New take on the traditional komedya

Apart from watching movies in theaters and DVDs at home, one entertainment genre which remains alive and kicking is the theatrical stage. It is refreshing to see that some people are still willing to sweat it out just to give as an alternative to new age entertainment. Never mind that theater actors don’t get as much as those in the celluloid world do, but I know they get a different high with the direct and personal feedback they get, soon after a performance. I know. I was once a bit player on stage. The applause you hear seems like heaven.

Come Feb. 4, Orosman at Zafira will be staged at SM Mall of Asia Centerstage Theater, and will run until Feb. 26. Toots Tolentino writes that Orosman at Zafira was one of the komedyas written for Teatro de Tondo from 1857 to 1860, by Francisco Baltazar while he was in prison. However, this play strays from standard komedya beliefs. There is no Moro-Christian conflict, and heroes as well as villains are such because of character rather than religion.

Orosman at Zafira celebrates the uniqueness of Philippine culture through original neo-ethnic world music by Carol Bello. While the music of a traditional komedya was performed by a brass band, Carol Bello’s music was rendered by a live orchestra using indigenous instruments such as djembe drums, kulintang (gong chime), and kubing (Jew’s harp), as well as electric guitars and keyboards.

Orosman At Zafira is directed and choreographed by Dexter Santos, who replaced the traditional marches with movement vocabularies inspired by the country’s various regional dances as well as modern movements.

In the cast are Jay Gonzaga (Orosman), Maita Ponce (Zafira), Delphine Buencamino (Zafira), Tao Aves (Zelima), Roeder Camañag (Abdalap), Red Concepcion (Aldervesin), Gabs Santos (Aldervesin), Kevin Concepcion (Zelim), Acey Aguilar (Zelim), Jacinta Remulla (Gulnara), Jean Judith Javier (Gulnara), Nazer Salcedo (Boulasem), Neil Tolentino (Mahamud), Felipe Ronnie Martinez (Ben-Asar), and the Dulaang UP Ensemble.

For tickets, call SM Tickets at 470-2222 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

ThemeWorks  celebrates 10th year

ThemeWorks Events recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary as a premier events company in the Philippines in grand style.

As an event guru himself, Miguel “Mike” Miñana, ThemeWorks president and creative head made sure no stone was left unturned in preparing and executing the event.

The evening was also a celebration of Miguel’s birthday. In support of the celebration, Miguel’s dear friends and ThemeWork’s clients came in full force. ThemeWorks has created over 200 major events in the span of 10 years. Among its regular accounts are Nike, Smart, Roche, Shell, and a few others. It has also staged the wedding of Sen. Mar Roxas and Korina Sanchez , the 50th birthday bash of Jaime Augusto Zobel, the weddings of Mikey and Dato Arroyo. Among its glitziest events are the state dinners and formal affairs ThemeWorks stages for Malacañang.

Club Mwah, one of Manila’s premier entertainment and dance clubs, was the venue for the party attended by over a hundred guests. Friends came in full throttle. Early birds were maestro Ryan Cayabyab and lovely wife Emy together with their children Krina and Toma. Movie and TV director Joey Reyes and Manny Castañeda were also present.

Korina had a great time with common friends Abbey Tomas, Ruby Bustamante and production designer Gino Gonzalez. They enjoyed the evening immensely amidst great entertainment and good laughs over a few glasses of wine that the group, together with Miguel, were the last to leave Club Mwah that evening. They closed the house down! Sharing the table with them and the laughs, too, was soprano Rachelle Gerodias.

Club Mwah put together Miguel’s favorite show segments in one spectacular show. Its shows are the best and are comparable to international extravaganzas. Club Mwah’s showgirls dazzled with a bit of Vegas and Moulin Rouge and a slice of Broadway. Their costumes are incomparable.

Miguel’s family came in full force led by Miguel’s father Pepe Miñana and grandmother Elena Siocon-Miñana, siblings Manny and Denise, Pepot and Vivi, Maitel, Walden and Cherry. In tow were nephews and nieces Ysa, Gaby, Bea, Timmy, Carlo, Angelo and Luis. Family from Bacolod Frankie and Lita Cruz and siblings Jenna and Kerr came in full throng.

Among the friends from high school present were Freddie Alquiroz and Tony Alcasid. Even Miguel’s father confessor and dear friend from high school Fr. Dennis Meim came to party. Not to be outdone in the dancing were college buddies Inday Lim-Hermoso, Roger Co and Mari Garcia.

Happy 10th anniversary, ThemeWorks Events!