is also a rarity that I'm sure viewers will fall in love and travel back in time with such beautiful songs that they will perform."

(l-r) Karylle, Christian Bautista and Nanette Inventor

RWM Concert Series Presents Love & Laughter is directed by Freddie Santos and produced by Resorts World Manila in cooperation with Ultimate Entertainment and Stages Talents.

Karylle, Christian and Nanette with one Opera Belle and the trio Primo

Ticket prices start at P1,500 (upper balcony), P2,000 (balcony), P2,500 (deluxe), P3,000 (premiere) and P4,000 (VIP). Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office, or in any Ticketworld outlet. For more information, call RWM Tourist Hotline at (632) 836-6333 or Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999, or visit www.rwmanila.com.

Filed under SHOWS

Three Boy-Bands, One Greatest Hits Tour

A1, 98 Degrees and Blue...these guys were making music hits left and right more than a decade ago so what can concert goers expect when they see The Greatest Hits Tour Live in Manila 2012 tonight at the SMART Araneta Coliseum?

At the press conference held at the Mactan Room of Edsa Shangri-La Hotel, the boys, err men, have this to say, "We are better looking, we sing better and we are better performers now." I agree and may I add that they are indeed charming in person?

A1's Christian Ingebrigtsen, Ben Adams and Mark Read

And since the show is about their greatest hits, the guys are expected to sing their familiar tunes but fans should look forward to British-Norwegian group A1's new and exciting rendition of their smash hit "Like A Rose." A1 member Ben Adams, who wrote the song for his mom when he was just 16, was thrilled to announce the performance of the said version, "We have just updated it for a brand new version for 2012, which was amazingly fun to do! Very excited for you all to hear it!" The two other A1 members joining Ben in the show are Mark Read and Christian Ingebrigtsen. A1's big hits include "Ready or Not/Everything," "Same Old Brand New You," "Caught in the Middle," "Make it Good," and "Take on Me."

98 Degrees' Jeff Timmons

Joining A1 for the Wilbros Live produced concert are contemporaries Blue and Jeff Timmons, lead vocalist of 98 Degrees. When asked about his favorite 98 Degrees song, Jeff said,"Out of all the hits, Invisible Man is my favorite. It is the most soulful of our radio songs, and it was the first song we ever heard of ourselves on the radio." Other 98 Degrees hits include "I Do," "Because of You," "My Everything," and "The Hardest Thing." Jeff likewise revealed his plan to release new recordings soon.

Blue's Duncan James, Lee Ryan, Anthony Costa and Simon Webbe

On the other hand, English pop vocal group Blue, comprised of Simon Webbe, Lee Ryan, Duncan James and Anthony Costa, will refresh fans with their hits like "All Rise," "Too Close," "If You Come Back," "Fly By," "One Love," "Sorry Seems to be the Hardest Word," "Guilty," and "Signed, Sealed, Delivered (I'm Yours)."

Here's a short video of the guys singing their favorite hit songs.

For ticket inquiries, call TicketNet Box Office at 911-5555 or Wilbros Live at 374-2222.

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YABU: All Things Katsu

A colleague invited me and another one to lunch to try out this new Japanese restaurant in SM Megamall. Couldn't even remember the name that when the time came to meet-up, I had to send a sms one last time.

Upon reaching the place, I noticed that the interiors were minimalist in design but the golden glow made it seem friendly and cozy. One side had Japanese manga murals on the "art of katsu making" while the other side had wooden intersecting panels.

Yabu, The House of Katsu opened its first branch last November 11, 2011 (11-11-11) at the SM Megamall Atrium. Since then, the place was always packed with Katsu lovers, even on supposedly lean hours between lunch and dinner. In Japanese Yabu means a "perfect 10" for perfect katsu. Indeed, the katsus we ordered were perfect in size, taste and presentation. With the culinary knowledge and expertise of Chef Takuya Kazeda (head chef of Tomkatsu Takeshin, popular tonkatsu restaurant in Tokyo) passed on to the chefs of Yabu, a perfect and delicious katsu is guaranteed everyday.

