Bumper to Bumper celebrates 11 th year with the grand display of hot cars

If you are a fan of The Fast and the Furious installments. chances are you watch the film to see your favorite hot cars on screen, the drift, the chasing scene and wonder if when are you going to have a hand on those expensive imports of the  classic American muscle cars that are featured in the movie.

Its in the Fast and the Furious 6 that 400 cars were featured in all its glory.

Jonathan Chio, CEO of Ladder Events Production. 

Now here is your chance to see your favorite race cars in Bumper to Bumper car show on December 5 and 6 at event SM Mall of Asia Concert Grounds.

Bumper to Bumper celebrates its 11th year with the biggest car show in Asia.

"Filipinos love car shows because we can relate to the cars we see. It is always a delight for us to see so many nice cars in one place. You can always see the excitement in people's eyes when they are in a car show and you also know deep inside that they feel inspired—that one day, they will also have these upgrades or these kind of rides in their garage," muses Jonathan Chio, CEO of Ladder Events Production. 

Since 2005, Bumper to Bumper (B2B) has been bringing the car show not only to Manila but to 10 key cities, including Baguio, Batangas, Cebu, Davao, General Santos, Iloilo, Laguna, La Union, Pampanga, and Pangasinan. It is the only local car show known to do so, in its pursuit to bring the best of the best automotive mods across the Philippines.

Chio furthers, "Bumper to Bumper Car Show is like a theme park of sorts, a theme park for car enthusiasts. We have a wide array of vehicles on display, we have full blown entertainment to fill in your time, and we have unique activities all the time during the event."

The event usually attracts a crowd of 70,000 car enthusiasts and spectators. This year promises to be bigger and better. Activities include a two-division (Pro and Street category) car show competition, off-road vehicle display competition, engine roar competition, drive-in movie, dance showdown, concert, and Sneaker Fever Manila for those who love kicks.

"There are so many things B2B has done to our market. A lot of shops that does not have big budgets for bigger shows were known to have started in our car shows. We have given work opportunities to our car show models. Our event has served as a playground for aspiring photographers and bloggers. But more importantly, a lot of long lasting-friendships were born in our events," says Chio. 

Exciting events to look forward to in 2016 include the B2B Car Show Sinulog in January; "Hot Import Nights V Manila” to be held at Metro Tent, Metrowalk on April 23 and 24; “Hot Import Nights Davao” to be held at The Peak in Davao City; and the first-ever Race Wars Unlimited Philippines.

Bumper to Bumper XI is presented by B2BCarshow.com, Total Excellium, PenserQ Multimedia Company, Repsol Motor Oils, No Fear Apparel, Task Us, SM Mall of Asia, and Chevrolet Philippines, among others.

(For more information, visit https://www.facebook.com/b2bcarshow/.)

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.

Asus collaborates with Cobonpue and influencers for the #Zenlooks design and style

ASUS Philippines teams up with world-renowned industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue, together with the trendsetting duo of David Guison and Arisse de Santos, for this regional competition that offers Filipinos the one-of-a-kind chance to be the designer of their own ZenFone 2 case

ASUS Philippines has joined forces with the crème de la crème of the country’s creative elite to encourage more Filipinos to showcase the diverse beauty of local culture, as well as their unique eye for design, for the#ZenLookscompetition.

Internationally acclaimed and multi-awarded industrial designer Kenneth Cobonpue and style authorities David Guison and Arisse de Santos are onboard to help amplify the call for their fellow Filipinos to join in by creating their own designs for this competition, which invites individuals to submit an original case design for the ZenFone 2 inspired by the Philippines’ national colors.

Nature’s most captivating hues inspire Cobonpue

Fresh from accolades received for the outstanding venue design he conceptualized for the recently-concluded and highly-publicized APEC 2015, Cobonpue focuses his attention on the shades and shapes of nature as his design inspirations for #ZenLooks.

On partnering with ASUS Philippines for the competition, he says, “I feel humbled to be a part of a global movement that allows Filipinos to express their creative identities through a personal must-have that accompanies them in their day to day. Our mobile phones, and what we do with them, say a lot about who we are and what we love.”

