PIAF is Pinky Amador and Pinky Amador is Piaf

PIAF is a dramedy play about a legendary French singer Edith Gassion who despite her huge success worldwide longed for true love and happiness.  Directed by Bobby Garcia based from the works of British playwright Pam Gems, this stageplay was made possible by Atlantis Productions.

PIAF has set a new standard in theater acting with Pinky Amador as the iconic 

La Mome Piaf, she has brought down the house from the opening till the curtains closed. Pinky Amador hypnotizes and charms the audience with her voice flooded with so much emotions. I felt her transformation on her character, from being naïve to struggling start to the peak of her career and even to her remaining days emits power that did not devalued. Her acting was outstanding and the song renditions were so-so powerful that brought tears on my eyes especially on her solos singing Non, je ne regretted rienne, Hymn a l’amour and of course, La Vie en Rose.

I felt I am part of the scene as I was watching her exuding so much love, deep pains and sorrows even if there were no translation made still she was so elegant, graceful and effective.

The entire cast was complimenting with each other and it’s remarkable that one has multiple roles to play, changing costumes right there and then, table and chairs moving every now and then made the show quick and fast-pacing.  It is noteworthy to include the musician who played couple of instrumental French songs that helped set the mood of the audience and the venue prior to the start of the show and I love her performance.

Director Bobby Garcia had made the play smooth and easy to understand with the transition and execution of every scene and Playwright Pam Gems highlighted another part of Piaf’s life, a lifetime friendship with Toine played by Emma Castro. Somehow the shining glory of Piaf were not only focused on alcohol, drugs, men & more men.

If there’s one word to describe PIAF and Pinky Amador, I would definitely say, “STELLAR”. PIAF is Pinky Amador and Pinky Amador is Piaf.

Concert Scene: Boy Inocencio's The Best Is Yet To Come

The night was raw but was filled with laughter and music. 

The MetroBar was full of spectators - fans, friends, sponsors, press and families 

were there to witness a man named Boy Inocencio live on stage.

T'was a revelation to me who first saw Boy sang, well at his age, his voice is well-preserve and nourished. I was hooked with his repertoire that includes a variety of genre - from classic rock to lovesong to today's hits to heavy rock and even broadway.

His guests were equally talented, Jenus Gabriel started the show with her  amazing performance - after the opening act of Alex Datu who sang a couple of standard songs and a production number from BeatLockers who transformed the stage into an acrobatic dance show (well, I didn't like the kissing partners of male dancers).

Melba Paguia had revive the song "Bakit Ikaw Pa" (a personal favorite) into a bossa nova like styling an old dress with new design. Akihiro Blanco and his group brought so much energy with their song rendition of One Direction's "What Makes You Beautiful".  While Iana de la Torre's powerful voice brought down the haus - her lyrical voice is oh so-so good. Tess Bolanos and John McEarl were both talented and looked perfect on-stage. And finally, the finale act of the concert was with Ms. Beverly Salviejo who from the moment she stepped on stage until she bids farewell, the laughter never ended. Truly, a great comedienne and an actress.

Boy Innocencio's voice is a combination of Jed Madela and Martin Nievera, I must say. He rocked on stage and a total performer. Bohemnian Rhaposdy - a song from the British rock band Queen was his final song together with his back-up vocals, the DILG Chorale - was truly fascinating. I enjoyed the night so much.

Seating on my right side was  Lollipop who went on stage and told the host before the concert started that I wanted to sing and I rendered a song together with Jeremy, a stand-up comedian from the original version of Mariah Carey & Boyz2Men, the sentimental "One Sweet Day" and on my left was Roger Baldonasa Parajes.

Looking forward for another concert from Mr. Boy Innocencio. Really, the best is yet to come.

SF SYNOPSIS: "Sa Ngalan Ng Ama At Anak"

Si Jun ay may simpleng pangarap sa buhay - ang maging isang manunulat at magkaroon ng isang masayang pamilya - mga kapatid na makakabiruan, ina na mag-aaruga, at ama na magtatanggol.