I ordered the Fish Set (from the Seafood Katsu Sets) composed of 180g (PhP 335) of Cream Dory fish fillet (smaller portions available at 120g and 90g, at PhP 300 and PhP 275 respectively) served with Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited shredded cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of sliced fruits. I thought this was a small meal good for one but when the food was served, I had a hard time finishing it as it can be actually be good enough for two. The fish katsu was golden brown in color, perfectly cooked -- crunchy on the outside while fish is soft and juicy on the inside. I love vegetables so I had a grand time munching on the cabbage with sesame dressing.

Fish Set: cream dory fish fillet, miso soup, rice, cabbage and fruits

Perfect golden brown fish fillet (180g) good for two

My companions both ordered the Katsudon Set which offered of a choice of Rosu (pork) Katsudon (PhP 265) or Chicken Katsudon (PhP 260), Japanese rice, miso soup, Japanese pickles, unlimited shredded cabbage with sesame dressing and a bowl of sliced fruits. Yabu's Katsudon is made with a two-egg omelet and special sweet sauce ladled over tender katsu served on top of steaming Japanese rice. And yes, this can be good enough for two people as well. So when ordering here at Yabu, the key word to remember if SHARE.

Rosu Katsudon Set: pork katsudon, served with miso soup, cabbage and fruits

Pork katsu topped with egg omelet, sweet sauce over rice

For dessert, we tried a scoop of Strawberry Ice Cream and Lava Ala Mode (chocolate brownie topped with vanilla ice cream) . Sounds ordinary, right? But wait till you try them because the ice creams were extra creamy and really delicious but sweetened just right.

Yabu's creamy Strawberry Ice Cream scoop

Lava Ala Mode

We cannot put our finger on the ice cream brand and so we asked the restaurant manager what brand they serve. All our guesses were wrong because they serve they own ice cream creations that are available in vanilla, chocolate, strawberry and green tea flavors.

Filed under FLAVORS

Loveable Leading Ladies

I expected a comedy but I watched a riot! Repertory Philippines' "Leading Ladies" had me laughing from start to end when I watched the press preview a day before opening night.

"Leading Ladies" by Ken Ludwig is a comedy which will show the answer of two very unfortunate English Shakespearean actors to the question "How far would you go for three million dollars?" Jack and Leo will do whatever it takes to hatch a plot to pass themselves off as two English women to scam an elderly woman of her fortune.

Leading the cast are Topper Fabregas as Jack and James Stacey as Leo; supported by Cris Villonco as Meg; with Giannina Ocampo, Jamie Wilson, Juno Henares, Hans Eckstein, and Oliver Usison.

Directed by Michael Williams, the rest of the artistic and production team behind the second offering of Repertory Philippines' 75th season are: Baby Barredo, artistic director; Menchu Launchengco-Yulo, associate artistic director; John Batalla, lighting designer; Denis Lagdameo, set designer; Gidget Tolentino, production manager; Ayam Barredo, company manager; Dingdong Rosales, stage manager; Pol Roxas, sound technician; Pablito Salvador, lighting technician; and Adul Lasin, set execution and scenic artist.

Shows will run until March 4 at Onstage Greenbelt 1, on the following schedule: 8 pm shows on February 24 and 25; March 2 and 3; with 3:30 pm matinee shows on February 19, 25 and 26; March 3 and 4. For tickets, call 571-6926 or logon to Ticketworld.

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James Ingram Live in Manila

The singer behind classic love songs "Just Once," "Whatever We Imagine," and "I Don't Have the Heart" plus duets with Patti Austin "How Do You Keep the Music Playing" and "Baby Come to Me" is here in the Philippines to spend his birthday (he turned 62 last February 16) and post-Valentine's with the Filipino concert goers.

James Ingram will be having a concert tonight in Manila at the SMART Araneta Coliseum (February 17) and in Cebu at the Waterfront Hotel and Casino in Lahug City on February 18, with special guest Lea Salonga. Look forward to a night of great music by great talents.

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A Date with Mr. & Mrs. A

Their professional and personal life have been in the limelight as individuals, more so now that they are married and have a new born son, but talented couple Regine Velasquez and Ogie Alcasid continues to make beautiful music together.

