Joseph King of Dreams

CEBU, Philippines - Over 100 elementary students from Blessed Trinity Achiever’s Academy will showcase their acting and singing skills as they present the musical “Joseph King of Dreams” on March 17, 7 p.m. at the USP-F Theater in Lahug.

Blessed Trinity Achiever’s Academy owner Yvette Yntig Daoat said the musical was mounted to celebrate the school’s 15th anniversary.

“Joseph King of Dreams” director Emmanuel Jones Mante promised a grand production that will awe audiences.

Among the main cast members are Ayrton Barz (Joseph), Charles Montero (Jacob), Elle Mercader and KZ San Juan (Asenath), Caleb  Morales (Judah), Matthew Dapat (Simeon), Christian Manreal and Yohann Livelo (Potiphar), Lyn Montecillo and Bretne Manzano (Rachel).

Music will be provided by the Ice Wave Band, with the support of Fitzgerald Galenzoga (voice coach),  Alfie Mosqueda (choreographer ), Junrey Alayacyac and Malaya Macaraeg (stage managers), Allan Inoch (technical director), Marlon Tansengco, Melf Tembor, Floro Arpon (stage designers).

Costumes for the musical were created by the Fashion Institute of Design and Arts Cebu (FIDA).

Cebuana musician releases album

The 28-year-old recently released a 15-track album titled “Years in the Breaking,” made up of two revivals with the rest all original compositions.

Mostly tackling love and offering inspiration, the songs in the album are “I Got You,” “Fly,” “Day One,” “Take Me Home,” “Fall,” “Be Love,” “Sandwich Shop Blues,” “Love Letter,” “Lesson: You,” “Dance Machine,” “Secret Door,” “Without You,” “Hey Mama,” “Baby Napoleon” and “Hopes Up.”

Growing up in Kalihi, Hawaii, but now based in California, Joni attended St. Francis School for her secondary studies and then went on to Honolulu Community College where she completed a special course in Cosmetology.

Joni became a favorite act to be invited in weddings and corporate shows in Long Beach, Anaheim and San Diego. She is also active in singing in church.

While she considers herself a pop singer, Joni says she can also perform jazz and other standard pieces.

Joni recently visited her parents’ hometown to promote her album to Cebuanos. While here, the guitar-toting lass held shows at Gaisano Metro, City Mall Consolacion and 138 Mall, much to the delight of spectators.

She is set to return in Cebu this August along with her two sisters to mount a special show.

Siddharta: The Musical

“Siddharta: The Musical” held its first Cebu run in 2007. Due to positive feedback and numerous re-staging requests, the production went on to perform annually, not only in the country, but also in Taiwan, Singapore and the United States.

This month, the spectacle returns to the Cebu stage on March 19 (8 p.m.) and March 20 (2:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.) at SM Seaside City Cebu’s Centerstage.

The play is based on the book “The Biography of Sakyamuni Buddha” by Venerable Master Hsing Yun, who is also the founder of the Fo Guang Shan Buddhist Order and the Buddha’s Light International Association (BLIA).

The main cast are made up of Benjie Layos as Buddha, Cerj Michael as Suddhodana and Joanna Ang as Yasodhara. Sarah Mae Enclona-Henderson directs, Jude Gitamondoc is in charge of music, while Oj Hofer meticulously conceptualized the costumes.

“Siddharta: The Musical” also have scheduled shows this year in Malaysia, Hongkong, Macau, New Zealand, among others.   — (FREEMAN)