Cheska Iñigo

Remember Cheska Iñigo of “Bagets 2” fame? She was only 12 when she did “Bagets 2” (along with Eula Valdez and Yayo Aguila among others) but then after a little while, she faded out of the scene. Domesticity (at 16!) snatched her from the showbiz limelight. Well, she’s back but not in a movie project but on stage. Yes, after 25 years, Cheska goes back to stage acting, which is actually her first true love. She plays the female lead in the musical “Spring Awakening,” which is now on its third week of showing at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. The Tony Award winning musical continues Atlantis Productions’ 10th anniversary season.

In “Spring Awakening,” Cheska plays what she considers the most challenging role (roles actually because as the Female Adult Figure, she essays five different characters) in her entire acting career. “In this musical, I get to change into five different costumes but that wasn’t what makes my performance distinct – but the changes from within me,” she told us during the press conference of the musical at Capriciosa Rest. in Connecticut, Greenhills.

“It is no joke to play five different women – mothers, some supportive, others ignorant or negligent, a piano teacher and an instructor who couldn’t care less about her students – in one piece. The challenge lies in making each role distinct from the rest. I was so excited when the project was offered me. It’s an opportunity that comes only once in a lifetime,” Cheska shared. “That’s what I love in acting – it gives me the opportunity to explore, to be another person, another character. And for ‘Spring Awakening,’ I wanted to discover the characters on my own so I didn’t want to watch the show on video.”

An additional motivation for her in doing “Spring Awakening” was that “it is a musical that my children can relate to. They’ve seen it on 90210 and in fact in the beginning they were more excited than I was for me to do this.” But of course, she accepted the role for her love of the theater. “Theatre is a different form of fulfillment,” she stressed. “It keeps you on your toes. The rush you get after a performance cannot be replicated in film or television. That connection you gain with the audience is almost electric.”

Cheska started in theater when she was only 11 years old (she’s a contemporary of Lea Salonga). She was seen playing various roles in “Night of the Iguana,” “South Pacific” and “Fiddler in the Roof.” After that she did “Bagets 2,” the youngest among the stars. A few years later, she got married.

In 2006, Cheska appeared in “Mga Anghel na Walang Langit,” an ABS-CBN show, and the movie “Eternity” under GMA Films. She has guested in the popular teleserye “May Bukas Pa” and “Sana Maulit Muli.”

Cheska has three children, the oldest now 21 years old, the youngest is 13 and the middle child is 15, a girl. She went to college when she already had them. She took up B.S. Psychology at Assumption Convent. Why Psychology? “Because people fascinates me, and it’s interesting interacting with them,” she answered. And it is a course that she could use in her relationship with her children, she added.

As to why she married early, she said “everything happens for a reason. She doesn’t regret anything she did in life, “but I learned my lessons well.”

For five years, Cheska taught Pilates. She and her husband of 18 years (they are now divorced but in good terms) also had several business concerns in Boracay.

Sitti, also in ‘Spring Awakening’

Bossa nova queen Sitti is also in the cast of “Spring Awakening,” playing the role of Martha. In the recent past, Sitti has appeared on stage, playing Mary Walter in the one-night-only staging of “Katy the Musical.” This, plus acting work in various TV programs prepared the singer for her role in “Spring Awakening.”

During the press conference, Sitti said, “I have always wanted to do theatre. I’m fascinated by the raw emotions of stage acting, which is very different from TV acting. I looked forward to being Martha, to lose myself completely in the role, to be coached, to be a better actor, to meet and bond with the cast and crew.”

Martha, the conservative friend to leads Moritz and Wendla is, for Sitti “simple at first, but really there is a lot of depth and character to her. She’s ultra conservative, obedient yet very brave, and resilient.” It is a character Sitti sees in young people today and hopes to share with the greater public through the musical.

“Spring Awakening,” based on one of the most controversial pieces of literature that was banned for 100 years, is the tale of teenagers on the road to self-discovery. Written by Duncan Sheil and Steven Sater, “Spring Awakening” is the winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical.

The musical will run till Oct. 18. A little warning: Due to explicit content and some nudity, parental discretion is advises.

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Casa y Jardin bazaar

The Catholic Women’s Club is presenting two bazaars this month, on Oct. 11 and 18 at the grand ballroom of Hotel Intercontinenal Manila, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. As always, a special feature will be the sale of a limited edition Mother & Child porcelain plate. Now on its 24th series, the featured artist for this year is Jose Blanco.

Another feature of the bazaar is the sale of maid’s uniforms sewn by women who were taught sewing skills through CWC’s initiative. The club funded the building of a social hall and purchased sewing machines to provide employment to housewives living at Gawad Kalinga communities in Manila.

To be sold are a wide variety of products – from Christmas decors to branded clothes (export overruns), to antiques, jewelry, houseware, bags, clothing accessories, shoes and slippers, toys and many others. At the popular Gold Elephant table will be sold various items donated by generous members and which will be sold at give-away prices.

In partnership with Gawad Kalinga, CWC’s thrust this time is to build at least 30 houses for marginalized families in Taguig, with the assistance of Taguig Mayor Dante Tinga.

The CWC, which supports more than 90 charitable organizations including Elsie Gaches Village, Alabang Hospice, and Good Shepherd, is headed by Nonie Basilio as president. The bazaar committee is composed of Nikki Valerio, chairperson; Ane Preysler, Carol Yao and Mimi Valerio, co-chairpersons; and Nina Dizon, Tessie Rodrigo, Letty Hahn, Rose Lazaro, Shirley Uy, Nenuca Blardony, Baby Gloria, Mely Magsino, Tess Castro, Karen Macasaet, Nena Casimiro, Maripaz Godinez, Milo Bondoc, Sol Tan Gatue, Alice Briones, Baby de Villa, Aleli Sevilla, Evelyn Ranada, Carmina Mantecon, Nene Leonor and Mabel Abano.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Oct. 8 go to former child actor Arnold Gamboa, Marissa Albert, Atty. Michael Abundo, Gerry A. Sarino, Lily Maliwanag, Dax Mikael G. Inting, Kim Martillano, Ralph Ellery Jake Hane Regala, Mike Raleigh, Brigida “Vida” Somera, Bro. Joe Corral, Bible study lecturer at Missionaries of Mary, Dawnie B. Roa, Dr. Nehemiah Velasco, Aida Lagarejos and showbiz columnist Allan Diones.