Ghost The Musical Manila, What Can I Say?

THANK YOU TO GOD FOR GIVING ME ANOTHER BLESSING OF JUST PAYING P1800 on a discounted ticket. I was at the center orchestra, eye-level. Perfect seat. 

GHOST THE MUSICAL MANILA IS THE BEST LOCAL PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL PLAY I HAVE SEEN BY FAR (If you don’t agree, let us just agree to disagree… Hehe). IF at all, it was ultimately Cris Villonco who is the reason. Her performance was phenomenal, she hit the high notes so well though songs were hard and GAVE SUPERB ACTING PERFORMANCE. She made me cry. I never cried watching a play ever! Her rendition of "With You" was so heartfelt, it made me teary-eyed and her version is even better than Cassie Levy's (the original Molly in West End and Broadway). She carried the cast despite having some low energy in some scenes by the ensemble. 

This is also CHRISTIAN BAUTISTA’S BEST PERFORMANCE IN THEATER TO DATE. I do not agree with critics that his role was draining and his portrayal was not believable for he exuded so much empathy to the character and his portrayal was with consistent intensity! I am so glad I watched it!

Met my classmate Maize and we were both mesmerized. The stage was simple but the lighting was fantastic. The play sends the message that the love of a person even after death remains with us, and lives in us.

Johann Gabriele Dela Fuente congratulations! I like what you did with Cris’ smokey eyes bro! Continue the good work!

LAST SHOWING TODAY. STANDING OVATION BTW. Weeeeh! LET US CONTINUE TO SUPPORT PHILIPPINE #THEATER#GhostManila. Congratulations Atlantis Prod! ANOTHER JOB WELL DONE!

On Catholic Priests

source of picture: http://sullydish.files.wordpress.com

A shared post of an article in Facebook came from Lea Salonga who is outspoken herself against some stances of the Catholic Church. The article is entitled, An Acid Test For Francis.  

This article urges me to share some views of my own. 

Though we are all told to respect and obey priests, if they do not live by example I don't think they can command what Catholics must do. 

Fr. Nono Alfonso and Sr. Bubbles Bandojo, rc
Anchors of radio show, "Usapang Kapatid"
Source of image: DZMM facebook website

Once, I listened to "Usapang Kapatid," a Catholic radio program in DZMM and the anchors (a Jesuit priest and a nun) said, "Hindi lahat ng pari ay banal," (Not all priests are holy) as they criticize the acts of their fellow religious who are committing offenses shared to them by their listeners. I admire these anchors for their honesty and courage despite the risks involved during that segment. On the other hand, I know a former Bishop who merely transferred a priest to a different parish when the latter was found to be commiting sexual acts with an active lady parishioner without even making such priest accountable! (He should have been defrocked). I understand these priests are only human and therefore not perfect. But they have to strive to be morally upright and resist temptations. They should not even cover up for their fellow priests who commit offenses. Otherwise, they don't have the moral ascendancy to tell me what to do as a Catholic. 

Quote from the article, "An Acid Test for Francis":

"And why do we have to struggle to discover that more than 400 priests have been defrocked because of child rape in the last couple of years alone? Why aren’t their dismissals announced proudly by the Vatican? And why, for Pete’s sake, does the Vatican not enforce a simple rule: all accusations of child abuse should be referred immediately to secular law enforcement?"

And then again, in view of above, Catholic priests cannot tell me, as they keep repeating in their homilies and mass announcements, that I must be against RH Bill. Just saying.

Why would I watch the play "Red"?

This play is brilliantly written by John Logan that props, sets and costumes need not require to be elaborate and "Wickedly" ostentatious. I watched this play at Greenhills Promenade last year because I was curious how Joaquin or "Wacky" (his nickname) has blossomed to an actor that he is now from the 8-year-old children's musical theater workshop classmate I had more than 2 decades ago.

I do agree with Bart that he is an eye candy/good-looking but it is his depth in and sensitivity of the role of Ken which made Red all the more appreciable and remarkable that it became my favorite production among all plays (both musical and non-musical) last year. 

I am an actor myself, with relatively little experience, but I would love to play the role of Ken if there were only a female counterpart of the male character ("The performances of Bart and Wacky inspire me as an actor. I must hone my craft and get better as an actor after I finish my post-graduate degree", I keep telling myself after watching the play). 

So why would an audience spend hard-earned pesos to watch a curmudgeon (kill joy) in the character of Rothko (played by Bart)? It is because the play evokes a spectator's emotions and curiously questions the unique minds of the characters. Bart and Joaquin with their stunning acting performances and intellectual conversations weaved by the script of Logan all the more make it entertaining and keeps you thinking about the story (in all aspects) until you get home after the show (recall of scenes and lines even lingers for a few days). I hope to watch more plays like this. Kudos to Bart and Wacky! ‪#‎theatrefreak‬ ‪#‎Red‬‪#‎BartGuingona‬ ‪#‎JoaquinValdes‬