Everywhere in the world, sports and football fans are looking forward to the FIFA WORLD CUP 2022 with heightened anticipation. It is with much excitement then that Buffalo Wild Wings announces the live streaming of this much-awaited event at their branches at Estancia Mall, Capitol Commons in Pasig and at the Uptown Mall in BGC. Watch the exhilarating games on high-resolution monitors all over the stores. Guests have access to these wherever they look. Can’t miss the action!
The games will be live streamed during restaurant hours (11am to 10pm, Sunday to Thursday and 11 am to 11 pm, Friday and Saturday at Estancia Mall and 10am to 11pm daily at Uptown Mall).
While enjoying the games rooting for your favorite teams, have a taste of classic American comfort food, specifically the restaurant’s award-winning Buffalo wings handspun in signature sauces and seasonings ranging from Sweet BBQ to Blazin’.
Then, try their new Chicken Tenders. Crispy has never tasted this good when one bites into these golden brown treats, hand battered, breaded and fried to a delectable crisp. Choose from Buffalo Wild Wings’ arsenal of sauces and seasonings – from tangy, garlicky, sweet, smokey, hot and very hot!!! Feast on these Chicken Tenders with Mojitos in new, boozy yet refreshing flavors – Strawberry, Passion Fruit, Cucumber and Wild Berry. They’re quite a perfect pairing.
It was in 1982 when Jim Disbrow and Scott Lowery founded Buffalo Wild Wings, shortly after the two friends moved to Ohio from Buffalo. Driven by their craving for New York’s popular bar food that was nowhere to be found in Ohio, Jim and Scott opened their own wing joint instead near The Ohio State University campus. Three decades later, the modest wing joint has grown into an influential brand with over 1,000 locations in the United States and in other parts of the world.
Wings. Tenders. Mojitos plus FIFA World Cup. Need we say more?
Since its arrival here in the Philippines, Netflix has been continuously bringing us great content to stream on our favorite devices. Whether it’s a compelling drama with interesting characters, a thrilling title that keeps us at the edge of our seats, comedies that give us our much-needed dose of laughter, or just anything that keeps us entertained on the couch or on the go, we surely can count on the streaming service’s rich library of shows and movies.
If you’re always on the lookout for Netflix’s latest releases, then look no further! We’ve listed down ten shows and films to anticipate and add to your watchlist this month of December!
Hollywood star Robert Downey Jr. explores the life and career of his father in this documentary that touches on art, mortality, and the healing of generational dysfunction.
Arisu, Usagi, and the other survivors of the first season finale are back to play more lethal games in the Borderland in an attempt to get closer to the real identity of the game master, and the truth behind the mysterious world they find themselves in.
A new adaptation of the beloved musical, Matilda The Musical tells the story of the brilliant and extraordinary girl Matilda who takes a stand to change her story.
Starring Michelle Yeoh, Blood Origin is a prequel to The Witcher series that follows the first prototype Witcher and events that would lead to the Conjunction of the Spheres.
Soirée by Retail Lab, a fashion, home, and lifestyle shopping affair, is bringing together over 150 homegrown brands on December 2-4 at The Fifth, Power Plant Mall, Rockwell Center, Makati City, just in time to give you a head start on your holiday shopping.
“The goal of the event is to give an opportunity for local businesses, Instagram brands, small labels, and startups to showcase and sell their products,” says Claud Baron-Paulino, co-founder of Retail Lab. “For some, we hope that the event can also kickstart their business, especially after the pandemic. We also want to show that the local retail industry is alive and booming.”
Retail Lab Founders Claud Baron-Paulino and Rosanna Aranaz
“It’s been a long time since the last Soirée, so we’re excited to gather both old and new merchants and have everyone together under one roof again. There are also so many new local brands and businesses that have opened during the pandemic, and we are excited to introduce them all to our shoppers at this year’s event,” says Rosanna Aranaz, co-founder of Retail Lab.
For its much-awaited comeback, Soirée by Retail Lab has curated over 150 booths for a weekend of fun Christmas shopping packed with great holiday gift ideas, special deals, and more.
“For this year’s Soirée, we wanted to make it feel like a cozy Christmas gathering. After the past two Christmases we’ve all had, we wanted to make it feel like you are finally coming home,” adds Aranaz.
