Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, and Bituin Escalante to Welcome 2025 at Solaire Resort

 Step into the New Year with an enchanting celebration at Solaire Resort Entertainment City, where world-class entertainment and indulgent feasts set the stage for an extraordinary 2025. Immerse yourself in the festive ambiance as the property comes alive with opulent decor—extravagant trees shimmering in red, gold, and green hues—capturing the magic of the season. 

An Elegant Evening of Star-Studded Entertainment 

Celebrate in grand style at The Grand Ballroom, where a spectacular New Year’s Eve awaits. Be mesmerized by the legendary talents of Lea Salonga, Martin Nievera, and Bituin Escalante as they deliver breathtaking performances under the musical direction of maestro Gerard Salonga. While the stars shine on stage, savor an international buffet brimming with global flavors, paired with unlimited beverages. Raise a toast to the New Year in an atmosphere of elegance and joy. The festivities kick off at 7:30 PM. Secure your spot now at https://sec.solaireresort.com/offers/ entertainment/stars-collide-the-solaire-nye-party. 

Culinary Delights for Every Palate 

Elevate your New Year’s celebrations with curated tasting menus at Solaire’s acclaimed dining venues: 

• Finestra Italian Steakhouse: Relish a luxurious 6-course menu featuring josper-baked oyster, amberjack sashimi, black ink tortelli, pumpkin risotto, butter-seared US tenderloin, and salted caramel saffron ice cream with hazelnut.

• Yakumi: Experience the artistry of Japanese cuisine with a 6-course menu showcasing delicacies like Wagyu rib eye, foie gras, sea urchin, osechi-style appetizers, grilled lobster, and char-grilled beef, finishing with pecan caramel whisky chocolate, dessert variations including Japanese cheesecake, and calamansi nama chocolate.

• Red Lantern: Delight in a lavish spread featuring an appetizer trio, braised USDA beef short ribs, wok-fried Boston lobster, and desserts like chilled “snow lady” and baked honey cake with mango sorbet.

• Waterside: Savor a 5-course feast, from beef tartare to kurobuta pork shoulder and maple-charred heirloom carrots, ending with a decadent pecan caramel mousse. Dance the night away to the Latin beats of the Belissima Party Band.

• Oasis Garden Café: Enjoy a relaxed festive afternoon tea with Filipino-inspired savory bites like bibingka and pork embutido, paired with sweet delights like pistachio florentine and eggnog mousse. Usher in the New Year with hits performed by The Company.

 

Beyond Dining: Entertainment Awaits

Explore The Shoppes at Solaire, alive with mesmerizing performances. Enjoy live jazz from bands like the Aristocrats, marvel at the Crystal Ball magician in the Main Lobby, and revel in the melodies of violinist Justerini Brooks. 

 

Celebrate the New Year at Solaire 

Make this New Year’s Eve truly unforgettable at Solaire Resort Entertainment City. Reserve your spot now by calling 8888-8888 or emailing restaurantevents@solaireresort.com.

 

 

Lea Salonga shares her repertoire of musical theater songs from her concert "Songs from the Stage"

For most Filipinos, the first name that comes to mind whenever people talk about Broadway and musical theater is Lea Salonga.

Starting at a very young age, Lea has played a lot of roles starting with the red-haired ‘Annie’ when she was just 9 years old, eventually paving the way to her phenomenal casting and portrayal of the lead role of Kim in the musical ‘Miss Saigon.’

Her performance earned her international acclaim and various awards such as the Tony, Laurence Olivier and Drama Desk, among others. Only 18 at that time, her role is still one of the most coveted and challenging ever created in the music theater canon.


This coming February 17 and 18, Lea shares her repertoire of musical theater songs as she once again fills PICC’s Plenary Hall with her concert aptly titled “Songs from the Stage.’

‘This is the first exclusively musical theater concert we’ve done since 2002, which is quite a long time – fifteen years! So many new shows have been produced since then and this will definitely be a great opportunity to pay those new musicals a visit. At the same time, we’ll do older shows that we’ve not really visited yet,’ quipped Lea.

She likewise shared that music by Sondheim, Lloyd-Webber, Miranda, Bareilles, King, plus songs that the public never thought were in musicals will all highlight this much-awaited concert. ‘The jukebox medley is one I think we’ll all enjoy,’ Lea exclaimed.

She added, ‘I’m just excited to be sharing a lot of musical theater with the audience. It’s not always thought of as a hip art form, until a show called ‘Hamilton.’ This unique art form is a great entry into learning one’s history and culture, and to be a practitioner of it, in whatever way, is always enjoyable and exciting!’

