| About the author
Oliver Oliveros is one of
Manila's top publicists in the fields of arts, music, culture and entertainment.
A self-confessed Broadway baby, he drools over publicity projects that are
Broadway-related. Practicing and teaching public relations for over 15 years
now, he has handled accounts for the Manila productions of "Death and the
Maiden," "The Last Five Years," "Godspell," "Footloose," 'Once On This Island,"
"Oleanna," "Art," "The Sound of Music," "Children's Letters to God," "High
School Musical On Stage," "West Side Story" and Sweeney Todd,
as well as projects with Broadway and West End stars Lea Salonga, Joanna
Ampil, and Stephanie Reese, among others.
Oliver heads publicity for
STAGES Manila and for some of the Philippines' top recording and concert
artists. He has also handled publicity for award-winning independent films,
original musicals, operas, Filipino-American finalists on "American Idol,"
and the World Championships of Performing Arts (WCOPA) in Hollywood, California.
He is also head author for the Philippines in BroadwayWorld.com (New York),
a premier theatre resource on the Web.
Oliver is set to pursue
Graduate studies at New York University School of Continuing and Professional
Studies (NYU SCPS M.S. in Public Relations and Corporate Communications)
in 2010.
http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com
http://broadwayworld.com
Oliver Oliveros
Senior Public Relations Officer/Consultant
STAGES Manila
Head Author for the Philippines
BroadwayWorld.com New York
U.S. mobile no. 18185541415
Manila Office
Unit 606 Greenbelt Mansion
Perea Street, Legazpi Village
Makati City, PHILIPPINES
Tel no. 632 8181111 loc. 225
Mobile no. 639287725254
stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph
Relics of St. John
Mary Vianney, Patron Saint of Priests, Arrive for 2nd National Congress of
the
Clergy
Jan. 18, 2010
St.
John Mary Vianney, the patron saint of priests, and on whose 150th Dies Natalis
the Catholic world celebrates the "Year of the Priests," will be venerated
through his relics in time for the 2nd National Congress of the Clergy on
January 25-29, 2010 at the World Trade Center in Pasay City. Theme of the
congress is Faithfulness of Christ, Faithfulness of Priests,
which the Pope has chosen as the official slogan for the celebration of the
Year of the Priests (2009-2010).
The Catholic Bishops
Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) through its Episcopal Commission on
the Clergy is organizing the retreat-style national congrses, which will
be facilitated by Preacher to the Papal Household, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa,
OFMCap.
A part of the body together
with his stole and breviary relics of St. John Mary Vianney will arrive from
France accompanied by two French priests. The relics will be on display at
the congress and in parish churches from January 23 to February 1,
2010.
The exposition and visit
of the relics of St. John Mary Vianney will officially begin at the National
Shrine of the Sacred Heart in San Antonio Village, Makati and end at the
St. John Mary Vianney Parish in Barangay Cembo, Makati, two churches that
were decreed Pilgrim Churches on the Year of the Priests. This
means that people who undertake pilgrimages and pious exercises at these
churches during the "Year of the Priests" are granted plenary indulgence
(under the ordinary conditions) as decreed by the Apostolic Penitentiary
of the Holy See.
The
schedule of the relics exposition is as follows: (January 23) Arrival
at NAIA at 9:30 a.m., National Shrine of the Sacred Heart at 11 am; (January
24); EDSA Shrine at 12 noon; (January 25-29) 2nd National
Congress of the Clergy at the World Trade Center;
(January 29) Sto. Niño de Tondo Parish at 12 noon; (January 30) Minor
Basilica of the Black Nazarene or Quiapo Church/St. John The Baptist Parish
at 12 noon; (January 31) St. John Mary Vianney Parish at 12 noon; and (February
1) Departure at NAIA at 11:30 a.m.
St. John Mary Vianney (May
8, 1786 August 4, 1859) was a parish priest in Ars, France. He is
known for his priestly and pastoral work in his parish, whose members and
pilgrims grew from a mere 200 to around 20,000. Catholics attribute this
phenomenon to Vianneys saintly life, mortification, and persevering
ministry in the sacrament of confession.
N.O.A.H. returns
after the floods
by Audie Gemora
Jan. 11, 2010
Did I hear you right? N.O.A.H. got cancelled due to
floods? a U.S.-based friend humorously asked on Facebook minutes after
I posted that the last weekend of TRUMPETS musical N.O.A.H. (No
Ordinary Aquatic Habitat) had to be cancelled because of
Ondoy.
