Understand the Complex Heart of a Writer in Ricky Lee's "PARA KAY B"

The Ricky Lee masterpiece "PARA KAY B" is doing a run at the Doreen Blackbox Theater in Ateneo (ARETE). We watched their gala performance a couple days ago, done by LA Prod House, Fire and Ice Live! and their partner Tunog at Liwanag Sa Teatro Inc.

 

It's pretty loyal to the literature of our National Artist Ricky Lee (who was there and celebrating his birthday btw!), and I like what they did in modernizing some of the scenes. This made it relatable, current and a heck of a lot entertaining. The story revolved around the life of Bessie, and her love personas that lived in Ester, Sandra, Irene and Erica. Lucas was the writer, making sure he dedicated his time to make Bessie's characters come to life.

I'd say the actors who portrayed them did over and beyond what is expected. If you watch the show, you'll get yourself involved because chances are, you'll see yourself in one or more of these characters. This was crafted in a way that even if you didn't get to read the book, you'll still root for them and their story.

Set design was simple, efficient and used well to tell the story. There wasn't much music (as this isn't a musical), but effects were apt and utilized projectors most of the time. I'd say you would spend a few hours after the show to talk about your favorites, and who you would connect to. You would feel small about your burdens, because some of them here are crazy to think about... but it does happen.

Let's not spoil it for you, because if you are hungry to see a great show... they've got show dates on the 21st at 7PM, 22nd and 23rd at 2:30PM and 7PM, 28th at 7PM and on the 29th and 30th at 2:30PM and 7PM.

See the many ways of how the heart of a writer works. Make sure you get tickets online via Ticket2Me.net and see the show where Ricky Lee's best selling book gets interpreted on stage. 

Congratulations Direk Yong Tapang, and to the cast, you deserve the applause you got from that show!

Ricky Lee's "PARA KAY B" Gets Stage Run This March

Super good news for those who adore Ricky Lee's works, as LA ProdHouse and Fire and Ice Live! takes the best selling novel "PARA KAY B" to theaters this coming March 14 to 30 at the Doreen Black Box Theater, ARETE Wing of the Ateneo De Manila University. This is a stage adaptation of the well loved story (stories that is) that talks about love, romance and some hurt in between. Surely this will be a very interesting take on something a lot of people were able to relate to even after years of its inception.

We got to talk to the stars of "PARA KAY B" plus producers Ice Seguerra and Liza Diño-Seguerra this morning about the show and they're equally excited to see it, here's our video coverage! 

This is created for the stage by Ejay Castro Deldoc (a Palanca awardee) and directed by Yong Tapang (who's done remarkable production in the past). They also are partnering with Tunog at Liwanag sa Teatro. But there's certainly more interesting things to see in the show.

5 women named Bessie, Ester, Sandra, Irene and Erica divulge their life stories with a front row seat to their different kinds of love, relationships and realities. They had us see a glimpse of it, and it was crazy... crazy good.

Ice says "Different people, different ways of looking at love. Some are fools, some believe in forever, some remain cynical. Do you believe only 1 out of 5 people get a happily ever after?"

National Artist Ricky Lee pronounced "To tell you the truth, out of the multitude of novels I had, this is the best selling one up to this date. I made this in 2008, I suppose people like to read something that would give them pain. I think if they're too happy, it wouldn't be as adventurous. I think if its more painful, they could remember and carry it more. I've seen and heard people read it multiple times, pick it up when there's a typhoon, to read it all over again."

It's interesting, feisty, and fun to see it on stage. If you would want to see more of it, go see "PARA KAY B" at the ARETE in Ateneo De Manila University. People loved the novel, and surely, you would love the things they plan to execute at the theater. See if you'll get to be one of Lucas' characters, relate in it in so many ways.

Tickets are available via Ticket2Me.net or the app with the same name if you wish to watch the show.

Ready to Make Miracles Happen: ISANG HIMALA Hits Theaters on December 25th for MMFF 2024

This film was on my list since I've heard of it. Surely, if you're a fan of the original film starring the one and only Superstar Ms. Nora Aunor in the 80's called HIMALA, this musical film called "ISANG HIMALA" would give you the same feels, but even more chills. This is the handy work of famed writer National Artist Ricky Lee and music by Vincent De Jesus. This is directed by Pepe Diokno and is officially an entry to the Metro Manila Film Fest 2024 who's also celebrating their 50th Anniversary. 

I've known Aicelle Santos for a few years now. It would be an understatement to call her A VERY TALENTED SINGER because I feel she's more than that. Her character Elsa who hails from a town called Cupang saw an apparition and began doing miracles with people. There's bound to be trouble with that because everyone would need to get healed and make things happen with that. Instead of getting better religious belief, they began fan service for the healer and Elsa wasn't going to take it. So in a nutshell it'll be the same story, but what will make this totally different is how they would tell it through music. For those who don't know, this has already been made into a musical (on stage), but there will be more things to offer now that they're doing the musical on the silver screen. Aicelle's voice will surely give you chills, but hold up, there's more to expect in this film!

Though there's Aicelle, she also has Bituin Escalante, Floyd Tena, David Ezra, Neomi Gonzales, Kakki Teodoro, Vic Robinson, Joann Co and an ensemble cast (hello Ivan Panganiban!) eager to tell this story. It's definitely not a one woman show, and with these powerful FILIPINO voices spun together, it's going to be a masterpiece waiting to happen.

Much of these folks may have not been seen on movies or TV, but they've got years of experience in theater which they'll be bringing to the table. They'll prove once again that pinoy singers reign supreme when it comes to singing, and this isn't even the karaoke type people fear in contests around the world. 

 

 

Ricky Lee says "I feel this is a tribute to the 1982 version we did in the past, when I met Vincent, I was glad it was being interpreted in different mediums. She (Nora Aunor) also will have participation in this film but you would need to watch it."

Pepe Diokno says "I fell in love when I watched the film, and the musical was the most powerful material on theater and I thought about it long after watching it. 42 years after watching it, I think it needs to be revisited, the difference is it's more emotional because of the songs."

Bituin Escalante adds "I never imagined I could be a mother, it's a family affair for me when my sister was cast in 2018, this is himaLOVE."

Aicelle adds "Back in 2018, Nora Aunor watched us on stage and I remember she told us how it was something that made her remember the shoot in 1982. She almost cried, and I've got proof of it. It was during the RAK of Aegis party when Sir Vincent approached me and told me I could do Elsa. I was taken aback because I saw the concert and how big the role is. I've had personal miracles, my brother myocardium issues, I prayed for him, and he opened his eyes. My Mom stopped crying, I really believe in miracles, this film just shows how we all have miracles of our own. There will be one on December 25. I think we have something to offer, it has historical and social content. We hope people get to watch it, especially since it is the only musical in the entries this year. I am more excited because it is hard to think of pressure, we enjoyed doing it so whatever it becomes, we welcome it."

Vince says "In 2003, Soxy Topacio asked me to work on a project with Ricky Lee, I wasn't crazy to say no. Things just come, the whole production is just a miracle for us including the MMFF 2024 nomination. The new music is originally piano but we made it into an orchestra, but it's now a little rock opera ish. The set actually fits the music, it is gritty and fierce."

Buckle up and go wear your Sunday outfits because "ISANG HIMALA" will hit theaters on December 25. Don't be afraid to sing a long with your friends and family, bring them along to the miracle that is "ISANG HIMALA", the official entry of Kapitol Films and UXS Inc. for the 50th Anniversary of the Metro Manila Film Festival.