Subalit , hindi lahat ng tao sa mundo ay pinagkalooban na magkaroon nito. Tulad ni Jun, siya ay anak sa labas na mas minahal pa ng ibang tao kaysa ng kaniyang sariling laman at dugo.

Hanggang saan siya dadalhin ng kaniyang pangarap?

Hanggang kailan niya matitiis ang lupit ng tadhana?

May magandang bukas pa ba na naghihintay sa kaniya?

O mauuwi na lang ito sa wala?

Pinagbibidahan nina Apollo Sangalang at Arjay Angeles , at ipinakikilala ang pagbabalik ng indie film actress  na si Ms. Ana Rivas . Kasama rin sina Eisen Lim , Meriam Lopez, Zai Manghi and Richard De Chavez.

Poster concept ni Vince Vincent. 

Sa panulat at direksyon ni Christopher Novabos.

aRGo & DjANGO UnCHAINED Movie Reviews

DjAngO UnChained

  More than anything Django Unchained is a lovestory journeying before the civil war.

     The 2013's Oscars' Best Original Screenplay will make you smile in between the actions and fire guns. And will help you realize that love will always find ways no matter what just to be in each other's arms whatever is the cost.

   Another Leonardo Dicaprio's finest acting together with Jamie Foxx & Kerry Washington making this a powerful film.

   Quentin Tarantino has brought into the big screen another first in the movie world with this unprecedented story of love, slavery, friendship and most of all freedom.

[Rating: 4 1/5 stars out of 5]

aRGo

  from Actors Guild to Golden Globe to OSCARS' ARGO collected citations, Best Picture, Best Cast Ensemble Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Editing and even Best Director & Best Actor for Ben Affleck.

Based from the book "The Master of Disguise" - this historical drama thriller film is Affleck's 1st directorial job.

ARGO foretold a successful solitary flee from a hostage crisis in Iran by creating a film production ARGO based from a science-fantasy blockbuster hit StarWars.

The last 15 minutes of the film was thrilling and the suspense was so intense. The entire cast were effective and great.

     This is a kind of film that builds suspense, escalates it and maintains till the end.

[Rating: 5 stars out of 5]

William Shakespeare's Tragedies

William Shakespeare's numerous tragedies were well-loved by everyone and has been a part of the academe  in one's journey to earn a degree.

So here's a simple summary of his tragic stories made into plays and movies.

ShortFilm Movie Review: ABC's of Death

“The ABC's of Death”  is a collection of short film weaved into a movie. The title of each short film with a running time from 3-8 minutes is based on the alphabet starting from A to Z. 

          Here are the titles of the short films in this movie collection with tragic and unusual death ;

Apocalypse      Big Foot      Cycle    Dog Fight

Exterminate   Fart    Gravity   Hydro-Electric
Ingrown     Jidai Geki     Klutz     Libido  Miscarriage    Nuptials     Orgasm    Pressure  Quack      Removed      Speed     Toilet  Unearthed   Vagitus     WTF     XXL   Young Buck      Zetsumetsu

"ABC's of Death" is for mature audiences and for movie fanatics only, WHY? for the reason that most of its' plot are psychological in nature and an array of toilet humor - a couple of shortfilms are pornographic yet the manner of filming has a quality with great cinematic framing and shots - that selected few can appreciate.

XXL for me is the winner among all the short films in this movie. It's a bloody hell yet moving. I was disturbed but I was touched by the plot.

ORGASM has the best angle shots and cinematography while HYDRO-ELECTRIC has the best acting showcase and UNEARTHED seemed to be so creepy, NUPTIALS will make you laugh and shout, JEDAI-GEKI's attempt to make you feel the thrill is somehow balanced with the comedy-twist plot. Finally, DOG FIGHT & BIG FOOT are both noteworthy short films.

