Friday, January 09, 2009 Serna: A musical week By Roger Serna Sounds and images
WHEW! That was indeed a long vacation as far as this column is concerned.
This paper had no issues on two Fridays thus ‘depriving’ this column of its weekly appearance.
But as all “breaks” go, it was a breather, a re-charger. So here we are back again not only reenergized but also twice as optimistic and driven as ever. Onward!
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A long planned trip to the capital to visit my uncle Ernesto Doños, his wife Vianing and children Eric, Jun and Helene finally materialized during the holidays. Little did I know that that chance would also give me the opportunity to witness the awarding ceremonies of the Metro Manila Film Festival (on its 34th year) for the first time.
Many thanks to Cebuana belter, Dulce, for facilitating my entry to the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel tent where the event was held. Together with my cousin Helene, I witnessed how ecstatic Baler director Mark Meily was after receiving the Gender Sensitive, Best Festival Picture and Best Festival Director awards in a row. Well, who wouldn’t?
Best Festival Actress Anne Curtis was resplendent in her flowing red terno. Other eye-catchers who were seated near where I was stationed were Dawn Zulueta, Ruffa Gutierrez and Rufa Mae Quinto.
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After the awarding, most stars (especially the winners) hurried off to their victory parties leaving many vacant seats when the second part of the event was presented.
This was the re-staging of Katy, The Musical where Dulce played the part of a pregnant Katy de la Cruz. Actually, it was Mitch Valdez who essayed the mature Katy with Dulce, Bituin Escalante, Rachel Alejandro, Junalyn Viray and KC Concepcion played the younger Katy in different phases of the latter’s life.
Others in the cast were Frenchie Dy, Gian Magdangal (the pianist who became Katy’s lover), Ayen Munji-Laurel, Maricris Garcia, the Whiplash Dancers and others.
As first-timer, I felt so proud as a Filipino while watching the play as it gathered together some of the country’s best vocal performers. I was told later that while the songs were assigned earlier, the choreography was only taught a couple of days prior to the presentation yet the result was superb.
That is another facet that highlights the Pinoys’ enviable performing talent.
By the way, Dulce will be a guest in two Sinulog events: the 29th Cebu Pop Music Fest (Jan. 16) and the 5th Handumanan (Jan. 17). She’ll also be launching her 30th anniversary album (more of this next week).
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After the dust of excitement over the MMFF entries settles down, Star Cinema releases its first treat to movie enthusiasts for 2009, the Piolo Pascual-Angel Locsin first movie team-up, Love Me Again (Land Down Under). Rory Quintos directs.
The movie will open simultaneously in over 150 movie houses nationwide on Jan. 15. Before that, Piolo and Angel will come to Cebu for a personal appearance on Tuesday, Jan. 13. So, what’s your plan?
The movie’s publicity is handled by Cebu’s promo diva Josie Pereyra who, incidentally, turns a new leaf today. Happy birthday, JSP!
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It’s Sinulog time once again. Or haven’t you noticed the drum beats and the decors all around?
For her fourth Sinulog appearance, Gov. Gwen Garcia will be dancing with the Tostados Festival dancers of Santander. In 2007, she led the Haladaya Festival contingent of Daanbantayan and in 2008, she was the queen of Bantayan’s Palawod Festival contingent.
As of this writing, the concept of the Tostados group is still undisclosed.
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This writer, together with GMA 7 Cebu’s Yori and Cebu pop musicfest’s prize winning composer Jun Cabillar sat as judges in the first edition of the Lyn Reyes sing-alike contest at the Robinson’s Place Cebu activity center last Monday.
The five contestants who sang the five songs contained in the CD album were so good that we had a difficult time choosing the two grand finalists. Psalmstre and CreaWorks Asia were behind the event. The artist herself, Lyn Reyes, will grace the grand finals this Sunday, Jan. 11, still at the Robinson’s Place Cebu.
