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Showing posts with label Nikki Gil. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Nikki Gil. Show all posts

Monday, February 11, 2013

Fell in Love with They're Playing Our Song

Hello Charmed!
Whew! Almost a month of hiatus! Anyway, before I talk of school drama, let's get straight to the topic.
  Last Friday, I went to the press preview of  They're Playing Our Song at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. The auditorium was filled with VIPs, guests and members of the press. And of course, everybody was ecstatic for the premiere show! 


My retro-inspired look :)

Ticket for the show (Special thanks to Paige for my TPOS inspired nail art <3 br="">  
We are holding on the promises they've said from the presscon. Remember them? Now I'm gonna tell you my personal review of the show!

They're Playing Our Song was written by Neil Simon, music by Marvin Hamslich and lyrics by Carol Bayer Sager. About the relationship of Sonia Walks, an aspiring female lyricist and Vernon Gersch a renowned composer.


 Loved how they kept that 70's vibe of the set! (As promised! Yay!)… and what we loved is the revolving center stage that not only used for changing the scenes; from an old-fashion recording studio to a disco club full of LED lights and disco balls in just 1..2..3.. Snap! But also used for the continuity of one of the scenes where Sonia (Nikki Gil) and Vernon (Lorenz Martinez) were in a car and going to a vacation and the street signs go round!  Okay, I'll leave that to your imagination.

    There are basically two main characters in the play, they're Sonia Walsk and Vernon Gersch, played by Nikki Gil and Lorenz Martinez, respectively. Nikki has been good at acting and even portrayed Charity in Sweet Charity, but here you can see how she separated the character of Charity from Sonia. She told us that she even make a list of what each of the characters have, then differentiate the two.
  Meanwhile, according to the director, "Lorenz is the perfect Vernon" 'cause he also composes and looks focused as the character.  And for the sarcasm, he said that his peg was Chandler from Friends! But all in all, their performance was much more than romantic comedy. Yes, you will definitely laugh your heart out  but then it's very dynamic, along with the "invisible" Leon and the male and female ensemble, that you wouldn't notice that it was just a dialogue between two people!   And somehow they don't lose that energy and the stance, in fact, my fave scene with two of them is when they sang  and danced"They're Playing Our Song" in a disco club and Nikki's wearing a dazzling indiana outfit. ( I'll also leave that to your imagination). You'll also love Nikki's rendition of "I Still Believe in Love" and Lorenz's "Fallin", among my other faves.


 The show was really great! In fact I was speechless after all. Ask them! They're all taking to me but then I can't say a word! Maybe that's why I chose to write about it then. Tee-hee. So I must say it now, "Congratulations, everyone!"
  

   After the show,  the cast gathered for a press interview. If you'd only know how my insides are doing their cartwheel that time.
  







And finally, I had a chance to ask for an autograph from Nikki! Remember the first time we met here. Sadly, Billy's not present there (?).









The cast with the production team. Thank you for a very great show!

  The play won't just make you laugh, or fall in love but also show you how life goes by between these two contrasting characters. In memory of the late Marvin Hamslich, this play serves as a tribute to the world renowned, award winning composer.  So if you're a theater buff, music lover, or just someone who wants to spend Valentine with his/her loved ones, watching "They're Playing Our Song" is one romantic way to go!

THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati from February 9 to March 3.For tickets, call 9 Works Theatrical at 586-7105, 0917-5545560 or Ticketworld at 891-9999. You may also visit www.9workstheatrical.com or follow 9 Works Theatrical on Facebook (9workstheatrical) or Twitter (@9WT). 
  

Saturday, January 19, 2013

Are you ready to fallin' love? : They're Playing Our Song


      "And now I'm fallin', fallin' fast again,
               Why do I always take a fall, when I fall in love?" - Fallin' 
Are you ready to fall in love this February? 9 Works Theatrical brings you "They're Playing Our Song" a musical romantic comedy starring Nikki Gil and Lorenz Martinez



   "Well-known composer Vernon Gersch (Lorenz Martinez) meets aspiring offbeat female lyricist, Sonia Walsk (Nikki Gil) . It’s the token story of boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, girl falls head over heels for boy – only, the kookiness of Sonya interspersed with the wisecracks of Vernon leads to one hilarious scene after the other."


