The continuing saga of excellence at Club Mwah

MANILA, Philippines - Everyone who has ever put up a show venue will tell you that that to make a going concern of it in a mere six years would be an outstanding feat. For something as ambitious as a Las Vegas-type classy bar in the middle of Boni Ave. in Mandaluyong City, it would be more than outstanding. But Pocholo Manalili, executive producer and VP in charge of marketing of Club Mwah attributes all their achievements to hard work, passion for the job, discipline, belief in Filipino talent and spiritual guidance.

 Pocholo tells us, “From the garage of our house in Greenhills it would take a 15-minute drive to reach the office. Along the way, I pray the rosary, and I’m finished as I drive into the basement of my office and I raise my head to the heavens and say ‘Lord I don’t know where to start my day but with your spiritual guidance, You will make my day’ and this always works.”

Partnering with Pocholo is Cris Nicolas, president of the company largely responsible for the brilliant shows at Club Mwah. Cris is the director charged with conceptualizing the shows, choreographer, lighting director, set and costume designer all rolled into one and the other half of the gay couple. “We are just like the couple in the movie Bird Cage, an American adaptation of the 1978 French film La Cage aux Folles, who own a club featuring transvestites,“ shares Pocholo.

If the club is turning six this coming September, Pocholo looks forward to the silver anniversary in a few years of their relationship made legal in Las Vegas 21 years ago. But in such a strenuous undertaking where the partners live and also work together, how do they resolve their differences. Pocholo relates that their arguments are always about Cris’ overspending. “Hindi yan marunong mag-tipid. If there is a costume that doesn’t look right, he will not think twice about having the entire set replaced, Pocholo tells us. We ask, who usually wins out in the end? Cris always wins, Pocholo confesses.

Cris admits he is a perfectionist and if the costume doesn’t fit the dance will have it replaced. “If I have to spend on rhinestones and Swarovsky beads, I will have it done. If the choreography shown me for a particular dance is not right for my taste, I will change the choreographer but pay him just the same. I am a strict disciplinarian, I always come an hour before rehearsals and company call, and will not start until the company is complete,” explains Cris in an e-mail. This strictness is obvious in the various Bedazzled shows we have seen in the past. And yet, this stern disciplinarian appears rather shy and withdrawn in public.

The location of Club Mwah, often described by first-timers as in the middle of nowhere was particularly difficult to market during the first year. Pocholo says it really took all their energy and funds for it to take off, and all their perseverance and passion to create a fabulous entertainment package, beautiful costumes, extraordinary props, an attractive exterior, interior, lobby, and performance area. They invited the media and important people. Gradually, he continues, people started coming and began to spread the news, even to friends abroad. Those who through TFC and the YouTube came over and then it was word of mouth that spread, known to be the best marketing tool.

As recognition came from awards giving bodies like Outstanding Theater Club in Asia and Global Awardees of Excellence, both awarded by the Asian Pacific Award Council, Club Mwah continues with its upscale excellence and high standard of artistry comparable with those of Las Vegas, New York and Paris. It is accredited by the Department of Tourism and has become a destination for tourists in Manila looking for clean general patronage entertainment for the whole family.

A new source of income has been the special shows that integrate the show in company anniversaries, Christmas celebrations and birthdays. Our latest show at Club Mwah was the 40th birthday of Chiqui Roa-Puno with her mom Boots Anson Roa, brothers, husband Rep. Ronnie Puno and her children in attendance. But unlike other celebrators content with being the audience, Chiqui joined the Follies de Mwah dancers, rehearsing two numbers with them, donning costumes and “feeling like she was performing on Broadway,” according to Chiqui.

We took our friend musical theater performer from London to watch Bedazzled 10 combining Broadway excerpts, impersonations of Patti Labelle and Minnie Ripperton, spoofs of Glee, Diamonds Are Forever, Dream Girls, That’s Entertainment with an original choreographed motorcycle headlights/flashlights dance, Real Woman Tonight and We Are What We Are. The show’s stunner is a spoof of Puccini’s Madame Butterfly. Most senior member of the Follies dancer is Pittymini or Chaka who started with Pocholo and Cris ever since Club Mwah opened and is their star comic.

Pittymini tells us her favorite role is Kim of Lea Salonga in Miss Saigon, Dulcinea from Man of La Mancha and the ugly entourage of Dream Girls. We have seen her in all these roles, and she always impresses the audience although Pittymini complains that the Filipino audience is hard to please. “ Nahihiya sila na pumalakpak at ipakita na nag-e-enjoy. Mahiyain sila di tulad ng foreign audience who are responsive at tumatayo sa standing ovation. These foreigners will give messages na nakakataba ng puso.”

As Club Mwah never fails to surprise and entertain its audience, it also continues to define class and elegance, and what is real world-class entertainment. For reservations, call 535-7943 and 532-2826 and log on to www.clubmwah.com. E-mail the author at [email protected]