Admitting his personal affinity for the ZenFone 2, he declares, “It’s the perfect phone for this campaign. As a designer, the ZenFone 2 allows me to express my personal aesthetic. It’s very important that a device latches on to its owner’s views. And as for its performance, I like that it doesn’t compromise speed and promises such a rich photography experience for anyone who appreciates style.”

He concludes, “#ZenLooks is consistent with my personal advocacy of creating original and unique designs while promoting local culture. It’s a collaborative effort between the ASUS team and aspiring artists to produce an art piece inspired by the Philippine’s iconic elements.”

Guison pays tribute to one of Ilocos Norte’s most scenic spots

As his way of reminding himself that the Philippines has so much to offer in terms of beauty and travel experiences, Guison zoomed in on the Kapupurawan rock formation in Ilocos Norte, admittedly also one of his favorite scenes, for his case design.  A travel enthusiast himself, he reveals, “I always feel the need to document everything, so this image is a note to myself that there are 7,107 islands in the Philippines to explore.”

Having previously worked with ASUS as an intern, Guison shares, “I am very honored to be working with ASUS again as I have a deep appreciation for the brand. The ZenLooks campaign inspired me so much as well since I love travelling and capturing everything – which also makes the ZenFone 2, with its superb camera, a great phone match for the campaign.” And with his many blog followers, this stylephile is likewise excited to encourage others to express their own brand of creativity through the competition. “My readers are very talented and they have a keen eye for style, so I'm sure they will rock this design contest by ASUS. Plus, it's not every day you get to collaborate with such an established brand.” 

It’s a play of watercolors for de Santos

The lifestyle blogger harnessed her love for watercolors in her ZenFone 2 case design. Commenting on the strong platform the competition provides for creative self-expression, de Santos says, “#ZenLooks is a great springboard for Filipinos to showcase their skills and creativity, not to mention pay tribute to the beauty of our country for the whole world to see. It also doesn’t hurt that they’re encouraged to do this with the ZenFone 2, which is classy and sleek and can match any personality or mood.”

She encourages her readers to add their personal touch to their case designs. “Envision what you want for the final look, and embrace the opportunity to use your creativity to show everyone why the Philippines is worth experiencing.”

Road to #ZenLooks: Incredible Catwalk featuring Kim Jones
Following a global introduction that launched an exciting design partnership with Italian vlogger and YouTube personality MarziaBisognin (better known as her handle “CutiePieMarzia”), #ZenLooks likewise took off with a regional prelude highlighting a collaboration with Filipina-British fashion icon Kim Jones, which saw the popular blogger and style connoisseur going on a whirlwind 7-photo sartorial journey across seven countries in Southeast Asia in seven days with ASUS to unravel the region’s ultimate fashion story using the ZenFone 2.

Cobonpue, Guison, and de Santos all laud ASUS’ choice of Jones as the campaign’s regional ambassador. “Kim Jones as a style icon seamlessly displays what it means to travel in style. She reflects the caliber and passion of this beautiful campaign.” Guison agrees: “Kim has consistently produced quality content for her brand and she outdid herself yet again with this campaign. I enjoyed following her adventures with the ASUS team. One day they were in the busy mosques of India, the next day they were in the floating markets of Vietnam. It was exhilarating!” De Santos adds: “Her classy and sophisticated style sense makes her the perfect fit for the Incredible Catwalk.”


Over 4,000 design submissions from the Philippines so far
With influential and talented Filipinos the likes of Cobonpue, Guison, and de Santos now joining the campaign, ASUS Philippines Marketing Manager Jamie Zaldivar is confident that the competition will see an increasing representation of Filipino creative minds.

“To date, we have already received over 4,000 amazing case design submissions from the Philippines,” she says. “We have always experienced great support from Filipinos every time we launch global and regional campaigns, and this is certainly no different. It’s a great testament of how we as a people are passionate about being part of a creative movement.”

With just 2 weeks to go before the competition comes to a close, Zaldivar calls on Filipinos to get creative and join in. “Not only will you get to express yourself and your love for your country – you’ll also get to share it with the world. Plus, awesome prizes from ASUS Philippines are up at stake.” These include a ZenFone 2 deluxe (worth Php17,995) and the limited edition case designed by CutiePieMarzia for weekly winners; and, if chosen as the Grand Winner, the chance to collaborate with the ASUS design team to have his or her winning case design manufactured.

