SUCCESSFUL. It was another successful year for the Handumanan Cultural Show that the Sinulog Foundation Inc. and Ayala Center Cebu jointly organized for the general public last Wednesday evening at the mall’s terraces. International balladeer Jun Polistico and novelty composer-singer Max Surban appeared as guest performers. After their respective numbers, I told myself that they should come back and stage a back-to-back concert. During the Wednesday show, Jun and Max sang only three numbers each. Max could not tickle everybody’s funny bone with his one-man stand-up comedy as well as novelty selections since the program featured purely ballads.
TEAMWORK. It was teamwork at its best. Just like in previous years, last week’s Handumanan staging was a team effort from all those involved in the project. Odette Jereza as its executive producer ably led the entire production staff in coming up with such an impressive production. Show director Ritchell Anthony Mendoza of R.M. Eventsmaker was tasked to execute the project and, as usual, was able to deliver well. I commend him for keeping his cool before, during and after the event.
OTHERS. The program also featured other local artists in important roles. Adeline Talam and her guitarist Max Sabequil performed Cebuano songs about Cebu in the olden days. The wonderful backup numbers were provided by the University of Southern Phils.
Foundation (USPF) Chorale while the dances were done by the university’s dance troupe under choreographer Glenn Albutra. Dr. Venus Empuerto of USPF and Dante Luzon of radio dyRC appeared as lovers and eventually as wife and husband in some drama scenes. Singing champion Girlie Lapinid-Laspiñas did two numbers.
FUN. It was a fun-filled beach party that singing businesswoman Hildi Montesclaros a.k.a. Ate Ging recently organized for the members of the editing department of the Cebu Catholic Television Network (CCTN) channel 47. The venue was the beautiful Estaca Bay in Compostela. Ate Ging hosted the beach outing for the television editors, whom she also supported during the network’s Christmas party-cum-cheerdance competition. Of course, there were several games with this writer as the game master aside from being the instant emcee.
FORTHCOMING. And talking of Ate Ging, she is also coming up with another fun-filled party, this time a competition featuring the members of the Gabayan Sa Kaayohan (GSK) radio drama series that is aired nightly over dyHP 612 kilohertz. She produces this nightly radio program. The forthcoming competition is aptly titled GSK Got Talent—so expect the drama writers, directors, talents and technicians to showcase their respective talents or skills. Ate Ging has already allocated P30,000 for the grand winning team.
CONCERT. On Friday, Jan. 22, there’s a concert at Grand Majestic in Banilad that we should not miss. It features Cebuano songbird Lilac Caña, now based in Toronto, Canada. Proceeds from the concert will be given to the Babag Special Education School in Lapu-Lapu City, the Bantayan Special Education School and the Santa Filomena Women’s Action Group based in Alegria town. Aside from Lilac, the other performers are the multi-awarded Mandaue Children’s Choir and singing priest Fr. Jun Agravante. The show is a project of Quota International Southwest Cebu. Tickets are reasonably priced at P1,000, P500 and P300. For ticket purchases, call Cora Po at 254-6486 and 0917-300-6987 or Lourdes Wing mobile number 0927-907-1411.