Just Kidding: A Review on Forbidden Broadway's Greatest Hits

L-R Lorenz Martinez, Liesl Batucan, Joel Trinidad, Caisa Borromeo and OJ Mariano

Joel Trinidad is a name that equates to Aliw Award Winner Actor, wonderful writer, talented lyricist and good director. When I first heard of Upstart Productions which Joel co-founded with his wife Emerita Alcid (American Musical Dramatic Academy alumnae & make up artist), with friend Onyl Torres (stage actor, vocal coach and musical director) and his father Noel Trinidad (multi-awarded performer & celebrity), I know that this production company will bring something out-of-the-box.

Forbidden Broadway was first shown in Broadway on May 4, 1982. It is intelligently written by Gerard Alessandrini finally found its way here in Manila! (Thanks to Joel!) With a goal to make fun of Broadway's popular shows like Chicago, Les Miserables, Wicked, Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Mamma Mia!, Rent, Hairspray, Fiddler on the Roof and other shows, this show also made fun of Broadway's popular personalities like Barbara Streisand, Liza Minnelli, Stephen Sondheim, etc.

"Chicago" with Caisa Borromeo

"Hairspray" with Caisa Borromeo

Liesl Batucan as Annie

Liesl Batucan as Barbara Streisand

"Cats" with Lorenz Martinez

"Rent" with OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez

Liesl Batucan as Liza Minnelli

"Mamma Mia!" with Liesl Batucan and Caisa Borromeo

Caisa Borromeo and OJ Mariano as The Phantom

L-R Caisa Borromeo, Lorenz Martinez, OJ Mariano and Liesl Batucan

"Monty Pithon's Spamalot" with OJ Mariano and Caisa Borromeo

Sondheim's Creations with Liesl Batucan, OJ Mariano and Caisa Borromeo

L-R OJ Mariano, Liesl Batucan and Lorenz Martinez

"Wicked" with OJ Mariano, Caisa Borromeo and Lorenz Martinez

Liesl Batucan

Caisa Borromeo

Well, I haven't watched all the shows that were made fun of but I found the show very funny and interesting. There are times when I'm not familiar with the personality that was being portrayed yet, I laugh my heart out from the punchlines that came out of nowhere. It's like watching a stand-up comedy in a bar but I'm actually in a theater! Somehow, the show also has made me curious to watch the other shows that I haven't watched yet just for me to know if I'll feel the same way the writer did.

There are only 4 actors in this show namely Liesl Batucan, Caisa Borromeo, OJ Mariano and Lorenz Martinez. All these actors are personally handpicked by Joel since they have all proven their worth of being good actors from their previous projects. Liesl is a two-time Aliw Award Winner for Best Actress. Caisa recently won the award for Best Female Lead Performance In A Musical at 2010 Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for her portrayal of Jo March in Repertory Philippines's Little Women. OJ has won an Awit Award for Best Performance by a New Male Recording Artist in 2006. Lorenz is an international artist who have been part of Miss Saigon in the Netherlands, The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee in Singapore and he was the voice of Stitch in Hong Kong Disneyland. With these 4 accomplished actors directed by Joel, one can experience something extraordinary when watching them.

Liesl Batucan

Caisa Borromeo

It is amazing how these people transform into different persona every time they appeared on stage within the two hours of watching them. The lights helped in making the actors portray their roles. The actors are very good in changing into their costumes in a snap with no dead air. I've asked during the press preview on how they managed to change in such a quick pace. According to Caisa, she learned how to put on and take off her costumes in the easiest and quickest way possible. Liesl added that there are some scenes where they're wearing multiple costumes underneath and it's their staff who are really good in helping them put on and take off their costumes. Bravo to the staff!

Lorenz Martinez

Caisa Borromeo and Lorenz Martinez

(Right) OJ Mariano

An important and crucial role for the success of this show is the pianist Dingdong Fiel who is also the Musical Director. Aside from playing the piano, he also made some expressions which helped build up the changing atmosphere. He also played a bit role which one should watch out for!

