Friday, February 22, 2008 Serna: Sam's 'big love' By Roger Serna sounds & images
SOME field work that brought me to the northern town of Tabuelan last Friday prevented me from watching the musical play (or was it called zarzuela then?), Inday, Paabuta Ako sa Langit, on its first night at SM City Cebu Cinema 1.
It was good that I was able to catch up on the second night. The cast was composed of some familiar faces and some new ones, who turned out to be revelations.
Indeed, Cebu is a reservoir of talents. If we love to watch stage plays with actors coming from Manila and other places, there’s no reason why we should not patronize local talents.
That’s our small contribution to the discovery, growth, development and eventual recognition of homegrown artists.
Inday, Paabuta Ako sa Langit, which was originally written by former Gov. Buenaventura Rodriguez (he was also a stage actor then) and now directed by Al Evangelio, was a perfect vehicle for local talents to shine.
Regular performances such as this can entice Cebuano audiences to support their brother and sister artists. Paging philanthropic Cebuanos who have soft spots in their hearts for Cebu’s cultural heritage.
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His Love, Gary Valenciano’s recent Valentines concert was different in some ways from his previous outings in Cebu. For one, it lived up to its billing being an inspirational concert.
Having seen Gary perform a few times before, I expected nothing less. His rendition of Freddie Aguilar’s hit Anak, which Gary sang in different languages, was a new item in his repertoire.
It stood out from the rest. It was a beautifully choreographed number, mind you. His sons, Paolo and Gabriel, as announced earlier, showed they have inherited their fathers performing genes (singing for Paolo and dancing for Gabriel).
There was a portion where Gary invited the audience to stand and establish a new relationship with God as he prayed with them. It was touching and at the same time liberating. Heavy!
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According to what I learned, Star Cinema’s new offering, My Big Love, was originally slated for Valentine’s Day if not for the delays and last-minute revisions and all. Nonetheless, the delay enabled those involved to effect more improvements and everything.
Scheduled to be shown simultaneously nationwide on Wed., Feb. 27, My Big Love stars the triumvirate of Toni Gonzaga, Sam Milby and Kristine Hermosa for the first time.
Toni and Sam starred in two Star Cinema hits before, but this is the first time for the duo to work with Kristine.
For this development, all three are excited and were reportedly enthusiastic while filming the project.
A very young director (but efficient and full of fresh ideas, huh!) by the name of Jade Castro was at the helm.
In some scenes, Sam was reportedly made to look fat with the use of prosthetics (remember Eddie Murphy in one of his most hilarious and multiple portrayals?). As a post-Valentine treat, My Big Love shows how love develops despite being aware of the other parties’ imperfections.
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The Sun Korean Dance Troupe visited Cebu a few days before Valentine’s Day and performed before an enthusiastic crowd at the Cebu Coliseum. It also did a side show at the Cebu Provincial Detention and Rehabilitation Center two days after.
The troupe performed around eight numbers including a percussion quartet and a drum dance, which elicited loud applauses through their impressive steps and eye-catching costumes and hand props.
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The PROC 7 Korean class, the Cebu Normal University (CNU) Dance Co. and the University of Cebu Dance Co. provided the prelude, actually a glimpse of Cebuano and Filipino culture.
And do you know what impressed me a lot? The CNU dance group’s rendition of the Max Surban hit Toragsoy. In a mix of pop, jazz, folk and ballet routines, the group showed local culture showered with humor.
Who would have thought that what others look down as baduy and bakya song material could be transformed into a beautiful dance number? Very entertaining, if you ask me.
More dances of this sort, please. I look forward to the next performance.
