Virgin Labfest 4

After quite sometime, I found myself back in CCP. Gratefully so, I was able to catch Tuxqs’ and Shamaine's powerful performances last Sunday as I watched one of the 5 sets in this year's Labfest entries. Among the three plays in the set, theirs is without question, the best!

The first one, Ang Mga Babaeng Too Bright, is funny, thanks to the animated performances of the actors. I don't know if there were miscues but I found the lighting design to be a bit distracting.

The third play, Ang Pangalawa Niyang Libing, tackles an interesting topic. Interesting, because not many Filipinos are aware of the customs of the Muslim families, but that's about as far as my interest in that play goes. Next.

Floy Quinto's Ang Kalungkutan ng Reyna is relevant and hilarious. It was a joy watching Tuxqs and Shamaine. If only for this play, troop over to CCP tomorrow night for their last performance. It's so worth it!

Yesterday, thanks to the Pasig Day celebration, I had time to catch Pagbabago, Paghahanap and Pagkakataon. Another set in this year's entries. 2 of the previous Didis are here so expect to laugh out loud.

Ricci Chan and his Mengina is surprising. A tragic ending turned out to be not so tragic after all.

Ang Bayot...is my favorite from this set. It provides the audience with insights regarding discrimination without really trying too hard. I loved the approach plus both Joey and Arnold were both outstanding.

The third play, Ang Gumamela, had its moments. It is predictable and the lead's powerpuff alter-egos are a joy. The fact that they were the gayed up version of his lovers is brilliant.

I'll still be catching the last 2 sets this Sunday and I really can't wait to see "Las Mentiras de Gloria". Regrettably, due to my schedule, I won't be able to watch the restaging of Ellas Inocentes.

Return to Oz

One of my all time favorite movies when I was a kid was "Return to Oz". I must've watched it more than a dozen times. I also bought the illustrated book of the movie as well as several coloring books. Thinking about it now, I am surprised as to how vividly I still recall most of the scenes in the movie particularly the one where the princess that Dorothy meets takes her to a hall where different heads are displayed and I remember everytime I'd watch it, I'd wish for the princess to pick a less menacing head.

My introduction to it's predecessor came much much later. In fact, I didn't know that The Wizard of Oz even existed. We were staying at my aunt's house when my parents decided to watch it. I fell asleep halfway through the film. I didn't like it because I was disappointed that the Tin Man was a person in make-up as are the Cowardly Lion and the Scarecrow. The yellow brick road was not made of real bricks and Oz did not look as spectacular as I remember it.

The book's pages tattered and torn, the betamax no longer in fashion, I soon outgrew Oz. Then came Wicked.

I downloaded the entire soundtrack after falling in love with Defying Gravity which I chanced upon in Tuxq's playlist. This sudden interest was brought about by Hogi saying that she has a video of the musical and upon finding out online that rights to mount the show is not yet available.

I have been searching for a copy of Wicked (novel) for two weeks now to no avail. I saw one at Bibliarch last Saturday, unfortunately, it has already been reserved. I also wanted to revisit "The Wizard of Oz" so when I saw the remastered 2-disc DVD at AstroPlus, I immediately grabbed it. (side-note: after the longest time, I finally saw Romy and Michelle on video so I also bought it along with a remastered version of Cats). Return to Oz was not available, however, so I'm patiently downloading it in my PC. Too bad that there's not a lot of seeders so it's taking a lot longer than usual.