Friday, February 15, 2008 Serna: Gary V to star with Debbie Gibson By Roger Serna sounds & images
WITH all the activities in practically all venues everywhere (or simply in the privacy and comfort of your own homes or any place of choice), I presume you must have had a memorable celebration of the day of hearts yesterday.
As in the adage that says “life is what we make it,” celebrating (or not celebrating any occasion for that matter) entirely depends on ourselves. If we want to enjoy, we exert effort to attain that enjoyment in whatever degree and level we can afford.
However, if we choose to go melodramatic about things and love the feeling of being the underdog, the downtrodden, the deprived, the underprivileged, the marginalized, the miserable and everything negative, it’s also up to us.
So, in whatever state of mind you were in yesterday, I hope you had the most out of it.
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Starting today until Sunday, the play Inday–Paabuta Ako Sa Langit, originally written by former Cebu Governor Buenaventura Rodriguez, will come to life at the SM City Cebu Cinema 1. (Yes, the street B. Rodriguez was named after Gov. Rodriquez.)
Playing the varied and significant roles are thespians from the Blue Mantle stable of artists led by Cloyd Ribo, who plays the complex character of Minoy, and the male lead character. Cloyd once played the role of Lapu-Lapu in the first stage adaptation of Kadaugan sa Mactan (before the fight scene) as well as the role of Jesus Christ in the passion play held both in the town of Madridejos in Bantayan Island and in Barangay Guadalupe in Cebu City.
Another actor who also had a part in the passion play in Madridejos is Noel Doble. Since then, he has been working as a security guard, but he takes time to express his artistic inclinations during company parties.
Noel plays the arrogant and irritating yet comic character of Tiyong, who is favored by the father of the woman whose affection both men (i.e. Tinyong and Minoy) are after. Others in the cast are Rebecca Ortiz (as Inday), Emma Ruth Doroja (Loling), Clefren Dumaguit (Kolas), Christian Turbanos (Don Gorio), Irene Rañin (Bening) and Yenzo Evangelio (Minoy understudy).
The Task Force Choir, under Nadia Retuya, provides choral support. Jakiri Camins is musical arranger. Alvan Claude Evangelio directs.
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As when I read the book, the stage adaptation of Tuesdays with Morrie did bring tears to my eyes (and to Mayen Tan’s and the others in the audience, too, I’m sure) when the characters of Morrie Schwartz and Mitchel Albom interacted on various things including death, which the former was expecting anytime soon.
Played by Jose Mari Avellana and Bart Guingona, respectively, the two characters also had light and comic moments, which provided a much-needed breather for the audience.
The play was a joint effort of Little Boy Productions and Repertory Philippines.
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Just like Martin Nievera and Zsa Zsa Padilla (are there still others?), Mr. Pure Energy, Gary Valenciano, also marks his silver anniversary in show business this year.
While Martin and Zsa Zsa had already culminated their respective celebrations, Gary has just started with the Valentine show His Love, which he mounted last night at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel ballroom. It had the participation of his sons, Paolo and Gabriel, and the musical support of the Powerplay Band. He played some songs from his soon-to-be-released CD album Rebirth.
During the intimate conversation with the media in Cebu last Tuesday, Gary revealed that there’s one item in his anniversary list that was not originally there but just popped out of the blue. He interpreted it as God’s way of saying that he has yet to stay in the business (as opposed to what he once publicly announced, that he’s going to the USA with his family). God still has some missions for him to accomplish.
This item is the chance to play the male lead role in a musical to be staged in Singapore in the middle of the year opposite pop star Debbie Gibson. The producer personally picked out Gary from the list of probable artists based on Gary’s track record as recording and concert artist and his acting experience.
Gary is scheduled to start work in April. Other Filipino actors and singers are also being considered for different roles in the play. Let’s wish Gary good luck on this new career path he will be treading soon.