It was highly ironic
cause for amusement and deserving of sarcasm - but that was early on Sept
26, 2009 and neither of us had any idea what kind of devastation
Ondoy would wreak throughout the day.
A month later, TRUMPETS
actors and production people gathered to assess the damage, so
to speak. Many had been affected by the floods and had harrowing stories
to tell.
Our make up artist, Johann
dela Fuente, recounted how he and his father had to swim to a building
under construction to escape the raging
waters that had engulfed their house. Our dance captain, Rizza Ribo, braved
floods to get to Meralco Theatre only to find the show had been cancelled
- all the while tearfully worrying whether her dog was able to reach higher
ground as her family had done.
Then there was Mr. Noah
himself, Carlo Orosa. His 70-year old mother and infant nieces were trapped
in neck deep murky waters in Cainta, Rizal and were saved by a resourceful
nephew who floated them to safety on a bed mattress.
Yet each distressing tale
was capped with how God had given them the strength to get through their
ordeals, sent strangers like angels to help and protect them
in their time of need and, afterwards, provided an outpouring of love and
assistance through caring friends. Despite their traumatic experiences, they
were all one in acknowledging that God had indeed saved them and their loved
ones from even greater harm.
Through the tears and
yes - laughter, the cast and crew were even more convinced that TRUMPETS
needed to perform N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat) so more
people could hear its timely message of hope in the face of disaster!
Trumpeteers were divided into different groups each group
tasked to come up with ideas on how to get this prophetic show seen by more
people. There were great ideas like - translating the musical into Pilipino
so it could be performed for the a broader audience base, doing a school
run and coordinating with local governments to do community-based productions.
For starters TRUMPETS
will be bringing back N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat)
to the Meralco Theatre this January 16, 2010, Saturday 3:30 p.m. and 8 p.m.
and January 17, 2010, Sunday 3:30 p.m. Tickets of cancelled shows last September
26 and 27, 2009 will be honored on the corresponding days of this special
run. Those interested may buy their tickets at Ticketworld (632) 891-9999
or TRUMPETS (632) 631-7252.
See more about N.O.A.H.
below in Oliver Oliveros' articles from August & September 2009
N.O.A.H. musical
gets interactive when it opens September 4
Sept. 1, 2009
Trumpets embarks on a
new journey with its newest musical N.O.A.H. (No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat)
by making sure this particular show, like all its other megamusicals
(Little Mermaid, The Lion, the Witch and Wardrobe),
will be no ordinary experience for the theatergoer when it opens at Meralco
Theater on September 4, 2009.
Aside from an updated, funny
take on the classic story of Noah and his Ark with book and lyrics by director
Jaime del Mundo, and stunning production design by Mio Infante,
Trumpets is introducing another creative innovation with N.O.A.H. -- audience
participation!
Unlike most stage productions
where audience participation is limited to a segment of the show, in N.O.A.H.,
audience interaction will be for the whole duration of the production. Audience
members who will sign up for Ark duty play the part of the animals
in the Ark. Each is given a cleverly designed animal hat to wear.
For theater students, teachers
or those who have
always
wanted to be part of a big theater production, this is an opportunity not
to be missed. After all, how many times do you get the chance to be onstage
with veteran actors Carlo Orosa, Sheila Francisco, Sam
Concepcion and the rest of N.O.A.H. cast?
Only 20 Ark seats
are available for every show at PhP 350/seat. This promo is open to 7 years
old and above. Children below 10 should be accompanied by a grown up. If
you are interested to be part of the Ark, call Trumpets office at 631-7252
(Cherrie) or 0918-9396065 (Eva).
Sam Concepcion joins
the cast of N.O.A.H.
Aug. 12, 2009
Multi-talented
artist and youth role model Sam Concepcion joins the cast of
Trumpets major family musical N.O.A.H. [No Ordinary Aquatic
Habitat] as the Narrator. He will share the role with theater newcomer
Fred Lo beginning September 4, 2009 at the Meralco Theater.
