Rock musical ‘Katips’ opens today by Crispina Martinez - Belen July 15, 2016 Read more at http://www.mb.com.ph/rock-musical-katips-opens-today/#h1vwGWi9lLrLioHR.99

Lawyer and multi-awarded writer, director and producer Vince Tañada’s rock musical “Katips: Ang Mga Bagong Katipunero” opens today at SM Centerpoint in Sta. Mesa, Manila.
“A musical that charts a subversive tale of love – of one’s self, of another, of country – and sacrifice amidst the turbulence and massive desolation of an oppressed people under a Martial Law regime,” Vince says, it comes on the heels of Philippine Stagers Foundation’s musical “Pope-Pular,” which had 565 runs in 10 months.
“Katips” also depicts the language, fashion and culture in vogue back then. But more importantly, the play dramatizes the youth’s passion to effect change in society.
“Katips” aims to entertain and educate audiences using dance, drama and music – the universal language that binds us all. It is time to right the wrongs of the past and demand justice for all. We are the new Katipuneros and the Philippine Stagers Foundation challenges theater to go beyond walls by entertaining, education and inspiring people to act accordingly.”
Vince stressed: “This is not anti-Marcos, this is not pro-Aquino. I just want to tell the story of Martial Law, that there are victims of it, including my family. My grandfather Lorenzo Tañada was incarcerated. I interviewed members of a group of Martial Law victims called Claimants 1081. Inipon ko mga stories nila for this musical, but I use fictional characters.”
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‘Sinungaling Mong Puso’ airs July 18
The TV adaptation of Maryo de los Reyes’ classic movie “Sinungaling Mong Puso” starring Vilma Santos, Gabby Concepcion, Aga Muhlach and Aiko Melendez starts airing July 18 on GMA Afternoon Primetime under the direction of Ricky Davao.
The soap has an equally compelling cast led by Rhian Ramos, Rafael Rosell, Kiko Estrada, Jazz Ocampo. The story revolves around Clara (Rhian), the abused wife of the womanizer Roman Aguirre (Rafael) who comes from an influential clan.
Rhian said she is pressured and challenged playing on the soap a role first done by iconic actress Vilma Santos.
“But the advice given to me is to just do it my own way,” Rhian said. “Hopefully, people will appreciate my work.”
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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, July 16, go to Carmen Soriano, Melanie Marquez, Rowena Bautista-Mendiola, Gualberto Lumauig, Baby Millado, Rowena Bravo, Roel Villacorta, Jansen Macahindog, Kitchie Benedicto-Paulino,  and Angel Javier Cruz of GMA Network…Belated b-day greetings to Jose Paulino, Arsenio Gabiola, Teodulo Versoza, Maxine Pagkalinawan, Edgar Marabilla, Dan Dizon, Jessylin San Juan, Joyce Gervantes, Boy Lite, Rica Garcia, Jomel dela Cruz, Kayla Megan, Pat Ingan, Jose Validen (July 15)…July 17: Sampaguita, former Mayor Grace Singson, Linglingay Lacanlale, Celine Bautista, Teddy Jose, Alice Bonoan, and Carmen Pedrosa… Happy Anniversary to Regina Mae Parungao and Daryll James Juan…July 18: Jaime Zobel de Ayala, Elizabeth Oropesa, Mariles Cacho Romulo, Sunshine Cruz, Al Vincent, Mary Anne Ojeda, Aileen Ventura, Michael Rodolfo, Juliana Victoria Lopez, Francis Simeon, Kathy Chua, Yeng Lim, and Diether Ocampo… The stars of “Once Again” (Aljur Abrenica, Janine Gutierrez, Thea Tolentino and Jeric Gonzales) will be at the CSI The City Mall in Dagupan City today, July 16, at 4 p.m. for a show.
http://www.mb.com.ph/rock-musical-katips-opens-today/

SM-Trinoma rail station a possibility

The common station that would link the Light Rail Transit Line (LRT)1 with Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Lines 3 and 7 would likely be located in between the Annex at SM City North EDSA and Trinoma malls.

