Sister Act The Musical in Manila

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The blissfully silly heavenly hit show and much acclaimed Broadway musical comedy Sister Act premieres on June 27 at The Theatre at Solaire in Paranaque City. Touted as America’s new musical comedy classic, Sister Act brings to the musical theater scene a stage re-creation of the music and general story of the hit 1992 film comedy of the same title, but with an all-original score and script and spectacular production design.

The show is part of the Asian leg of the American production’s Asian tour for 2017. The musical will run for only two weeks with no extension.

Touted as America’s new musical comedy classic, “Sister Act” brings to the musical theater scene a stage re-creation of the music and general story of the hit 1992 film comedy of the same title, but with an all-original score and script and spectacular production design.

The play will leave the audience breathless as it they follow for two-and-a-half delightful hours the funny adventures of Deloris Van Cartier, a wannabe diva whose life takes a surprising turn when she witnesses a crime and the cops hide her in the last place anyone would think to look – a convent.

Under the suspicious watch of Mother Superior, Deloris helps her fellow sisters find their voices as she unexpectedly re-discovers her own.

The musical features original music and score with a big Broadway sound written by the most acclaimed composer of our time, 8-time Oscar winner Alan Menken (“Beauty and the Beast,” “”The Little Mermaid,” “Little Shop of Horrors”), with lyrics by Glenn Slater. The story was written by Bill and Cheri Steinkellner with additional book material by Douglas. Carter Beane. 

It had its world premiere at the Pasadena Playhouse in the Fall of 2006, followed by a production at Alliance Theatre in Atlanta on the Winter of 2007. The West End production began previews at the Palladium Theatre in London on May 7, 2009, while the Broadway production began preview performances on March 24, 2011 and officially opened on April 20, 2011 at the Broadway Theatre.2

Seen by over 6 million theater-goers across the globe, “Sister Act” has been performed worldwide in Milan, Vienna, Paris, Germany, The Netherlands, Japan and on tour throughout the United States and the United Kingdom. It has also been played in Canada, Ireland, South Africa and Spain.

The musical received five Tony Awards nominations in 2011: Best Musical, Best Original Score (Alan Menken-music/Glenn Slater-lyrics), Best Book of a Musical (Cheri and Bill Steinkellner and Douglas Carter Beane), Best Actress in a Musical (Patricia Miller) and Best Featured Actress in a Musical (Victoria Clark) 

It was also nominated for four Olivier Awards in 2010, including Best Musical.

The musical has drawn widespread critical acclaim for being a “fun, funny and feel good” act, with The New York Post describing it as “ridiculously fun” and The Huffington Post lauding it for providing fans “an unbridled joy.”

Sister Act is Ovation Productions’ second Broadway musical presentation; with Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 2 years ago at the Cultural Center of the Philippines as it’s first. 

Media partners are Fox, MYX, Philippine Star, Manila Bulletin, and Philippine Daily Inquirer. Produced by Ovation Productions in cooperation with Broadway Entertainment Group, and Troika. 

Tickets at P6500, 5500, 4500, 3500, 1500 available online at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (02) 981-9999. 

Book on Filipino Elderly Population Highlight Role of Senior Citizens in Nation Building

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SM Cares, the CSR arm of SM Prime Holdings, Inc., along with StratSearch Foundation, Inc. recently launched the book “Population Ageing: Issues and Challenges” authored by distinguished political science professor Dr. Clarita R. Carlos . The book is intended to help planners in incorporating the contributions of the ageing population in national development efforts.

Dr. Carlos cited businesses for integrating facilities and programs that are favorable to senior citizens. She also believes that senior citizens should be given the chance to contribute to society beyond the currently mandated age of retirement. Citing SM Cares’ employment for the elderly as an example, she said that employment could actually prolong the lives of older people.

“It helps them feel needed and productive. Minsan kasi pag alam nilang meron silang pagbibihisan, they regain self-esteem. When we give them work, they are mentally and physically stimulated. It makes them happy; and when they’re happy, they get less sickly and eventually live longer” said Dr. Carlos.

The SM Cares Program on Senior Citizens include the award-winning casual employment for senior citizens, as well as other training activities such as Oldies But Techies where the elderly are taught the basics of computer operation.

Dr. Carlos is the executive director of StratSearch Foundation (formerly Center for Scientific Research and Strategic Development, Inc.). An acknowledged expert on foreign and defense policy, her vast experience of 50 years includes working with foreign and local institutions, government, and media in various capacities. Prior to the book on population ageing, she has also written books on geopolitics, national security, political psychology, and bureaucratic reform.

Research for the book was funded by SM Cares in support of Filipino senior citizens, with the objective of understanding the elderly more and eventually help the organization think of better ways to serve them better. The book is co-authored by Maria Iraliz E. Nool, Jan Albert G. Suing, and Jenny Marie Molina.