Sam is not a stranger to
Trumpets. At the tender age of 9, he took on the demanding role of Edmund
in Trumpets THE LION, THE WITCH AND THE WARDROBE. Sams
performances were even then highly acclaimed and no one was surprised when
he went on to win the grand prize on ABS CBNs Little Big Star
(2006). Since then, he has graced kids and teen magazine covers (KZone, Candy),
teen TV (Myx, Boystown), teen dance group Gigger Boys, various print and
TV endorsements (Bench, Smart My Sandbox), the cast of Disneys High
School Musical On Stage, the soundtrack of Dreamworks hit animated
movie Kung
Fu Panda, among others. He was also awarded
hottest Candy Cutie for three consecutive years (2006-2008),
Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards Pinoy Wannabe Awardee (2006), and more
recently United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) Young Achiever
Awardee for Entertainment (2009).
But despite all his successes
in the show biz scene, Sams heart has never left the theater.
In 2004, he recorded the voice of Japeth for the puppet version of N.O.A.H.,
which featured the vocal talents of Gary Valenciano and Bituin
Escalante. Sam deemed the experience enjoyable but not
the same as performing on stage. It is no wonder then that he jumped
at the chance to play the Narrator. Now he goes live onstage in the full-scale
production of N.O.A.H. under the stage direction of theater stalwart Jaime
del Mundo.
In N.O.A.H., Trumpets retells
the classic story of the Biblical patriarch and his famous ark with wit and
humor, heart and compassion, hope and joy, and of course, fun!
Sam will be alternating
with Fred Lo, a standout in del Mundos Playshop 2009 Advanced Musical
Theater class. N.O.A.H. is his first professional theater gig. Though a relative
newbie, Freds performances promise to be just as stellar as his more
senior counterpart.
So set sail with Sam in
N.O.A.H. [No Ordinary Aquatic Habitat] opening at the Meralco Theater on
September 4 and will run till September 27 with shows every weekend in between.
Repertory Philippines
opens 2010 Season
Jan. 5, 2010
For
2010, Repertory Philippines has picked an exciting selection of shows sure
to stimulate local theatergoers.
Repertorys new Season
starts off with the Philippine premiere of Peter Quilters new
romantic comedy, DUETS. Scheduled for mid-January to the end of the month,
DUETS is four different vignettes with four sets of characters. Set in glorious
comedy, the play explores the hilarious nuances of love in seemingly impossible,
but extremely funny situations. Joy Virata and Miguel Faustmann
take on all four sets of characters, providing rollicking entertainment as
they go through costume and character changes onstage. DUETS is directed
by Ana Abad Santos. Playdates are January 15, 16, 22, 23, 29 and 30
at 8 p.m. with 3:30 p.m. matinees on January 16, 17, 23, 24, 30 and 31.
Still high on love and laughter,
February is ROMEO AND BERNADETTE, Mark Saltzmans musical comedy.
Directed by Joy Virata, the story promises to be uproariously funny. A take-off
from good old Shakespeare, youd think Romeo died? Well, he didnt.
He just took a sleeping potion and wakes up on Broadway in 1960. And he
doesnt fall in love with dear Juliet; instead he runs after someone
he thinks is Juliet, but is not. Because shes Bernadette and she just
happens to be the daughter of a local mobster. That being said, this musical
is sure to be a bag of real fun for everyone. Catch it on February 5, 6,
12, 13, 19, 20, 26 and 27 at 8 p.m. with 3:30 p.m. matinees on February 6,
7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27 and 28.
As stark contrast to the
lightness and gaiety of the first two offerings, the month of July brings
on EQUUS, Peter Shaffers powerful, riveting drama that invades
the dark corners of the human psyche. The play focuses its light on the naked
reality of what contemporary society can do to the beauty that once was the
human soul. This now considered classic of our time will be performed on
July 9, 10, 16, 17, 23 and 24 at 8 p.m. with 3:30 p.m. matinees on July 10,
11, 17, 18, 24 and 25.
Repertory has always had
a special place for young audiences through Childrens Theatre. In 2010,
Repertory brings the adaptation of the well-loved fairytale SLEEPING BEAUTY.
With book, music and lyrics by Jim Eiler, this show is sure to set
the hearts of everyone, both old and young alike, singing to the melodies
that include Im So Mad, Its Lovely To Be A
Troll and Spinning Song. SLEEPING BEAUTY is set for August
14 to December 10.
