Thursday, October 5, 2017

Why ‘Maynila’ is close to Joel Lamangan’s heart

If multi-awarded film director Joel Lamangan is excited doing “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag, The Musical” currently being staged at Kia Theatre in Cubao, it’s because he got his first acting job in the movie version.

“It was my very first movie appearance, extra lang ako du’n,” he told us during the gala performance of the musical. “But my character made a lasting impression because I was the one who killed Bembol Roco’s character.”


Seeing an enthusiastic audience fill Kia Theatre during the gala show-cum press preview over the weekend, I was happy for my dear friend Babes Javier of Grand Leisure Corp. who produced the musical adaptation of the movie by the late National Artist Lino Brocka. Babes is passionate with her local productions (the first being “Annie” the musical in 2016) and even her foreign acts starting with The Platters several years ago, and the latest, The Stylistics last month.


Babes and her husband Victor (who is an engineer) started out in the construction business but have taken to heart local production of entertainment events. They also own Park N Ride in Plaza Lawton, Manila.


Anyway, “Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag,” presented in collaboration with Gantimpala Theater Foundation, has Arman Ferrer as Julio Madiaga who goes to Manila in search of his beloved Ligaya who was recruited for a “job” by Mrs. Cruz (Dulce/Ima Castro). Shiela Martinez and Lara Maigue alternate as Ligaya; Rita Daniela and Aicelle Santos as Perla.


The musical will be staged twice tomorrow, Oct. 6, at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.


• • •


Jazz up and dance


To share the stage of Teatrino in Promenade, Greenhills on Oct. 7 are two female singers and one male artist with powerful voices – Judith Banal and Emcy Corteza and Richard Merk. The one-night concert is titled “Jazz Up And Dance.”


It is not the first time Judith and Emcy are performing together as they have shared the stage at the Calesa Bar reunion show and in some fundraisers. Judith used to be the vocalist of Cicada and Powerplay band, while Emcy was with Fourplay.


When Emcy finally went solo, she encouraged and insisted for Judith to do the same. “At the Hyatt Hotel, that’s where our paths crossed,” Emcy recalled. “The band Poppin’ Jazz was a common ground, having most of the members performing with Gary Valenciano.”


Judith started in the music industry as one of the lead vocalists of Manila’s then premier bands, Cicada and Powerplay. She was influenced by the late Rudy Francisco during her stint at Calesa Bar, and Eddie Katindig.


Richard, on the other hand, has been singing jazz since age nine and his greatest influence is her mother Annie Brazil, dubbed the “Queen of Jazz.” He has travelled all over the world with jazz music as his armor in a lot of music festivals abroad and club stints in Europe.


• • •


ABS-CBN, GMA top TV ratings



ABS-CBN and GMA Network on Tuesday both claimed higher television ratings in September.


ABS-CBN, according to data from Kantar Media, registered an average audience of 47 percent or 14 points higher than GMA’s 33 percent. ABS-CBN ruled the primetime with an average share of 51 percent, a 20-point lead over GMA’s 31 percent.


ABS-CBN also led other networks in other time blocks such as the morning block, where it scored an average audience share of 40 percent versus GMA’s 31 percent the noontime block where it hit 47 percent versus GMA’s 35 percent.


In the afternoon block, ABS-CBN had 43 percent versus GMA’s 39 percent.


Furthermore, nine Kapamilya shows made it to the top 10 most watched programs in national urban and rural homes. 
They are the following: FPJ's Ang Probinsyano, La Luna Sangre, A Love to Last, The Good Son, TV Patrol, Little Big Shots, Maalaala Mo Kaya, I Can See Your Voice, Wansapanataym, Rated K, Gandang Gabi Vice, Ikaw Lang ang Iibigin, It's Showtime, Pusong Ligaw, The Better Half, The Promise of Forever, Wildflower, Home Sweetie Home and Goin’ Bulilit.

Meanwhile, citing Nielsen’s NUTAM data, GMA said it remained the dominant player across all time blocks, registering a total day people audience share of 48 percent compared to ABS-CBN’s 33 percent.

GMA Network, meanwhile, kept its nationwide ratings advantage over competition in September based on data from Nielsen TV Audience Measurement.

From September 1 to 27, GMA said it garnered more viewers in the National Urban Television Audience Measurement with an average total day people audience share of 41.9 percent. ABS-CBN just managed 38.8 percent.

Kapuso shows dominated the list of top programs in the NUTAM survey with Kapuso Mo, Jessica Soho as the most watched GMA program nationwide in the said period. GMA, in turn, claimed nine of the top 10 programs in Urban Luzon; while sweeping the top 10 spots in Mega Manila.

Consistent top-rating Kapuso shows include the Network’s flagship newscast 24 Oras, followed by Daig Kayo ng Lola Ko, Pepito Manaloto, Magpakailanman and Celebrity Bluff.

Meanwhile, newly launched series Super Ma’am, with Marian Rivera-Dantes, immediately landed a spot in the list of most watched programs. Closely following is the returning hit musical game show All-Star Videoke, with Solenn Heussaff-Bolzico and Betong Sumaya.

Also making it to the list are Alyas Robin Hood, Mulawin vs. Ravena, My Korean Jagiya, Bubble Gang, Saksi, Eat Bulaga, Ika-6 na Utos, Impostora, Haplos, 
Tadhana, Imbestigador, Road Trip, Wowowin, and 24 Oras Weekend.

• • •

Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Oct. 5, go to Supreme Court Justice Consuelo Ynares-Santiago, Korina Sanchez, Liela Benitez-Simpson, Nelia Silverio, Ida Joseph, Tita Calalang, Karina “Bing” Baylon, Corazon G. Dizon, Karen Capina, Jet Ejercito, Inger Cuenco, Nanette Edillon, Bobby Rodrigo, Melody Anne Bonoan, Josephine Woodward, Roselle Vargas, Marilou Sanchez Catalucci, Danny Velasco, Virgie McAffrey, Elvis Trocio of DSWD, Mat Ranillo III, Rose Monaghan, Rolly Quizon, Danny Velasco and Star Magic’s Maja Salvador… Happy wedding anniversary to Nards and Sol CansanaOct. 6: Mrs. Ma. Victoria Araneta Concepcion, Letty M. Talag, Elena Chiongbian Young, Lou Bonnevie, Susan Joven, Carmen Dy-Liacco, Rosario Agustin, Jiggy Cruz, Lilibeth Josue, Marivic Tengco, Cory Gayon, Dona Rosario Savillano Ablan, Sonia Domingo Sadsad, Nonoy Orlina, Losario Delmar, Bro. Eddie Villanueva, Chef Joey Carbon, Ogie Mendoza, Mex Gonzales and Queen of Jazz Annie Brazil… Happy wedding anniversary to Manny and Lulu Geslani…Belated b-day greetings to Dexter Hubag and Arden Tubag (Oct. 4)… 

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