Soirée guests can score free entrance tickets by pre-registering at https://bit.ly/soireeholiday.
For more information, follow Soirée and Retail Lab on Facebook and Instagram (@RetailLabPH and @soireebyretaillab). See you at the Soirée!
This fitness activation took place in four different boutique fitness studios: Electric Studio for that cardio fix, ONELIFE Private Studio to elongate the body, Polecats to learn how to move confidently, and now Rebel to lean in and discover that well of inner strength.
Each event was met with excitement from present content creators and members of the media, especially those who hadn’t done the chosen activities before. Because there were four different studios, each with different exercises, Cetaphil was able to provide a variety of experiences.
Cetaphil encouraged everyone to get fit in the name of holistic health, after which a full wash with Cetaphil Ultra Protect was encouraged because Cetaphil knows that the skin is the first line of defense against germs; hence it is necessary to make it as fit as the body.
Bodies were sweating in full force, muscles were pushed to the limit, and endorphins reached an all-time high, all in time to try Cetaphil Ultra Protect and to see the importance of having a clean, moisturized body.
Cetaphil Ultra Protect
Cetaphil Ultra Protect is a cleansing bar that combines the benefits of wider germ protection with gentle yet intense skin hydration.
There are no compromises with its 3D Derma-Mimic Technology that cleanses the skin at an antimicrobial level with a dermatological tried-and-tested formulation, which repairs the skin barrier’s defense against water loss.
It washes away 99.9% of germs and is specifically designed for frequent daily use, preventing and soothing skin irritation. The skin is now instantly protected and hydrated.
As the holidays are coming up and it is once more time to see friends and family, now more than ever, it is time to #BeUltraProtected with Cetaphil Ultra Protect.
The new Cetaphil Ultra Protect Antimicrobial Cleansing Bar is available at the official Cetaphil Philippines stores in Lazada and Shopee. You can also find Cetaphil products at Mercury Drug, Watsons’ stores, and supermarkets nationwide.
Paramount Pictures Presents A Marc Platt / Wild Chickens / Organism Pictures Production A Damien Chazelle Film BABYLON.
From Damien Chazelle, BABYLON is an original epic set in 1920s Los Angeles led by Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie and Diego Calva, with an ensemble cast including Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li and Jean Smart. A tale of outsized ambition and outrageous excess, it traces the rise and fall of multiple characters during an era of unbridled decadence and depravity in early Hollywood.
Written and directed by Damien Chazelle, produced by Marc Platt, Matthew Plouffe, Olivia Hamilton, executive produced by Michael Beugg, Tobey Maguire, Wyck Godfrey, Helen Estabrook, Adam Siegel
Starring Brad Pitt, Margot Robbie, Diego Calva, Jean Smart, Jovan Adepo, Li Jun Li, P.J. Byrne, Lukas Haas, Olivia Hamilton, Tobey Maguire, Max Minghella, Rory Scovel, Katherine Waterston, Flea, Jeff Garlin, Eric Roberts, Ethan Suplee, Samara Weaving, Olivia Wilde
Babylon is distributed in the Philippines by Paramount Pictures through Columbia Pictures. Connect with #BabylonMovie and tag @paramountpicsph
Photo & Video Credit: “Paramount Pictures International”
Solane has been a trusted companion of Filipino households when it comes to cooking for over 50 years, may it be simple #LutongSolane meals at home or grand and festive celebrations and get-togethers. This Christmas, Solane wants to make sure that more Filipinos enjoy their meals and celebrations without breaking the bank, even if they want to enjoy festive meals outside the house.
Chef Marky unveils the content of the mystery box he received from Solane
Solane is unveiling Solane Sakto, its mini-LPG tank holding 1.4 kilograms of kitchen fuel, perfect for budget-conscious households, students, small families, and small businesses. For the more adventurous types, Solane Sakto is also a great addition to cooking equipment to bring – no more canned food for camping!
It’s the same safe, sustainable, and quality kitchen fuel Filipinos have known, but in a sakto size!
“We have long cultivated Filipinos’ passion for cooking and celebration by providing safe and quality kitchen fuel over the decades through Solane LPG,” said Jose Antonio Gonzalez, CEO of Isla LPG, the company behind Solane. “Through the ‘tingi’ version of our trusted Solane LPG, we want more Filipinos to have access to affordable and quality kitchen fuel without compromising safety.”
