In love with life

She has one of the most recognizable faces in show business. And it‘s unquestionably a beautiful face.

In a few months, KC Concepcion will return home to Manila to star as Belle, the intelligent and feisty Beauty, in Atlantis Productions’ much-anticipated staging of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, which opens at the Meralco Theater on June 16.

True to the character she will be portraying, there is so much more to KC Concepcion than just a pretty face.

In Paris, far from the showbiz limelight, KC is enjoying a quiet life, the way most young girls should. She is in a university studying International Communications and is making the most of her surroundings.

KC describes her studies in Paris, "Students have plenty to do outside the classroom here. There are always new exhibits to visit at the museums and interesting people from all walks of life who come to speak about society, politics and art. France is the center of Western Europe, so surrounding countries are easily accessible to students. The university makes it a point to schedule regular study trips to places like Prague, London, Barcelona and even Burkina Faso. The big setbacks though are time – and budget! It’s unfortunately very expensive here, especially for a student. This explains why so many of us also work at the same time."

With summer vacation fast approaching, KC is also starting the homework needed to take on one of musical theater’s most beloved leading lady roles. She says, "I am so excited to work on Belle! I’ve been studying the songs and reading the script. I’ve developed this new interest in bookshops. Suddenly, there’s a spark when I come across the small, rundown ones while walking in the street."

It has been almost four years since she last sang on stage and KC is thrilled to be able to perform in a musical once again. She says she loves the process of discovering emotions as well as the necessity to feel and think at the same time.

When she gets home to begin rehearsals, KC looks forward to the entire rehearsal process that leads to opening night. "I can’t wait to experiment with the songs in rehearsals. And to dance! I’m also looking forward to meeting Karel (Marquez, who alternates with KC in the role) and the entire cast. I love the sense of family that comes with a team working together."

Friendships born in theater are major reasons why KC has chosen to come back and do a musical. "It is such a wonderful experience to see each other everyday, make a lot of mistakes together and help each other out."

From the looks of it, KC shares so much in common with her on-stage alter ego Belle. "I definitely share her curiosity, her wanting to see more and do more, her protectiveness, sensitivity, and openness to love. And... I definitely share her disgust for Gaston!"

And just like any other leading lady, KC has dream roles she hopes to play one day. "I love Satine in Moulin Rouge! And Pocahontas. If those become stage musicals, I would love to play the parts. I would also love to do a Tagalog musical or a musical in another Filipino dialect."

And if the lesson learned in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast is to look past the exterior in order to really see a person’s true self, the biggest lesson KC has learned in life so far is, "That there has got to be a God!"

And He has blessed KC Concepcion with so much!

(For ticket inquiries on Atlantis Productions’ staging of Disney‘s Beauty and the Beast, call 892-7078, 840-1187 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.)

Hotwire! Party

The Podium party crowd was at its scintillating best during the High Gear Hotwire! Party, which coincided with the birthday bash of Masterminds-Asia Communications, Inc. President Sunny Ku and Joe Guerrero, Masterminds-Asia Accounts Director and Producer of Hotwire!

Hotwire! is the first Philippine car show geared towards car enthusiasts of all ages. It focuses primarily on tricked out (car upgrades/enhancements), exotic cars, car restoration, car parts, car performance and the occasional crazy car hunt - stuff which some men would trade their girlfriends any time of the day! (That’s a joke!)

The show has four segments per episode and has video game-like graphics and the latest hip-hop, retro and dance music. It airs on Studio 23 at 4 p.m. on Sundays and is hosted by Jinno Rufino of Sports TV (who hosted the Hotwire! Party) and Rovilson Fernandez of Gameplan.

Seen having fun at the Hotwire! Party were Kim Sia of Converse, Bob Dolina of Globe Telecom, Don de Leon of PCSO, Ivan and Emerson Yao of Lucerne Jewelers, Allen Mojica of Asian Spirit, Mike Coyuito of PGA Cars, Pam Pamintuan and Lani Lacanlale of Masterminds-Asia, Brian Sew of Lemon Magazine, Anthony Suntay of Adidas Sports Camp, and Hotwire! hotties Avi Siwa and Trisha Silang.