Photo Coverage: CARE DIVAS to Debut at OnStage Theatre, 4/27-29

Co-written by Jude Cartalaba

Manila, Philippines, April 17, 2012 – Considered as pillars of Philippine Theater, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) and Repertory Philippines (Rep) – coincidentally, both theater companies celebrate their 45^th anniversary this year – are joining forces to bring one of PETA's highly successful original Filipino musicals, "Care Divas," to Rep's home at Greenbelt 1's OnStage Theatre on April 27 to 29.

Set in Tel Aviv, Israel, "Care Divas" tells the story of five Filipino male caregivers: the kind and loving Chelsea; the often sarcastic group leader Shai; the ditsy Thalia; the bubbly Kayla; and the ill-tempered Jonee; who transform into drag performers at night.

Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Rep's associate artistic director, said, "Hosting 'Care Divas,' which I fell in love with the first time I saw it, is one way for us to provide 'variety' to our shows. It's very timely, and I must say that the production deserves to be seen by theatergoers, especially from this side of Metro Manila."

During the press launch at Hit Productions' studio in Amorsolo, Makati City, Maribel Legarda, the musical's director, and  Liza Magtoto, the show's writer, were joined by the main cast: Melvin Lee (Chelsea), Vincent De Jesus (Shai), Jerald Napoles (Kayla), Buddy Caramat (Jonee), and Jason Barcial (Thalia). Besides Yulo, Rem Zamora, Rep's marketing director, was also part of the panel. 

Legarda believes that "Care Divas" has all the elements of a successful production, "It has aesthetic value; it has content; and based on its performance track record, this production can be sustainable," she said.

Furthermore, it was announced that Joy Virata, Rep's artistic director for children's theater, will join the cast as Adara and Sara, roles formerly portrayed by Cecille Garrucho, PETA's president.  Theater actors Dudz Teraña, Eric Dela Cruz, Paul Holmes, Ricci Chan, Myke Salomon, Angeli Bayani, Miguel Hidalgo, and Dominic Miclat-Janssen are also performing. 

For tickets to "Care Divas" at OnStage Theatre, call PETA's marketing and public relations office at tel. nos. (632) 7256244, 4100821, +63917-5765400 or email petatheater@gmail.com.

Photos by Jory Rivera