Having toured all over the world, performing sold out concerts in such amazing venues as the Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles, Singapore’s Esplanade, Carnegie Hall in New York, and very soon, the Sydney Opera House, truly excites Lea. But performing in front of her countrymen is always something she looks forward to with bated breath. ‘It’s home. I get to sing in front of the home crowd and there’s really nothing like it!’lea salonga sings

‘Songs from the Stage’ runs at PICC’s Plenary Hall on February 17 & 18 at 8:00pm. It is directed by Bobby Garcia with musical direction by Gerard Salonga, and features the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra.

The show is in partnership with Bounty Fresh, Facial Care, Insular Life, Asiaworld Advertising, Ayala Malls, Chooks-to-Go, Mango Tree, Sofitel Philippine Plaza Manila, Life & Stills, and B&D Rental and Party Needs. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999.

FUN HOME Broadway Musical stars Tony Award winner Ms. Lea Salonga in Manila

Lea Salonga and Eric Kunze

The Tony Award-winning Broadway musical FUN HOME is coming to Manila this November 10-27 the cast headed by Tony Award Winner Ms Lea Salonga, Eric Kunze, Cris Villongco and Laurence Mossman was presented to the media last Nov. 4 at Makati Diamond Residences.


FUN HOME was the most awarded and acclaimed musical of 2015 winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life.

Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.

Cris Villongco and Laurence Mossman

FUN HOME is based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir FUN HOME and features music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The New York Times calls it, "THE BEST NEW MUSICAL TO OPEN ON BROADWAY.”

As previously announced, Lea Salonga and Eric Kunze will be leading the cast of FUN HOME. It will mark Lea’s first musical in Manila since she played Grizabella in CATS in 2010. Her last stage appearance in Manila was in Atlantis Productions’ critically acclaimed play GOD OF CARNAGE in 2012. She will be playing Helen Bechdel, Alison’s distant mother  is an English teacher and former actress. Eric Kunze, has starred in Broadway productions such as LES MISERABLES, MISS SAIGON, and DAMN YANKEES, among many others. He played Marius opposite Salonga’s Eponine on Broadway, 23 years ago. He will be playing Bruce Bechdel, Alison’s complex father who is a part-time mortician and avid home restorer.

Eric Kunze 

Cris Villonco will play the central role of Alison, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante will play Medium Alison and Katie Bradshaw and Andee Achacoso alternate as Small Alison.

Yanah Laurel plays Joan with Ronan Crisologo, Daniel Drilon and Teddy Velasco alternating as Chrstian. Noel Comia and Albert Silos alternate as John while Laurence Mossman plays Roy/ Pete / Mark and Bobby Jeremy.

Bobby Garcia, who will be directing FUN HOME, says, “Dreams do come true, It is an honor to be able to stage FUN HOME in Manila with this stellar cast It is a ground breaking and trailblazing musical that needs to be seen by audiences all over the world I am thrilled that it will premiere internationally in Manila We hope you will all come and join us at the FUN HOME” Joining Garcia In the Creative Team are Musical Director Ceejay Javier, Vocal Director ManMan Angsico, Choreographer Cecile Martinez, Light

Designer , Adam Honore, Set Designer Faust Peneyra, Costume Designer Oz Go, Sound Designer Kevin Heard, Production Designer  GA Fallarme and Hair and Makeup Design Johann dela Fuente.

The New York producers of FUN HOME issued a statement saying, “We’re thrilled to have the first international production of ‘Fun Home’ confirmed for the Philippines, and how exciting to have Lea Salonga, one of Broadway’s most beloved stars, leading the company,”

FUN HOME is also brought to you by ABS-CBN, Philippine Daily Inquirer, The Philippine Star, Monster Radio RX 93.1, Retro Radio DCG-FM, Wish 107.5, Mc Graphic Carranz, Royce’, Mc Donald’s, Makati Diamond Residences, Make Up For Ever, Portfolio Studios, Arlington Memorial Chapels and Crematory, Hit Productions Inc., Mandaue Foam, MVNDO Magazine,DigitaI Ki and David’s Salon.

FUN HOME is recommended for ages 13 and up. Parental Supervision is encouraged. Children under the age of 7 are not permitted in the theatre.

FUN HOME plays a limited run of 18 shows from November 10- 27, 2016 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

When: November 10-27, 2016; 8:00 pm (Weekdays), 3:00 pm & 8:00 pm (Weekends)

Where: Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, 4th Floor, RCBC Plaza, Ayala Ave., cor. Gil Puyat Ave. Makati City

Ticket Prices:

P4,180.00 Orchestra Center

P3,657.50 Orchestra Center / Left

P3,135.00 Loge Center / Sides

P1,567.50 Balcony





Tickets for FUN HOME are available now at Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Who will be the next Kim in "Miss Saigon"?