Zaldivar concludes, “We hope that Kenneth, David, and Arisse’s designs will inspire other Filipinos to keep the entries coming. We are so excited to have these three onboard as together, they represent and advocate the best of Filipino design, style, and culture, culled from their individual perspectives and experiences.”

Deadline for submission for the #ZenLooks design challenge is December 6. To join and create your entry, visit the #ZenLooks Facebook Application athttps://asuscampaign.com/zenlooks/ph/

Start your Orange Blush holiday treatments at Orange Blush salon

For the coming holiday season, Orange Blush salon welcomes clients with new promos and treats designed not only to pamper, but make sure they come out looking their best in this time of celebration.

 Start your Orange Blush holiday treatments with the Brazilian Keratin treatment designed to bring life back to severely damaged hair with keratin as its main ingredient.

Keratin is the protein component of the hair, and makes it shiny, soft and healthy. When hair is regularly colored and treated, the natural keratin in our hair tends to be lost, and that’s when hair becomes dry, frizzy, damaged and unmanageable. Brazilian Keratin can get it looking normal and healthy again and bring your hair back to what it used to be.

“Brazilian Keratin contains the keratin needed to revive our hair's luster and softness after all the hair chemical processes. This is a revolutionary solution to most of our hair problems,” says Orange Blush salon owner Joby Linsangan-Moreno.

At the same time, clients can also avail of the salon’s other popular services such as the hair re-bonding, hair coloring and foot spa services to get into a holiday mood and get ready for all the partying that is sure to come.

Or if you’re tired and frazzled after shopping and trying to beat the holiday rush, you can treat yourself to a pampering day at the salon and feel better again.

At Orange Blush salon, they focus mostly on hair services, which they consider to be their main area of expertise. They are sought out for their haircutting, hair treatments, hair rebonding, hair straightening, hair coloring, and also their manicure and pedicure, foot spa and makeup. “We have decided to concentrate in the hair services, less the facials and massage treatments that other salons usually offer along with the hair treatments,” says Joby.

The best thing about Orange Blush salon is that it has a warranty, a virtual guarantee that when a client leaves, you will do so feeling good about the time you spent there.

“The warranty means being responsible and accountable to do your very best at work, and to give your very best for your customers. That also means caring for the welfare of your customers, and that is what our warranty is all about; that we welcome our customer's concerns, and that it is our main purpose to exceed our customer's expectations,” explains Joby.

To make the holiday salon experience even more awesome, this year they are also giving away free Orange Blush Salon mugs to customers (with a minimum of P2,000 worth of salon services) as their Christmas treat.

Ultimately, though—and regardless of what time or season of the year it is—the Orange Blush experience is all about providing their clients with the best possible service.

Explains Joby: “Since our services come with a warranty promise, our clients can be assured of the high quality and standards that we offer in our salon services; that we are responsible for the work we have done; and that we certainly care about our customers' concerns and feelings.”


One of the fastest-growing salon chains in Luzon, the Orange Blush salon (which first opened in 2003) is located in Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija. But Joby discloses that plans for a 2016 expansion are already in place. It’s something that they started preparing for this year, and they’re quite excited about it.

“The coming year 2016 is a very exciting and promising year for Orange Blush Salon's expansion plans,” says Joby. “Our vision is to put up branches in Central Luzon area first, where we came from, and saturate it and become the best hair salon in the area; then move to conquer the metro, carrying with us that unique probinsiyano brand that we represent. We have laid the ground work and plans for expansion in 2015, and I can say that we shall strive to be more innovative in our processes and services, and shall continually strive to become the best in our field.”

To know more about Orange Blush and its services, visit them at the Sotto Building, Del Pilar Street, Cabanatuan City, Nueva Ecija or call (044) 464.4114. You can also check out their website at http://orangeblushsalon.com/index.html or look them up on Facebook.

Book a suite in and see Tony Award-winning musical Bridges of Madison County for free!




Experience the first international run of the most endearing Tony Award-winning musical, The Bridges of Madison County, as you stay overnight in one of Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center Manila’s lavish suites.

Valid until November 28, this special Broadway weekend room package, in cooperation with Atlantis Productions, includes 2 Orchestra tickets to the November 28, 2:00 PM matinee show at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater in RCBC Plaza, Makati. For only P8,500 nett for a One Bedroom Suite, and P7,000 nett for a Studio Executive, the package is also inclusive of the use of the swimming pool and gym and complimentary wifi internet access, among others.