To know more about SM Cares and its Program on Senior Citizens, visit www.smcares.com.ph, or www.facebook.com/OfficialSMCares.

Selfless selfies for Habitat for Humanity: top five global brand Vivo turns insta-hearts to insta-donations

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Charisma Buan and Christian Jocson, Vivo brand executives, Annie Lim, Vivo brand director and Nelson Perez, Vivo digital specialist hand over proceeds from its Vivo Perfect Selfie Cup to Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity partnership manager, and Rowena Kakilala, Habitat for Humanity individual giving manager. 

After the first ever #VivoPerfectSelfieCup, top five premium global smartphone brand Vivo¹ fulfilled its promise: donating all proceeds of the promo (a total of Php 101,980) Habitat for Humanity Philippines, a non-profit housing organization tacking poverty by building and renovating homes for families in need.

(L-R) Vivo brand executives Charisma Buan and Christian Jocson, Vivo brand director Annie Lim, Habitat for Humanity partnership manager Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity individual giving manager, Rowena Kakilala and Vivo digital specialist Nelson Perez pose for a photo after Vivo gave its donation to Habitat for Humanity.

Vivo brand director Annie Lim and Vivo brand executive Christian Jocson handed over the donation to Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity Philippines partnership manager, and Rowena Kakilala, Habitat for Humanity Philippines individual giving manager last March 22 at the non-profit organization’s headquarters in Makati City. 

Also present in the event were Vivo brand executive Charisma Buan, Vivo digital specialist Nelson Perez, Habitat for Humanity Philippines individual giving officer Tricia Abrigo and Habitat for Humanity Philippines direct marketing officer Mateo Bautista.

(L-R) Tricia Abrigo, Habitat individual giving officer, Annie Lim, Vivo brand director, Francis Hussein Mamasabulod, Habitat for Humanity partnership manager, Mateo Bautista, Habitat for Humanity direct marketing officer, Christian Jocson, Vivo brand executive and Rowena Kakilala, Habitat for Humanity individual giving manager.

In the #VivoPerfectSelfieCup, celebrities battled it out with a goal of garnering the most number of likes for their perfect selfies. 

Selfies of Yeng Constantino, Erich Gonzales, Jessy Mendiola, Enchong Dee, Andrea Brillantes, Jane Oineza, Sue Ramirez, Miles Ocampo, Maris Racal, and Loisa Andallo were posted in the Vivo Philippines Instagram account (@vivophil), captured with the brand’s newest flagship phone, the V5 Plus, equipped with the world’s first 20-megapixel dual front camera and the most advanced selfie technology to date. 

These selfless stars asked netizens to like their selfies on the Vivo Instagram page (@vivophil), with every vote equivalent to a one peso donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines. 

Teen star Andrea Brillantes emerged as the Vivo Perfect Selfie cup winner, with a total of 18,848 likes. 

Although only one star emerged as the triumphant #VivoPerfectSelfieCup victor, every like for each celebrity photo was converted into one peso, raising Php 101,980, all given to Habitat for Humanity Philippines. 

Annie Lim, Vivo Philippines brand director, expressed her gratitude to all the participants in the #VivoPerfectSelfieCup. “Vivo thanks everyone who joined our contest. Above all else, our brand always aims to help Filipinos have a better life and through participating, we gave hope to homeless families in the country,” she said. 

Aside from the donation to Habitat for Humanity Philippines, Vivo also awarded brand new Vivo V5 Plus phones to ten lucky likers. 

For inquiries about Vivo V5 Plus, visit the Vivo website at vivo.com/ph, 

or check out their Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/VivoPhil), 

Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/vivophil/) 

and Twitter (https://twitter.com/vivo_phil) accounts.

¹according to International Data Corporation (IDC) Worldwide Quarterly Mobile Phone Tracker (http://www.idc.com/promo/smartphone-market-share/vendor;jsessionid=7595C1498F4F0FBF496CC767E273121B)

Catholic Church appeals to #ResurrectLove

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Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual 

‘As Jesus has risen, let us also #ResurrectLove in our relationships, our society and our lives.’

This is the Easter message that Radio Veritas 846, TV Maria, Catholic Media Network and Caritas Manila want to convey in their social experiment video titled, “The Lazarus Project”.

Launched on Easter Sunday, April 16, 2017, the Lazarus Project shows the reaction of people seeing typically subject to judgment: An escort, a gay couple, a homeless man, and a transgender attending a Holy Mass.