Dingdong Fiel with Liesl Batucan

A unique feat of this show is that there will be different guest performers on each show that will surprise the audience. Famous Filipino performers like Nyoy Volante, Jett Pangan, Aiza Siguerra, Cherie Gil, Lea Salonga and many more will be appearing in one of the scenes which one have to watch out! During the press preview, the surprise performer is the veteran actor father of Joel, Mr. Noel Trinidad! As expected, he is funny as always and his stage presence can be felt naturally. I saw him perform twice this year. The first in Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical and this is the second time. I hope he performs more musicals!

Surprise Performer of the May 10, 8pm Show: Noel Trinidad

Forbidden Broadway is now showing on every Friday & Saturday at 8pm and every Saturday & Sunday at 3pm until May 27, 2012 at Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, Makati.

The rest of the artistic and creative team of this show is Martin Esteva (Lighting Designer), Lawyn Cruz (Production Designer) who I must say is a very talented production designer who have been with numerous Atlantis Productions's shows, and Onyl Torres (Vocal Coach).

The production staff is composed of Bernice Aspillaga-Canete (Production Manager), Mariko Yasuda (Business Manager) and Lani Tapia (Stage Manager).

The marketing, sales and publicity team is headed by Toots Tolentino (PR & Publicity), Ian Ardiente (Marketing Manager), Mahar Mangahas (Marketing Consultant) and Stanley Ong (Photographer).

If one wants to have a good time and relax on a weekend, this show is just perfect! The missing part of this show are some martinis and bar chow but then, one can go have some after the show since the venue is just in Makati.

Don't they look hilarious enough to tickle your funny bone?

For tickets and inquiries about this show, call Upstart Productions at 0917-5285678 or email upstarttickets@gmail.com or upstartproductionsinc@gmail.com. The tickets can also be bought at www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Private Designer Sale

Most of the time, one shops for clothes in the usual stores or department stores. For designer clothing, it's a must to visit the designer in his or her office to have one measured and have a piece of designer wear. Because of the hassle to find a designer, braving the traffic to visit him or her in his office and wait for the time (of at least two weeks), a lot of people in the Philippines are not keen on getting designer clothing.

Fear not this weekend, April 14 - 15, 2012, some of the country's most sought after designers are coming together to sell their collections at 3604 Manansala Rockwell Makati from 2pm - 9pm. Check out the works of Jerome Salaya Ang, Norman Noriega, Maco Custodio, Joel Escobar, Lizanne Cua, Charina Sarte, Arnold Galang, Noel Crisostomo, Aries Lagat, Michelline Syjuco, Cocomo Swimwear, Oliec Accessories, Du Manille, ISH and H Clothing!

To RSVP, call 0917-8168180 or 0917-8557210. Enjoy shopping!

Valentine Love

Before going home from a press conference at Greenbelt 1 tonight, I noticed the flower shop at the ground floor busy preparing for Valentine's Day. All the bouquets are lined up on the floor while the florists are arranging more bouquets. Just by watching all the flowers and bouquets, I'm already feeling the Valentine love season. I can't help but take a photo of the scene to capture the moment!

Bouquets and flowers ready to give some Valentine love!

In a few minutes, it's going to be Valentine's day and I believe a lot of flower shops are ready with their bouquets for pick up. It's surely going to be lots of Valentine love giving tomorrow. I think Valentine's Day was made for couples to at least give each other the time to celebrate their love. Cherish the lovely moment with a yummy dinner and sinfully tempting dessert!

Meat Skewers of Trattoria Italia, G/F Eastwood Mall, Libis.

Brownies on Fire of The Works Bistro, 2/F Il Terrazo Mall, T. Morato, Q.C.

Romance in the air, go love and enjoy! Happy Valentine's Day, everyone!

Classic Valentines

Thinking of ways to impress your lady or man?

Manila Chamber Orchestra Foundation is having two weekend concerts this weekend in celebration of the month of hearts.

Soprano Camille Lopez-Molina and Pianist Najib Ismail will be at the Filipinas Heritage Library on February 10, 2012 (tomorrow), 6:30pm for "Songs of Love (from a woman's perspective)." Repertoire includes Robert Schumann’s “Frauenliebe und Leben,” Giacomo Puccini’s “Si, Mi chiama no Mimi” ( From La Boheme), Richard Strauss’ “Ruhe  meine seele,” “Morgen,” “Heiliche aufforderrung,” Peter Illych Tchaikovsky’s “None but the Lonely heart, Why?,” “Weather by Day” and Anton Dvorak’s “Song to the Moon” (From Rusalka).

