We have less than a week to go before #romanceclass’ event at the Ayala Museum, and this is me inviting you all again to come join the fun! Here’s a list of what to expect:
See you at the Ayala Museum!
Review | PETA Theater’s The Tempest Reimagined
I walked into The Tempest Reimagined with only the vaguest idea of what the story was about. I already expected to drown in Shakespeare’s words like an inexperienced person was wont to do, but PETA’s masterfully written adaptation always managed to pull me back to shore.
Weaving two different stories from two different cultures, worlds (fiction vs. real life), and eras could not have been an easy feat, but the team behind The Tempest Reimagined made it look like a walk in the park. Special mention to Norbs Portales as the fisherman Jaime, who provided slivers of wisdom and laughter as the show’s narrator. He also tugged at my heartstrings toward the end of the show. (In short, umiyak ako.)
Topper Fabregas was hilarious, especially when he momentarily traded his Trinculo character to portray a masked foreign aid “god.” Kuya Bodjie Pascua‘s portrayal as Papa Bons was heartfelt and inspiring as usual. Seeing him in 3 Stars & a Sun in March made me want to watch him on stage again, so thanks, show! John Moran did a awesome job portraying the “monster” Caliban, while Neomi Gonzales, Gabriela Pangilinan, and Gio Gahol were enchanting as the elemental spirit Ariel. I’m a sucker for music so I always loved it when they played the instruments and sang. I wished there were more of that, actually.
I’ve always loved how PETA designs their stages, and The Tempest Reimagined‘s stage was no different. Almost bereft of color, the dominantly white stage was a great backdrop for the vibrant characters of the play. I also appreciated how functional everything was on stage, especially toward the end when the characters were, quite literally, building something new out of the ruins.
The play’s run was pretty limited (it closed yesterday, December 4th), and it made me sad to see a lot of empty seats when we came to watch. I hope this doesn’t discourage the company from bringing this closer to the viewing masses, one way or another. Every story needs to be seen and heard, and this one, most expecially, needs to be put out there for many others to enjoy and learn from.
Rating
PETA Theater’s The Tempest Reimagined was a magical attempt at putting Shakespeare in a perspective more relatable to the Filipino viewing public. It wasn’t perfect, but it was heart-wrenching and inspiring all the same. Kudos to everyone who made this production possible! Congratulations!
#FeelsFest: Spending Saturday in My Happy Place
video © Chi Yu Rodriguez
I’m not sure where to start with this blog post, to be honest, because I feel like I haven’t fully recovered from what happened last Saturday. But first things first: October 22nd was #FeelsFest day, a #romanceclass event held at the Glorietta 5 Atrium from 12 noon to 6 in the evening. There were books (lots of them–20 NEW TITLES in total!), cute merch (stickers, bookmarks, shirts, bags, mugs, decals), fun games, and, most importantly, the live readings.
The live readings.
*stares dreamily into the distance*
Right. Where were we?
*clears throat*
ON-AIR: #RomanceClass Podcast, Season Finale
So I thought it would be a great idea to share the last two episodes of the #romanceclass podcast the day before #AprilFeelsDay–because what better way to anticipate tomorrow’s live reading session than with excerpts from Chrissie Peria’s The Kitchen When it Sizzles and Anne Plaza’s In Over Her Head?
Without further ado, here are episodes 9 and 10 of this season’s #romanceclass podcast:
The Kitchen When it Sizzles by Chrissie Peria
SYNOPSIS
Olivia Nadal is an almost perfect girl with an almost perfect life. She has stunning good looks, an exciting job that pays well, men lining up to date her, and a homey little condo she calls her own. The only thing keeping her from perfection is her utter inability to cook.
Enter Nate Olivarez, a hotshot chef who’s filling in for Olivia’s cooking instructor. Sparks fly when they meet, but a fling with the visiting hottie is the last thing Olivia needs. But as things keep heating up in the kitchen, she can’t help but wonder. Can things work out between her and Nate? Or is the sizzle all set to fizzle?
The Kitchen When it Sizzles is available on Amazon and print. You may also find it at National Bookstore outlets nationwide.
Click on the Read More button for In Over Her Head by Anne Plaza.
ON-AIR: #RomanceClass Podcast, Part 4
Right, so I kinda slacked off for a few weeks and forgot to put up this update, sorry! It’s here now–the next two episodes of the #romanceclass podcast featuring The Boyfriend Backtrack by Dawn Lanuza and Finding X by Miles Tan.
Incidentally, both episodes were recorded live from the live reading session held during last year’s Filipino Reader Con at De La Salle University, Manila. If you want to have your own #romanceclass live reading experience, it’s your lucky day! #AprilFEELSDay is on April 17, 2016 at Pegi Waffle (San Juan Manila) and, you guessed it, we’re having another live reading sesh! More about that exciting event in the following days, but do save the date!
Anyway, here are this week’s episodes:
The Boyfriend Backtrack by Dawn Lanuza
SYNOPSIS
If they say that life flashes right before your eyes when you die, do you also get a flashback of your exes when your perfect boyfriend is proposing to you? At least that’s the case for Regina Cortez. There’s her dramatic high school boyfriend, her first college crush, the irresistible heart breaker, and the ever elusive one. By backtracking to her past, will Regina make it to ‘I Do’? Or will she just keep running away?
Dawn Lanuza’s The Boyfriend Backtrack on Amazon and at National Bookstore branches nationwide. You may also order the book straight from the author.
My review of The Boyfriend Backtrack is found here.
Click on the Read More button for Miles Tan’s Finding X.