Lean: A Filipino Musical by UP Manila Dramatista on May 12 and 13

Wazzup Pilipinas!

"The struggle for freedom is the next best thing to actually being free" -Lean Alejandro

27 year-old UP Diliman student and noted "iskolar ng bayan" named Leandro Alejandro was shot and killed in September 19, 1987. As the iconic student activist, Lean fought for national democracy in the university and in the nation. He is one of the unsung heroes who have sacrificed their lives during the turbulent days of the martial law. His life has defined an era of student activism and his work still inspires the youth today.

Students of the University of the Philippines, being a state-funded institution, are called “Iskolar ng Bayan” or People’s Scholars. The description gained political weight during the First Quarter Storm (FQS) in the 70s, a time of discontent by a generation of Baby Boomers. The description also carried with it the aphorism “Serve the people.”

Described as a Filipino left wing activist and nationalist, UP student leader Lean Alejandro actively fought the dictatorship in the 1980s. Lean became a member of the Youth for Nationalism and Democracy in 1980-81. In 1983, he was chosen as a President of its University Student Council (USC). After Benigno “Ninoy” Aquino Jr. – himself a fighter and hero and a great pride of the UP students– was assasinated, Lean left the University and went full time in the anti-Marcos struggle. In 1985, Lean was one of the founders of the left-wing umbrella organization BAYAN becoming it's Secretary-General. He was arrested and detained for two months and participated in the 1986 EDSA People Power Revolt after he was released. Post-EDSA Revolution, Alejandro ran for a seat at the Philippine House of Representatives for the small district Navotas-Malabon losing to Teresa Aquino-Oreta, the sister-in-law of then president Corazon Aquino. in a controversial and disputed election.

After losing in the election, Lean returned to his previous activities as secretary-general of nationalist organization Bagong Alyansang Makabayan. Lean openly criticized the 1987 coup d’tat that killed and injured innocent civilians. On 19 September 1987, after the failed coup attempt led by Col. Gregorio Honasan, Alejandro announced plans for a major demonstration against the return to fascism. Returning by car to the headquarters of BAYAN, he was fired upon by a gunman instantly killing Alejandro. One suspected that the assassination had been in the angle of Marcos loyalists from the Philippine Army, but no one was arrested for the assassination. Up to this untimely death, Lean offered his life to people’s movement, speaking in mass demonstrations, writing articles and discussing social issues inside the campus and in urban poor communities.

Lean’s multi-roles as activist, politician, friend, husband, son and father will be recreated in the forthcoming LEAN - A FILIPINO MUSICAL produced by UP Manila Dramatista.

The playdates are: MAY 12 - FRI. - 7 PM and MAY 13 - SAT. - 4 PM / 7 PM.

Venue: ADAMSON UNIVERSITY THEATER located at 900 SAN MARCELINO ST., ERMITA MANILA.

The cast are as follows: Kenneth Mangurit (Lean), Frances Mendoza (Lidy), Carlo Cabahug (Ka Tanny), Carmela Reyes (Bobby), Dean Lopez (Edward), Lalaine Quinan (Jojo(, Neil Suyat (Noli), Raffy Baybay (Chino) and Uriel Molina (Mr. Tim).

Don't fail to watch this musical about the turbulent 1980s written by Gary Granada, one of the Philippines' best composers of songs that evoke nationalism and pride in our country. In this musical play, Gary Granada remixed the tune of “UP Naming Mahal” in a contemporary rock version and gave it a new and more "nationalistic sounding" lyrics, reasserting the purpose of the Iskolar ng Bayan as a "Iskolar ng Sambayanan, Tagapaglingkod ng Taongbayan".

LEAN - A FILIPINO MUSICAL shall also feature powerful catchy songs that breathe new life to the many different characters and personas of the 1980s. Through song and dance, the musical not only tells the story of the influential student activist but also creatively re-imagines the loud cries of the masses.

The September 1997 original production of LEAN THE FILIPINO MUSICAL was produced by the Leándro L. Alejandro Foundation and the UP Student Council in cooperation with the UP Diliman Committee for Arts and Culture. The musical featured renowned artists like Chikoy Pura, Bayang Barrios, Cookie Chua, and Noel Cabangon. In 2013, it was restaged by the University of the Philippines Repertory Company (UP Rep) with youth activists Vencer Crisostomo of Anakbayan and Third Alub of the League of Filipino Students who both played the role of Lean.

For further details and tickets, please call 0906-427-3981 c/o Zoe Caballero.

APRIL 26 - PRESS PREVIEW
APRIL 28 - FRI. - 7 PM
APRIL 29 - SAT. - 4 PM / 7 PM
ADAMSON UNIVERSITY THEATER
900 SAN MARCELINO ST., ERMITA MANILA

Chuck Marbella Reprises His Role as the Engineer in Miss Saigon UK Tour 2017

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Christian Rey "Chuck" Marbella will play ( again... for the nth time ) the role of the Engineer in the forthcoming Miss Saigon UK Tour 2017.

