Star Powerhouse

PPO UK TOUR Presscon (L-R) DIOMEDES SARAZA JR-Violinist, MARK BEBBINGTON-Pianist, KAYE C. TINGA-CCP President (Photo by; Kiko Cabuena)  The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) took the stage once again before their historic and highly anticipated UK Tour, featuring one of Britain’s finest pianists, Mark Bebbington, on April 24, 2025, Thursday, 6:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila. The special send-off concert showcased PPO’s musical prowess and world-class symphonic artistry headed by its Music Director and Principal Conductor, Maestro Grzegorz Nowak. The orchestra performed an exquisitely curated repertoire featuring works by Beethoven, Mendelssohn, Elgar, Delius, and Ching. Renowned pianist Bebbington joined the concert to perform Delius’  Piano Concerto in C Minor. Featuring Jeffrey Ching’s work, PPO's first composer-in-residence PPO showcased Jeffrey Ching’s  “II Maestro di Cappella”  which was written to open each concert for the UK Tour. Jeffrey ...

Company of Actors in Streamlined Theatre (CAST) aims to present theatrical performances in the most intimate and cost effective way possible, enabling us to offer our tickets at a more affordable price to meet the economic challenges of our day and keep our doors open to new audiences just discovering the wonderful world of theatre. After a sold-out run and several extensions accompanied by rave reviews, Othello is back! Directed by Nelsito Gomez, Shakespeare's timeless tale of love, deception, and jealousy resonates powerfully in 2025. Othello follows the tragic story of a Moorish general who falls victim to the manipulations of his envious ensign, Iago, leading him to believe that his beloved wife, Desdemona, is unfaithful—resulting in devastating consequences. We are delighted to announce that many original cast members will reprise their roles, including Tarek El Tayech as Othello, Gab Pangilinan as Desdemona, Maronne Cruz as Emilia, and Reb Atadero as Iago. Also returning ar...

The University of the Philippines Los Baños (UPLB) proudly presents Brilyante: Ang Kabogerang Baklaan Musical , an original comedy musical that boldly explores the intersection of religion and queer culture. Directed, produced, and musically arranged by Aldrin Bula, with a book by Sam Albert Medina and Angelica Joy Camacho, this groundbreaking production is set to illuminate the stage at the historic D.L. Umali Hall. Brilyante is a vibrant and thought-provoking musical that delves into themes of self-expression, identity, queer empowerment, and Catholic Christian devotion. Through a colorful and compelling narrative set in contemporary urban life, the story follows Harley, a young baklang kanal navigating the societal and religious challenges that come with their identity. When a beloved local beauty pageant is abruptly canceled due to religious backlash, Harley and their community are forced to confront difficult questions: How do queer individuals break free from internalized homop...

Tanghalang Molave (TM), the official theatre organization of the Department of Performing Arts at the Polytechnic University of the Philippines (PUP), will be staging Malou Jacob’s Juan Tamban as one of its major productions this coming March 2025. As part of the organization’s history, TM has been staging Filipino plays, either classical and contemporary works, that highlights and reclaims Filipino narratives through staging compelling and student-led productions.  In this season, PUP TM highlights its season theme “Piglas”. Rooted in its vision of asserting our identity and exploring the powerful narrative of resistance, “Piglas” serves as a metaphor that explores narratives and stories concerning our unending quest for freedom and resilience. Historically, “Piglas” became a symbol and an icon of our struggle towards independence. This evokes our collective memories ghting against oppressive regimes, dictatorship, and social injustices. As a Filipino term, “Piglas” embodies the a...

After a successful run last season, Repertory Philippines (REP) kicked off their 88th Season by bringing back its successful musical comedy from 2024 I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change . The show runs until March 9, 2025 , at the REP Eastwood Theater in Eastwood City Walk, Quezon City. I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change , the longest-running off-Broadway show, is a two-act romantic musical comedy set against the backdrop of a bustling metropolis and the ever-present glow of dating apps and social media. With book and lyrics by award-winning Joe DiPietro and music by renowned composer Jimmy Brooks , this classic production was refreshed by the First Lady of Philippine Musical Theater Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo for its restaging in 2024.  This fresh take on a timeless tale explores the highs and lows of love in today’s fast-paced world. Played by four actors in twenty vignettes, it covers “everything you have ever secretly thought about dating, romance, marriage, love...

The critically acclaimed film "Anino sa Likod ng Buwan," originally a one-act play by Jun Robles Lana, is set to captivate audiences once again as it returns to the stage in a new production, "Anino sa Likod ng Buwan On Stage."   This gripping psychodrama, exploring the complex interplay of politics, love, and betrayal, will premiere at the PETA Theater Center from March 1-23, 2025. Written by Jun Robles Lana, "Anino sa Likod ng Buwan" won first prize in the Bulwagang Gantimpala Playwriting Contest in 1993 and was subsequently staged by Bulwagang Gantimpala and Artistang Artlets of the University of Santo Tomas. The story follows Emma, her husband Nardo, and their friend Joel, a soldier, as their lives intertwine amidst the backdrop of military operations in Marag Valley during the early 1990s. Their nightly card games and seemingly casual banter mask deeper tensions and hidden desires, culminating in a dramatic confrontation during a lunar eclipse. In 201...

  The Far Eastern University Theater Guild (FTG) stages another Gabriel Garcia-Marquez short story as an experimental play for the opening of its 91st season. This groundbreaking production, featuring music and musical direction by Vince Lim, assisted by Jesus Singh III (IAS ‘17) for additional guidance and vocal coaching, choreography by Carlon Matobato, and choreography, adaptation, lyrics, and direction by Dudz Teraña, is set to captivate audiences from February 12 to March 27, 2024. Against the backdrop of Europe's harsh winter, Niyebe tells the tragic story of newlyweds Billy Sanchez and Nena Deconte, whose honeymoon turns into a nightmare. A small scrape on Nena's finger leads to death! Stranded in a foreign land, Billy grapples with solitude, grief, and despair, forced to confront profound questions about existence, purpose, and identity in the aftermath of his wife’s sudden death. All this while, he battles the relentless bureaucracy that ultimately denies him the chan...