I am discouraging you to watch this movie, but if you feel like watching it, out of curiosity - well it's just okey but don't expect much from it. You will be going out of the moviehouse laughing and I guess you would say, "what the fuc... is this movie?" - I'll answer you, "those are SHORT FILMS my dear..."

Rating: 1 1/2 out of 5 stars

Movie Review: Dead Man Down - A Burst of Revenge & Gun Firing

WWE Studios & Frequency Films had just released a mind-blowing film this year with Niel Alden Oplev's "Dead Man Down" with Colin Farrel [Total Rekall & Phone Booth] & Noomie Rapace [Prometheus].  

Victor [Colin Farrel] has infiltrated the crime empire run by the ruthless kingpin Alphonse Hoyt [Terence Howard], with the sole purpose of making him pay for killing his daughter two years earlier to prevent a trial for his men, he likewise accidentally killed his wife.

Moreover, he is being watched by his neighbor, Beatrice [Noomie Rapace] - a woman who lives adajacent to his apartment. She befriended Victor and on their first date she revealed herself as a victim of car accident and blackmailed Victor to kill the drunkard driver responsible for her agony and lifetime suffering - her disfigured face - otherwise she will surrender to the police a video of Victor killing a man in his apartment.

This suspense-thriller movie had a strong plot and it's sub-plots are substantial enough for the viewers to appreciate a unique thrilling experience while watching - basically it's a mind-buggling story that was presented in a fast-paced, action-packed & escalating suspense manner like The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Kicked The Hornet's Nest & The Girl Who Played With Fire (an adaptation of Stieg Larsson's Millenium series].

I felt the earth moved under my skin inside the cinema and the drama never stops 'till the end. Well folks, if you love to see a movie that has a great cinematography, noteworthy musical scoring and a plot that is a one of a kind, you have to watch Dead Man Down, otherwise you'll be dead.

[Rating: 4 1/2 out of 5 stars]

2013 List of Anticipated Blockbuster Movies

This year here's the Anticipated Blockbuster Movies with their tentative playdates.

Enjoy watching movies.

Movies Reviewed As Shown This 1st&2nd Week of March

          I am posting my thoughts on the following movies that I have watched from the 1st half of March. Please forgive me of my indulgence, I may be harsh at some point just to guide you not as a spoiler of these movies.

        Anyway we all watch films to be entertained, so enjoy...

"The Last Exorcism 2" may be thrilling at the first 20 minutes of the film but it wasn't able to maintain the suspense as it rolled. The plot is weak and the ending suggests a sequel that you may disagree to its' story.
[Rating: 1 1/2  out of 5 stars]

In the tradition of "American Pie", "Not Another Teen Movie", "Road Trip", "Van Wilder"  and the likes... here comes another mature film for young adults,  from the makers of "Hang-Over", "21 and Over" is hilarious and fun-filled one. However, the story is shallow and superficial. I may sound conservative but I had a good laugh while watching. 

[Rating: 2 out of 5 stars]

"Jack The Giant Slayer" had transformed from a story for children to young adults. The plot is remarkable and the visuals are stunning. It gave a new perspective to the audience with its' great cinematic scenes.
[Rating: 3 1/2 out of 5 stars]

Oz The Great & Powerful is as fascinating as ever. I like what Sam Raimi did to the film - it gave us a new taste despite of the plot that is not devoted to the original story which makes this film a little odd. However, acting-wise, perfect casting and absolutely outstanding cinematography. James Franco is effective as Oscar Oz Diggs - a con artist & stage magician who is part of the traveling circus though I saw Johnny Deep in him.
[Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

"Beautiful Creatures" is more interesting novel than this movie that aimed to overthrow Twilight Saga's achievement. The plot is unique and glossy - a story of a forbidden love between normal human and a supernatural being. So intriguing, right? but not watchable.

[Rating: 3 out of 5 stars]

At the end of the day,

what is important is that 

you enjoyed the film you had watched 

was worth it for the time and money you spent.