Starring two of the most iconic international theater performers – Joanna Ampil and Mig Ayesa, Bridges of Madison County tells of an unforgettable story of two people caught between decision and desire, as a chance encounter becomes a second chance at so much more. The musical also stars theater veterans Carla Guevarra, Jamie Wilson and Mikkie Bradshaw. Oakwood Premier Joy~Nostalg Center is the official residence. For reservations, please call 637.7888 or email premiermanila@oakwoodasia.com

FMA celebrates 60th year at the Araneta Coliseum

The Daughters of Mary Help of Christians (a.k.a. FMA or Salesian Sisters of St. John Bosco) in the Philippines are celebrating their 60th year of presence in the Philippines at the Araneta Coliseum in Cubao, Quezon City on November 30, 2015. The Eucharistic celebration at 2 P.M. will be presided by His Excellency, Most. Rev. Bishop Patricio Buzon, SDB, DD of Kabangkalan, Negros Occidental. The Mass will be followed by a thanksgiving program participated in by the different educating communities of the Sisters from all over the Philippines.

For ticket reservations, call Cherry at (02) 7145937

Gal Gadot to play Wonder Woman on the big screen

Gal Gadot stars under the direction of Patty Jenkins in the
famed DC Amazon Princess’s first time headlining on the big screen

Principal photography is underway on Warner Bros. Pictures’ Wonder Woman feature film, the highly anticipated action adventure from director Patty Jenkins (“Monster,” AMC’s “The Killing”), starring Gal Gadot (the “Fast & Furious” movies) in the role of Diana Prince/Wonder Woman. The character will make her big screen debut this spring in “Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice,” but the new film will mark her first time headlining a feature.


The film also stars Chris Pine (the “Star Trek” films) as Captain Steve Trevor, Robin Wright (“The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo”), Danny Huston (“Clash of the Titans,” “X-Men Origins: Wolverine”), David Thewlis (the “Harry Potter” films), Ewen Bremner (“Exodus: Gods and Kings”), Saïd Taghmaoui (“American Hustle”), Elena Anaya (“The Skin I Live In”) and Lucy Davis (“Shaun of the Dead”).

The film is being produced by Charles Roven, Zack Snyder and Deborah Snyder, with Richard Suckle, Stephen Jones, Wesley Coller, Geoff Johns and Rebecca Roven serving as executive producers.

Joining Jenkins behind the camera are director of photography Matthew Jensen (“Chronicle,” “Fantastic Four,” HBO’s “Game of Thrones”), Oscar-nominated production designer Aline Bonetto (“Amélie,” “A Very Long Engagement,” “Pan”), and Oscar-winning editor Martin Walsh (“Chicago,” “Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit,” “V for Vendetta”), and Oscar-winning costume designer Lindy Hemming (“The Dark Knight” trilogy, “Topsy-Turvy”).


Principal photography will take place on location in the UK, France and Italy.
Set to open in 2017, the Wonder Woman feature film is based on characters created by William Moulton Marston, appearing in comic books published by DC Entertainment. It will be distributed worldwide by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

Who is your bet to win the first Virtus Awards on Nov.25?

"Nothing builds self-esteem and self-confidence like accomplishment,” said philosopher Thomas Carlyle, and nothing could be more motivating than being recognized for your efforts.

This is one of the core values behind the creation of the VIRTUS AWARDS—to showcase the best minds and talent who continue to strengthen the reputation not only of his/her hotel but the entire
Philippine hospitality industry

Director of Sales & Marketing Cielo Ortega-Reboredo and Associate PR & Brand Director Erwin Dona with their associates

Organized by the Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA), The VIRTUS Awards is a pioneering multi-category initiative that is envisaged to transform the mindset of sales and marketing professionals in the hotels and resorts industry, and set the tone for excellence.

Janice Vicente, Director of Sales and Marketing of the Linden Suites

Midas Hotel and Casino,Director of Sales & Marketing Cielo Ortega-Reboredo 

“We came up with the Virtus Awards to honor and motivate the sales and marketing staff, the most important asset of your properties – the human resource,” says Rose Libongco, Chairman Virtus Awards, whom we had lunch last week at the Yanagi Cosmopolitan Japanese Cuisine at Midas Hotel.