In the video, Radio Veritas President and Caritas Manila Executive Director Rev. Fr. Anton C.T. Pascual explained the true meaning of Jesus Christ’s resurrection in his Easter homily. “First of all, God rose from the dead for all of mankind: men, women, even gays. Christ’s resurrection was for all of us. Rich or poor, young or old, in all walks of life, whether you have had an education or not, Christ was resurrected for all of us, most especially for those who have sinned,” Fr. Pascual said. He then said that the Lord is calling everyone to resurrect the capacity to forgive and love especially to those who need it most.

“God who loves us unconditionally, the Lord who loves us eternally and has risen from the dead is now calling upon us to come to Him. We who are tired, who are troubled in this world, who are lost, who have done wrong and have sinned, let us all come to the Lord. Whatever sin we have committed, that is all in the past. The Lord has forgiven you. Offered his life for you and has risen again so you may live in comfort, joy, and freedom,” Fr. Pascual added.

This initiative aims to reach and remind all people of different walks of life, regardless of race, color, gender, or social status that they belong, andthat God and the Church accepts and loves everyone without judgement.As what Pope Francis said, “The Church is a place of mercy and hope where everyone is welcomed, loved, and forgiven.”

His Eminence Manila Archbishop Luis Antonio Cardinal Tagle, D.D., in his homily during Palm Sunday Mass in April 9, 2017 at the Manila Cathedral, said that the acceptance of Jesus Christ means acceptance of His presence among the poor and the oppressed.

“Accepting the real Jesus is accepting His presence among the poor; those who get spat at and insulted in the society; those who kept silent even when they are being slapped. But they are the ones who have dignity because only God knows the truth. And that’s how Jesus is, and that’s how we should follow Him,” the Cardinal said.

Currently, the video has a total of 370, 000 views, 8,100 reactions, and over 7,600 shares from the Veritas Facebook page alone. The public may view the social experiment video at the Radio Veritas 846 Facebook page, Veritas846.ph, and share it using the official hashtag, #ResurrectLove.

Video link: https://www.facebook.com/Veritasph/videos/1362151387161477

Sarah Geronimo makes a Jollibee comeback with ‘Don’t forget the hashtag’ video

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After releasing a series of viral videos, Jollibee now features its long-time celebrity endorser Sarah Geronimo in a full-production commercial worthy of its own hashtag. The newest clip shows the Popstar Royalty shining on stage while singing “Don’t forget the hashtag” and dialing the leading fast food chain’s nationwide express delivery hotline, #8-7000.

The advertisement is a follow-up to the video “Isang Number Para sa Pinas”, which featured Sarah alongside promising young performers Juan Karlo Labajo and Elmo Magalona.

“Kinareer talaga namin 'yung rehearsals. Kaya sana kapag lumabas na ‘yung commercial, magustuhan ng tao at siyempre masubukan din nilang magpa-deliver sa Jollibee. (We really put in a lot of effort during the rehearsals. I hope that when this video comes out, people will like it and, of course, try Jollibee delivery themselves.)

The total performer shares her excitement in doing the TVC, especially to show Filipinos how easy it is to order their langhap-sarap favorites and have it delivered from anywhere in the country, by dialing just one number. 

Being a fan of well-loved treats like Chickenjoy, Jolly Spaghetti, and Peach Mango Pie, she recalls trying to get the numbers straight just so she and her friends can order their favorites. 

“Naaalala ko na naka-post sa ref namin ‘yong flyer na may number ng pinakamalapit na Jollibee branch sa amin. Tapos nagkaroon ng 8-7000 sa Metro Manila. Swerte na lang ngayon kasi may #8-7000 na Jollibee Delivery Hotline narin at lahat na, from Luzon to Mindanao, pwede na magpadeliver. Kailangan lang pindutin yung #, wala nang area code.” (We used to rely on Jollibee flyers and saved the number of the Jollibee nearest us. 

Then 8-7000 was launched in Metro Manila. Luckily, we have #8-7000 now which allows us to call in Jollibee anywhere, from Luzon to Mindanao. We just need to press the “#” first and we don’t need area codes anymore).

Touring the country for mall shows, appearances, and multiple commitments, Sarah finds convenience in using one number for great-tasting and consistently satisfying food from Jollibee Delivery.

“Iba talaga ‘yung Jollibee eh. Isipin mo, isang dial lang sa #8-7000, matitikman mo ulit ‘yung favorite mo. Masaya na ‘pag nag-crave ako ng Chickenjoy, mabilis lang, tatawag na lang.” (Jollibee is really one-of-a-kind. Imagine, you just have to dial #8-7000 and you can already have your favorites delivered. I feel happy whenever I crave for Chickenjoy. It’s very accessible, I just need to call.) 

Sarah gladly shares her secret to remembering Jollibee’s nationwide hotline. “Naalala ko because of our latest jingle, masaya pakinggan!” (I remember it because our latest jingle is just fun to listen to!)