As a perfect ending to the
Companys Season, Repertory presents LITTLE WOMEN, a Louisa May
Alcott classic. With music by Jason Howard, lyrics by Mindi
Dickstein and book by Allan Knee, the musical is an exceptional
offering for the merry season of giving and loving. The story, with its warm,
feel-good theme focuses on the March family, Marmee and her four girls, and
is a timeless reminder of what family is truly all about. Directed by Menchu
Lauchengco-Yulo, LITTLE WOMEN is set for November 19 to December 12.
All Repertory performances
are at ONSTAGE, 2nd floor, Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas corner Legazpi St.,
Makati City. For tickets and inquiries, call (632) 887-0710 or log on to
repertory.ph. Tickets are
also available at Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or visit
www.ticketworld.com.ph.
JNBM and DepEd launch
2009 PaperClay Nationwide Art Competition; first celebrity endorser Sam
Concepcion
Nov. 23, 2009
JNBM
Amazing Arts Philippines, Inc. (JAAPI) and the Department of Education (DepEd)
recently launched "Husay Ng Batang Pinoy" 2009 PaperClay Nationwide Art
Competition, and its first celebrity endorser Sam Concepcion at the
Manila Ocean Park.
JAAPI has been offering
art workshops for kids and the entire family like basic drawing, painting,
sculpting, and other creative crafting. In 2005, JAAPI launched its PaperClay
Art, a one of a kind proudly Philippine made product. PaperClay is an art
medium that has the consistency of moist colored paper with a hint of clay
that could be applied to any surface - be it wood, paper, glass, ceramics
or even metal. Using two sticks for its application, without the need for
adhesives, PaperClay will turn into a beautiful piece of embossed textured
art.
"Husay Ng Batang Pinoy"
2009 PaperClay Art Competition with theme "Ako Para Sa Kalikasan" is open
to all Elementary and High School students (both in public and private
institutions) enrolled in the current school year. The competition has three
rounds: (1) Competition among DepEd Divisions (October 19 to December 31,
2009), (2) Regional Selection (January 4 to 31,
2010), and (3) National Selection (February 1 to
13, 2010).
Each contestant will be
given a JNBM PaperClay Art competition kit. Contestant can mix PaperClay
with other art media, including poster paint, acrylic paint, water color,
poster color, colored pen and pencils, and other recycled materials.
Criteria for judging are
as follows: (1) Adherence to the Theme (30%), (2) Originality, Freshness,
Novelty, and Inventiveness (25%), (3) Creativity, New Forms, and Imaginative
Interpretation (20%), and (4) Composition, and Combination of Elements (15%),
and (5) Visual Impact (10%).
Grand winners from the
Elementary and High School divisions will win P50,000 each.
Sam Concepcion, DepEd youth
ambassador, endorses JNBM PaperClay Art and the nationwide competition.
"I
usually explore my creativity through music by playing the piano or guitar
or performing onstage. PaperClay Art is my newest creative outlet. It stimulates
the imagination, and encourages self-expression, and quality bonding time
with family members," Sam said.
"I strongly encourage the
youth to join the 2009 PaperClay Art Nationwide Competition. It will be a
very effective way to channel their creativity into something that can make
a difference. Not only will they be able to hone their talents in the process,
but they will also be able to spread the word about the conservation of the
environment."
Sam, a STAGES/Star Magic
talent, won the grand prize on ABS CBN's "Little Big Star" (2006). Since
then, he has graced kids and teen magazine covers (KZone, Candy), teen TV
(Myx, Boystown), teen dance group Gigger Boys, various print and TV endorsements
(Bench, Smart My Sandbox, Tang Fruiteaz, now JNBM PaperClay Art), the cast
of Disney's "High School Musical On Stage" and Trumpets' "N.O.A.H," the
soundtrack of Dreamworks' hit animated movie "Kung Fu Panda," among others.
He was also awarded hottest "Candy Cutie" for four consecutive years (2006-2009),
Nickelodeon Kids
Choice Awards' Pinoy Wannabe Awardee (2006), and
more recently United Nations Association of the Philippines (UNAP) Young
Achiever Awardee for Entertainment (2009). He is set to launch his newest
solo album under Universal Records in early 2010.
For more details about the
JNBM and DepEd's 2009 PaperClay Art Competition, contact 502-7423, 496-8849
or 496-9100. You can also email
jnbmartcafe@yahoo.com.ph
or visit
www.jnbmamazingarts.multiply.com.