FRANCIS M. - King of Pinoy Hip-Hop: A Tribute

His real name is Francis Michael Durango Magalona, “KiKo” as he was called, has also earned the title as the Master Rapper,  Father of Hip-Hop and Man from Manila.

An original member of  Kuya Germs That’s Entertainment (1986). Well, Francis started in 1980’s as a break dancer and holds the title as the very 1^st Filipino to have recorded a rap album, YO! (1989) with the hit song “Mga Kababayan Ko” that became the National Rap in 1990.

Did you know that his Lola Pauline was a faith healer?

Francis is one of the 1^st three judges of 1^st Philippine Idol Search on TV along with Mr. C and Asia’s Queen of Song, Pilita Corales via ABC 5 (now TV5).

& worked as MTV VJ in 1997-2000 together with Donita Rose and Regine Tolentino.

Francis Magalona has the passion for pictures. He loved photography very much.

Master Rapper was the 2^nd recipient of MTV Pilipnas Video Music Awards (2006), Gary V. was the 1^st in 2005.

His wife Pia was also his manager. And within a short span, they had 8 children, Unna, Nicholo, Francis Jr.,  Elmo, Arkin, Clara, Maxene and Saab.

Francis Magalona has successfully crossovered from rap music to the mainstream – he conquered the big screen and the television via Eat Bulaga host.

To mention some of his movies were:

Comedy/Fantasy

[‘84]       Bagets                                                                 

[‘85]       Dr. Dr. I Am Sick

[‘85]       Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang

[‘92]       Ano Ba ‘Yan?

[‘93]       Ano Ba Yan 2

[‘94]       Mama’s Boys

[‘97]       Tong Its

Action/Drama

[‘87]       Kung Aagawin Mo Ang Lahat sa Akin

[‘90]       Gumapang Ka sa Lusak

[‘90]       Iputok Mo Dadapa Ako

[‘91]       Estribo Gang

[‘91]       Joey Boy Munti

[‘91]       Pangako ng Puso

[‘92]       Baby Salongga

[‘94]       Totoy Buang

 His albums:

[1989]   Francis M.

[1990]   YO!

[1990]   Mga Kababayan

[1990]   Gotta’ Let Ya’ Know

[1991]   Man From Manila

[1992]   Pop is Francis M

[1993]   Meron Akong Ano?

[1995]   Freeman

[1996]   Happy Battle

[1998]   Oddventures of Mr. Cool

[1999]   Intescholastic

[2001]   Freeman 2

[2002]   Best of Francis M

[2004]   Pambihira

[2010]   In Love & War

Finally, he had released his self-produced album in 2005 with the title " F Word"

Leukemia was the cause of Francis M.'s death.

HALIK NG TARANTULA

HALIK NG TARANTULA is a filipino adaptation translated by Rene O. Villanueva from an Argentinian novel KISS OF A SPIDERWOMAN witten by Pulitzer writer Mario Plug.

Soxie Topacio directed the play with BB Gandahang Hari as Luis Molina - a gay man jailed for child abuse, and Jet Alcantara & Jovic Monsod alternating as Valentin Arregui - a revolutionary leader arrested after an armed fight against the government. Other cast were Richard Quan as Ang Lalaking Arkitekto, Rob Sy as Warden and in between breaks  Matthew Chang plays the violin.

Halik ng Tarantula was held at Teatrino (Prominade) in Greenhill, San Juan
last March 7, 8 & 9.

MATH CrossWord Puzzle

High School students may use this as a reference
in making their own crossword puzzle in
Arithmetic as part of the curriculum
used in Philippine Education.

ACROSS

This is an example of a crossword puzzle using terminologies of Mathematics.

The answer is found at the lower part of this post.

This is a MATHEMATICS CROSSWORD PUZZLE 

DOWN



ANSWER:

YOUNG JV says ...

Young JV's 2nd album - an all original composition - with the carrier single "Tanong".
watch YOUNG JV every Sunday in ASAP.

SYNOPSIS: Time in A Bottle

A  romantic comedy about a cherished love treasured in a bottle.

