Category: Performance Arts

BEING SOFIA: Ikarus’ First-Ever Desktop Film Series (A Review)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: #Philippines, Performance Arts

I miss watching local theater in Manila, and I can still remember the last show we watched, Next to Normal by Blue Rep. Being Sofia is not a live performance but more of a film series shot with the pandemic in Manila as setting, featuring the aspirations and socially distanced relationships of the younger generation. … Continue reading BEING SOFIA: Ikarus’ First-Ever Desktop Film Series (A Review)

Beautiful! The Carole King Musical Manila (Review)

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

YES! I still can’t believe that Beautiful: The Carole King Musical is now playing in Manila! It’s on top of my Broadway musical bucket list ever since I missed watching it in Broadway and West End. Watching it in Manila was extra special because it was more relatable with the Manila cast, and we witnessed Kyla … Continue reading Beautiful! The Carole King Musical Manila (Review)

The Weight of Words: A Millennial Mental Health Monologue

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

I didn’t know what to expect when we watched this show. After the monologue, your mind was stimulated, but still it needed time to process the depth of storytelling and theatre artistry of Abner and the Black Canvas team. This is the kind of show that we need to talk about now before another friend … Continue reading The Weight of Words: A Millennial Mental Health Monologue

“Angels in America” Manila (Review) @ATEGasia

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

I must be honest. There would be two types of theater goers after watching the award-winning Angels in America by American playwright Tony Kushner: the one who would rave about the theatrical perfection of this groundbreaking masterpiece, and the one who got bored to death. For some, they need to know what it is all about … Continue reading “Angels in America” Manila (Review) @ATEGasia

Eto na! Musical nAPO! (The Final Extension) Review

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

I almost missed watching this show—Eto na! Musical nAPO!—and I’m glad that we were still able to catch the final extension of the second run (until April 7 only). It was one of the best original Filipino musicals we watched that really touched us with its inspiring message of pursuing your passion against all odds … Continue reading Eto na! Musical nAPO! (The Final Extension) Review

Stellar on Reel: Pole Dancing, Aerial Skills, and Sexy Striptease! @PolecatsManila

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

Polecats Manila, the country’s premier aerial school, is showcasing their student athletes in a recital entitled “Stellar on Reel”. The 5th annual students show features pole dancing tricks, aerial silk lifts, aerial hoop inversions and sexy striptease dance moves inspired by popular movie soundtracks. We loved how the performers made the dance moves look so … Continue reading Stellar on Reel: Pole Dancing, Aerial Skills, and Sexy Striptease! @PolecatsManila

MANILA IMPROV International Festival 2015: “Finding the Game” (Photo Essay) @PetaTheater

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

Manila Improv Festival 2015 is happening now on July 2-12, 2015. Now on its third year it has earned the distinction to set improve comedy festival standards. Silly People’s Improv Theatre (SPIT) has partnered with Siliman University in Dumaguete and Philippine Educational Theatre Association (PETA), to bring you Improv Fest Manila 2015 with the theme … Continue reading MANILA IMPROV International Festival 2015: “Finding the Game” (Photo Essay) @PetaTheater

Comedy Cartel: Laugh & Stack Open Mic Showdown Grand Final Winners!

By Abigail Javellana
Topics: Performance Arts

The Comedy Cartel are the pioneers of observational point-of-view stand-up comedy in the Philippines. This year they brought the Laugh & Stack Open Mic Showdown, a one of a kind yearlong comedy competition that will discover the best of the best local comedians in the Philippines! If you’re tired of the usual gay comedy or … Continue reading Comedy Cartel: Laugh & Stack Open Mic Showdown Grand Final Winners!

SPIT Manila’s “Discombobulated Boracay” and Why I Love Their Improv Comedy

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

I became an instant fan of Improv Comedy after watching the opening night of the 1st Manila Improv Festival, which is a 4-day festival featuring: SPIT (Silly People Improv Theater) Manila led by Gabe Mercado; LA-based American veteran improvisers Shaun Landry and Tom Farnan; International improv groups from Beijing, Hong Kong, Xiamen, and Taichung; and Performing … Continue reading SPIT Manila’s “Discombobulated Boracay” and Why I Love Their Improv Comedy

LIVIN’ LA VIDA IMELDA: The Unauthorized Story of Imelda Marcos by Carlos Celdran

By Anton Diaz
Topics: Performance Arts

Livin’ La Vida Imelda is the story of the rise and fall of Imelda Marcos, as illustrated by the rise and fall of the buildings in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Complex. It is Carlos Celdran’s Walking Imelda tour of the Cultural Center of the Philippines set in a fixed gallery with line drawings of … Continue reading LIVIN’ LA VIDA IMELDA: The Unauthorized Story of Imelda Marcos by Carlos Celdran