For queries, you may contact
Oliver Oliveros, Senior Public Relations Officer/Consultant, STAGES, at tel.
no. 818-1111 loc. 225, mobile no. 0928-7725254, email add.
stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph
or web site
http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com
Animation Council
of the Philippines honors Zabala
Nov. 22, 2009
The Animation Council of the Philippines, Inc. (ACPI) honors Jose
Zabala Santos with a posthumous lifetime achievement award in the
3rd Animahenasyon Pinoy Animation Festival, which is slated to run on November
25-28, 2009 at the Gateway Mall, Araneta Center, Cubao, Quezon City.
Two years ago, the lifetime
achievement award for animation was given to Larry Alcala. The main
objective of this award is to recognize the pioneers of Philippine animation,
and the underlying motive behind this is discovering our own animation identity.
What is truly an original
Filipino animation? Little has been written about Philippine animation. In
fact, the prospect of writing a comprehensive animation history of our country
is still in its abstract stages. Most archival magazine and newspaper clippings
published from 1930 to 1970 would inform and reveal the names of Larry Alcala,
Nonoy Marcelo and Jose Zabala Santos at the fore. These artists are
respected names in the local cartoon & komiks industry.
Their resounding
achievements particularly in animation served as obvious choice for candidates
on the first three years of Animahenasyon, explains Ricky
Orellana, Animahenasyon 2009 festival programmer.
Zabala, as he
is best known in the industry, was the uncle of equally famous cartoonist
Severino Nonoy Marcelo. He and Marcelo first collaborated
on the latters full-length animation production titled
Tadhana in 1978. According to a magazine interview that same
year, Marcelo mentioned that his uncle Jose has been in the field of animation
ever since he was 14, and it was his uncle who was Marcelos closest
collaborator.
Zabala officially began
his career in 1932 with Sampaguita magazine when then editor
Amado Hernandez saw his potential. The pre-war period saw the introduction
of characters and cartoons such as Titina, Lukas
Malakas, Sianong Sano and Popoy. In 1935, he
popularized "Lukas Malakas" in "Liwayway" magazine.
The war put his career in
the back seat in 1941. A year later, he ventured into the advertising world
with the Manalang advertising agency. He was part of its art department until
1948. Advertising introduced him to animation in which he most enjoyed. A
year after Manalang, he joined Philippine Manufacturing Company (PMC). The
notable Juan Tamad animation that he worked with Francisco
Reyes in 1955 eventually immortalized Zabala. However, the six-minute
pioneering animated short film for a PMC product shot in 35mm and processed
in the U.S., is believed to have never had a commercial run.
Through the years, Zabala
has been associated with such big names as Vicente Manansala, Tony
Velasquez, Mauro Malang Santos, and Francisco Coching,
among others. He was a recipient of numerous awards and honors such as the
Komiks Operation Brotherhood or KOMOPEB Life Achievement Award and the 4th
Gintong Parangal ng Malabons Gawad ng Katangian both in 1984.
Zabala was born in Calumpit,
Bulacan on July 20, 1911. He is known as Mang Pepe to his neighbors
in Kuatro Kantos, Malabon where he grew up. His innate talent and drawing
skills may have come from his mother who was into painting. Zabala decided
to take up Fine Arts at the University of the Philippines. When he learned
that there was no course in cartooning which was his primary interest, he
decided to quit. To fulfill his dream, he enrolled instead in a U.S.
correspondence course on cartooning, which gave him his diploma.
Zabala left the industry
that he loved most at the age of 74 on September 7, 1985.
At present, there are no
written guidelines for the Animahenasyon lifetime achievement award. In
order to institutionalize the proceedings, Orellana continues, the
succeeding lifetime achievement awards after this would require nominations
from any animation/film historians or advocates representing the local animation
industry, the academe, and the independent animation and arts community.
A process shall be created and the proponent would present to a committee
some documents or a list of contributions and achievements of his/her nominee.
This committee will then decide whom to bestow the next lifetime achievement
award for animation in 2010 and the years to come.
Oliver Oliveros
Senior Public Relations Officer/Consultant
STAGES
Unit 606 Greenbelt Mansion
Perea Street, Legazpi Village
Makati City, PHILIPPINES
Tel no. +632 8181111 loc. 225
Mobile no. +639287725254
stages_pr@i-manila.com.ph
http://oliverpublicist.blogspot.com
|