To show how Solane Sakto is the perfect companion for celebrating food outside the house, Solane hosted the ‘Saktong Salu-salo with Solane’ event. Guests were treated to mouthwatering dishes while enjoying an energetic chitchat with cooking enthusiast and proud long-time Solane user Suzi Entrata-Abrera.
Guests took turns guessing the weight of Solane Sakto’s LPG content.
Chef Mark Joseph Bartolome, known as Chef Marky on Tiktok, demonstrated how to cook simple yet filling chicken fajitas, showing how the Solane Sakto is easy to install on existing LPG or canister-fed cooking stoves.
Guests also sampled best-selling dishes from some of the trendiest small businesses in the metro: Kahatea, Airballs 320, and Hungry Homies.
Solane Marketing Manager Kathy Mendez Cabisada and Solane Product Manager Gilbert Roque join Suzi and Chef Marky in exploring the new Solane Sakto LPG
Swak Benefits in a Sakto Size
Solane Sakto’s saktong laki and saktong gaan makes it perfect for limited spaces and kitchens, such as condominium units, student dormitories and compact apartments.
Designed with a collar handle for better grip, Solane Sakto is also portable enough to take anywhere, and can be used outdoors, perfect for out-of-town vacations, picnics, and camping.
Priced at PHP 150 per refill, Solane Sakto is affordable and is a safer alternative than charcoal fuel wood and other dangerous fuel sources such as LPG-refilled butane canisters. It is the only small LPG SKU that is safe and compliant with the Department of Energy for indoor use.
One Solane Sakto tank can last up to a week of cooking for the typical family of five. During unforeseen situations or emergencies, it can be used as a backup LPG tank, lasting up to 3-4 days for heavy cooking.
Like Solane 11 kilogram AS and POL tanks, authentic Solane Sakto cylinders also carry the important markings that certify their registration, the specific standards used, the date the cylinder was tested, as well as the tare weight in kilograms which is around 4.1 kg. Genuine Solane Sakto LPG tanks also come with a white biodegradable seal.
To order Verified Solane LPG, customers may call the Solane Hatid Bahay Hotline +63 2 8887 5555 (Metro Manila) or place their orders through the Solane mobile app or through the Web Ordering Platform. For inquiries, they may also text or call +63 918 8875555 or +63 917 8977555 or send a message to Solane’s Facebook Messenger account.
After a hiatus of two years, one of Metro Manila’s most enduring holiday traditions – The Peninsula Manila’s “Christmas Concert at The Pen” – is back! On December 4th, Sunday, from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, The Lobby of The Peninsula Manila will once again resound with the joyous sounds of Christmas as it is transformed into a grand concert hall.
The famed “Christmas Concert at The Pen” concert – now on its 37th season – has always been regarded as The Peninsula Manila’s Christmas gift to the community. And this year, the hotel has put together a memorable musical repertoire (one with many firsts) that is sure to get festive spirits rightly tuned for the days of celebration ahead.
Wielding the baton and directing the much-loved musical extravanganza for the very first time in its long history is National Artist for Music Maestro Ryan Cayabyab.
Maestro Ryan Cayabyab
Maestro Ryan Cayabyab will be teaming up at the concert with the Manila SymphonyOrchestra (MSO) which, coincidentally, was the first orchestra to play at the annual holiday concert when it debuted in 1983 with (future) National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro conducting. Since then, “Christmas Concert at The Pen” has stayed true to its hallmark philosophy – the promotion of Philippine art and culture and a showcase of local talent where Filipino artists are accompanied by a Filipino orchestra.
Manila Symphony Orchestra
The 2022 “Christmas Concert at The Pen” artist’s line-up also stars soprano Jade Rubis Riccio and “The Voice Philippines” alumnus Poppert Bernadas.
Poppert Bernadas
The featured choir this year is the critically-acclaimed French children’s choir – Les Petits Chanteurs a la Croix de Bois – whose performance is one of the highlights of the celebration of the 75th anniversary of Filipino-French diplomatic relations.
Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo
Another first is the guest appearance of Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, widely considered to be the “first lady” of Philippine musical theatre. She will be the host of this year’s concert.
“Christmas Concert at The Pen” will open with the MSO accompanying Jade Rubis Riccio and Poppert Bernadas in “It’s the Most Wonderful Time of the Year,” one of the Top 10 Christmas songs of all time that’s been described as “a celebration of the Christmas season, and of friends and families.”
Jade Rubis Riccio
Maestro Ryan Cayabyab says this year’s concert will be “a love song to music and musicians” after years of lockdown.
“We all feel like it’s a new beginning,” adds Masahisa Oba, The Peninsula Manila General Manager.“There’s so much hope. The whole program is a celebration of music and our love for it. We are also very excited and honored to have Maestro Ryan Cayabyab at the helm along with a raft of very talented artists.”
In closing, General Manager Masahisa Oba has one last bit of advice to all those who want to catch the concert: “Book and reserve your tables ahead of time or come early because seats are on a first-come basis!”
The 37th season of “Christmas Concert at The Pen” will be held on Sunday, December 4, 2022, 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm at The Lobby of The Peninsula Manila.
For The Lobby patrons, confirmed seating will be provided at P20,000 for a table of 4 (with a deluxe set festive merienda) or P50,000 for a table of 10 (with a deluxe set festive merienda and two bottles of Champagne).
Seating at The Upper Lobby will be on first-come, first serve basis with a P3,000 consumable feeper person (with a set festive merienda).
Prices are in Philippine Pesos which include VAT, a 10% service charge, and applicable local taxes.
Get in the festive spirit with the best Christmas carols, Broadway love songs, and Gershwin classics with “Christmas Concert at The Pen.”
For inquiries or reservations, please call +63 (2) 887-2888, extensions 6691 or 6694 (Restaurant Reservations) or email DiningPMN@peninsula.com. You may also visit peninsula.com, like The Peninsula Manila on Facebook and follow @thepeninsulamanila on Instagram.
Glimmering with elegance, Dusit Thani Manila just added a sparkle to the season with a Christmas tree lighting ceremony held last November 17 to officially mark the start of the festive celebrations in the hotel.
The event commenced with the tree lighting led by general manager Stanley Lo and joined by Dusit Thani Philippines Inc., president and vice chairman Evelyn Singson, vice mayor of Makati Monique Lagdameo, designer Jerry Sibal and Department of Tourism NCR director Sharlene Batin. One of the country’s musical treasures Kuh Ledesma also graced the evening and serenaded the guests with classical favorites and heart-warming Christmas hymns. The annual tradition was graced by corporate partners, industry partners, media and representatives from diplomatic corps. To give a sparkly holiday twist on a classic tradition, Dusit has once again commissioned the New York-based and Filipino premier events designer, Jerry Sibal. Taking the non-traditional route, Sibal dressed up the lobby with a unique structural art piece composed of Christmas tree adorned with brilliant lights and crystal ornaments, and a majestic shiny reindeer to bring a Yuletide glow to the iconic hotel lobby.
The ceremony also showcased the joyous Christmas treats in store for the hotel’s patron and clientele. You can count on Dusit Thani Manila to make your holiday sparkle with joy as you create memorable moments with your family or friends. From Christmas Rush room package, dining offers, Christmas hampers, to food and beverage vouchers and Devarana Spa vouchers, Dusit Thani Manila dazzles with special moments.
Celebrate the holidays that sparkle as you enjoy the magic of time spent with loved ones. To know more about our holiday offerings, call 7238 8888.
This Yuletide season, the Cultural Center of the Philippines offers a wide variety of engaging performances and programs – from classical concert to contemporary dance production, and other traditional Paskong Pinoy activities – for just about every artistic preference, with festivities taking place throughout December.
The holiday cheers at the CCP kick off with Puso ng Pasko, an all-Filipino Christmas ballet, slated on December 2 to 4, 8pm, with matinee shows at 3pm, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). The dance production is an expansion of the dance film production Tuloy Ang Pasko, which premiered in 2020.
This year, Lolo Val, the main protagonist who now lives in California, reminisces about how he and his barkada would celebrate Christmas in the most Filipino way in the 1970s. Puso ng Pasko puts the spotlight on the Yuletide festivities and traditions from the different regions of the Philippines.
