Hit Musical CareDivas Opens PETA’S 50th Theater Season

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Philippine Educational Theater Association’s (PETA) comedy musical Care Divas returns to open its 50th anniversary with a whopping 50 shows from February 3, 2017 until March 19, 2017 at The PETA Theater Center.

Care Divas a disarmingly funny and candid musical drama about 5 transgender Overseas Filipino Workers in Israel who work as care givers in the morning and transform into glamorous drag queen performers at night. While desperate to make ends meet, they also struggle to search for acceptance in a foreign land.

The musical dominated the 2011 Philstage Gawad Buhay! Awards, bagging seven trophies including Outstanding Stage Direction, Outstanding Musical Direction, Outstanding Musical Production and Outstanding Ensemble Performance for a Musical.

The play’s wickedly funny text, written by award-winning playwright Liza Magtoto, tells of the lives of the main characters: the kind and loving Chelsea, the often-sarcastic group leader Shai, the ditzy Thalia, the bubbly Kayla, and the ill-tempered Jonee.

Vincent de Jesus’ musical score leaves audiences humming tunes as it weaves through the narrative. Under the direction of Maribel Legarda, the creative team behind the show includes costume designer John Abul, lighting designer Jonjon Villareal, visual artist and set designer Leo Abaya, and contemporary dancer and choreographer Carlon Matobato.

Jesse Lucas Masterclass: The Art Of Writing Music For Film/TV

Wazzup Pilipinas!

Top-notch composer Jesse Lucas gives a masterclass on the art of writing music for Film/TV. Jesse is an award-winning and prolific composer who has written music for film, television, theater and ballet.

In film, his works have won awards from different award-giving bodies. In 2010, he was elevated to the FAMAS Hall of Fame for Best Music Scorer. He won the Best Music at the 2005 Screamfest International Film Festival in Los Angeles for the film Sigaw, 2005. His music for films have reaped awards such as Gawad Urian, Best Music Score for Babae sa Breakwater, 2004; four Young Critics Circle Awards for Best Sound and Aural Orchestration in Phone Sex, 2000, Sugatang Puso, 2001, Minsan May Isang Puso, 2002, and Anghel sa Lupa, 2004; Star Awards for Best Music Score for Filipinas, 2004; five Filipino Academy of Movie Arts and Sciences (FAMAS) Awards for Best Music Score for 9 Mornings, 2003, Filipinas, 2004, Mano Po 3, 2005, A Love Story, 2008, and Kasal, Kasali, Kasalo, 2007; Metro Manila Film Festival (MMFF) Award for Best Original Song for Babae, 1997; MMFF Best Music Score for Luksong Tinik, 1999; and Gawad Tanglaw for Batanes, 2008.

Jesse has made scores for some noted TV "teleserye" series such as Maging Sino Ka Man, 2006 and 2008; Kahit Isang Saglit 2008; Lovers In Paris, 2009; Magkaribal, 2010; Princess And I, 2012 and Bridges of Love, 2015.

His most recent TV work is the top-rating Magpahanggang Wakas and for film - the box-office hit The Unmarried Wife.

He won the 2016 ALIW AWARDS Best Musical Director for his work in the theatrical play Happiness is a Pearl.

2016: The Year Filipino Fighters Stood Tall in ONE Championship

Wazzup Pilipinas!

The Philippines has produced many notable boxers throughout the years, including Francisco “Pancho Villa” Guilledo, Gabriel "Flash" Elorde and eight-division world champion Manny Pacquiao.

Although the country has become a breeding ground of world-class boxers, it is quickly carving a niche in other combat sports, particularly in mixed martial arts (MMA).

The nation has been deeply involved with MMA since 1995 when Kung Fu practitioner Onassis Parungao made his professional debut in the United States, but it took seven years before the sport was formally introduced on local shores.

For over two decades, it has been a dizzying rollercoaster ride for Filipino fighters as they encountered a mix of sweet triumphs and heartbreaks.

However, it was a different story in 2016 as Filipino combatants glimmered like diamonds atop an international MMA stage.

Over the course of 14 events in ONE Championship’s 2016 calendar, Filipino competitors tallied 24 victories, including a successful title defense and a stunning championship-winning performance.

Let us explore the moments that left an indelible mark in 2016, courtesy of the gallant warriors from the Philippines.