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The Best of Manila Theater 2016
In the Lifestyle-Theater section of today's Philippine Daily Inquirer--here--my year-end report encapsulating 64 productions (23 musicals and 41 "straight" plays), and excluding ballets, concerts and...
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The Year in Film (2016)
Same personal system as the previous years: My longlist included films from this and last year that I saw this year (oh hello there, "Apocalypse Child"). So here's me once more playing favorites.*...
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I'm Going to Silliman!
I'm over the moon! This is like the Tony Awards of writing workshops in the country. You can't claim to be a serious Filipino writer if you haven't once thought about applying here. My first try was...
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PDI Review: 'Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike' by Repertory Philippines
First review of the year is in today's paper--the online version here! The show runs until Feb. 12 at Onstage Greenbelt 1, Makati City. Buy tickets here.* * * * *'Vanya and Sonia and...
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My review of the restaging of "Sa Wakas," which ends a sold-out, five-week run at The Circuit Makati, is in today's paper--here.* * * * *'Sa Wakas': The sleeper hit is now...
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PDI Review: 'Wicked' - The 2016 International Tour in Manila
My review of the British "Wicked" playing The Theatre at Solaire is in today's Inquirer. And here is the link to my review of the Asia-Pacific tour of 2014. I would also like to take this opportunity...
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Passing the boards and other matters
So this is what the morning after feels like. Oscars speeches are made of mornings like this. I feel new, reborn.* * * * *I'm the least thing from an exemplary Catholic. So believe me...
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PDI Review: 'Makbet' by St. Benilde Arts and Culture Cluster/TAXI Theater
My review of the Nonon Padilla-directed "Macbeth" is in today's Inquirer--here. The production has two remaining performances today.* * * * *A mesmerizing yet confounding 'Makbet'George...
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The 2nd IWP Workshop ended by force majeure
Post-earthquake with first couple Mookie and Sarge.My old self, I suppose, would begin with an apology, an attempt to explain--yet again--my prolonged absence hereabouts, which in recent years I have...
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PDI Review: 'Angry Christ' by UP Playwrights' Theatre
Short of calling this the best play I've so far seen this year--the online version of the review here. For tickets, contact 0917-967-3616 or 0916-555-2782. Shows from Tue-Fri at 7PM and Sat-Sun at 10AM...
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Halfway to the 56th Silliman National Writers Workshop
Our Bombardier Q300 for the Iloilo-Cebu leg.I'm now in Cebu, where in an hour I shall hopefully be boarding my flight to Dumaguete for this year's Silliman Writers Workshop. The airport has become a...
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The 56th Silliman Writers Workshop in retrospect, now that my emotions have...
For Tiff and Catherine and Tanya; for Jam and George, Jake and Baby H, Miggy and Arlene; for JMax and Renz and Lendz and Gillian; for Parts and Mo; for Jimmy and Gimmy and Sawi and Krip and Wendell and...
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PDI Review: '50 Years of Telling Stories' - The Repertory Philippines 50th...
My review of the Rep@50 concert last Sunday is in today's paper--here. Shoutout to the best editor in the world, Gibbs Cadiz, who used to be huge in Blogger.* * * * *Rep's '50 Years of...
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PDI Review: 'Sister Act' - The 2017 Asian Tour in Manila
My review of "Sister Act," Ovation Productions' second theatrical venture in the country, is in today's paper--here. Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group's "Kinky Boots" at the RCBC Theater,...
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PDI Review: Virgin Labfest XIII
My omnibus review of the 13th Virgin Labfest, which ends tomorrow (Jul. 16), is in today's paper--here. This is the third year I'm doing this; the next will probably be after residency already. * *...
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PDI Review: 'Newsies' by 9 Works Theatrical
My review of 9 Works'"Newsies" at that outdoor theater in BGC is in today's paper--here. Will now go on a reviewing hiatus; see you at "West Side Story.""Newsies" runs until next weekend; "Kinky Boots"...
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Seven months gone
Himeji Castle, 2017-06-09.Seven months gone. Already.I finished "The Leftovers" the other day. I don't know that I can actually summon the right word to encapsulate the magnificent, almost spiritual...
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PDI Review: 'West Side Story' - The Centennial World Tour in Manila
My review of the "West Side Story" Centennial World Tour is in today's paper--here. The production runs for a very limited time--until August 27, next Sunday--before flying off to Singapore.* *...
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PDI Review: 'Aurelio Sedisyoso' by Tanghalang Pilipino
In today's Inquirer, my second-to-the-last review for the theater section--here. That is, until I'm done with the madness that is pre-residency.* * * * *'Aurelio Sedisyoso' is a...
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PDI Review: 'A Game of Trolls' by PETA
In today's paper, my last theater review--at least, until the madness of pre-residency season subsides. #MarcosNotaHero.* * * * *'A Game of Trolls': On the other hand, bravo for...
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