Libongco adds the awards is quite timely because hotels are actually getting a lot of competition from other industries in getting talents. We really have to put ourselves upfront and say, Hey, the hotel industry is really an exciting industry.”

Rose H.  Libongco,  Chairman, Virtus Awards 

The VIRTUS Awards will honor excellence in 3 individual sales and marketing categories – Associate, Manager, Leader – covering positions in room sales, events management, catering, reservation, public relations, communication and revenue management.  The multi-category initiative also recognizes a Marketing Campaign of the Tear, built around a single unified theme.

Trophies for the VIRTUS Awards were specially made by Mr. Joey Ong for HSMA.   Mr. Ong was the 1st Prize awardee for Sculpture Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Art Competition 1999 and 2002.

Set against the dynamic landscape of change, The VIRTUS Awards shines on the creative strategies, passionate dedication, and expertise of sales and marketing professionals to fuel the growth of their hotel properties and raise the bar for the hospitality industry as a whole.

Nominations began from July 15 and September 15 with entries judged by a panel composed of leaders in the fields of advertising, public relations, digital marketing, and the academia will judge entries in October.

Winners will be announced during a black-tie gala dinner on November 25, 2015 at the New World Manila Bay Hotel, which is expected to attract nearly 300 key influencers in the tourism and travel industry.

"In the Heart of the Sea" is the greatest seafaring tales of all time

It is one of the greatest seafaring tales of all time: the Nantucket whaling ship Essex was attacked by a leviathan—a white whale of singular size and intent—leaving only a few of its crew to overcome near-impossible odds and live to recount their experience. But in the almost 200 years since that harrowing voyage, the truth faded into history, eclipsed by the celebrated novel it inspired, Herman Melville’s Moby-Dick. Now, with acclaimed director Ron Howard at the helm, the legend of the Essex, her courageous crew, and that mythic white whale comes to the big screen for the first time in Warner Bros. Pictures' epic adventure “In the Heart of the Sea.”




Moby-Dick is fiction; however “In the Heart of the Sea” brings to life the powerful saga that would fuel Melville’s defining and enduring novel. Howard says, “The true story of the Essex is fantastic. It’s visceral; it’s rich and cinematic at its core, with lots of twists and turns along the way. And though the film is set in the past, it touches on ideas about relationships, survival, humanity and nature that are relatable and thought-provoking, and connect to our own sensibilities about who we are as people.”


Howard initially received the screenplay from actor Chris Hemsworth when they were working together on “Rush.” Hemsworth, who stars in the film as Essex First Mate Owen Chase, remarks, “I loved the script from the start. ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ is about heroism and people being tested beyond their limits in absolutely every way. I was also captivated by the psychological thriller aspect of the whale turning the tables on them. There is something incredibly mysterious about how this animal is portrayed—why the whale goes on the attack, which was unlike anything the Essex crew had ever encountered. The hunter becomes the hunted.”

Howard acknowledges that when Hemsworth initially approached him about the project, “I didn’t know anything about the Essex and didn’t know the script was based on events that were very real. But when I learned this had actually happened, it was mind-blowing. I instantly began to visualize a movie that would be raw and intense…a movie that I would want to see, which is the crucial litmus test for me.”

The extraordinary journey of the Essex and her crew was chronicled by Nathaniel Philbrick in his book In the Heart of the Sea: The Tragedy of the Whaleship Essex. The author and historian, who calls Nantucket home, had a long-held fascination with the industry that had put the small Massachusetts island on the map. “The book grew out of my curiosity about how it was back in the day when Nantucket was the capital of American whaling. This was a story that got under my skin.”
Hemsworth believes the film could not have been in better hands than Howard's. “Ron has the biggest heart of anyone I know and has the best work ethic,” says Hemsworth. 

Howard reveals that is always his goal, noting,“As a filmmaker, he is always pushing the envelope. You look at the movies he’s done in his career and you can’t put them in a box—from huge comedies to compelling dramas to big action, he’s done it all, and done it with integrity and intelligence. ‘In the Heart of the Sea’ was a demanding endeavor for all of us, and when you go through something like that, you need to be arm-in-arm with one another, and supporting each other. He constantly kept us on our toes, but that’s what you want as an actor—to be challenged and inspired.” 

