Lea Salonga

Lea Salonga made our day last Wednesday (Nov. 25) when she sang, as usual in her confident and irrepressible style the poignant “Memory,” the song that made the Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Cats” one of the best-loved musicals of all time, during a media launch presented by LunchBox Theatrical Productions, David Atkins Enterprises & Concertus in association with The Really Useful Group and Citi at the Dusit Thani Manila’s Ballroom A, which was spruced up as a mini-theater venue so simulate a “Cats” atmosphere.

The luncheon event was to announce the Manila premiere of “Cats (Now and Forever)” with our very own Lea leading an international cast. The musical will be performed for a strictly limited season at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines starting on July 24, 2010.

It is recalled that “Cats” was first staged in London on May 11, 1981 by Cameron Mackinstosh and Lloyd Webber’s The Really Useful Group. The musical was then directed by Trevor Nunn, the renowned Royal Shakespear Company director. The musical went on to win a record-breaking number of awards worldwide, including two Olivier Awards for “Musical of the Year” and “Outstanding Achievement of the Year in Musicals” and seven Tony Awards.

The year after its London debut, on Oct. 7, 1982, “Cats” opened on Broadway to rave reviews as well, and it went on to become the longest-running musical in the history of both West End and Broadway until it was overtaken by “The Phantom of the Opera” on Broadway, followed by “Les Miserables” claiming the West End title in October that year. “Cats” played for 18 years on Broadway, closing on Sept. 10, 2000 and ending its West End run on its 21st birthday on May 11, 2002. However a touring production continues to this day to play to capacity audiences in the USA.

“Cats” has been presented in 10 languages in 300 cities in over 26 countries, including such diverse destinations as Buenos Aires, Seoul, Helkinski and Hong Kong where it toured in 1994.

Considered a unique and inspiration musical, “Cats” is based on the book of poems “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats” by T. S. Eliot and which was first published in 1939. Although originally intended for children by the author, the poems turned out to be equally appealing and amusing to adults.

After almost 70 years, the story and characters of “Cats” still appeals immensely to audiences of any age and background.

Andrew Lloyd Webber with a little adaptation, used the poems as lyrics and set them to music to create the musical. The inclusion of elements from Eliot’s other unpublished writings brought to life the glamour cat Grizabella (to be played by Lea Salonga in the Manila production) who provided the pivotal storyline for the musical.

“Cats” tells the story of a tribe of Jellicle Cats as they gather together for the annual Jellicle Ball, where one by one they tell their stories for the entertainment of Old Deutoronomy, who must choose one of the Casts to journey to the Heavyside Layer to be “reborn” into a new life.

(By the way, for every ticket purchase of “Cats” from Nov. 3 to Dec. 31. P250 will go directly to the Philippine National Red Cross in celebration of Ms. Rosa Rosal’s 60th year with the company.)

“Cats” in Manila is presented by Citi and supported by Infinity, and powered by Smart, with OOCL as the official Ocean Carrier and Dusit Thani Manila as official hotel, and all youth channel as official marketing arm. Media partners are ETC, 2nd Avenue, Jack TV, Manila Bulletin, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Philippine Star, Business World, U92, 105.1 Crossover, 106 Dream FM, and RX 93.1.

‘Lea Salonga… Your Songs’

Meanwhile, before “Cats” premieres in Manila, we can look forward to Lea’s very special concert, “Lea Salonga… Your Songs” to be held at the PICC Plenary Hall on Dec. 11-12. The concert is being presented by Ambient Manila which also produced last year’s “Lea… My Life… On Stage” which won the 2008 Aliw Awards for Best Director, Best Musical Director and Best Major Concert for Female. AmbientMedia also produced the recent successful concert “Quick Change” which featured Jon Santos and The CompanY.

AmbientMedia is a media and entertainment company whose aim is to bring the talents of both artists and entrepreneurs together to create things that last in the memory of their audience.

In “Lea Salonga… Your Songs,” which will be directed By Bobby Garcia, with Gerard Salonga as musical director, Lea will sing your requested songs so if you want to be part of her repertoire, send your requested songs through her website at www.LEAyoursongs.com.

“Lea Salong… Your Songs” promises to be an evening of musical surprises that will surely thrill and delight the audience.

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Katrina Halili recovers

With Dr. Hayden Kho stripped of his license to practice medicine, Katrina Halili, on the other hand, has apparently recovered from the almost insurmountable sex video ordeal she suffered. The then teary-eyed young actress has evolved into a strong character, and according to her, she is again brave enough to face the world.

“I am now ready to accept projects such as ‘live’ shows,” Katrina said during a brief interview after she performed at “SOP – Fully Charged,” an enhanced Sunday noon show of GMA-7.

Katrina practically disappeared from the public eye for several months after the sex video scandal.

“Up to now, he hasn’t said ‘I am sorry’ yet.” Katrina was referring to Hayden Kho.

“I was so broke for a while,” she confessed. “Thanks to God, there were kind-hearted people who brought me food and financial assistance at home.”

For some people, Katrina became like a hot potato they would not even dare to touch with a 10-foot pole. Katrina is cast in “Stairway To Heaven” which winds up this December, and in “Darna,” which will end in February 2010. Both shows are produced by GMA-7.

Unknown to many, Katrina owns a 13-hectare property in Palawan.

“I’m developing it little by little,” she said. “It will be a resort or a vacation spot,” she said, her eyes beaming with pride. “It will be the place where I will be spending most of my time in-between my work as an actress. It is where I will retire.”

Katrina also added: “I will make it a self-sufficient spot – where I can have almost all the things I need, like fruits, vegetables, a swimming pool, fresh air, among others.”

Indeed Katrina has evolved from her tragic past into a new life!

“SOP – Fully Charged” is a three-hour GMA-7 Sunday afternoon show starting at 12 noon. It casts practically all GMA-7 talents which make televiewers enjoy the show they really deserve to watch.

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Edu’s qualifications questioned

I almost clapped out loud while I was watching Edu Manzano accept his Vice Presidential nomination on live television recently. One line from his speech resonated in me: “In questioning my qualifications for the vice presidency simply because of one of my professions (being an actor/ television host), my detractors virtually made a wholesale condemnation of those in the entertainment industry as being unfit and incapable of providing competent leadership to our people. What they probably do not realize is that in effect, they also question the intellectual capacity of everyday Filipinos to decide who their leaders should be.”

Edu could not have articulated it any better. Yes, we all know quite a few politicians, and perhaps an even greater number of entertainment personalities in public service whose performance are not up to par with the expectations of those who voted for them. But everything depends on the individual running for office. Edu’s stint as Vice Mayor of Makati for three years and Chairman of the Optical Media Board for close to six years plus his educational and professional background should be enough assurance that he can perform well as Gilbert Teodoro’s running mate.

His “Game Na” attitude always produces results which fits well with the position of Vice President, essentially an executive post. Those who have reservations about his qualifications to take on the position of VP should take a closer look at the awards and commendations Edu has received through the years in the performance of his different jobs.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Nov. 29 go to Gilberto Duavit, Evangeline Pascual, Raymond Lauchengco, Ricardo Silverio, Charminia Banal, Tanini Serrano-de Leon, Lani Leabres, Rafael Teotico, Purita Galano, Ms. Mel A. Celeste, Atty. Ester Sison Cruz, Gen. Jose Calimlim and Bishop Filomeno Bactol of Biliran Province. Condolence to Ms. Redgie Magno on the death of her beloved mom Mrs. Adoracion Acuña last Friday, Nov. 27. Wake is at Premier B Chapel at the Loyola Memorial Park in Marikina City.