The Wheel and Axle

Mahalima and Me

Some time back, my friend messaged me asking if I wanted to interview SB19 for Esquire Philippines.

I was preparing to go to the gym then, and I probably almost fell over when I read the message.

Because I am an A’Tin – a huge SB19 fan – and it’s like I was just handed a pot of gold!

Long story short,  I got to spend a day with the Kings of P-Pop. While the interview itself was just less than half an hour, I got to hang out at the photoshoot and observe them from behind the scenes. Not to sound too starstruck, but everything I’ve heard about how down-to-earth and approachable and nice they are is true.

I have interviewed celebrities before, but arguably this group is the biggest one I’ve done so far, and yet they’ve also probably been the kindest and friendliest.

My interview has now been published by Esquire.

I like all of SB19, but Josh is my bias.

In it, you will get glimpse of the creative process of this phenomenal group. You’ll also learn more about how and why they engage the way they do with their fans. You’ll also get to understand their over-all vision – what dreams and goals they have not just for themselves but also for the industry.

Esquire PH also has some great video content from the photoshoot and interview across their various social media platforms.

Have a good one and enjoy, fellow A’Tins! This one’s not just for me – it’s for us all.

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Update: Esquire has released the video of the interview (edited of course).

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And here are some behind-the-scenes treats – videos and photos that I took.

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SB19 are: Josh Cullen Santos, Pablo Nase, Stell Ajero, Ken Suson, and Justin De Dios

Special thanks to PJ Caña and Esquire PH for this opportunity to meet my favorite P-Pop band!

I can never get enough of Rak of Aegis. Recently, Season 7 opened, and of course I had to see it again (third time, the most recent being last year).

What I love about Rak is that – like many original Filipino musicals like Zsazsa Zaturnnah, Ako Si Josephine, and Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady – every run adds new spins. Updated jokes that reference current events and pop culture memes are inserted, making each run feel fresh again while retaining everything that made the show successful.

Rak of Aegis Season 7 is such an experience. On top of small reinventions, new cast members are placed into the mix, giving returning audiences the opportunity to see different interpretations of classics.

And so it goes that we once again experience the travails of Bgy. Venizia, which gets flooded for months after a the construction of a gated community nearby prevented proper drainage. Against this backdrop and the backdrop of a social media age where virality is the way to fame, the community’s diverse array of residents struggle to cope with poverty, love, friendship, and ambition. (continue reading…)

It’s no secret to folks around me that I’m a huge fan of Derrick Monasterio. Ever since The Road and through to Mulawin vs. Ravena, I’ve always thought he had the potential of a very good actor.

So far, he hasn’t disappointed – and like I said before, I see him as a triple threat: a rarity in show business, especially local. Despite Filipino expectations that their matinee idols be capable of singing, dancing, and acting, there are really very few who can actually do all three very well. Derrick, in my opinion, is one of those rare gems.

Well, he certainly hit the right notes again last Friday night in the sequel to the 2016 Oh Boy! concert, this time called Oh, Boy! Oh, LOL.

(continue reading…)

One of the most hilarious things I’ve seen recently is this clip. Seriously, I just guffawed out loud. Happy Thursday!

One of my big regrets was missing Idina Menzel live in Manila a couple of year ago. I think I had a conflicting show to watch then, ticket already bought, when I learned she was coming. Seeing this clip now makes me regret it even more, but it also made me smile (in both joy and envy).

It’s quite a dream come true to sing live onstage with the Idina Menzel. Wow.

It’s the eve of Christmas, and let’s always remember what it’s truly about.

So. Much. Feels.

And… Cher!

They could probably stage an entire production of The Lion King if they did this on EDSA or C5. I’d watch that, TBH.

Tanghalang Pilipino closes out the year with the hilarious yet educational Christmas-themed play Lukot-Lukot, Bilog-Bilog, written by Eljay Castro Deldoc and directed by Abner Delina, Jr.

The title is a reference to money, with lukot-lukot referring to “crumpled” (paper bills, that is) and bilog-bilog referring to round (coins, to be exact). It is an interactive staging that seeks to provide some financial literacy to the audience while at the same time ensuring an enjoyable time for all. I went to the Press Night last weekend not knowing what to expect (especially since I just came from watching Matilda in Meralco Theater a couple of hours prior), and despite my preconceived notions about a “financial literacy comedy,” I came out very happy.

(continue reading…)

Continued From:

When Children Revolt, Part 1

The cast of the Atlantis production of Matilda is superb. There are three alternates who play Matilda, and I watched Uma Naomi Martin (the other two are Esang De Torres and Felicity Kyle Napuli). Uma is a talented child who superbly portrays the strengths and vulnerabilities of the lead character so that the audience truly roots for her. The best compliment to her capability is when the audience – half of which are schoolkids who likely identify with Matilda – clapped and cheered loudlt during the climactic moment when she finally put Trunchbull in her place. The children approve.

Cris Villonco is Miss Honey, and she captures the sweetness and compassion of the character to the hilt. In the hands of a lesser actress, the character of Miss Honey could have been a one-note pollayana, but Cris imbues the role with sufficient three dimensionality to make her well-realized and truly human in a world of satiric caricatures.

(continue reading…)