They will be having their first Valentine concert as Mr. & Mrs. A (Alcasid) at the SMART Araneta Coliseum on February 14, where they will sing more than 40 songs for those who are "in love," for the "unattached", and for the "broken hearted."

Prior to that, at their press conference, the couple were asked questions mostly about their life as a couple and new parents to their son Nathaniel James.

Filed under SHOWS

Ready for a Weekend of Everything that Flies

I am so excited to spend the weekend at Clark, Pampanga and witness the festivities at the 17th Philippine International Hot Air Balloon Fiesta.

The company that I work for has been sponsoring the event for so long but I always find a reason not to go to Clark these past years. I'm sure that I'll enjoy the various flying activities that the organizers of the Hot Air Balloon Fiesta have prepared from sunrise till sunset.

Will post photos and a write-up here next week to share the experience but go to Clark Freeport Zone and see the event for yourself, if you have nothing better to do this weekend. Tickets are only P200 each for a colorful weekend of everything that flies!

For more information, log on to www.philballoonfest.net

February 2012 Concert Scene

Love Month is here once again and so is a long list of shows for Valentine's! Take your pick and decide where to spend the day/s with your loved one.

Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nievera will do a concert together, made possible by Viva Concerts and Events. Dubbed "Once in a Lifetime: Sharon Cuneta and Martin Nievera LIVE", the pre-Valentine show will be on February 11, 2012 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

VIP (Reserved Seating ) – P5,000

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – P4,000

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – P3,500

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P3,500

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P1,500

UPPER BOX B – P800

GENERAL ADMISSION – P400

Tickets are available at all Ticketnet outlets. Call 911-5555 or visit www.ticketnet.com.ph for more details.

For the month of LOVE, Venice Piazza mounts a series of concerts titles "Valentine Music with the Masters!" Be serenaded with romatic songs through LIVE performances by:

Rex Smith on February 12, 2012, 7pm;

Dingdong Avanzado & Rachel Alejandro on February 14, 2012, 7pm;

Kevyn Lettau on February 18, 2012, 8pm; and

Lea Salonga on February 26, 2012, 7pm

For more information, log on to Venice Piazza's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/VenicePiazza

For the oldies but goodies, Ovation Productions brings back Engelbert Humperdinck for a series of shows on the following dates and venues:

February 12, 2012 – Waterfront Hotel and Casino, Cebu City

February 14, 2012 – Manila Hotel

February 15, 2012 – SMART Araneta Coliseum

Ticket Prices (Smart Araneta Coliseum):

VIP (103 & 101 ROWS A-J) (Reserved Seating ) – P4,755

PATRON (Reserved Seating) – P4,225

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

For Cebu tickets please, call (032) 2326888 / 09176228705

For Manila Hotel tickets, please contact (02)5270011 / 9115615

For SMART Araneta Coliseum tickets, please call 9115555 or visit http://ticketnet.com.ph/

VIVA Concerts and Events bring you the ultimate Valentine experience with three shows this February at the Resorts World Newport Performing Arts Theater.

First in line is Seasons of Love, a one-of-a-kind collaboration of OPM hitmakers Basil Valdez, Rachelle Ann Go, and The CompanY on February 13, 2012, 8PM, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, is another great show to watch out for this Valentine's.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P4,000

PREMIERE - P4,000

DELUXE – P3,500

BALCONY – P3,000

UPPER BALCONY – P3,000

For a sexy-naughty Valentine, get a dose of Rico J. Puno’s charm and his signature singing voice in The Best of Rico J. Puno: A Valentine Concert on February 14, 2012, 8 pm at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Joining him are the lovely Jennylyn Mercado, the sultry Katya Santos and The Vamp, Verni Varga.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P4,000

PREMIERE - P4,000

DELUXE – P3,500

BALCONY – P3,000

UPPER BALCONY – P3,000

Last but not the least, for a funny Valentine, make ace comedian Jon Santos your date this February 15, 2012, 8PM at the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Get your comedy fix in "Love in 3D" with Jon's hilarious impersonations of famous personalities as he promises to revisit his popular characters like Tita Gloring, Krissy, Sherap Estrada and Ate Vi, including current newsmakers like Shamcee and Charice Penpendesarapen-pengco. The CompanY will be the special guest.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P3,000

PREMIERE - P3,000

DELUXE – P2,500

BALCONY – P2,000

Tickets for all three shows are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. Call the Resorts World Manila Tourist/Visitor Hotline at 836-6333, 908-8833 or TicketWorld at 891-9999 for more information.

