PDI Feature: Impact of COVID-19 on Filipino theater companies
Cora and I do the numbers and economics in today's theater section--here. I can only hope I never again see in my lifetime the theater community besieged by something as crippling and monstrous as this...
View ArticleI Have Moved to TinyLetter
Just a PSA for anyone who still visits this space (thank you, I really appreciate it). This blog will now just be an archive of my published work. For the diary/ drama/ personal eme, subscribe to my...
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PDI Review: Virgin Labfest 16
Nearly three months since my/our last piece for the Theater section! Due to space issues (because print media in the time of COVID-19), this piece has been split into two parts, published yesterday...
View ArticlePDI Feature: On virtual theater
Major-ish news: The Philippine Daily Inquirer's Theater section has been absorbed by Arts and Books (where theater articles used to appear before November 2012). The move makes sense, of course, given...
View ArticlePDI Opinion: Iloilo as Wakanda
New commentary in today's Inquirer--website version here. Let me just add that coming home prior to the start of the March lockdown was the best decision ever.* * * * *Iloilo as...
View ArticlePDI Opinion: Beyond the social media bubble
In today's Inquirer, a rant--here.* * * * *Beyond the social media bubbleRecently, I was involved in a project that gathered the narratives of people who use drugs in the urban poor. In...
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The Year in Film and TV (2020)
Here we are again, at the end of another year of relentless downloading and watching. I'll skip the requisite intro on how it's been a particularly awful year, since I have that for my theater...
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The Year in Philippine Theater (2020)
The annual theater yearender published in the January 4, 2021 issue of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, also accessible through my TinyLetter and the paper's website.* * * * *10 plays of...
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PDI Review: 'Password: Oedipus Rex' by Tanghalang Ateneo
First review of the year (Inquirer website version here). And from the way things are happening--or not happening--in this country, it's looking more and more like another year of Zoom theater. Ugh.*...
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The Year in Film and TV (2021)
In 2021, given the continuation of my work-from-home situation, my self-imposed non-socialization beyond my immediate family, and the almost complete absence of local theater, I set out to watch as...
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CoverStory Feature: Virgin Labfest 17
Hello, it's me. Good for you if you still visit this site. Some *personal* news: After 9-ish wonderful years, I have officially said goodbye to Inquirer-Lifestyle. I will now be writing theater-related...
View ArticleCoverStory Feature: The return of 'Mula sa Buwan'
Second article for CoverStory PH is out today--here. * * * * *'Mula sa Buwan': In the spirit of defianceWhen “Mula sa Buwan” returns on Aug. 26 at Samsung Performing Arts Theater in...
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The Year in Film and TV (2022)
In 2022, I rejoined society, resumed meeting up with friends, revenge traveled-ish. Also returned to the cinemas (thrice!--'Bones and All' during QCinema, 'Wakanda Forever', the new 'Avatar') and the...
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Daily Tribune Review: 'Hamilton' - The 2023 International Tour in Manila
So... I wrote my first "official" theater review (published by an actual publication, as opposed to just "Facebook reviews") after... over two years?? Last one was Tanghalang Ateneo's virtual Oedipus...
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The Year in Philippine Theater (2023)
Haven't written one of these in ages—and won't be writing one in at least the next two years. Here is the website link in The Daily Tribune.* * * * *2023: No, it wasn't 'Groundhog Day'...
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The Year in Film and TV (2023)
What a crazy, terrific year for chaotic bisexuals! In 'Passages', Franz Rogowski is possessed by the spirit of the protagonist in Mike Bartlett's 'Cock' and cheats on Ben Whishaw (of all people!) with...
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PDI Review: 'Rent' by 9 Works Theatrical
Look who's back in the Inquirer. (Crazy turn of events these past few years, but here we are.) I'll post a link to the website(?) version if and when I find out how. Anyway, I saw this show twice and...
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PDI Review: 'One More Chance' by PETA; 'Bar Boys' by Barefoot Theatre...
Wrote about three shows. It's really the summer of our theater-loving hearts' content.* * * * *3 new original Filipino musicals pack in the crowdsCurtain call at 'One More Chance' with...
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PDI Review: 'Othello' by CAST; 'Six' - The 2024 International Tour in Manila
Was also supposed to review "Request sa Radyo" (the one-woman, one-hour show with 10k tickets), but guess who got uninvited? Here's the PressReader link.* * * * *'Othello': Theater we...
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The Year in Philippine Theater (2024)
On November 30, I watched Dulaang UP's "Nanay Bangis" (a Filipino adaptation of Brecht's "Mother Courage and Her Children") at UP Diliman--an absolutely insufferable show--and then, had to rush to...
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The Year in Film and TV (2024)
In January, I biked some 31 kilometers of the Angkor archeological grounds in Siem Reap. Two days earlier, I was at the Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum in the Cambodian capital of Phnom Penh, silently...
View ArticlePDI Review: '3 Upuan' by Scene Change and Areté
First review of the year is of a play that's the most I've cried in the theater in my 17 years of theatergoing. It's so great to have a working website again--the online version of this article here. *...
View ArticlePDI Review: 'Next to Normal' by The Sandbox Collective
Saw this twice. Title says it all. Next, please. Website version here.* * * * *'Next to Normal': Third time's not always the charmSome shows seem set up for success, armed with text...
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PDI Review: 'Anino sa Likod ng Buwan' by IdeaFirst Live
This was bad. Inquirer website version here.* * * * *'Anino sa Likod ng Buwan': Tonal whiplashIn theater, tone is paramount. It sells the piece to the viewer and makes whatever the...
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PDI Review: 'Kisapmata' by Tanghalang Pilipino
Last review for a while--I'm in Sydney until end of July-ish! Anyway, this play will go down as one of the highlights of my theatergoing life. Website version here.* * * * *TP's...
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