Kapamilya network’s new late night soap has a sexy hint. The title itself already suggests sensuality. Halik (Kiss) is a word that evokes sexy images and one can’t ignore its powerful suggestion of shocking physical interaction among the characters in the new series.
While the production team tones down the sexual and sensual implications of the title, and underscores Filipino values in relationships and marriage, still, the tabloid media insist on the series’ allusive to sex and sensuality as observed from the questions directed to the stars mostly about “cheating” and “kissing.”
Lead stars Jericho Rosales, Sam Milby, Yam Concepcion and Yen Santos bravely answered the questions, although in some instances they dish out showbiz-type answers that are a letdown to tabloid journalism, yet the tabloid columnists and bloggers seemed content with what they heard.
ABS-CBN is selling the series as “the most daring story teleserye of the year, featuring a story of love tested by time and temptation.”
It premieres on Aug. 13 on ABS-CBN’s Primetime Bida vice Since I Found You, when the curtain closes on Aug. 10.
In the series, Sam Milby plays Ace, a rich businessman, shrewd enough to seduce Jade (Yam Concepcion) even as his own marriage with Jacky (Yen Santos) is fundamentally also in bad shape.
Halik, however, centers on Lino (Jericho), Jacky (Yen) and their star-crossed love for each other, which began when they were still children. Jacky’s parents disapprove of Lino being the son of one of their workers.
So, Lino decides to stay away to spare Jacky from her parents’ wrath.
In a twist of fate, they meet again after several years. Lino, now married to Jade, an ambitious, headstrong woman, who finds a way to get what she wants, and Jacky is with Ace, a rich man has a secret behind that endearing appearance.
Now that destiny has given Lino and Jacky another chance at being together, will they choose tofight forr the love they were deprived of or keep their promise of forever to people who they think don’t deserve it.
Also in the cast are Amy Austria, Alan Paule, Precious Lara Quigaman, Romnick Sarmenta, Cris Villanueva, Almira Muhlach, Christian Bables, Hero Angeles, Chai Fonacier, JC Alcantara, Jane De Leon, and Gab Lagman.
APO music now in a musical
There’s an ongoing craze in Philippine music theater. And that is compiling pop music of certain artist or group and set them into a musical piece on stage.
You’ve probably heard of Rak of Aegis and Sa Wakas, both successful stage musicals based on the discography of local bands.
This month, a new production featuring the songs of APO Hiking Society is set to open at the Maybank Performing Arts Center oin Taguig City.
Eto Na! Musikal nAPO! is produced by Globe Live and 9Works Theatrical and will run untilAug 26.
Some 15 songs from the iconic trio of Jim Paredes, Boboy Garovillo, and Danny Javier tell a coming-of-age story set in the 1970s, centering on a musically inclined college barkada and their experience of heartaches and what they learn from them.
Among the APO tunes included in the musical are “Bawat Bata,” “Doo Bidoo,” “Blue Jeans,” “Batang-Bata Ka Pa,” “Pumapatak na Naman ang Ulan,” and “Panalangin.”
Paredes recalled,”Through the years, maybe about 20 people have approached us to do a musical. We’ve been presented different scripts, [but they] didn’t really quite excite us. Some never presented a script, they just wanted permission. But this is the first time they actually seriously—I felt with great seriousness and effort—that they wanted to do something with the music.
“When I talked to them, I realized that these were theater people who really loved what they do, and I said, ‘Yes, definitely, you guys take our music to where you want it to go.’
“I started writing at age 14. I’m 66 now. And now this music is being played outside of us singing it in a concert, and that’s really quite a thrill.”
Paredes expressed confidence in how 9Works Theatrical and director Robbie Guevarra breathed new life into the memorable hits of APO.
“We wanted to write for Filipinos songs about love, friendship, relationships, sex, and this was our—without even planning it—legacy. And now they’ve taken it up, and I’m very happy about it,” he said.
The musical had a press preview last Thursday and based on the reactions of those who went to see the musical play, it might have legs.
The cast includes singer-actor Mark Bautista, Rita Daniela, Jobim Javier, Sab Jose, Alfritz Blanche, Marika Sasaki, Jon Philippe Go, Jef Flores, Jon Abella, Raul Montesa, and Neomi Gonzales.
Groundbreaking ceremony for Araneta Center’s Gateway Mall 2
Areneta Group officials and executives from partner Megawide Construction Corporation led the ceremonial groundbreaking and time capsule laying at the site of the new mall on July 31.
Aside from offering vast spaces for retail and F&B operators, the Gateway Mall 2 will also have a state-of-the-art Cineplex, an organic vegetable garden where shoppers can have the farm-to-table experience, a spacious activity area, a unique food hall, and a 500-seater, fully air-conditioned iconic chapel.
The mall, which will be connected to the Smart Araneta Coliseum and the Farmers Plaza, is expected to open in the third quarter of 2020.
Adjacent to the new mall will be the first Ibis Styles hotel in the country. It will be operated by AccorHotels, the same team behind the Novotel Manila Araneta Center, and is expected to attract guests with its charming design and topnotch service.
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