On Saturday, February 11, 2012, Vocalist Oggie Benipayo, Soprano Thea Perez and Pianist Jed Balsamo will be seranading at the 2/F Luna-Amorsolo Room of the Ayala Museum at 6:30pm. They will be singing famous songs from some movies namely, High Society, The Umbrellas of Cherbourg, Thomas Crown Affair, Modern Times, Yentl, An Affair to Remember, Love Affair, Sabrina, Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Evita, Ikaw Lamang, Bituin Walang Ningning, Dayo, An American Tail and  Beauty and the Beast. This concert has been bought also by the Recovery Circle Foundation, which bought most of the concert tickets so there is only a few tickets left.

 

All tickets are at P500 with special discounts offered to senior citizens, students and faculty.

For ticket inquiries, please contact MCO Foundation at 750-0768.

Skin Reborned

It's been years since I have last visited a dermatologist or have a facial. My last visit to a dermatologist was back in college. My dermatologist moved somewhere so I have no choice but to take good care of my skin and always clean it well.

Nowadays, there's so many clinics and celebrity dermatologists that makes one really confusing. To be safe than sorry, I do not go to any dermatologists. Whenever I have pimple breakouts, I just self medicate with the available medications in the market. However, deep inside me, I've always wished I can find another dermatologist as good as my last one.

When I learned about The Skin Sanctuary, the one who recommended it has a clear white face. It's been so long since I had a facial and judging by this person's face, I'm quite convinced that I should go give it a try.

Stepping into the place, there's a feeling of freshness because of the white and green colors. The place has a relaxing feel that really makes it a sanctuary.

The reception table (The receptionist was quite shy for a picture)

The very inviting couch which I think is a good angle for a photo shoot after a nice facial.

Unlike other facial clinics, The Skin Sanctuary requires everyone who goes in to be checked by their resident dermatologist Dr. Leslie Colleen Tiongson first to make sure that one gets the proper and right treatment. Sometimes, there are people who get treatments that they don't really need. Dr. Tiongson is the one and only resident dermatologist for now. Also, she's a shareholder so rest assured that she will take care of her patients well.

While waiting for my turn, I looked around to check the place's cleanliness which is very important for a facial clinic.

The Skin Sanctuary has four stations. The three stations are for regular facials while the fourth station is a closed room station for back cleaning. Even though there were no patients inside the facial stations, the place smells good which shows that they clean the place well and it's well maintained. Since there's only one resident dermatologist as of the moment, I feel comfortable that they don't have too much stations because the dermatologist can check each station with watchful eyes.

The three facial stations

This is how each station looks like. The sheets are white and very clean.

This is the fourth station which is a separate room with a door that closes. This room is used for back cleaning.

Despite being a small place, it is quite organized. The shower area is separate from the sink and bowl so that two people can use the washroom at the same time. Also, it can avoid long waiting time and cleaning time.

Shine like the sun after your shower in the shower room.

Ring this bell if you feel like you can't hold number 1 or 2.

It's a very thoughtful touch to have the amenities beside the sink. I love how it makes one feel at home.

Just by looking around, I already like the place because of its color combination, size, cleanliness and thoughtfulness. When my turn to meet the resident dermatologist Dr. Leslie Colleen Tiongson came, she was smiling at me and asked me nicely if I have any questions or problems about my skin. She's quite different from my past dermatologist who scares me about how bad my skin is. Anyway, Dr. Tiongson listened to my complains about my skin as she writes down my skin problems and history of my skin problems one by one.

Dr. Leslie Colleen Tiongson at work.

This is the smile I got from her when I first went in. I asked her to smile again for this picture.

I have a zit on my chin that day and instead of scaring me on how bad it is, she gave me three options on what we can do about it. I felt like I was in charge and responsible for my skin and not the scared type who have no choice but to say yes to the doctor. I went for the slow medication option since I've been always afraid of the needle. She prescribed me a soap and toner which she made then told me to go to one of the stations to have my face cleaned up and have a diamond peel. It's my first time to get a diamond peel so I quickly asked if it will hurt and she said no. I trusted her so I just went into the station with the therapist.