  What an awesome story right? It is based on the real-life relationship of the show’s Broadway creators, the late, great Tony Award-winning composer Marvin Hamlisch (“A Chorus Line”) and Grammy Award-winning songwriter Carole Bayer Sager (“Michael Jackson,” “Celine Dion”), THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG takes a peek into the trials that both Sonia and Vernon undergo before finding true love.




   I was invited to their presscon last Jan. 15 at The Conservatory , The Peninsula Manila. It has been a pleasure to cover this event because it is one great theater play to watch out for! From the great award winners, to now, being performed by one of the greatest theater production and casts! Not to mention our love for music, which I inherited from my mother.  

   For theater fanatics out there, you sure have known that Tony Award-Winner Ms. Lea Salonga once played Sonia Walsk before in one version of it and now it will be played by Ms. Nikki Gil!  Nikki said “I love Lea and anything that has to do with her. She really brought the role of Sonya to life in the previous staging. I’ll just have to bring something different to the table… my own version.”


      Just to think how nervous she is but hey! Nikki has played several roles before, like for Legally Blonde and Sweet Charity. She really is into it and performs very well. At the presscon she sang Fallin' as a teaser! Here she's partnered with Lorenz Martinez, one of the top theater actors in the country. He's a tenor and currently appearing in Resorts World Manila’s “The King and I” as Lun Tha, he has also appeared in shows like Forbidden Broadway, 9 Works Theatrical’s The Wedding Singer, Rogers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Asian Tour), and the Netherlands production of “Miss Saigon” as the Engineer, among others. No doubt this two will give a very great show on stage!

Moreover, the director, Mr. Robbie Guevara wanted to maintain the 70's setting of the play! Oh how we love vintage and retro!


L-R : Director Robbie Guevara, Peachy Atilano, Anna Santamaria,  Jill Pena, Lorenz Martinez, Nikki Gil, Noel Rayos, James Stacey and Reb Atadero

   During the Q&A, the casts were asked about their most romantic moment. Wanna guess what's Nikki's most romantic moment with Billy? She shared, "I was in a rush for a show and Billy offered to blow- dry my hair!" She said she even got a picture of it! Haha XD But the most unforgettable answer for me was from Ms. Anna Santamaria, one of the casts and the wife of the Executive Producer Mr. Santi Santamaria. " I really didn't want a huge wedding, " Ms. Anna told the press, " but he insisted that "since you didn't had a big debut, I'm gonna give you a very big, fairytale wedding" ". And we were like: "Awww…". Aren't they the sweetest company owners? As you can see they both manage their company because Ms. Anna loves to act and Mr. Santi loves theater plays! This play truly had the heart and the passion. :)


The casts with Mr. Santi Santamaria (Executive Producer), Mr. Jon Jon Martin (PR Manager) and Mr. Toff de Venecia (PR Director)
  
I really enjoyed this romance-filled presscon of "They're Playing Our Song". Thank you Sir Santi for inviting me! And to 9WT and The Peninsula Manila for a warm welcome. :)


 Here's a little token of gratitude from 9 Works Theatrical and Charmed!

One winner will win:

"They're Playing Our Song" loot bag consisting of a TPOS shirt, accessories (pair of earrings and a bracelet), The Peninsula Manila brochure
And from me, a copy of the latest issue (3rd issue) of DDG Magazine  and a VIP Membership Card from The Make Up Store!


You just have to:
1.) Like 9 Works Theatrical on FB and/or Follow them on Twitter @9WT
2.) Post on FB "Fall in love this February @9 Works Theatrical 's They're Playing Our Song starring Nikki Gil and Lorenz Martinez  http://thelovedeity.blogspot.com/2013/01/are-you-ready-to-fallin-love-theyre.html"
 and/or Tweet " Fall in love this Feb @9WT 's They're Playing Our Song #playingoursong2013 http://thelovedeity.blogspot.com/2013/01/are-you-ready-to-fallin-love-theyre.html"
3.) Follow me on Twitter @Charmed_MoMo and Bloglovin'
 4.) Comment your Twitter and/or FB and your email add (you used to register to Bloglovin').

I'll pick the winner by Feb. 5 because…. Whoever I'll pick randomly as a winner MIGHT receive a very special prize from me! And who knows? The prizes MIGHT be more than that… So keep your entries coming!