John Eric Francia, president and chief executive officer of AC Infrastructure Holdings Corp. said the Light Rail Manila Corp. (LRMC), San Miguel Corp., SM Prime Holdings, Inc., Ayala Land Inc. and the Department of Transportation are currently in discussions on the common station to link the Light Rail Transit Line 1 (LRT-1) with Metro Rail Transit (MRT) Lines 3 and 7.

LRT-1 runs from Roosevelt station in Quezon City up to Baclaran station in Pasay City, LRT-2 runs from Santolan station in Pasig City up to Recto station in Manila, while MRT-3 spans North Avenue station in Quezon City until Taft Avenue station in Pasay City.

The MRT-7, currently under construction, would cover North Avenue in Quezon City until San Jose Del Monte in Bulacan.

The common station is intended to link Light Rail Transit 1 (LRT-1), Metro Rail Transit Line 3 (MRT-3), and the future Metro Rail Transit Line 7 (MRT-7).

The court was asked to force compliance to the 2009 agreement on the Department of Transportation and Communications (DoTC) and state-run Light Rail Transit Authority (LRTA).

The memorandum of agreement (MoA) involves a P200-million payment by SMPHI for the naming rights to the common station.

“The proposed common station in front of SM North EDSA was duly approved by the NEDA-ICC (National Economic and Development Authority - Investment Coordination Committee) as a priority infrastructure project in 2007,” the company said in the statement, noting that it was formally confirmed by the NEDA board and the cabinet on July 7, 2009.

Construction of the common station was supposed to be completed back in May 2010 but disputes over cost, engineering issues and naming rights caused a delay that continues to this day. Even if the physical infrastructure connecting the two rail systems are in place and successfully tested, commuters have to go down at the Roosevelt station of LRT-1 and walk over or take a tricycle or jeepney for the one kilometer distance to the Trinoma terminal of MRT-3.

The cancellation of the project was contributed to the arrest and detention of former president Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo from a controversy, the impeachment trial of Chief Justice Renato Corona and questioning funds from the mall operator SM Prime Holdings.

In October 2013, however, DoTC officials announced -- via a bid document -- the possible relocation of the common station to TriNoma mall.

DoTC Spokesperson Michael Arthur C. Sagcal told reporters yesterday: “Our legal department is already reviewing the pertinent provisions of the MoA between LRTA and SM. We have yet to receive a copy of SM’s compliant, but we will be ready to defend our position in court.”

“In any case, NEDA has approved the construction of the common station next to the EDSA-North Avenue station of MRT-3,” Mr. Sagcal added.

In August 2013, a failed auction was declared after a conditional offer from sole bidder Metro Pacific Investments Corp. (MPIC), which was originally partnered with Ayala before the latter withdrew.

Other interested parties backed out of the bid, raising concerns over the project’s viability. The terms have since been revised by the government, with the latest change involving a say in the P1.4-billion LRT-Metro Rail Transit common station project.

A consortium led by the MPIC and Ayala Corp. was the sole bidder for the P64.9-billion LRT-1 Cavite Extension project, the biggest public-private partnership deal offered to date by the Aquino administration.

It secured in July 2014 a Supreme Court stay order stopping the transfer of the common station’s site to TriNoma. In May 2016, the high court refused the government’s plea to lift the stay order.

“We’re already discussing details of design, the terms, so it’s fairly advanced. There’s alignment already on this idea, the concept of the location,” Francia said.

He said the parties have agreed in principle to have one common station located in between the SM and Trinoma malls.

“It (location) is not really an issue so it’s a win-win for everyone,” he said.

Transport Secretary Arthur Tugade said earlier he is hopeful the common station impasse would have a solution within the first 100 days of the new administration.

The Department of Transportation and Communications (DOTC) under the previous administration proposed two common stations with one located near SM North EDSA mall and the other closer to the Trinoma mall, to link LRT-1, MRT-3 and the MRT-7.

http://www.philstar.com/business/2016/07/15/1602838/sm-trinoma-rail-station-possibility