The therapist brought me to one of the stations. The first thing she did was cleaned my face with warm water using a towel. She then put a cream on my face. I think the cream is the cleanser. Since my eyes are closed, I wasn't able to see what the cream looks like. After wiping out the cream, she said that she will be applying toner on my face while cooling it with a fan. The toner stings a little so after she has applied it, she continued to cool my face with the fan.

My face being cooled by a mini fan after toner was applied to my face.

The fan actually gave a big help to lessen and gradually take away the stinging sensation which the toner gave. When it was dried and over, moisturizer was applied to my skin. When I thought cleaning was over, there's actually more and I was so surprised that it's going to take long. This is probably the reason why one must go to facial clinics such as The Skin Sanctuary so that the skin is thoroughly cleansed.

Cotton patches were put on top of my eyes after the moisturizer was applied and for a second, I felt a warm steamy air was hitting my face. I asked the therapist what she was doing. She said that she is steaming my face to open up my pores to let the dirt come out.

There's steam coming out of the tube at the right side but it's not obvious in this picture.

The steam is not very hot but it's enough to make my face sweat. I wanted to wipe my face because it's quite itching but the therapist asked me to hold it. The itching is caused by the dirt coming out of the pores which opened. After the steaming, the therapist wiped my face with a damp towel which feels very satisfying. Next to steaming, the therapist told me that she will start extracting the remaining dirt in some of my pores which might hurt. Yikes!

While she was extracting, it actually was not so bad. Her hands were light and a lot of times I did not feel anything which is amazing! Dr. Tiongson went in that time to check on my face and how the therapist was doing. She stayed for a bit to see everything then went back to her office. The therapist extracted the dirt on my nose last because it has the most sensitive part of the skin. I think it's true because it's the part where it really hurts when she extracted the dirt inside the pores of my nose's corners. To give me some time to recover, she stops a bit after extracting each corner.

During extraction

After the extraction, the therapist brought out a vacuum for the face. The vacuum sucks the remaining dirt on the skin. With all these cleaning, I think my skin is all cleared up! When the vacuum was over, there was a roller-like-equipment that was rolled on my face to close the pores. Then a gauze was placed on my face for the high frequency treatment. According to the therapist, the high frequency further closes the pores.

High frequency treatment

During the high frequency treatment, there was a funny smell that smells like artichoke. According to the therapist that this smell is emitted during treatment. For those who love artichoke, you might get hungry.

When the high frequency treatment was done, I had the diamond peel treatment. I was so surprised that the diamond peel treatment is not a facial mask to be peeled off! It actually looks like the vacuum tube except the ends of the rubber has tiny diamond bits to scrap off the dead skin and revitalize one's skin. Dr. Tiongson was right that it doesn't hurt. In fact, it feels like my face was vacuumed again.

After the diamond peel, a moisturizer was again applied to my face then I'm good to go. However, Dr. Tiongson suggests not to wash the face for 6 hours since the pores are not quite closed yet and the moisturizer is being absorbed by the skin.

The Skin Sanctuary is located at 1047 Metropolitan Ave. San Antonio, Makati with contact numbers (0949)4345239 and (02)9030368. It is open from Mondays to Saturdays from 12nn to 9pm. Its services and prices are:

Basic Facial P299
Hypoallergenic Facial P299
Anti-aging Facial P499
Quick Fix Facial P499
Gentlemen's Facial P499
Diamond Peel P799
Intense Diamond Peel P1,199
Chemical Peel P599
Back Cleaning P999
Wart Cautery starting at P999 to P1,999 per area

Other procedures include:

Skin Punch Biopsy
Excision Biopsy
Intralesional Steroid Injections
TCA Cross/Needling
Mesotherapy
Sclerotherapy
Botolinium Toxin Injections
Fillers

What is more amazing is that the doctor's consultation is free! So if you just want to have a skin check up for a piece of mind, just go there. For more information about The Skin Sanctuary, visit them on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/theskinsanctuary.

Let HerWord.com Treat You Ladies Right

HerWord.com is celebrating its 10th year entitled, “A Day of Treats: HerWord.com's 10th Anniversary” to be held on November 30, 2011 (Wed) at the Eastwood Central Plaza from 11am – 12mn.