 
THEY’RE PLAYING OUR SONG will run at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati from February 9 to March 3, and is co-presented by The Rockwell Club and The Peninsula Manila, with special participation of SM Accessories, Lynelle’s, Mary Grace, BPI Credit Cards, and media partners, MYX, Business World and HerWord.Com.

For tickets, call 9 Works Theatrical at 586-7105, 0917-5545560 or Ticketworld at 891-9999. You may also visit www.9workstheatrical.com or follow 9 Works Theatrical on Facebook (9workstheatrical) or Twitter (@9WT). 

Monday, September 17, 2012

Chef Lau's Dinner Party at Bistro Filipino by Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief



Hello Charmed people!!!

    Last night was a gastronomic event for all the people who attend the Chef's Dinner Party by Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief Toothpaste and Chef Rolando Laudico at his resto, Bistro Filipino! In case you don't know, I won 2 seats for the dinner party! Yay! See my post here.  Chef Lau wanted to celebrate with few chosen guests his freedom from tooth-sensitivity and I'm very glad to be able to come and enjoy eating without that painful feeling in our pearly whites. Are you excited as me?
So, let's witness our adventure! Yes, it's an adventure 'cause it was a very long and fun night for all of us







We came about 6:30pm at Chef Laudico's Bistro Filipino at BGC, Taguig. After few minutes of walking around, we finally made it there and welcomed warmly by the organizers and sponsors.
  








My outfit for that night



What do you think about my outfit?
 

And they congratulated me for winning … and luckily, because we're also assigned to Table 1!


My lemon-name… (get it? Lemon-Name? haha XD )
  

Since there's just few people around, I moved around and took pictures of the place...








I'm actually finding Margaret's Lemon Name 'cause she hasn't arrived yet that time. When I found her seat, I returned to our table and wondered who'll be sitting around our table… And I found this!



And I was like, "Divine? As in Divine Lee? Oh my!!!!" . I really want to check if that's Divine Lee's seat next to us then I found another lemon name...




No wonder! I'm excited to see them!!


And finally they arrived!
  




When I first saw Divine Lee I was like, "Ang tangkad niya!" She's towering…and slim! I felt really short! I mean, she's just wearing a 4-inch pumps, if I'm not mistaken, but then I technically looked-up to her! Even Chef Lau commented about her height!
And she's so becky! :D

  


Then with VictorBasa of course! He's so gwapo rin! And tall! haha :D Guess I need additional inches >.<

If you're asking where's Chef Lau, actually he's around the counter chatting with the other guests and his friends. So we're just finding the right timing to take picture with him.


Meanwhile, another couple came!
  

Colgate Fresh Confidence Endorsers- Billy Crawford and Nikki Gil!!

It was about 7:15 then the voice over told that the program will start in about 2 minutes. That just when we saw Chef Lau available so we took the chance to have picture with the owner of the Bistro Filipino and the one celebrating his freedom from tooth-sensitivity!





Chef Lau is really approachable and would spend time to chat with you if not only because the program will start soon!

The program started. Can you see how near we are?


They showed the magical mug. It's one of the freebies given to us at the registration area.
When you put hot water in it, the blue color will fade, as to show the logo of the event




Chef Lau was introduced to the audience then he talked about how Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief changed his life and now he wants to celebrate the pain-free way of enjoying eating!
 




The Menu 




So what are we waiting for? Let's get it started!

Chef Lau explained every dish while it is being served to us. How's that!

Of course the first is the appetizer course which is…

Lumpiang Ubod Cone with Frozen Spicy Vinegar
 




He wanted to recreate the Lumpiang Ubod--street-food style with cone-shaped crispy wrap. The vinegar sauce is also a complement, with its spicy and sour taste being balanced by having it frozen to lessen the spicy feel.

  
Here's the catch; When I and my father saw the dish, I told him "Pa, may hipon." ["There's shrimp"] then my father jokingly said "Hala ka…". I had allergies to shrimp when I was a kid but when I grew up it was nearly gone or the effects of eating it won't be as harmful as before but still you can't let me eat shrimp! I mean, I really don't eat it for quite some years from now, because of the shrimp-y smell and taste that I don't get used to it. BUT!!! BUT this Lumpiang Ubod Cone was different! I ate it. And I didn't even tasted the shrimp-y thing that I used to dislike but instead it was really appetizing!!!




Plus the vinegar was well blended to harmonize with the Lumpiang Ubod!





