Cast of MATILDA THE MUSICAL Manila Staging Announced

I have been able to see how they've been working hard to put this musical on stage since early this year. They've held auditions left and right trying to find that perfect kid, her friends, and an ensemble cast that would pretty much spell how the Manila staging of MATILDA would actually look like. It's one of the best movies and theater productions I've seen internationally and I'm sure it'll be a cinch to actually do this with a very talented Filipino cast.

Included in the cast are three greats, Telesa Marie “Esang” De Torres who came from ABS-CBN’s The Voice and the Les Miserables (for their Asian tour), Uma Naomi Martin who did A Little Princess  and Felicity Kyle Napuli who already was awarded Outstanding Child Performer in the past Gawad Musika Awards (a local award body). Aside from three great singers, they've also announced Gabrielle Aerin Ong and Maria Ericka Peralejo as Lavander, Denise Fidel Arteta and Chi Chi Tan as Amanda, Nicole Chien and Ella Gonzalez as Alice, Alba Berenguer-Testa and Chantel Marie Guinid as Hortensia, Josh Nubla and Miguel Suarez as Bruce, Rhythm Alexander and Ian Albert Magallona as Eric, Gabo Tiongson and Pablo Miguel Palacpac as Nigel and John Joseph Miraflores and Teddy
Velasco as Tommy. They will be playing the classmates of Matilda in this production.

To play as antagonists, Jamie Wilson will play the tough and mean Miss Trunchbull. I'm sure she'll be having lots of fun throwing those kids around. The caring and lovely Miss Honey will be played by seasoned premier theater actress Cris Villonco. While Joaquin Valdes and Carla Guevara-Laforteza will play as Matilda's biological parents Mr. and Mrs. Wormwood, they will be very colorful, mean and dysfunctional so be ready. MATILDA's Manila staging will be directed by Bobby Garcia and their choreography will be done by Ms. Cecile Martinez. The play will be presented by Promil and Metrobank Card Corporation. Matilda The Musical will happen at the Meralco Theater from November 10 to December 10 this year and will happen only on Fridays at 8PM, Saturdays and on Sundays at 2PM and 8PM.

If you want to watch the show with kids, it is recommended for ages 7 and up.Ticket prices are Php 1500 to Php 4000. You can purchase them at Ticketworld 891-9999 or their website www.ticketworld.com.ph. For more information about the musical, visit http://atlantistheatrical.com/faq or the Ticketworld website, they have ample amount of information there.

Wish I could watch it with you! :)

Mr. And Ms. BPO Holds Final Screening Today

Today marks the last day of Mr. and Ms. BPO screening and we can't wait to see who will actually get in on this particular pageant. Aimed to showcase the best of the best in the industry, men and women will be joining this soon to be annual event to represent their companies, finding people who will take charge, lead and inspire a lot of people. I have worked in the BPO industry for 11 years. During that time, I've seen how it has grown into just plain outsourcing arm into a full blown intellectual and practical talent source that has provided high paying jobs for a LOT of people in the country. It's high time people look at it differently as it's not all eyebags and zombies, but really talented people, professionals who work hard every day just like you and me.

This afternoon, we got to meet the people behind Mr. and Mrs. BPO including Apprentice Asia winner Jonathan Yabut and he says "Those contestants will get to enjoy and be mentored by the four judges. It's by voluntary basis but they can ask their respective companies HR and perhaps do their own pageants on their own then represent themselves. Looks is definitely there but we will be choosing someone who can inspire, communicate their points across, and we get to do workshops after they learn the lessons. I do workshops for companies and executives, a lot of millenials. The pageant partnered with the Call Center Association of the Philippines and they will have a say on what charity the proceeds will go to. The hope is to do this yearly and perhaps internationally because this is a huge industry."

We got the chance to talk to the judges and asked them about people they are looking for to win this pageant.

For those who want to join, you have until 5PM today to do so as they are holding the final one at the I'M Hotel in Makati. For more information about it you may visit their website www.mrandmsbpo.com or their Facebook page. Finals will be on November 21, 2017 at the MOA Arena.