I remember watching Miss Saigon one and a half decade ago here in Manila, and I cried bucket for the role of Ms. Lea Salonga as Kim, she fits the role to a T,  now Cameron Mackintosh announces Open Call Auditions in Manila for various upcoming global productions of Miss Saigon, the record breaking production that is taking London by storm and opens on Broadway in 2017.  Auditions will be represented and facilitated in Manila by Bobby Garcia and Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) and held  at the Opera Haus (3657 Bautista St., Makati City), in March.

“Miss Saigon’s producing and creative team will be flying in from London to hold auditions for various upcoming global productions of the hit musical. I look forward to working with them in discovering a new generation of Filipino talent to shine on the international stage in Miss Saigon the way Lea Salonga, Joanna Ampil, JonJon Briones and Rachelle Ann Go, among many others, have in the past.” says Garcia.,who was also an Associate Director for Miss Saigon.

“We are searching for Kim, The Engineer, Thuy, Gigi and all Asian Roles in the musical. From leads to ensemble, from singers to acrobatic dancers, we encourage performers throughout  the Asian region to come to Manila and audition for Miss Saigon.” added Garcia.

Trevor Jackson, Head of Casting for Cameron Mackintosh, said "Since casting for Miss Saigon began in the mid 1980's the Philippines has been integral to the show as a place to find exceptional Asian performers of World Class ability. Our teams have been returning regularly ever since. Filipino artists are the heart and soul of this show.”

"Miss Saigon,” a sung-through musical, features music by "Les Misérables" collaborators Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil, and lyrics by Boublil and "Closer Than Ever's"Richard Maltby, Jr. with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler, based on Giacomo Puccini's popular opera "Madame Butterfly.”

Audition requirements will be announced soon.

For more information contact (0995) 534-8371 or like the MISS SAIGON 2016 AUDITIONS page on Facebook.

Lea Salonga to play Helen Bechdel in "Fun Home"

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is proud to announce that Tony Award winning Broadway star Lea Salonga will be playing Helen Bechdel in the first international production of FUN HOME, which opens in Manila in November 2016.

FUN HOME is the most awarded and acclaimed musical of the year, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical.  When her father dies unexpectedly, graphic novelist Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood playing at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home, her growing understanding of her own sexuality, and the looming, unanswerable questions about her father’s hidden desires.


FUN HOME is a based on Alison Bechdel's best-selling graphic memoir, FUN HOME features music by Jeanine Tesori and book and lyrics by Lisa Kron. The New York Times calls it, “THE BEST NEW MUSICAL TO OPEN ON BROADWAY.”   Both, Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron, who won the Tony Award this year for, are scheduled to grace FUN HOME’s Opening Night in Manila next year.

FUN HOME will mark Lea’s first musical in Manila since she played Grizabella in CATS in 2010.  Her last stage appearance in Manila was in Atlantis Productions’ critically acclaimed play GOD OF CARNAGE in 2012.  She is currently appearing as Kei in the Broadway musical ALLEGIANCE, where she garnered rave reviews.

Bobby Garcia (Saturday Night Fever, The Bridges of Madison County), who will be directing FUN HOME, says, “Dreams do come true, It is an honor to be able to stage FUN HOME in Manila with Lea Salonga as Helen.  It is a ground breaking musical that needs to be seen by audiences all over the world.  I am thrilled that it will premiere internationally in Manila and that we will be welcoming Jeanine Tesori and Lisa Kron to our Opening Night. We hope you will all come to the FUN HOME next year.”

ATEG producers Tony Tuviera and Bobby Barreiro say, “It is with great pride that we welcome Lea Salonga to FUN HOME. A Tony Award winner in a Tony Award winning musical.   Our dreams have come true and we know FUN HOME will be a momentous theatrical event in Manila.”

The New York producers of FUN HOME issued a statement saying, “We’re thrilled to have the first international production of ‘Fun Home’ confirmed for the Philippines, and how exciting to have Lea Salonga, one of Broadway’s most beloved stars, leading the company,” 

ATEG recently presented the first leg of  the new international production of SATURDAY NIGHT FEVER, which played Manila, Kuala Lumpur and Singapore. It currently has THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY running in Manila until December 6 and will also have JERSEY BOYS opening in 2016.


 For more information follow ATEG on Facebook at ATEGasia.