How prince of Philippine theater is coping with lockdown

Since most of the people in Luzon are locked up in their respective houses due to the lockdown (which has been extended until April 30), Star Circuit decided to check on some celebrities to find out what’s keeping them busy while waiting for the lockdown to be lifted.

One of the celebrities who readily answered our inquiry via Facebook messenger was Arman Ferrer, dubbed as the Prince of Philippine Theater and the Most Successful Crossover Artist awardee given by the Aliw Awards.

According to Arman, it is music and his family that keeps him busy while all of us are at home.

Since he is the designated family grocery member, Arman also went back to cooking. He has forgotten how he enjoyed cooking so much. Since he does the grocery, he knows what he needs for cooking. He also helps in cleaning the house and watering the plants.

“Then there’s music that keeps me busy. I did several collaborations already with other artists. I just finished my three-part Bayanihan Musikahan, and I’m busy also making song covers,” he said.

What were the things he was able to attend to or do because he suddenly has a lot of time?

“Since we don’t have work and we cannot go out, I have more time with my family now. It’s a rare thing for us, a family of eight, to be in the house at the same time. A lot of us are working already so we don’t see each other often that much so this quarantine made me enjoy quality time with my family.”

Arman just did two collaborations with fellow artists. One is “Umagang Kay Ganda” of The Theater Company. The other is Von de Guzman’s “Ama Namin” with the Ateneo Chamber Singers and other chorale singers. He just did Bayanihan Musikahan plus he has another FB Live for-a-cause on April 7. Radyo Katipunan and Radyo Inquirer just released his “Quaratunes” which is Odette Quesada’s “You’re My Home” and he has a lot of covers and duets, collaborations with other artists coming up.

How is he dealing with the lockdown? “It was really difficult. Mentally, physically and emotionally it was draining. Mentally because of overthinking and stress trying to figure out what to do and how to survive this crisis. Physical because we really have to look for things such as food, medicines and safety equipment which were really hard

to find. Emotional due to the anxiety and the news of friends getting sick and losing their lives to the virus. The past few weeks were really tough. I’m just thankful for my family, friends and loved ones who would message just to check up on me. I appreciate that a lot and it helps to fight the stress that’s caused by this crisis. They are my source of strength.”

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ABS-CBN Music singers and bands come together in “All Music: Artists at Home Sessions,” an online daily concert series which seeks to help raise more funds for the “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” campaign.

Featuring over 60 artists, viewers and listeners at home will be treated to free musical performances from multiple artists every night at 8pm on Star Music, MYX, MOR 101.9, One Music PH, and TFC's YouTube and Facebook pages, and on iWant.

“Asia’s Nightingale” Lani Misalucha, rising DJ/singer Ana Ramsey, and singing sensation Jake Zyrus, hosted by DJ Cha Cha, set the initiative in motion last Wednesday (April 1), with young Pinay vocalists Zephanie, Ianna Dela Torre, and Jayda following suit the next day (April 2) with MYX VJ Ai as host. Last Friday (April 3), it was the turn of Miguel Odron, JMKO, and Kakai Bautista with host DJ Jhai Ho.

Other featured artists to watch out for on “All Music: Artists at Home Sessions” this week are Janine Berdin and Ryle Santiago with host DJ Maki Rena on Saturday (April 4); and Kyle Echarri, KD Estrada, and Sam Mangubat with host MYX VJ Dani on Sunday (April 5).

Angeline Quinto, Dingdong Avanzado, Erik Santos, Jamie Rivera, Jessa Zaragoza, Inigo Pascual, Kiana Valenciano, Moophs, Morissette and other Kapamilya artists are also scheduled to perform in the coming days.

Recently, Kapamilya singers also banded together to perform “Ililigtas Ka Niya,” the recording royalties of which will also be donated to the “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” program.

Cash donations for the “Pantawid ng Pag-ibig” campaign — which aims to raise funds for families unable to make a living due to the enhanced community quarantine — may be coursed through the following ABS-CBN Lingkod Kapamilya Foundation Inc.-Sagip Kapamilya bank accounts: BPI peso account 3051-11-55-88, Metrobank peso account 636-3-636-08808-1, BDO peso account 0039301-14199, Philippine National Bank peso account 1263-7000-4128, and BDO dollar account 1039300-81622.