A ground-breaking work, Ronelson Yadao, artistic director of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) choreographs the Filipino version of Nutcracker, with musical arrangements by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab.
Live opera returns at the CCP Main Theater after more than two years with Giacomo Puccini’s Turandot on December 9 at 8pm and December 11, at 3pm.
Directed by Maestro Vincenzo Grisostomi Travaglini (who also directed Donizetti’s Lucia di Lammermoor in 2020), Turandot is a timeless tale about the daughter of an emperor who decrees that she will marry if a noble suitor can answer three riddles. Her most recent suitor, the Prince of Persia, is to be executed at the moon’s rising. Set in ancient China, the opera is known for Nessun Dorma, arguably the world’s most famous tenor aria.
The opera stars Korean singers soprano Lilla Lee and bass Jinsu Lee as Princess Turandot and exiled Tartar king Timur, respectively. Completing the cast are Filipino soprano Rachelle Gerodias as Liu, Byeong In Park as Ping the Grand Chancellor, tenor Ivan Nery as Pong the Grand Intendant; tenor Nomher Nival as Emperor Altoum, and baritone Greg de Leon as Mandarino. Maestro Valentino Favoino conducts the PPO, along with distinguished choral ensembles of the Viva Voce Voice Lab.
Watch selected films that feature family-oriented stories that inspire and give hope in Cinema Under the Stars (CUTS) on December 14 to 16, at the CCP Front Lawn. CUTS is an open-air, hybrid outdoor cinema to encourage moviegoers to walk-in, bike-in or drive-in. This is free to the public.
The annual CCP Light and Sound show returns on a grander scale, featuring the Christmas façade décor dubbed Binurda, to be launched on December 15, 7pm, at the CCP Façade and Front Lawn. The CCP holiday decorations are inspired by the Callado embroidery on piña jusi textile with Sampaguita design. A light and sound show compliments the façade décor.
During the launch, the Bayanihan National Dance Company, The Nightingales, Male Ensemble of the Philippines (MEP), and surprise performers bring the magic of the season and instill the warmth spirit that Paskong Pinoy is known for.
On December 16, 8pm, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra presents Handel’s Messiah, the greatest classical musical treat. Under the baton of conductor Mark Anthony Carpio, the PPO will perform alongside a 200-member grand chorus, composed of current members and alumni of the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Sing Philippines Youth Choir, Male Ensemble Philippines, and Musika Filipina. Completing the grand chorus are Coro Cantabile, DLSU Chorale, Lighter Side Movement, Novo Concertante Manila, Pansol Choir, Philippine Vocal Ensemble, and Song Weavers Philippines. Featured soloists are soprano Stefanie Quintin, tenor Ervin Lumauag, bass-baritone Enrico Lagasca, and mezzo-soprano Michelle Mariel Mariposa.
Ballet Philippines brings back the well-loved Christmas classic ballet, The Nutcracker, on December 17, 8pm, and December 18, 2pm and 6pm, at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. The ballet production follows the adventures and misadventures of a young girl on Christmas Eve, in a magical land where every child’s dream comes true.
The CCP Arts Education Department will launch Vamos A Belen: Sama Samang Paggunita and Pagdiriwang, a Pastores dance competition, on December 21. This event is a platform for dancers and dance groups to showcase their skills in interpreting dance literature focusing on Pastores piece. This is in preparation for the 50th anniversary production of the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group in September 2023.
CCP continues its long-established tradition of Simbang Gabi, in partnership with Our Lady of Sorrows Parish and other hermanas, with on-site celebrations on December 16 to 24, 5am, at the CCP Main Ramp. The Misa de Aguinaldo will be held on December 24, 8pm, at the CCP Main Theater, with a pre-mass program featuring the Panunuluyan.
For the third year, the CCP will also have a virtual Simbang Gabi, in partnership with various parishes from the different regions of the country to celebrate anticipated masses. The Anticipated Mass from the Regions runs from December 15 to 23, 9pm, and will be streamed simultaneously on the CCP Facebook Page.
Celebrate the happiest season at the CCP with these heartwarming and amazing activities.
Follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Tiktok for the latest happenings this December.