Opening across the Philippines on December 3, 2015 in theaters and IMAX, “In the Heart of the Sea” is distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures, a Warner Bros. Entertainment Company.

7101 Music Nation uploaded Elements' Music Camp "Imagine" For Paris

The Elements Music Camp Philippines humbly offers this reminder of the need for harmony and unity. Their way of consoling their loved ones and sharing in their pain.

Please join in their message as they forge on and believe in a better world where we can live as one.

We believe in a dream.

We continue to hope for peace in our world amidst the violence.

We Are ONE.

#ElementsMusicCampSon­gForParis

A Peek into the Secret Garden

Repertory Philippines opens the gates to “The Secret Garden” as its Christmas season treat for theater goers.  It tells the story of a young girl, born and raised in India, who finds herself suddenly orphaned, and goes to live with her uncle in England.  She discovers a garden, neglected for years and almost dead, and a young cousin bedridden and miserable.  With the help of a housemaid and a friendly young gardener, she brings both the garden and her cousin to life.

Becca Coates playing the role of Martha, the housekeeper; and Ashlee Factor and Albert Silos portraying the young Mary Lennox and Colin Craven, respectively. 

Director, Anton Juan’s vision was to focus on the message of the story. “I wanted to articulate that finding the secret garden was to liberate oneself from the feeling of domination,” he shares.  He wanted to make clear that Secret Garden “...is not just a musical about how love forgives, how healing is attained by finding and liberating the truth in us; but also an allegory of liberation of our free spirits.”

Stage productions take months to prepare with numerous songs to rehearse, choreography to be learned, scenes to perfect, a slew of costumes to be made, and elaborate sets to be built.  For a period piece like The Secret Garden, the artistic staff had to do a lot of research on the context of the story and the details that would be needed to translate that era for a modern audience.

Archibald Craven played  by Robbie Guevara reaches out to his son Colin; acted out by Daniel Drilon.

“Since the story is set in 1906 in Yorkshire, England, designing the costumes for The Secret Garden required period research,” shares costume designer Bonsai Cielo. But despite having an overview of historical information to create costumes from that time period, Bonsai said “An understanding of each of the characters and our director’s vision for the play was also required. Not to mention, we had to ensure they all blended well together and still look striking individually.”

Set designer Ohm David said this about his stage design. “As a designer, I had to read the play over and over while listening to the music. I read the play aloud and tried to involve myself as much as possible in the situations of the play.” While doing this, the designer imagined the elaborate environment of each scene. From there, he started to draw. But with the limitations of a modest stage, he had to veer away from the obvious interpretations of the story’s surroundings and instead used elements that would encourage the audience’s imaginations to visualize the entire scenarios. “For me, it is more important to highlight what the play is trying to say beneath” —a takeaway he derived from Director Juan, who is at the head of the entire production.

Mary Lennox (Ashlee Factor,) stands in the background, as Archibald Craven (Lorenz Martinez,) is recalling memories of his late wife, Lily (Myramae Meneses.)

Daniel Drilon, one of the young actors playing Colin Craven, the bedridden boy, says “For the all Filipino cast, the added challenge was learning the diction of The Secret Garden’s period and location. We all had to learn a British accent which is kind of difficult.  But we all got a hang of it after two months of practice.”  The young leading cast had the support of the entire production team led by Director Juan who helped them absorb their roles.  Besides Daniel, the other children who play the lead roles of Mary, the orphan girl, and Collin her cousin, are played by Ashlee Factor, Ginger Karganilla, Albert Silos and Noel Comia.

“The music is invigorating, the sets are a departure from the traditional, and it is a moving story of love,” shares Anton. Above all, the play’s message is one that will move the hearts of those who witness it. “I hope this musical will remind us to hold what’s most essential and important; and that’s what is inside of us. Lest we forget, come to my garden.”

The Secret Garden will be staged from November 20 to December 20, 2015 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Paseo de Roxas. For more details on performance dates and times and ticket prices, call Repertory Philippines at 843-­3570.  For more information about the play, log on to repertoryphilippines.ph or the Repertory Philippines Facebook page. Tickets may also be purchased through TicketWorld at 891­9999 or visit their website at w ww.ticketworld.com.ph.