Francis Magundayao

Christmas is a season of gift-giving – particularly exchange gifts! It is also often said that Christmas is for the young kids or children. This is more appropriate as a way of celebrating the birth anniversary of Jesus Christ!

Three wise men from the East visited Jesus at His manger in Bethlehem when He was born, and offered the Holy Child valuable gifts.

“Exchange Gifts” is therefore a very appropriate show this Christmas season, a presentation of SRO Cinemaserye which begins airing on Thursday, Dec. 10 on GMA-7 following “Shining Inheritance.”

Dennis Trillo leads the cast in “Exchange Gifts,” with Nadine Samonte as Sharon, Ryza Cenon as Veronique, and Gene Padilla as Santa, and featuring child actor Francis Magundayao as EJ.

Dennis’ role is almost tailored to his being a young father for a two-year and six-month son whom he sired with a former beauty queen, Carlene Aguilar.

“I try to spend quality time with him,” Dennis said of his son. “His inclinations are now noticeable. He has artistic and musical inclinations!”

Dennis is only allowed to visit his son who is in the care of the child’s mother. “I’m still trying to find out what gift I must give to him,” Dennis said.

“This is the only Christmas that I do not have a love-life,” Dennis also revealed.

What about the mother of his son, what gift will Dennis be giving her this Christmas? Dennis did not answer the question. He also remained quiet when he was informed that the former beauty queen, the mother of his child was reportedly dating now another man!

In “Exchange Gifts,” Miguel (Dennis Trillo) is a workaholic and does not want to make a commitment to anything other than his work. However, his easygoing life suddenly turned upside down with the arrival of his nephew, EJ who now lives with him.

Miguel and EJ do not get along well, and this becomes even worse when EJ’s father dies and Miguel must now play the role of a guardian to EJ. But Miguel does not want to act as EJ’s father. Miguel now brings EJ to an orphanage shelter.

Along the way, Miguel and EJ engage in a debate, EJ refusing to go to the orphanage. Now here comes Santa who wants Miguel to find out how a child feels, and at the same time, to make EJ realize how does an adult person like Miguel also feels.

With his magic power, Santa takes the whole personality of Miguel and exchanges it with that of EJ who now occupies the body of Miguel. Hence, EJ becomes Miguel, and Miguel becomes EJ!

“Exchange Gifts” is a hilarious comedy, an enjoyable treat this Christmas Season!

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Club Mwah celebrates 5th year anniversary

The only Broadway-themed entertainment outlet in the Philippines “has finally arrived!” Actually, it achieved this status, awareness-wise, right after its opening in an unlikely area, along Boni Ave., Mandaluyong City. A saying goes that in business, if you survive after three years of existence, you’ve already made it. And for five years? You’re a big success!

Pocholo Malilin, co-owner of Club Mwah (he is the executive producer and vice president), said he and his business partner Cris Nicolas are so thankful to God that He allowed them to cross the initial barriers. “We could hardly make a break-even during our earlier operations, but it was passion – our deep passion for the artist – that sustained our determination to go one!” Pocholo said on our last visit to the place, with balikbayan guests from California, Rodrigo V. Palma and Roger Evangelista.

Our guests were awed by the production numbers, which were excerpts from the most loved Broadway musicals, by the entertaining spoofs of “Dream Girls,” “Phantom of the Opera,” “Masquerade,” “Jazz Hote,” “Cabaret” and “Miss Saigon” wherein a chopper replica lands onstage much like in London’s West End. Also impressive was the snappy choreography of “Cell Block Tango” which is a modified take of a dance sequence from the Catherine Zeta Jones/Rene Zellwegger starrer “Chicago.”

The star of the show, Pitimini, slipped in an out of various impersonations: Sarah Brightman, “Swan Lake,” “How Much is That Doggie,” and Kim in “Miss Saigon” which is her finale number.

For those who have not seen the Club Mwah theater yet, it was designed like any other world-class Broadway theater. You will be dazzled by its lighting and the state-of-the-art stage design.

Pocholo said that they designed the theater themselves. And so with the expensive costumes of the singers and dancers.

The costumes alone are dazzling. Pocholo said they were designed by his partner, Cris Nicolas. Cris is also the choreographer and director of the show.

“There were times Cris would also dance, when one of the girls fail to appear during the show,” Pocholo revealed. “And I also help sew the costumes or do needle work.”

An evening spent at the Club Mwah is more than worth your time. As it celebrates its 5th anniversary, more and more foreigners are now flocking to the club, an indication that its weekend productions, like the “Bedazzled” series and “Folies de Mwah,” aside from the excellent food it offers, is really world-class.

Needless to say, if people keep going back to Club Mwah, it’s because of the talented performers who can dance, act, sing and impersonate.

Club Mwah is the only theater/club bar accredited by the Department of Tourism as a must-see tourist destination but is also a party venue for birthdays, weddings, debuts, product launches and fund-raising shows.

By the way, the “Follies de Mwah” will go to Lanao de Norte in February 2010 upon the invitation of former Gov. Imelda Dimaporo, and also in Pangasinan, and Bacolod City for a Rotary event.

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Another Christmas anthem from balladeer Ariel Rivera

Romantic balladeer Ariel Rivera has come up with another Christmas anthem, “Narito Na Ang Pasko,” which was composed by respected Jesuit musician Fr. Manoling Francisco. Ariel’s previous successful Christmas song was “Sana Ngayong Pasko,” the theme song of GMA-7’s first ChristmaSerye of the same title which stars Ms. Susan Roces and Christopher de Leon among others.

“Narito Na Ang Pasko” is culled from Ariel’s special deluxe Christmas album entitled “Paskong Walang Katulad,” release by Sony Music Phils. The album also boasts of other good songs which include “Paskong Nagdaan,” “Like a Kid This Christmas,” “A Place Called Home” and “One More Gift.”

Said Ariel: “I am very proud of this album. The songs were carefully selected and they have distinct appeal that brings the best in everyone especially in this season of hope and love. This is my gift to those who continue to believe in Christmas and what it stands for – a very special gift of music filled with very personal family pictures through the years.”

The album, he added, took three years of planning and the result is an ideal Christmas 16-tract CD package especially designed by ace photographer Ronnie Salvacion and supervised by Ferdie Marquez. Produced by Noel Ferrer for Sony Music Phils., the album also includes the classic Ariel version of “Sana Ngayong Pasko” which has been revived by esteemed artists Sharon Cuneta, Lea Salonga, Jed Madela and others.

Indeed, Ariel Rivera’s Christmas album promises to be the top pick for this year’s Christmas gifts. “Paskong Walang Katulad” is now available in your favorite record bars. To download Ariel Rivera’s ringback tones, truetones, full-tract music from the album, just text SONY to 3456.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings on Dec. 10 go to Ms. Conchita Razon, Lydia Veneracion, Aristides J. Baluyut, Ramon Valencia, Eboy Tengco, Teddy Gordoncillo, Betty Francisco, Lota Reyes, Chit Gohu, Mrs. Aurora Cruz Romero, Elizabeth L.C. Chan, Lui Villaruz, Gil Baltazar, Johanna Villeta and Dr. Marvin Isidro of City College of Manila brother of Marjun Isidro and son of Atty. Marti B. Isidro. Happy wedding anniversary to Mayor Lando and Evelyn Salvador of Baliuag, Bulacan. Congratulations to Gerwin Lagana Villa for passing the teachers board exam. He recently graduated from Philippine Normal University.