Jinky Llamanzares as Ursula

MANILA, Philippines — Jinky Llamanzares plays evil Ursula in Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” which premieres today, Nov. 18, at the Meralco Theater. “So far, this is the most challenging role that I am playing in a musical,” Jinky said during the press conference held recently at Manila Ocean Park.

Jinky, who gained international fame via the Cameron Mackintosh award-winning musical “Miss Saigon,” also said she is so proud to be in the cast of “The Little Mermaid” which Atlantis Productions and Metrobank are presenting and which is topbilled by Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos. This is the musical’s first Asian production approved by Disney.

It has a cast of 350. There will be 24 shows, from Nov. 18 to Dec. 11.

One of the biggest musical productions to open in the Philippines this year, the musical also features over 150 costumes and numerous puppets created by Liz and Benny Batoctoy.

Disney’s “The Little Mermaid” is directed by Bobby Garcia and Chari Arespacochaga.

Calvin as King Triton

Also in the cast of “The Little Mermaid” is Calvin Millado, who initially just wanted to be a basketball player. But singing with the People, Precious and Few Choir in our parish church Good Shepherd Shrine in Fairview exposed him to the music world.

Before he knew it, he was already singing professionally, with Boy Abunda as his manager.

Before this, I used to book Calvin in shows that I co-produce at the Eduardo’s along Roxas Blvd. many years ago. When he met Boy, Calvin asked my opinion and I said he would be in good hands with Boy as his manager.

When he embraced singing as a career, Calvin said he envisioned himself singing in music lounges and hotels. He remembers having received P3,000 for his very first gig.

“Wow, sabi ko, malaki pala’ng kita sa singing.” He gave P500 to his mother, P500 to his grandmother and the remaining P500, “pinang-blowout ko sa mga friends ko,” he said.

His next assignment was a three-night singing stint at Ultra as front act for Patti Austin. He was paid P15,000 per night!

Since then Calvin has gone a long way. He started theater acting in 1997 via Ryan Cayabyab’s “Noli and Fili” at the CCP.

For Atlantis Productions, he has appeared in nine musicals, among them “Rent,” “Jesus Christ Superstar.”

There’s not much money in theater, but Calvin said “acting in theater is food for the soul.”

To augment his income, Calvin buys shows. He’s also in the restaurant business. He has two kids, Santi, 7, and Maya, 3, with wife Maffin.

In “The Little Mermaid,” Calvin plays King Triton.

Others in the cast are OJ Mariano as Sebastian, Lee Viloria as Flounder, Ikey Canoy as Scuttle, Felix Rivera as Flotsam, Jamie Barcelon as Jetsam and Raymond Concepcion as Grimsby.

Reintroducing the Something Special show band

They were very popular in the late ’70s and early ’80s and they went on to become the most awarded show band during that time. They were the New Minstrels, the second generation of “Asia’s Most Popular Showband.”

They later changed their format and assumed a new name, Something Special. They were the toast of the local entertainment scene as they performed in the most popular bars and music lounges of the era such as El Camarote, the Kachina Bar, Alibi Bar, Cusco Lounge, and Tavern on the Square among others.

As the New Minstrels, the group won 2nd place at the 3rd Metro Pop Music Festival for their song “Ikaw, Ako, Tayo Magkakapatid.”

When they finally put away their costumes and instruments, they pursued individual interests but because their love for music was always in their hearts, the members found themselves performing again. Their “Ultimate Minstrels Reunion Concert” held in June 2008 brought back old friends and loyal followers.

They decided it was time to regroup together with friends from the other New Minstrels groups and they were reinforced by other friends and supporters from other bands like Family Birth Control, Noah’s Ark, Firstborn, Channels, Human Race, Composed and Fat Babes.

Something Special performs every Friday night at 9 p.m. at Bistro Miyake along Annapolis St. in Greenhills.

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Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, Nov. 18, go to Elizabeth Maglipon, Glecy Cuazon, Sarsi Emmanuelle, Paulo Banga, Baby Go, Romy Reyes, Ching de Belen, Carrie Mapalo, Rudy Santos and Cathy D.C. de Alegre… Belated b-day greetings to Erlinda “Baby” Mendiola of San Pedro, Laguna (Oct. 24)…