He will be alternating for this role to be essayed by Red Concepcion.

Herewith is Chuck's theater career path....

Christian Rey "Chuck" Marbella
Alternate Engineer

Dance Background: Queen City Chamber Ballet, Cebu City, Philippines.

Theater includes: LunTha in The King and I ( Newport Performing Arts Theater Manila, Philippines and The Village Theater Washington, U.S.A. ) ; Ravana in Ballet Philippines' production of Rama Hari 2012 ( Cultural Center of the Philippines, Manila ); Peter in Jesus Christ Superstar ( The Village Theater, Washington U.S.A. ); The Full Monty; Show Boat; Beauty and The Beast ( all for The Village Theater, Washington U.S.A. ) and Cinderella ( Newport Performing Arts Theater Manila, Philippines ) just to name a few.

Other work includes: Schonberg and Boublil's :Do You Hear The People Sing (A Benefit Concert at the Newport Performing Arts Theater Manila, Philippines); Friends in Music ( The Peninsula Hong Kong's 85th Anniversary Celebration ); West End Benefit Concert ( Cebu City, Philippines ); Special Guest Artist : 4th of July Celebration of the American Chamber of Commerce Cebu Chapter ( Marriott Hotel Cebu, Philippines ).

Christian Rey is no stranger to touring closing the 2nd U.K. TAM Tour in 2006 playing Thuy. He is ecstatic for his next tour of duty and to be continuing his journey with Miss Saigon, after doing it in 5 different productions ( Manila, Asian Tour, 1st U.K. Tour, 2nd U.K. Tam Tour and the West End London Revival 2016 (as Alternate Engineer).

MISS SAIGON tells the story of young bar girl named Kim, orphaned by war, who falls in love with Chris, an American GI – but their lives are torn apart by the fall of Saigon.

MISS SAIGON has music by Claude-Michel Schönberg with lyrics by Richard Maltby Jr. and Alain Boublil, adapted from original French lyrics by Alain Boublil, with additional lyrics by Michael Mahler.

The new production is directed by Laurence Connor with musical staging by Bob Avian and additional choreography by Geoffrey Garratt. Production design is by Totie Driver and Matt Kinley based on an original concept by Adrian Vaux; costume design by Andreane Neofitou; lighting design by Bruno Poet; sound design by Mick Potter; and orchestrations by William David Brohn.

Since its London premiere in 1989, Cameron Mackintosh’s production of Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg’s epic musical MISS SAIGON has become one of the most successful musicals in history.

The original Broadway production of MISS SAIGON opened on April 11, 1991 with what was the largest advance sale in Broadway history ($37 million). The show went on to play for nearly ten years and 4,063 performances seen by more than 5.9 million people. MISS SAIGON has been performed in 28 countries, over 300 cities in 15 different languages, has won over 40 awards including 2 Olivier Awards, 3 Tony Awards, and 4 Drama Desk Awards and been seen by over 35 million people worldwide.

Here is the schedule: 

Curve Leicester - 3 July – 22 July 2017; 

Birmingham Hippodrome - 26 July – 23 September 2017; 

Bord Gais Energy Theatre, Dublin - 4 October - 18 November; 

Wales Millennium Centre, Cardiff - 29 November 2017 – 6 January 2018; 

Festival Theatre Edinburgh - 17 January – 17 February 2018; 

Mayflower Southampton - 21 February – 17 March 2018.

SM Men Summer 2017 Collection

Wazzup Pilipinas!

GARDEN STATE

SM Men dresses up in foliage for summer.

The SM Men Summer '17 Collection takes us back to Copacabana, a hotel in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil described in the similar-titled song as "the hottest spot North of Havana." The song describes a 1970s club showgirl sporting yellow feathers in her hair, and the men involved in her affairs. If that Copacabana setting was today, we imagine those men wearing pieces from this SM Men collection.

Inspired by the unending summertime vibe and retro foliage aesthetic of tropical locales such as Rio and Havana, Cuba, where men are able to emasculate botanical elements and incorporate them into dapper clothing. Tropicana has long been a recurring in fashion, yet its place in menswear has long been left for the fashionably bold—thankfully, palates have been skewed to accommodate nature prints in menswear fit for just about any kind of man. SM Men Summer '17 Collection provides a wide range of tropical prints and complementing pieces that hits the right notes for the summer.

Starting the season with a fresh palate, SM Men features short-sleeves polos with lush leaves and foliage prints in cool-toned palettes, complemented by drawstring cropped shorts in both printed and plain summer colors. Worn together as complete coordinates, clashing prints or complementing pieces, the collection is versatile enough to wear in summer cityscapes or tropical nature spots.

Until May 31, buy any three (3) regular-priced items to get P100 off on these brands: Baleno, Bo Athletics, Code Blue, Coco Republic, Men’s Club, Sportsclub and Maxwear.

Visit facebook.com/SMMensfashion or @SM_Men on Twitter and Instagram at for more details.