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Broadway on a budget: How to win ‘Wicked’ in a lottery
By John Sapida As a fan of Broadway musicals, I always try to find ways to see shows for the fraction of the price. Last week, I was fortunate enough to be one of the winners of $30 tickets to see “Wicked,” one of Broadway’s longest running musicals, on my second try. During most performances, […]
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To the American beside me who said it felt like a U2 concert, it’s only Parokya ni Edgar, honey!
By Jen Furer On my family’s first visit to the Philippines 10 years ago, my children had their first exposure to Original Pilipino Music (OPM) through the songs of Parokya ni Edgar. Their cousins introduced them to the distinct, story-telling style music of the four band members. Thus, my kids learned about the romantic courtship […]
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SO Jannelle!: Broadway in Glendale
By Jannelle So The Filipino American Symphony Orchestra does a night on the town! On April 25th, FASO will bring Broadway to the Alex Theater in Glendale, California in “FASO Goes Broadway,” where the 50-member ensemble will interpret memorable musicals from stage classics such as “Phantom of the Opera,” “Les Miserables,” “My Fair Lady,” and […]
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‘Big Hero 6’ a relationship animation about loving brothers
By Wendell Gaa Watching the Oscar ceremony telecast, I was euphoric to see that the Disney film “Big Hero 6” won the Best Animated Feature Award. Seeing co-director Don Hall express gratitude to the Academy on behalf of the film’s entire production staff was all the more meaningful considering that I personally got to meet […]
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Thank you, Spock, for inspiring my life-long devotion to sci-fi, fantasy
By Rene Pastor For a 10-year-old kid growing up in Manila, it was a show that appealed to the nerd in me. “Space, the final frontier. These are the voyages of the starship Enterprise…” It took me away to the stars that I could see twinkling in the night sky. Series creator Gene Wesley Roddenberry […]
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A few of my favorite things at the Oscars
By Jen Furer Sunday night’s Oscars telecast on ABC was a little over 3 ½ hours. I watched the pre-show interviews to check out what actresses were wearing, although I felt a bit guilty because Reese Witherspoon campaigned for Red Carpet reporters to #AskHerMore than “Who are you wearing?” I am a fan of Doogie […]
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Youthful coming-of-age angst marketed as an erotic film epic
By Wendell Gaa The dreary rainy weather of Seattle provides the fitting backdrop setting for the film, “Fifty Shades of Grey,” which also imparts the tone for the movie’s romantic eroticism and perplexing theme. I’m sure that by now most of you have been caught up in the hype and controversy surrounding the release of […]
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Kay Habana concert: Music reminiscent of a lullaby or, maybe, a love not meant to be
By Cristina DC Pastor Kay Habana, an impressive fast-rising soprano, gathered her closest friends in the music business and together they quilted a lively repertoire of songs from long ago. Some are songs I remember being hummed by my father to put me to sleep or reminiscent of a once-upon-a-time romance not meant to be. […]
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Pacquiao fan Miles Teller plays a determined underdog in ‘Whiplash’
By Wendell Gaa On Jan. 23, I had the honor to join my fellow co-members of the New York Fil-Am Press Club at the premiere evening release of the film documentary “Manny” at the AMC Times Square theaters in Manhattan. I was impressed and deeply touched by the documentary about the amazing rise of our […]