Noni Buencamino, one of the country’s most versatile film, television and stage actors, returns to the musical theatre stage where he plays Dawn Zulueta’s leading man in Stephen Sondheim’s romantic musical comedy A Little Night Music. Noni plays Fredrik Egerman, a married lawyer, who rekindles his love affair with a fading actress. As an actor, Noni always gives a superb performance, be it in the movies, theater or television. He was luminous in Himpapawid, Ang Panggagahasa Kay Fe, Sabungero, Ataul For Rent, Batad, In My Life, Saan Nagtago Si Happiness, ICU Bed No. 7, Mga Munting Tinig, Bagong Buwan, La Vida Rosa, Mulanay, among others. Noni won the Golden Screen Best Supporting Actor Award for Batad, the Star Awards Best Supporting Actor for Milagros and Sibak.
He plays Gideon in ABS-CBN top rating series, Noah. He was also in TV series, Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat Sa Akin, Zorro, Kambal sa Uma, Tanging Yaman, Joaquin Bordado, Lastikman, Ligaw na Bulaklak. Noni is married to actress Shamaine Centenera.
Directed by Bobby Garcia, A Little Night Music runs from Oct. 15 to 31 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. (For tickets, call Atlantis at 892-7078 or 840-1187.) Let’s get to know Noni better. Read on.
1. What color describes your life?
Light blue.
2. The best food you have eaten? The worst?
Hard to choose the best… the worst was rotten laing.
3. How do you attain contentment?
Accomplish plans for the day and making others happy.
4. Would you rather be feared or loved?
Loved.
5. Which period in the past would you like to visit?
My toddler life.
6. How would you describe your state of mind?
Busy.
7. The most photogenic face in the world?
Angelina Jolie.
8. If you can read people’s minds, what would you not want to see?
Negative thoughts.
9. If you were a prince, who is your princess?
My wife, Shamaine.
10. If you were a song what would it be?
Rock ‘n roll.
11. What is the most beautiful name of a woman in the world?
Shamaine.
12. The longest part of your body?
My legs.
13. What supernatural power would you like to have?
To teleport.
14. Why do roses have thorns?
So that the roses don’t get too manhandled.
15. If you had a third eye, where would it be located?
At the back of my head.
16. What is your greatest fear?
Freezing onstage.
17. Which part of your body would you rather not have?
My appendix.
18. The best place on earth?
Home.
19. If you have wings, where would you go?
To the sky.
20. If you were a fictional character, who would you be? Why?
Tom Sawyer.
21. Who is the person that makes you laugh?
Ronnie Lagman and Soliman Cruz.
22. If you could be somebody’s guardian angel, who would you safeguard?
My children.
23. Write your epitaph?
Here lies Noni, he tried to live every day for God.
A Night at the Opera
A new breed of classical artists has found a new home right at the heart of Fort Bonifacio, Taguig — Arts in the City. Located in Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Metro Manila, Arts in the City is an accessible and excellent enclave that can easily be reached by everyone.
On Oct. 13 at 7 p.m., Arts in the City and Maskara Productions present, A Night at the Opera!, an evening of well-loved operas such as Carmen, La Boheme, Samson and Delilah, Rigoletto, Tosca and many more. The concert features the country’s finest classical singers: Soprano Kay Balajadia-Liggayu, mezzo soprano Jai Sabas-Aracama, tenors Juan Alberto Gaerlan and Sherwin Sozon and baritone Noel Azcona with Francis Amora on the piano.
Last Sept. 22, Arts in the City and Maskara Productions presented the successful gala concert of opera diva Camille Lopez-Molina with pianist Mary Anne Espina.
Arts in the City concert and recital series is a project produced by Antonio Cojuangco’s Arts In The City and Máskara Productions. It aims to create a yearly concert season that will showcase both the finest and upcoming classical artists. Alongside this project, a CD album that features 15 of the country’s finest classical artists is available in the venue.
Arts in the City is at 26th St. cor. 7th Ave., Fort Bonifacio, Taguig. Tickets are at P500 and P200. Students and senior citizens get 20-percent discount. For ticket reservations and CD orders, call 725-8051 or e-mail at maskaraproductions@yahoo.com.