The Wheel and Axle

As expected, Disney’s live action remake of their animated classic Beauty and the Beast is as magical as the original. Although the new film is quite faithful to the first one, it still does have a few changes, primarily in order to flesh out the backstories and motivations of the characters. Some new songs were added along the way to enhance the story beats and the character arcs. All these resulted in a richer, deeper, and in many ways slightly darker approach to a classic tale that’s, well, as old as time.

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I recently got to watch Repertory Philippines’ Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike, a comedic play that took some inspiration and influence from Chekov. Except you don’t need to know Chekov to immerse yourself in and enjoy the play.

I went in with almost zero knowledge of the non-musical play – other than it had won a Tony a few years back and it boasted of a pretty esteemed cast – so it was one of those rare moments, in a world full of social media spoilers, wherein I was in for some truly pleasant surprises.

In this play, which I shall abbreviate as VSMS because dear lord that is one long title, we look into a couple of days in the lives of three middle-aged siblings all named by their theater-enthusiast professor parents after Chekov characters. Two of them, the older and semi-closeted Vanya (Michael Williams) and the adopted and insecure Sonia (Roselyn Perez), have been living rather boring lives together, a result of dropping everything else to take care of their parents until they passed away. The third, conceited and beautiful Masha (Cherie Gil), has been supporting them financially as a successful and famous movie actress, albeit one who is always away from the family home. 

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Wow, 2007 feels like yesterday.

Sit down, all you younger divas and wannabes! Kneel before Dame Shirley Bassey, living legend and fabulous icon who turned eighty last January 8th, the same day as David Bowie’s birthday (and incidentally, Elvis Presley’s birthday, too).

If y’all can sing as powerfully as Dame Shirley does at eighty while maintaining a great sense of humor, then you can drop the mics. Until then, hold on tight and genuflect before the incomparable Bassey.

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Yeah, that’s not creepy at all. Still, hilarious and fun. And he’s cute.

But still creepy AF.

Has it really been a year since the legendary David Bowie – Ziggy Stardust himself – left us?

Clichéd as it may be, time does indeed fly by so fast. It was a year ago today that the iconic David Bowie passed away, just two days after his birthday.

It was a passing that left a mark upon the industry and upon the world, for David Bowie was not just any legend. He was a legend that inspired and influenced other legends, including Third Eye Blind and Madonna herself. That makes you one hell of a legend.

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January 9th bridges the day of David Bowie’s birth and the day of David Bowie’s untimely death. Yesterday, we remembered his birth. Tomorrow, we will commemorate his passsing.

It’s only fitting that in-between, we celebrate his life.

Live on, Goblin King. Live on.

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David Bowie would’ve been 70 years old today.

Happy birthday to the incomparable and iconic Ziggy Stardust!