It’s every singer’s dream role - to play the legendary Edith Piaf on stage. And for award-winning stage, TV and film actress Pinky Amador, playing Piaf in the musical presentation of Atlantic Productions is a feat, an achievement to highlight her 30th year in the business.
To prepare herself for the role, Pinky researched about her and listened to her songs. “I really studied her life story. She was born in the street, grew up in the street, worked the streets that’s why uncouth, magaspang siya before she became literate and sophisticated. It’s really a very challenging role for me, dramatically and all. We’ll do a lot of singing – and a lot of kissing! Watch out for this - I will be kissing everyone, and especially Giselle Töngi-Walters who plays Marlene Dietrich, Edith’s ‘special friend!’ G is so good! We were together in her first movie, and we’re together again in her first musical. We’ll be singing together ‘La Vie En Rose,’” Pinky gushed.
“We even went to visit Edith Piaf’s grave in France, and an amazing discovery was that 50 years after her death, people still go to her grave to show their respect. At umiiyak sila, like a man na nakasabay namin, he was really crying,” Pinky related. They also went to her museum.
A few of the songs in the musical will have a paragraph or two in French, so Pinky has to learn to speak the language. “Just to give it a French flavor,” she said. Pinky was last seen on stage in “The Sound of Music.” She also appeared in “You Can Never Tell,” a creative development project for Coloma Projects in Sydney, Australia.
“Piaf,” which opens today, March 8 and runs till March 24, at the Carlos. P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in Makati City, is directed by Bobby Garcia, who marks his 20th year as stage director this year. “I’ve been obsessed with Edith Piaf for several years now,” he said. “Her music speaks directly to me somehow and I have read every book there is about her. It has been a thrill working with the fantastic ensemble of ‘Piaf,’ each and everyone a brilliant and dynamic actor.”
They are Ima Castro, Jamie Wilson, Reuben Uy, Altair Alonso, Nel Gomez, Mako Alonso, Hans Eckstein and Sandino Martin.
• • •
3rd La Laguna Festival... The Festival Of Life
“I am inviting one and all to come and enjoy with us the 3rd La Laguna Festival which begins today, March 8 and winds up on the 17th. It’s a once in a lifetime joyful experience!” Thus said Laguna Gov. Jeorge “ER” Ejercito.
Gov. ER, who produced and starred in the well-acclaimed movies,“El Presidente” and “Manila Kingpin: The Asiong Salonga Story,” has transformed Laguna from a low-class category to one that is now booming with developments in all aspects of social and economic growth.
The La Laguna Festival, which was launched in 2011, was awarded as the “Best Tourism Event” in the province.
Why “La Laguna”? Gov. ER said that the Spanish article “la” (the) emphasizes the importance of Laguna as a true traveler’s paradise and the promotion of the province as an investment haven complementing the 15-point program of Gov. ER’s “Bagong Laguna, Una Sa Lahat!”
The governor stressed that the festival also focuses on the rehabilitation and preservation of the Laguna de Bay, as the “very stuff of life.”
From 63 activities last year, there are now 72, among which are Cheer Dance Competition, Laguna’s Wonder Gay Talent Competition, Choral Festival, Motor Bike Show, Lantern Flying Event, Longest Inihaw Na Pangasius, and Fun Ride of ERiders, Fluvial and Land Float Parades, Dragon Boat Race, Trade Fair, Binibining Laguna Beauty Pageants and Cook Fests.
Gov. ER noted that the La Laguna Festival is a declaration of the Lagunenos’ commitment for the province to be the best to visit, to invest in, and to live in!
The festival, the governor added, is about people coming together and having fun... and revelry!
• • •
Bryan Termulo, Getting To Be A Hot Star
Bryan Termulo is fast becoming one of the hottest stars in the local showbiz industry both in the field of singing and acting. He is now about to take his career to yet another level with his first-ever solo concert called “Bryan XXV Termulo Birthday Concert” this March 9 at the Music Museum. The concert will also feature KZ Tandingan, Bugoy Drilon, Liezel Garcia and Melai Cantiveros.
Bryan is also set to appear in the upcoming ABS-CBN teleserye “Against All Odds” featuring Judy Ann Santos and KC Concepcion.
When asked about how he maintains his good looks, Bryan is never shy in acknowledging his secret in keeping his skin clear and smooth. “I’ve been using Erase Plantcenta soap for a few years now and it has worked wonders for me,” says the young heartthrob.
This is one of the reasons Erase Plancenta chose Bryan to be its spokesperson and brand ambassador. “We truly believe in Bryan’s potential both as an actor and a singer, that’s why Erase Plantcenta is all out in supporting his projects,” says Marc Gamboa of Erase Plantcenta.
Aside from the concert at Music Museum, Bryan will also headline the Erase Concert Series starting in Legaspi, Albay (at Bicol Unviersity) on March 16. He will be joined by rapper Abra and rising star Rox Puno.
Erase Plantcenta is available at Watsons, Shopwise and other leading stores nationwide.
• • •
Tidbits: Happy b-day greetings today, March 8, go to former Senators Ramon Revilla, Sr. and Robert “Sonny” Jaworski, Ms. Lenny Parto, Sarah Balabagan, Chiquita Atienza, Ed dela Luna, Col. Apolonio Reyes, Billy C. Ramirez, Juanico J. Dizon, Carmelita J. Fernandez, Onix Ador, Mary Joy Rodriguez, Maricar Rizza Nueno, Barbs Atienza-Soliven, Ernel Acosta, Aida Fernandez, Renato “Boy” Samson and Bryan Termulo… Happy wedding anniversary to Danny and Lilia Cruz; Joey and Maylene Olabre…