“Giselle” Returns To Celebrate Ballet Philippines’ Sapphire Year on Sept. 19-21

Wazzup Pilipinas!

In a special repeat performance, Ballet Philippines’ highly celebrated restaging of “Giselle” returns this September 19-21 to the CCP Main Theater. The beloved romantic ballet is once again being restaged by the Philippines’ premier danseur, Nonoy Froilan to start off the Blue Moon Series, a two-week fundraising series celebrating the company’s sapphire milestone.

Stella Abrera and James Whiteside from the American Ballet Theatre will perform as Giselle and Albrecht on the fundraising gala on September 19. That evening’s performance will also feature live accompaniment by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine.

Ballet Philippines principal dancers Katherine Trofeo and Jean Marc Cordero, as well as newly promoted soloist Denise Parungao and junior principal dancer Earl John Arisola will reprise their roles of Giselle and Albrecht for the other 4 shows in the production’s one-weekend run.

The 2013 restaging of “Giselle” earned recognition at the Philstage Gawad Buhay awards, winning the trophies for Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Classical Dance, Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance for Jean Marc Cordero, and Female Featured Performance in Classical Dance for Rita Winder.

Red Turnip Theater Sets Re-Run of "Cock" from Oct. 3 - 5

Wazzup Pilipinas!

John, M, W and F are back.

After making a splash during its Manila premiere last February, Red Turnip Theater is bringing back the Olivier Award-winning play "Cock" for a limited one weekend re-run this October. Mike Bartlett's comedy about sexual identity was a surprise smash, playing to packed houses and critical acclaim. It also marked the directorial debut of Rem Zamora who created a stir with his "innovative" (PEP.ph) and "creative" (Business World) staging; a bare stage with only his four actors and Bartlett's witty script.

REM ZAMORA: "We always knew we had a fantastic script. When we first read Cock, I was on the floor. It was hilarious. It was also a little painful, cause it was so real. What I didn't expect was the huge reception we got after we opened. There was so much buzz! Our houses filled up quickly and people really took to the show. People talked and debated over it. In fact, people are still talking about it! That's why we knew we had to bring it back. Everyone who had come to the show wanted to see it again and those who had missed it the first run were begging for a re-run."

"Cock" centers around a man (John) who must choose between his gay lover (M) and the woman (W) he's slowly falling in love with. Adding confusion to the mix is M's father (F) who is hell-bent on preserving his son's homosexual relationship. The four decide to meet for an ill-fated dinner and that's when all hell breaks loose. The show has been hailed as "a 90 minute whirlwind of language and deft theatrics, a human battle royale..." (The Philippine Star)

Wazzup Pilipinas Original Short Stories Series: Faith Brought Us, Faith Broke Us

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Ryan already had a feeling that the picture he saw in Lucille’s house but he didn’t really think about it because he thought that it was nothing. But in the end, his instincts were right. The familiar faces in the picture are Ryan’s real dad and his dad’s second wife. The wife was familiar because before her mom’s accident, she and her dad’s wife are talking and he saw her slap his mom. He also blames the wife for his mom’s death.

When Ryan saw the pictures, he didn’t even want to see Lucille’s face because it reminded him of the tragic past he had to experience. He didn’t talk to Lucille and their friends. He also doesn’t want to see his dad and his dad’s wife because he blames them to what happened to his mother.

After Ryan confessed everything to Lucille, he walked away from her, leaving Lucille brokenhearted and crying. Deep inside, he doesn’t want to break up with her but he has to do it for his sake. He really loves her and he felt guilty because of what he had done. He thought that Lucille is not the reason but her mom is and he can’t stand it.

Please read on below to appreciate our short story for today.