It has been a week since we had our concert KITANG DALAWA at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. I still can’t believe that it is over, I remember vividly the day when we got a text from Clottie of CCP inviting us to be one of the featured performers for this year’s Triple Threat series featuring Musical Theater Couples alongside Julienne & Stella Mendoza and Robert and Isay Seña. Ayen and I were more than honored and elated cause honestly it is a big deal!
It took some time for us to get the ball rolling since Ayen had just given birth and we were focused on working on our other commitments. We had our photo shoot in March taken by the amazing Jc Inocian but it wasn’t until July 28 this year when we had our first production meeting with our core Artistic and Production team at Wildflour, Rockwell that we felt this was really happening. We had barely two months to prepare for the show since we had the October slot. Short of saying it was crunch time.
This show is a testament of God’s faithfulness, greatness and goodness. Since we found out we were doing the show, we dedicated everything to God and laid everything on His feet. Since then He has been with us every step of the way, providing for our every need and guiding us every step of the way.
We are so blessed to have an amazing team whom we have worked with since Rama at Sita in 1998. So in a way it was like a 20-year reunion for some of us. Ayen and I would not have been able to go through this whole process as smoothly and as calmly as possible if it were not for the support and love of our dear friends Floy Quintos who knew us so well that writing and directing our show was like telling our story through his eyes and our Musical Director Von De Guzman who Ayen and I had the pleasure of working with in Atang and Fire in the Soul respectively. Mitoy Sta. Ana created a set that was simply world-class and Monino Duque lit us to perfection setting the mood for the whole show. Aji Manalo was responsible for making sure we sounded good and based on the feed back from our guests, we did, Thanks Aji. We are forever grateful to Pj Rebullida and Cecile Martinez for choreographing four numbers for the show executed beautifully by Joni Galeste, Jourdan Bartolome and the Whiplash.
Another answered prayer is our Teaser Video and Highlights Video directed by LJ Flores of The Seek Project in collaboration with Story of Us Studios led by Alain Caasi and John Rofer Traya. They are simply brilliant. Watch out for them world!
Our show was also an avenue to showcase Filipino talent in fashion and we thank our cousins Rajo Laurel and Venise Laurel Hermano of House of Laurel, JC Buendia, Jojie Lloren, Jaz Cerezo and M Barretto for creating our wardrobe. We literally felt like models!
How can we not acknowledge the rest of our Dream Team – Chang Bayaborda (Production Manager), Peggy Sangco (Asst. Production Manager), Roy San Luis (Stage Manager), Ed Murillo (Asst. Stage Manager), Che Colmenares (Marketing Manager), Bong Garcia (Technical Director), Luther Gumia (Asst. Lighting Designer) and all the prod people who put the show together.
Thank you to our team of beauty experts who made sure we were picture and show perfect. Jorence Delimos, Mila Gulfin, Myrene Santos and Jan Edrosolan, we love you guys!
A major highlight of our show is the participation of our daughters Mariella & Angia and Ayen’s son Hasan who literally brought the house down with their impeccable talent. Our Superfriends and Theatre and Media stalwarts Sheila Francisco, Tonipet Gaba, Reuben Laurente, Jun Ofracio, Mica Ochangco and Bangge Mabanta shared their talent with us as well.
Having an awesome band Dave Dagta (Keyboard 2), Tyrone Mateos (Keyboard 3), Mark Hipona (Drums), JC Magsalin (Bass), Erskine Basilio (Guitar), Daniel Tagala (Cello) and back-up vocals – Babsie Molina, Sylvia Macaraeg, Zebedee Zuñiga helped make our show extra special. Thank you to all the arrangers and composers who allowed us to sing your songs.
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We are still overwhelmed with the outpouring of love and support from our family, friends and sponsors. Thank you CCP for giving us this opportunity to share or life, passion and love for the arts and entrusting us to close the series for this year.
Our Co-presenters – PLDT Home Fibr, Toyota Batangas City, King Men – Home of Authentic Sapporo Nishiyama Ramen and Sta. Elena Construction and Development Corporation.
Major Sponsors – Jewelmer, The Zen Institute, Exile, The Seek Project, Story of Us Studios
Sponsors – Dyson, Florabel, Café Sweet Inspirations, Basic Juicery, Petit Four, Turks, Crystal Clear Purified Drinking Water, Kaffea.
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Blessings,