The Cultural Center of the Philippines celebrates Filipino Christmas traditions with PUSO NG PASKO as it lights up the CCP Main Theater on December 2 (8:00 pm), Dec. 3 (3:00 pm & 8:00 pm), and Dec. 4, 2022 (3:00 pm & 8:00 pm).
The first all-Filipino Christmas ballet, PUSO NG PASKO captures the true spirit of the Pinoy Pasko as Lolo Val, now living abroad in California, recalls to his young granddaughter Angelita, the magical Christmases of his youth in Tres Reyes with his barkada.
This production, conceptualized by Ronelson Yadao, and musical arrangements by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab, features beloved scenes of the Simbang Gabi, eating bibingka and puto bumbong, plazas decorated with big parols, and beautiful Christmas decorations. It also features different fiestas across the Philippine islands in celebration of regional festivities.
Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ Artistic Director, Ronelson Yadao, works with an amazingly talented array of collaborators to bring this Flipino Christmas story to life. Joining him with the feat of choreographing this full-length Christmas dance celebration are Erl Sorilla, John Ababon, AL Abraham, Dan Dayo, Bonnie Guerrero, and Lester Reguindin. These creative staples in the company’s roster of young and acclaimed choreographers each have a beautifully distinct style of movement that somehow wonderfully compliments each moment in the story.
Erl Sorilla is an accomplished dancer with the CCP’s resident dance company and has choreographed notable pieces including Langit Lupa and The Weight on Our Toes. His works have received recognition including the Trudl Dubsky Award in the first CCP Ballet Competition in 2014. In 2020, he danced and choreographed with the faculty of the CCP Dance Workshop, creating two pieces in the Christmas offering Tuloy Ang Pasko! He became a grantee of the CCP’s 2021 Professional Dance Support Program where he choreographed Musa for its Culminating Program. Erl currently dances, teaches, and choreographs with Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.
John Ababon has been dancing with CCP companies since 2012 and has ventured into choreography. Among his works are Happy Thoughts, which won the Trudl Dubsky Zipper Award for outstanding choreography in the 2018 CCP Ballet Competition Junior Category. In 2020, John was part of the faculty of the CCP Dance Workshop and in 2021, he became a grantee of the CCP Professional Dance Support Program. He performed in several pieces of its culminating showcase, the Dance On! Online dance series, and choreographed a solo, Inlababo, and a pas de deux, In the Midst of Overcoming. Today, John focuses on choreographing.
AL Abraham pursued his professional dance career at the CCP. AL has created many pieces like Kada Paningkamot, a solo choreographed for the Young Choreographer Showcase. In 2020, he was one of the dancers and choreographers for the CCP Christmas offering Tuloy Ang Pasko! which was featured in the 2021 live Christmas show, A Christmas Celebration. With Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, AL continues to dance and choreograph. His Kada Paningkamot was restaged and included in the Visayan Suite of Dances.
Danilo Dayo holds a Bachelor of Performing Arts Degree with a major in Dance from the De La Salle College of Saint Benilde. As a company member of CCP’s Resident Dance Company, he has been featured in many of its productions. A budding choreographer, he has created pieces for the junior company among his works are Torpe, Belle DonneandMalamanyika, and Danse Macabre. A member of the faculty of CCP Dance Workshop, he performed and created the dance piece Kumukutikutitap in CCP’s 2020 Christmas offering Tuloy ang Pasko. He is currently a grantee in the 2022 Professional Artist Support Program.
Bonnie Guerrero is a professional dancer, choreographer, dance teacher, and Pilates instructor. A former company member of CCP’s Resident Dance Company, Bonnie has choreographed many pieces. His choreographies have been featured in the CCP Resident Dance Company shows such as Hugot sa Rosas and Bagong Sayaw. With Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance, as his mentor for choreography, he created works such as his Magdalena presented in the 2018 Young Choreographers Showcase. His latest choreographic work was to the music arranged by Ryan Cayabyab, Anong Gagawin Mo Ngayon Pasko, for Tuloy Ang Pasko!, a 2020 Christmas dance film production of the Artists of the CCP Dance Workshop.