Proud new parents and one of the most musically talented couples in the country, Ogie Alcasid and Regine Velasquez-Alcasid, will treat music lovers this Valentine's with Mr. and Mrs. A. Happening on Valentine's Day itself, February 14, 2012, 8pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. They will be joined by Vice Ganda, Dingdong Dantes, Erik Santos, and Angeline Quinto.

Ticket Prices:

VIP (101 & 103 Rows A-O) (Reserved Seating) – P5,685

PATRON A (101 & 103 Rows P-Z) (Reserved Seating) – P3,980

PATRON B (104 & 115 Rows A-I) (Reserved Seating) – P2,845

PATRON B (Sides: 105-114) (Reserved Seating) – P2,845

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P2,275

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P1,365

UPPER BOX B – P910

GENERAL ADMISSION – P400

Tickets available at http://ticketnet.com.ph or call 9115555.

Avril Lavigne is coming back to Manila for The Black Star Tour on February 16, 2012, 8 pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Hear the Canadian singer's international hit singles: ”Complicated,” ”Sk8er Boi,” ”I’m With You,” and many more plus songs from her brand new hit album ”Goodbye Lullaby” with smash hits ”What The Hell”, ”Smile” and ”Wish You Were Here”.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – limited

PATRON CENTER – P7,920

PATRON SIDES – P6,340

LOWER BOX – P5,280

UPPER BOX A – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,585

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

For ticket inquiries you may call Wilbros Live! 3742222 or Ticketnet 9115555.

James Ingram will perform Live in Manila and Cebu for his Birthday/Valentine Concert! His special guest is no less than the country's premier singer and theater actress, Ms. Lea Salonga. Its a date on February 17, 2012, 8pm, at the SMART Araneta Coliseum. For the Cebuanos, it's February 18, 2012 at the Waterfront Hotel, Cebu City.

Ticket Prices (Manila Concert):

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – P7,950

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – P5,830

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P4,770

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,650

UPPER BOX B – P1,060

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

Tickets available at ticketnet.com.ph or call Ticketnet at 9115555.

Ovation Productions presents Evanescence featuring Bush Live in Manila on February 19, 2012, 8pm at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

PATRON STANDING (101 & 103) (Reserved Seating) – P5,810

PATRON SEATED (Reserved Seating) – P5,810

LOWER BOX (200-201) (Reserved Seating) – P4,755

LOWER BOX (202-215) (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,585

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

For tickets and more information, call 9115555 or visit http://ticketnet.com.ph

The Greatest Hits Tour: A1, Blue and Jeff Timmons (98 Degress) Live in Manila is happening on February 25, 2012 at the SMART Araneta Coliseum.

Ticket Prices:

PATRON A (Reserved Seating) – P4,755

PATRON B (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

LOWER BOX (Reserved Seating) – P3,700

UPPER BOX A (Reserved Seating) – P2,640

UPPER BOX B – P1,585

GENERAL ADMISSION – P530

Not in the mood to Celebrate Valentine's on the same date as many? Then opt for Love and Laughter, a post-Valentine concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on February 29, 2012. Be serenaded by Christian Bautista and Karylle, be entertained by comedian Nanette Inventor, and be prepared to fall in love and laugh your night away. Special guests are Opera Belles and Primo.

Ticket Prices:

VIP – P4,000

PREMIERE - P3,000

DELUXE – P2,500

BALCONY – P2,000

UPPER BALCONY – P1,500

Tickets are available at the Resorts World Manila Box Office and all TicketWorld outlets. Call the Resorts World Manila Tourist/Visitor Hotline at 836-6333, 908-8833 or TicketWorld at 891-9999 for more information.

Whew! That's a long list of Valentine concerts we have there. So go ahead, pick one and have a great time! :)

Filed under SHOWS