“Magsimula Ka!” is being staged anew thanks to esteemed stage couple Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez who were in the cast of the musical when it was first staged almost three decades ago under the collaborative efforts of director Nestor U. Torre Jr., composer/lyricist Gines Tan and arranger Ryan Cayabyab. Robert and Isay have intended the musical to be their performing arts school’s (Spotlight Artists Centre) first major production. This time, however, they work not as the stars but behind the scene, as director and producer, respectively.

“Magsimula Ka!,” staged at the CCP Bulwagang Gantimpala (now Tanghalang Huseng Batute), featured a powerhouse cast of established artists as well as a handful of unknown but talented thespians that included Robert and Isay, all eager to prove their worth. They were all so good that when auditions were conducted for the original London production of “Ms. Saigon,” most of those who passed came from only two musical theater boot camps, Repertory Philippines and “Magsimula Ka!”

After proving their mettle via “Ms. Saigon” and other acclaimed international stage productions, the Seña couple (who are blessed with three children) went on to become mainstream TV/movie actors, concert performers, recording artists and educators. Robert did “Idol” for ABS-CBN and was recently awarded the Best Actor (Musical) award for PETA’s “Juan Tamad at Limang Milyong Boto” at the 23rd Aliw Awards. Isay, who appeared in “Tanging Yaman,” “Momay,” and the Star Cinema flick “I Do,” is now in another ABS-CBN teleserye, “Juanita Banana.”

Robert and Isay are supported in the re-staging of “Magsimula Ka!” by co-producers Carl Balita and Tricia Amper-Jimenez. The musical, which stars Ciara Sotto, DJ Myke Solomon, Poppert Bernadas and Fred Lo, will be shown at Music Museum with playdates on Nov. 17, 18, 19, 20, 24, 25, 26, 27 and Dec. 2, 3 and 4 at 8 p.m., with matinees on Nov. 20, 27 and Dec. 4.

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Ahron Villena is new face of Walker

The new face of Walker is no less than former MTB TV Idol Ahron Villena, who’s also one of “Survivor Philippines: Celebrity Edition” castaways. At 23, Ahron rose to the “Survivor” challenge, being fit and dapper and adventurous.
The announcement of Ahron as Walker’s new celebrity endorser came with the launch of Walker’s latest collection. And as to why he was chosen, the Walker company execs said, “Ahron’s virile image and boyish charm makes him one of today’s hottest multi-media personalities. These, aside from his very active lifestyle, embrace the masculine spirit that Walker embodies. We are very proud to welcome him to the Walker family.”

After winning the “TV Idol Ur D’Man” talent search in ABS-CBN’s noontime show “MTB: Ang Saya-Saya” in 2004, he did a brief co-hosting stint in the show, after which he was taken as member of the Star Magic family. Ahron was in the cast of “Hiram” which starred Kris Aquino and Heart Evangelista.

As a newbie during his “Hiram” days, Ahron admitted to being star-struck. “It wasn’t easy being amidst such big stars as Kris Aquino, Dina Bonnevie, Heart Evangelista and the really iconic stars like Rosemarie Gil and Pilar Pilapil. I’d be so nervous that I ended up bungling my lines.”

He became a freelancer in 2007, the year he officially moved to GMA.

Ahron signed up with Arnold Vegafria’s talent management agency, ALV Talent Circuit.

The full-blooded Batangueño finished a degree in Hotel & Restaurant Administration at the Trinity College of Asia and was also an active Sangguniang Kabataan Chairman in his Barangay San Jose Sico, Batangas City.

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Model students join stars in LEEberation

Model students from Ateneo, La Salle-CSB, UP and UST, joined celebrities Bianca Manalo, Rich Herrera and Priscilla Meirelles and “PBB Teen Edition” stars James Reid, Ryan Bang and Ivan Dorschner during the recent Lee Jeans Rocks Fashion Week show billed as “LEEberation Day,” held at the SM Mall of Asia Atrium with their campaign of Own the Moment – individualism that borders on rebellion – Lee has harnessed the raw creative power of the collective design minds from the four universities.

For six weeks, guided by seasoned fashion insiders, the fashion army of 20 (with five students per university), underwent intensive design training and exercise.

Ateneo came up with a collection called Crystal Laundry; De La Salle-CSB, Tropfest; UP, Brooklyn; and UST, Midnight Rider.

Lee has always been at the forefront of innovation. With Diamond Cut, conventional patterns are readjusted to enhance every figure.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 15, go to Doris Trinidad, Lita A. Luga, Larry Inocando, Ms. Fe Barrias, Nathalie Nicole M. Dela Cruz, Sharon Lim Dulay-de Joya, Engr. Albert Leonido, Marivee Macugay and Tristan Reese Eugenio...