Next is the soup course:
Adobo Mushroom Cappuccino 
Adobo? Cappuccino? Yes! Chef Lau tried to add some twist to the usual Adobo! So many twists that you might think it's impossible but I tell you, you can really taste the adobo here!




It's the Adobo sauté with Shitake mushrooms and garlic foam to balance the sour taste, thus it's cappuccino!
  



And now the Salad dish coming right up!
 
Three Kinds of Mango Salad with Dijon Bagoong Vinaigrette


The yellow, green and dried mangoes you can see here topped with fresh leaves and...




Can you see that white thing on top? That's kesong-puti crusted with kasuy (cashew nuts)!! 



My favorite dish so far! Why? You know, all I was saying when I was eating the kesong-puti is "ang sarap" (Delicious), to my father and maybe because of that he gave me the kesong-puti from his plate!  While I'm typing this I can still remember how good it tastes!!
Well, maybe you won't forget your name but you may forget it's your companion's salad dish!


While we are waiting for the main course, Chef Lau approached our table to ask how's the food! And we, all those on the Table 1 unanimously told him that the Mango Salad was great! He also shared that ever since the Bistro Filipino started, this Mango Salad was one of the staple dishes they have on the menu!
  




He shared his experiences of being a chef! It was really fun listening until the main course came and he told us to start eating and ignore his presence there. Haha :D

For the Main Course:

Kitayama Wagyu Beef in Sampalok glaze served with Taro Puff and Oven-Roasted Tomatoes


In short, it's a Sinigang! With a twist!




The sauce tastes like Sinigang and of course added with the veggies to complete.

On top is liempo, then the Kitayama Wagyu Beef [ FYI: This Kitayama Wagyu Beef is a local product], then the Gabi or Taro Puff. Suggestion: Slice off bite-size pieces of each and eat them at the same time, and promise, you'll really got a taste of heaven! The magic of it comes from the complementing tastes of meat, taro and the sampalok that when eaten at once creates that "Hmmm" feeling!
  



My father commented that he highly appreciated this dish! And even told me that I should eat already. And the manner of eating it!
That's a big thing for me 'cause he usually doesn't talk during events and keeps his comments until we reached home. And he's the one cooking in our house so, criticizing is what he usually do but this dish made him say a really good note!
Honestly, I've consumed all of it! Sabi nga eh, "said na said"!
 
Hmmm, we're full but there's still room for dessert! But before they serve it, Chef Lau admits that making dessert is not his forte, but his wife's, Chef Jacquie, the chocolateire. She's the other half of the resto, concocting chocolates and desserts with a Filipino touch, so the name, Patisserie Filipino as the brand of the desserts.
  



 
She's really nice! When I asked if we could take picture she agreed and told us not to leave because there's still a surprise treat for us. And we shouldn't leave without bringing home that treat!

  





For the dessert:

Banana Cue Tart Flambé with Langka Ice Cream and Caramel Crunch




Chef Lau explained that they really want to stuck on the concept of Filipino-inspired dishes. Like the first course, the Lumpiang Ubod, Chef Jacquie made the Banana Cue, which is one of the popular street-foods , into a lot more sweeter, delicious and elegant dish!
  


All yummy treats you can think of in one! Tart, ice cream, caramel and leche flan! 


What a happy and yummy ending! Both of the gastronomic adventure for tonight and my tummy!!
Or wasn't it the end yet?
 
Meanwhile, there's a raffle of Bistro Filipino GC's and Coffee Bean Tea Leaf Coffee Maker!






And before we leave, we had some picture-taking!



Why am I so kilig over Kean Cipriano of Callalily? I mean, I'm not really into bad boy looks but he sings! I like guys who sings! Isn't he cute too?
  



Margaret! Do you know that literally she's been "rubbing elbows" with Nikki Gil? Haha XD
  


Ms. Patty Laurel in neon dress! She really stood out of the crowd because of her dress!


Ms. Carla Abellana, endorser of Palmolive Shampoo! She looks stunning with her black hourglass-inspired halter dress!
  



The freebies


Here's the surprise treat Chef Jacquie told earlier.  



Truffles and Pralines!
  


We definitely enjoyed the dinner party at Chef Lau's Bistro Filipino!!

Experience freedom from tooth sensitivity by using Colgate Sensitive Pro-Relief!
'Til next!

Love,
MoMo