GANTIMPALA THEATER OPENS 36TH SEASON WITH ‘FLORANTE AT LAURA’ AS A ‘KOMEDYA’

Gantimpala Theater opens its thirty-sixth (36) season with Francisco Balagtas’ “Florante at Laura”, the Filipino literary masterpiece considered by many as poetic art that examines the nature of justice, truth and commitment to fairness, made into a theater production by award-winning and respected playwright Bonifacio Ilagan, with director Roeder Camañagpresenting it as a komedya,

            Director Camañag says, “Boni Ilagan’s script highlights on the many facets of love – from the purest to the most damaged. He understood the words of Balagtas so well thus we see on stage Florante’s encounters with love – love for knowledge, parental love, brotherly love he shares with best friend Menandro. Laura, his beloved , and love for Albania.”

Paul Jake Paule/Rafa Esplana & Ellrica Laguardia as ‘FLORANTE at LAURA’

            “We are presenting it as a komedya as well,” the director quips. “We are continuing to honor the artistic legacy of our late artistic director Tony Espejo who believed that the komedya was the theater form during the time of Balagtas and it was not only fitting, but best to present the play making use of this endemic Filipino theater form.”

            Alternately acting as Florante are Rafa Esplana and Paul Jake Paula with Ellrica Laguardia as Laura, Florante’s sweetheart.

            Actors’ Company members portray major roles – Alfred Urieta as the antagonist and Daffodil Abear is the Moor princess Flerida.

FLORANTE at LAURA with Macson Macaraig as Makata

            Giving life to the other major characters are Ku Aquino (Haring Linceo), Billy Parjan (Duke Briseo), Lodie Atis (Reyna Floresca), Mark Cayabyab (Menandro), Jan Gomez (Antenor),

Kych Cyl Minemoto ( Batang Florante), Masanori Mentuda (Batang Adolfo), Macson Anthony Macaraig (Makata/Tagapagsalaysay), Andro Morgan (Sultan Ali- Adab/Osmalik), Julius Empredo (Miramolin) and Leo Ponseca as Aladin, the Moor Prince.

Artistically assisting Camañag to realize the warring world of Moors and Christians are Andy Villareal            (Lights Designer), Joey de Guzman ( Set Designer), Jose Jeffrey Camañag (Costumes Designer), Tony Munoz (Music), Ian De Leon (Choreographer), Meyo de Jesus (Video Designer), Pauwie Garcia (Production Manager), and Roan Cornejo (Stage Manager).

            Performances are on August 2, (9am.12nn/3pm), SM Southmall Cinema 3, Las Piñas City, August 9 and 10 (10am/2pm), Star Theater, Star City, Pasay City and August 16 and 17 (10am/2pm), AFP Theater, Camp Aguinaldo, Quezon City.   For tickets, please call the Gantimpala Marketing Office at 899-5911/899-5745/998-5622. Visit us at www.gantimpalatheater.multiply.com and http://www.facebook.com/gantimpala.

-ALWYN IGNACIO

‘I LUV U PARE KO’ PREMIERE SHOTS

” A MUST-NOT-MISS MOVIE !!!!! ”
– one of the rare ‘gay’ rom-com movies I personally like.
Very NOW.
Rocco Nacino is one very good actor that defied
the conventions of typecasting in the roles
that most actors always fall into.
And he simply came out as a ‘winner.’
Rodjun Cruz also lent his acting genes as the ‘guy’ whom Rocco falls in love with.
An acting truimph for Rocco and Rodjun…..
Many years from now, when film enthusiasts would look back at some of the memorable films of this genre,
” I Love You Pare Ko ” is a neo-classic.
Bravo to the artistic team !!!!!” –JOSELITO ‘TOOTS’ O. TOLENTINO

The premiere night of ‘I LUV U PARE KO’ at SM MEGAMALL Cinema 9 last February 5, 2013 was a smashing success! The main stars were there headed by of  course by ROCCO NACINO and RODJUN CRUZ ; Director BUBOY TAN, Krix Productions’ MARIVIC LOU SALTSGIVER & RIQUI CARDEMA; ARNEL IGNACIO, BEKIMON, XIXI MATURAN , and whole lot of friends in and out of the industry!  ‘I LUV U PARE KO’  IS NOW SHOWING @ :

 SM MEGAMALL
SM MARIKINA
SM NORTH
SM MANILA
SM STA MESA
SM SOUTHMALL
SM BACOOR

‘I LUV U PARE KO’ OPENS TODAY @ SM MEGAMALL, SM NORTH, SM MANILA, SM FAIRVIEW, SM MARIKINA, SM SOUTHMALL, SM BACOOR & SM STA MESA CINEMAS!

OPENING NA PO TODAY SA SM MEGAMALL,SM NORTH,  SM MANILA, SM FAIRVIEW, SM MARIKINA, SM SOUTHMALL, SM BACOOR , SM STA MESA ang ‘I LUV U PARE KO’ na pinagbibidahan ni ROCCO NACINO sa papel na isang screaming beki! Yes, ito ay super-riot sa katatawanan dahil kakaiba ang indielikulang ito sa direksyon ni Neal ‘Buboy’ Tan. Kasama ni Rocco rito si RODJUN CRUZ na siyang ‘apple of his eyes’ at sinuportahan nina , Arnell Ignacio, Julio Diaz, Marissa Sanchez, Isadora, Bekimon, Mark Anthony Puray , The WonderGays,  Melissa Mendez, Tita Swarding at … walang kokontra , XIXI MATURAN!   Ang ‘I LUV U PARE KO’ ay mula sa KRIX Productions.