TV5 and ESPN Launches ESPN 5

It looks like they see a future in covering sports so aside from their current assets, they are turning on their guns on free tv channel TV5. They signed a long term agreement with ESPN making their current brand SPORTS 5 into a new one called ESPN 5. This will serve as the go to place for all Filipino sports fans so you'll see these changes happen on TV5.

TV5 President Coach Chot Reyes said "What's going to happen is that the whole morning on TV5 will be dedicated to international sports. You'll see more college basketball, American football, Volleyball and even the other sports being shown on ESPN. Aside from that, you'll see news in the afternoon, we are also putting PSL at primetime where they should be, it's going to be in the forefront of all our programming. We also are preparing to do a local version of the iconic SPORTSCENTER and we are in the process of screening the hosts. It will probably coincide with the next PBA conference around December 16, which hopefully will be the addicting factor of sports lovers everyday on TV5."

Both of these changes will affect TV5 programming and Aksyon 41. Aside from international sports, you will see the some content including ESports which TV5 is a pioneer of. These are exciting times, and the Filipinos deserve the world's best in sports content and programming. For those who miss the XGAMES, NBA and other sports, this is welcome news!

I'm definitely going to enjoy American Football! Go Falcons! 

KUMAGCOW

Fresh Blogs Fast!

IMPOSSIBLE: World's Greatest Magic Show at the Smart Araneta Coliseum

I have been a fan of magic since Mickey Mouse did it on The Sorcerer's Apprentice. I also watched reruns of David Copperfield and am still terrified of some of David Blaine's and Criss Angel. I've also watched some BBC shows online and have seen some of the best illusionists in Europe, and pretty much I've seen some AMAZING stuff that would get me sleepless for a few days. I'm sure I'm not alone, and if I would have the chance to see them in one place, I'd gladly do it in a heartbeat. 

Now I don't  think I have to get and fly to Europe now just to see some of the World's best MAGICIANS because this afternoon, I got to see one of them in the flesh. Yes, it's Ben Hart. This gentleman from Hampshire is part of the act together with 6 other magicians as they bring IMPOSSIBLE which debuted in London's West End to Manila, Philippines.

Pleasing to the eyes, this chap had us giddy to actually talk to him about how he started. We also asked him about what to expect in the show that they are staging at the Araneta Coliseum from December 25 to January 3, 2018.

We sat down and he said "I really really enjoy magic and it's hard to say what's special about me, I started about 5 or 6 and did it professionally when I was about 16. It's amazing to have a job that you enjoy and earn from it, we know people are leaking secrets on social media and we have got to up our technology. Magicians are actually scientists, it becomes more challenging and difficult, we research a lot and get answers immediately"

We also asked what to expect on Christmas day and he said "On this show, I will be with Bello Nock is a really good daredevil, Magical Bones who is a street magician that does break dancing on show, Josephine Lee a brilliant female illusionist, Ali Cook who is a daring escapologist from UK, Chris Cox who is a mind reader. There are some great magicians in the world but these are currently some of the industry's best. Being around these magicians are inspiring, it takes a lot to do this, traveling internationally is great especially in this kind of work. I meet people and learn so much about people, you can feel the attitude of te culture when they are in front of you. I don't sit down to practice you just work on it and make it better most of the time. I want to go everywhere, I wanna keep going. My advice, is make magic for your audience and try to create something new in the way you present it."

Now we're not leaving the venue without us seeing the MAGIC itself, so Ben gladly showed us his tricks with our blogger friend Albert of Chikaness.

We had so much fun in just a few minutes of being there with this young lad. Now imagine if they were all there. That's exactly what you'll love to see in IMPOSSIBLE this Christmas day. Get tickets of the show via TicketNet.com.ph. Ticket prices are Php 1800, Php 1500, Php 1200, Php 800, Php 500 and Php 150 (plus ticketing charge). Or you may reserve via phone 911-5555 or 374-9999.

Thank you for this experience Wilbros Live and for producing the show!