It is BusinessWorld's premier site for women which started on 2001 aiming to be the site for the Filipina professional, with everything she could possibly need and want, and more. Celebrity profiles, features on shopping, beauty, fashion, home and gardens, fitness and health, business, law, personal finance, entertainment, family, parenting, child-rearing and relationships - everything can be found here!

 

 

Even men, who want to get to know the country's female movers and shakers, subscribe to HerWord.com to get informed.

See all the different sections of HerWord.com come alive! The booths will be sub-divided into Pantry, Her-o-scope, Tester, Gallery, Healthdesk, Her Rights, Her Money and Unwind. The sections you see on their site is what you'll get and more.

“A Day of Treats: HerWord.com's 10th Anniversary” will create a venue for HerWord.com subscribers to meet-up, network and enjoy all the fun of being a woman. HerWord.com will be treating everyone not just for food and goodies but also a chance to meet and greet your favorite columnists personally as they discuss their favorite topics that they write about. 

Workshops, seminars, entertainment by various artists and other activities will be held at the stage area from 11am to 9pm.

November 30 is Bonifacio Day which is a holiday, it is a payday and a day before Christmas! It is a very good excuse for you ladies to swing by and shop for good deals! Let HerWord.com treat you ladies right! So go out to join the fun and celebrate being a her with your family and friends! Sorry guys, all you have to do is give your ladies some cash and carry all her shopping bags!

Companies and bazaaristas are also invited to be a sponsor, an exhibitor or a partner. For interested parties, please call 5359923 or 5359901 locals 706-710.  To get more information about this event, email marcom@bworld.com.ph.

“A Day of Treats: HerWord.com's 10th Anniversary” is co-presented by the Eastwood Mall with media partners BusinessWorld and Mellow 94.7.

For Herword Fair updates, keep posted to HerWord.com by registering online and subscribing for free at http://www.herword.com/site/main.php?id=Join. You can also like HerWord.com on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/Herword or follow them on Twitter @wwwherwordcom.

Cabaret for a Cause

MMQ on its fifth year presents Le Cabaret 5 on September 17, 2011, 7pm in the Sofitel Philippine Plaza. It's one of those dinner shows that won't make you feel guilty for eating good food and having fun because everything goes to charity!

The beneficiaries of this year's Le Cabaret goes to the Chosen Children's Village, the EVA Charity Foundation and Hospicio de San Jose.

MMQ, which means "Making Miracles Quickly," is a multicultural non-profit arts for charity foundation with the goal to help uplift the lives of unfortunate Filipinas and children formed by Michelle Washington and Sandra Tockes. Michelle is the president of MMQ who works as a professor of theater arts in UP Diliman while Sandra is the vice president of MMQ who works as a business development consultant of Somerville-Manila. Both Michelle and Sandra are American expats who have been staying here in the Philippines.

MMQ President Michelle Washington, me, MMQ Vice President Sandra Tockes

and MMQ Board Member for Events and Development Mari Moya

Enjoy a four-course French dinner, a beautiful show, free flowing wines from Le Cellier and get a chance to win a fabulous prize like spa treatments, restaurants gc, jewelry, resort packages and a business class ticket to anywhere in Europe from Etihad for only P4,500 a ticket!

Special rates awaits in Sofitel or Philippe's Salon if you mention "MMQ" or "Le Cabaret!"

It's going to be my third year now to go to Le Cabaret and my favorite group of performers there are The Drag Ons. I can't wait to see them in action this year! I can't forget their reproduction of Beyonce's "Single Ladies" music video! How I wish I can see them do that again.

The beautiful and sexy The Drag Ons

The other performers this year includes the Philippine's own E-Force, Fil-Am saxophonist Michael Young, Scottish singer Diane Ross, Anarina Amistoso, British singer Jacqueline Silver, Czech Cabaret Artist Marnie Hurst, along with the MMQ Band.

For tickets call 0927.3839517, 0917.7906488 or email to mmqtheatre@gmail.com. For more information about MMQ, add them on Facebook “MMQ Thtr” and check out www.mmqtheatre.com.

Many thanks to the sponsors below who make all these possible for MMQ! Cheers to charity and a better Philippines!