Lester Reguindin participated in the CCP Resident Dance Company’s Young Choreographer’s Showcase in 2019 where he choreographed We Men, which was later performed in the production of Alice & Friends and more recently in the CCP Dance Series’ Pulso Pilipinas I. In 2020, Lester choreographed and danced for CCP’s online Christmas Offering, The Nutcracker and Tuloy Ang Pasko. As a creative grantee of the CCP’s 2021 Professional Artist Support Program, his piece NOW was featured in the CCP’s online dance series, Dance On! With Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Lester continues to choreograph, one of his recent works, GomBurZa, was a culminating choreographic study for the PASP in 2022. It was later commissioned by UP Arts and Culture Festival under the direction of Josefina Estrella.
Ronelson is a dance artist with 16 years of professional experience in dance theaters in Asia, the US, Canada, and Europe. Among his works as a choreographer are Sama-Sama, with the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, as well as Ang Kabaligtaran ng Gunaw, a dance film produced by the CCP with music and film direction by Jerold Tarrog. In 2020, he became a grantee, choreographer, and Modern Dance ballet master of the CCP Professional Dance Support Program. Ronelson is currently the artistic director of the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. His 2019 piece, Maupay is the latest addition to the collection of dances in Visayan Suite of Dances.
Behind this talented array of choreographers are collaborators whose significant contributions give life to the story and choreography. These include National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, as Mentor and Artistic Consultant and National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, for his musical arrangements of timeless Filipino Christmas Songs performed and recorded by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Master Chorale.
Alice Reyes was declared a National Artist for Dance by President Benigno S. Aquino III through Proclamation No. 807 and was conferred at the Malacañang Palace on April 14, 2016. Her extensive body of choreographic works is a powerful expression of the Philippines’ unique history, art, and heritage, including Amada, Itim Asu, Tales of the Manuvu, Rama, Hari, and Bungkos Suite, among many others. She is currently the artistic consultant for the Professional Artist Support Program and the chairman emeritus of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. She has collaborated with the CCP and its Arts Education Department in its educational thrusts, audience development, and regional outreach, as part of their Professional Artist Support Program.
National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, a.k.a, Mr. C is the most accomplished composer, arranger, and musical director in the Philippine music industry since the early 1970s. His learned, skillful, and versatile musical style spans a wide range of genres: from conservatory or art compositions such as concert religious music, symphonic work, art song, opera, and concerto to mainstream popular idioms in the music industry and in live contemporary multimedia shows (musical theater, dance, and film). Being very visible in the national media (once a TV host of a long-running arts and culture series and recently a judge in reality TV singing competitions), Cayabyab is a household name. His compositions reflect a perspective of music that extols the exuberance of life and human happiness, thus capturing the very essence of our Filipino soul.
Included on the list of brilliant collaborators are Eric Cruz (production design), Barbara Tan-Tiongco (lighting design), Dennis Maristany (Costume Consultant), and Eljay Castro Deldoc, who worked with Yadao on the script and story as co-librettist with inputs from Film Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna for the filmed scenes.
Joining the cast is acclaimed theater actor Audie Gemora, who will be taking on the role of “Lolo Val.” A terpsichore who has played a variety of roles both in English and Filipino musicals, Audie has been dubbed “King of Philippine Musical Theater.” He has co-founded one of the leading theater companies in the country, TRUMPETS which has produced musical hits including the long-running JOSEPH THE DREAMER. He won an award for “Best Performance as Male Lead in a Musical” at the 2010 Gawad Philstage for his performance in SWEENEY TODD, and in 2014 as “Best Performance as featured male in a Musical” for his performance as the flamboyant director Roger De Bris in “THE PRODUCERS.” His portrayal of Albin/Zaza in 9 Works 2015 production of LA CAGE AUX FOLLES garnered rave reviews and won him the “Outstanding Performance in Musical by a Male Lead” trophy in the 2016 Philstage Gawad Buhay. His latest acting recognition was for Best Actor in a Play as Norman in Repertory Philippines’ production of THE DRESSER at the 2019 Aliw Awards.
As the Cultural Center of the Philippines prepares to shut its doors for renovation, these performances will be one of the last to be staged in the CCP Main Theater.
Tickets are available through the following contacts: CCP Box Office (tel. no. 8832-3704), Bonnie Guerrero (Viber: 09154122152), and TicketWorld (+63.917.550.6997, +63.999.954.5922)