As  the years passed, a broken hearted young lady discovered the urn when she attempted to commit suicide by drowning herself in the ocean.

As she unfolds the contents of the bottle, revelations bombarded her and got so affected that her perspective in life and in love changes.

A  life lived with so much love and happiness and a love that was forever shared – bottled time –  time in a bottle.

the cast of  "Time In A Bottle"
(R-L) Jerome Tanada, Bonic Marco & his GF, Eddie Olgaza, Christian Banarez, Marvelous Alejo, Wolf Angelo,
Sophia Santos, Jeff Fernandez, Vince Vincent, Nelson Nazareno & Miroy X.

Quintosian’s COLLECTION: Materialism is the new religion

As the theater season ends, Dulaang UP closes it’s 37^th year with a new, bold and daring play written by a visionary playwright in Philippine theater, Floy Quintos.  Collection is this year’s season finale, a groundbreaking and contemporary stageplay appropriate for today’s generation.

Floy Quintos’ Collection – a play covering a wide gamut of themes – a society overrun by greed, acquisitiveness and swinging moral values; man’s unlimited wants, obsession to fame & power, and desire for the next big thing. It reflects panoramas of heightened absurdism that serves as a depiction of who we are, what we have become and what we can be.

This is Dulaang UP’s finest – A Must-See Stage Play of 2013. Floy Quntos’ play weaved the opposite extremes and it’s possible. Indeed, theater makes the impossible possible. When the essence of faith becomes twisted and materialism becomes the new religion, the result is… chaos. 

Set in present-day Manila, the play returned to the 16^th century where an image of the Virgin of the Lost Souls was discovered which was intertwined with the mystic story of La Hermana Augusta Beata that has her own storjuxtaposes; faith & simplicity against the acquisitive desires of Helena,  government official whose belief is on dole-outs to eliminate poverty. Alphonse, a  guru who treated history as basis for fashion and movies. Tatiana, a renowned jeweler whose eagerness to possess things is a way of giving back to the society. Manolo, a business tycoon dreaming for an organized, progressive society. Dr. Stephen Yan, a cosmetic expert in quest for scientific evidence of soul’s existence. Gus, a young idealist man who questions all their motives and the legitimacy of their goals. And finally, Carlo Vibal, the successful auctioneer of the Philippine treasures.  

Who got the ivory religious image is the most after-sought question, as the play reaches it climax, the tension gets stronger and the answer is revealed.

I was hooked by the play, from the time the auction began to the victorious dance-party celebration then to Manolo’s elegant sala to 16^th century setting back to the disco then to the houses of each character to the streets and back the auction arena. I must admit the set, costume and lighting designs were remarkably creative and effective. In a split of a seconds, the stage transformation was fast and smooth despite the absence of curtain (which in fact they didn’t use). I was fascinated by the production design.

Foremost, I love the angelic voice of La Hermana played by Teetin Villanueva, captivating and crystal-clear, plus the added attraction of her oblation pose in the play is a pure art and the best scene. Jeremy Domingo (as Carlo Vibal) showed how he mastered his craft in theater arts and was supported by the rest of the cast who were equally better particularly Jean Judith Javier (Helena), Alya Honasan (Tatiana), Alexander Cortez (Alphonse), Leo Rialph (Manolo), Roeder Camanag (Dr. Yan) & Red Concepcion (Gus). An ensemble of great talents and skills that match with what the character expected from them.

Collection is choreographed and directed by Dexter Santos, a man with full of creativity and passion in promoting excellence in performing arts and in social change.

Hats off to the cast and crew of COLLECTION.  At the end of the day what lies to the audience is the how Floy Quintos & Dexter Santos awakened our sense of self and as a nation in general to change and be better citizens of this country.

Collection – It’s More Fun In The Philippines.

Thanks to Mr. Oliver Oliveros of Broadway Philippines for the Complimentary Tickets and the staff management of Dulaang UP for a great hospitality.