Erickson Dela Cruz

With the birth of a new theater company, Tanghalang Una Obra, whose creatives were closely associated with Gantimpala Theater Foundation, comes 'Ibarra,' a reworking of the latter’s yearly production of 'Kanser,' based on Dr. Jose Rizal’s first novel, 'Noli Me Tangere.' But this time, it presents the events from 'Kanser' from one point of view: that of the title role, essayed by multi-award-winning TV and film actor Piolo Pascual, in his professional theater debut.

We recently sat down with “Miss Saigon” alum Gerald Santos and his award-winning composer-writer-director-manager Rommel Ramilo to talk about their wins at the 2020 Aliw and BWW Philippines Awards, recent and upcoming works, finding the creative oasis and breaking new grounds on the virtual platform, and more. Dubbed ‘10 and 10,’ here are the excerpts of the conversations that focus on 10 questions that matter to each of them.

The Philippine Theater Educational Association's (PETA) 52nd season-ender is unlike the more popular stage plays (e.g., The Normal Heart or Angels in America), which also talk about HIV and AIDS. Categorized by its creators as a a?oedrama anthology,a?? Under My Skin is a one-act play that weaves through several stories based on the experiences of real-life Filipino individuals living with HIV. At the onset, the main agenda of the play is to educate its audience with correct and updated information about HIV and AIDS in the Philippines.

In the current restaging of the original Filipino musical 'Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!,' which closes this Sunday, April 7, 2019, at Maybank Performing Arts Theater, BGC, soap opera stars, also theater neophytes, Mica Javier and Roxanne Barcelo play the female lead alternates.

For the 50th-anniversary celebration of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the country's first full-length opera, 'Noli Me Tangere, The Opera' will be staged on March 8-10, 2019, at CCP's Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

Fresh from his critically-acclaimed performance in the musical film 'Bakwit Boys,' actor Vance Larena plays the lead role in a musical adaptation of Jose Rizal's 'Noli Me Tangere' (Kanser), featuring the music by Joed Balsamo and book by Jomar Fleras. Larena plays Juan Crisostomo Ibarra y Magsalin, commonly known as Ibarra, a Filipino-Spanish and the only descendant of the wealthy Spaniard Don Rafael Ibarra.

Resorts World Manila (RWM), together with Full House Theater Company Inc. and Ultimate Shows Inc., premieres its ninth musical theater production, ANG HULING EL BIMBO, featuring over 20 songs by the iconic Original Pilipino Music (OPM) rock band Eraserheads, this Today, July 20, at Newport Performing Arts Theater (L2 Newport Mall, Newport Blvd., Pasay City).

Resorts World Manila (RWM), together with Full House Theater Company Inc. and Ultimate Shows Inc., premieres its ninth musical theater production, ANG HULING EL BIMBO, featuring over 20 songs by the iconic Original Pilipino Music (OPM) rock band Eraserheads, this Friday, July 20, at Newport Performing Arts Theater (L2 Newport Mall, Newport Blvd., Pasay City).

Unannounced, Air Supply's Russell Hitchcock and Graham Russell joined the producers and cast of ALL OUT OF LOVE, a new musical featuring the classic hit songs of Air Supply, to meet with the members of the press last Friday, June 1.

Disney's 'The Lion King's' 25th global production and its first international tour since the original Broadway production opened more than 20 years ago officially premieres at The Theatre at Solaire (Entertainment City, 1 Aseana Ave, Parañaque City) tonight!

In upholding the Christmas tradition, the Philippines is without peer among nations. Let the world tend to its business while local radio begins the celebration with a Yuletide playlist--on the first of September.

In upholding the Christmas tradition, the Philippines is without peer among nations. Let the world tend to its business while local radio begins the celebration with a Yuletide playlist--on the first of September.

Globe Live and 9 Works Theatrical are bringing the Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Disney's “Newsies” to Manila at the Globe Iconic Store Bonifacio High Street Amphitheater, Bonifacio Global City (BGC), on July 7-9, 14-16, 21-23, and 28-30, 2017 at 8:00 p.m.

Now in its ninth year, Gawad Buhay Awards are the first-ever industry awards exclusively for the performing arts. The awarding ceremonies were held last night, May 10, at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' (CCP) Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.

Singkuwenta (which means 50 in Filipino), Philippine Educational Theater Association's (PETA) 50th-anniversary concert (April 7, 8) proves that this theater company is showing no signs of aging, and still is as relevant and viable as ever. For a two-night anniversary concert, the creative team crafted an efficient way to look back at 50 years' worth of stories of struggles and triumphs, yet not falling into the predictable route of showcasing just about every song they have in their catalog. Yes, it was a bit of a history lesson, except it was told through a dynamic staging of cleverly chosen repertoire.

Coming directly from a multi record-breaking tour of the UK and Ireland, Stephen Schwartz' WICKED plays in Manila for the second time as part of a major international tour. Gala night was held last Wednesday, February 8, 2017.

Almost everyone loves Christmas. Almost, since there is The Grinch and an old fellow named Ebenezer Scrooge. The latter is the main character in Charles Dickens' novel titled 'A Christmas Carol.' His story is quite popular, not just among literature fans, because it served as inspiration to some TV shows, movies, and, of course, musicals. Scrooge is the grumpy, greedy old man who had a change of heart during Christmas day, after being visited by three Ghosts of Christmas.

For better or worse, Filipino identity is shaped by a legacy of mixed heritage. For Jerry Sibal--a Filipino of Chinese descent living in Manhattan--returning to his native Manila is a source of pride and creative renewal.

It's no fluke that Ballet Philippines' 47th season is titled 'Wings.' In its latest display of creativity, the company dazzles with a unique production and exhibits the intrepid capacity for flight away from convention.

By sheer serendipity, Jhett Tolentino's scant introduction to the theater in his native province of Iloilo in the Philippines has led him to the industry's rarefied domain as a Broadway producer.