Just Jeric! | a personal blog

My comments are based on the opening night of West Side Story last September 5, 2008.

I was able to watch STAGES Production of West Side Story with Christian Bautista as Tony and Joanna Ampil as Maria last September 5, 2008 at the Meralco Theater. I was eager to watch the opening because I’ve heard that Joanna Ampil will play the part of Maria (she is alternating with Karylle as Maria). Thank you to Oliver Oliveros of STAGES and Minnie Fong for I was able to get a ticket for the opening night.

I think I’m the only one who watched the play alone. Nevertheless, I got a very nice seat! I sat on the first row and I can even count Joanna’s skin pores (just kidding!).

I can’t say anything negative about Joanna Ampil. She got a very pristine voice and she sang effortlessly. For a few moments, I thought I was in UK. I’ve been meaning to see her live since I was 12 (the time when I heard about Jesus Chris Superstar). I was impressed and stunned by her performance. I believe Christian Bautista did a great job in playing the part of Tony. He isn’t just a good singer but also a good actor. He can really do stage plays! I must commend the lady who played Anita’s part that night. She was very funny and she dances very well!

The sets are fine and I liked it every time the set moves! It is quite similar to those that I’ve seen in Broadway shows like Legally Blonde Musical where the sets move on its own in between scenes.

I believe the one thing that ruined that night’s show is the sound system. The sound system is quite distracting during the whole show. There is this annoying static sound that kept on buzzing. I believe there was a time when an explosive sound came out from the speakers that really pissed me off. Well, it’s the opening night.

Although the sound system was quite distracting, it didn’t stop me from enjoying the show. The FilharmoniKA orchestra (conducted by Gerard Salonga) was also great during that night.

The dance numbers were ballet-ish. I hope you know what I mean. Nevertheless, the dance numbers were good.

There were a lot of boring parts throughout the show. I actually don’t like long exchanges of dialogues.

I loved the song numbers Tonight and Somewhere.

Despite the minor flaws during the opening night, I believe the show is really worth watching. I’m looking forward on seeing Karylle play the part of Maria.

Congratulations to the cast, the orchestra, producers, directors, staff, crew, and everyone else behind the show for pulling off a good show.

“West Side Story” runs at Meralco Theater on Sept. 5, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 19, 20, 21, Oct. 3, 4, 5, 10, 11, and 12, 2008. For tickets, call Ticketworld at (632) 891-9999 or STAGES at (632) 818-1111 loc. 225. Ticketworld is online at www.ticketworld.com.ph. Ticket prices range from PhP 500 to 1,200.

During the past few months, Philippine based bloggers have been adding various bloggers events. The most recent one is the Belo Bloggers’ Open House. Blogger events are great opportunities for bloggers to socialize and interact with each other in the real world. Two major bloggers event are to be held in the month of September — WordCamp Philippines and The Philippine Blog Awards 2008.

WordCamp Philippines

WordCamp Philippines is the premier event for WordPress users and developers. WordCamp is the best venue for WP enthusiasts to come together and get updated on the latest. WordCamp Philippines would be held on September 6, 2008 at the Augusto-Rosario Gonzalez Theater, College of Saint Benilde in Manila. A “mini-WordCamp” would also be held in Davao City on September 4, 2008. Matt Mullenweg will be attending Wordcamp Philippines. Wordcamp Philippines is organized by the Mindanao Bloggers.

The Philippine Blog Awards 2008

The Philippine Blog Awards now on its second year aims to recognize notable Filipino-owned blogs in their respective niches. With topics ranging from the arts, culture, technology and politics, Filipinos have become more abreast because of the fast growing blogging industry here and abroad. The Philippine Blog Awards is a venue to showcase notable blogs with quality content that engages readers from around the globe. The Philippine Blog Awards will be held on September 21, 2008 at 1 Esplanade (near Mall of Asia).

I am hoping to see you in both events!

Taste Asia, SM Hypermarket and Coke really know how to treat bloggers. After the Coke Zero bloggers party last June 27, 2008, the same people organized another Coke bloggers party last August 8, 2008 where Buhay Coke Video Blog Contest winners were awarded. Since the party coincides with the opening ceremonies of the Beijing 2008 Olympics, a live stream was shown on the big screen and LCD televisions within the venue.

Since the real cause of the event is to award the winners of the Buhay Coke Video Blog Contest, the live stream of the Beijing 2008 Olympics has been turned off. Azrael Coladilla won the first prize and took home the 32” Toshiba LCD TV. Here’s the list of the winners:

4th Place - dcoyexo
3rd Place - CokskiBlue
2nd Place - komikero
1st Place - popazrael

There were a lot of new faces that night that I almost failed to socialize. Good thing, I was avail to have small chitchats with the bloggers I know.

As usual, Taste Asia provided the bloggers with oh-so-great food. While Coke provided us with overflowing Coke, Coke Zero and their latest offering, the Minute Maid Orange Juice. One thing unique about Minute Maid is that there’s orange pulp within the juice. With the orange pulp on your juice, you are assured that the juice you’re drinking is made from real oranges. The taste is just right and won’t kill your throat. I remember drinking some orange juice that almost killed my throat. I needed to drink glasses of water just to get rid of the sweetness that got stuck in my throat.

More bloggers party to come!