Women on a mission, because the violence has yet to end

CEBU, Philippines - Love for theater and a shared advocacy to end violence against women have brought them together. And while the daily grind of their respective careers has them occupied, those two common denominators are more than enough reason for these six ladies to squeeze in time between work and family duties just to get the message out.

Led by their director Rhea Fantonial-Bautista, five Cebuanas namely, Adrienne Tenazas-Lee, Charlene Virlouvet, Andrea Pateña, Patty Taboada and Sheena Esa will take part in V-Day (the worldwide activist movement to end violence against women) and International Women’s Month by staging a benefit show of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues (VM) today (March 22), 6:30 p.m. at La Belle Aurore Bookshop on Junquera St., Cebu City.

Ensler penned the first draft of the monologues in 1996 after conducting interviews with 200 women about their views on sex, relationships, and violence against females.

“If each member in the audience would not just hear, but listen to the message of each monologue, Cebu would be a much better place to live in. We have to elevate the status of women in the sense that they need to be respected,” said Rhea, a Mass Communications graduate who chose to pursue a career in the academe.

A mother of two, she is currently a college professor, but has never left her first love. “I make sure that I have three productions every year. It’s not because of the glamour, it’s more of the healing that theater gives me. It gives me a sense of fulfillment every time I perform. Theater is like an outlet, where you can express the truth and portray different lives.”

Charlene, a French instructor, started theater at 13. She had participated in a lot of workshops since high school, but names Daisy Baad as that one mentor who really brought out her passion for performing. “She was the one who taught me pretty much everything I know. Like our director, I also make sure I have at least one or two plays in a year. Amidst the stress of work, it’s something I look forward to all the time.”

Adrienne, a call center trainer, was introduced to theater by accident. She accompanied her mom to audition for a role in “Wicked.” The production asked her to try out as well, and Adrienne landed a good part in the play. She hasn’t looked back since, participating in several productions every now and then.

Sheena, on the other hand, is an English instructor and a Political Science major at the University of the Philippines. She has also been a member of Gabriela-Cebu chapter for the past three years.

“In behalf of the grassroots women whom I have been exposed to, yes, I could say there is an improvement in curbing violence against women and children, but poverty is still very rampant in this country. And poverty is a kind of violence, not necessarily physical, but because women typically handle the household budget, it is something that greatly affects them,” stresses Sheena.

Patty, marketing writer for a local daily, points out that she’s the person in the group with the least theater experience, but that taking part in VM has her thirsting for more socially relevant roles. “VM is funny, entertaining and honest. When I first saw it back in 2010, I knew I had to be part of the next show.”

Andrea, TV reporter and newspaper correspondent, fell in love with theater since she was a kid. Had there been a school offering a Performing Arts course in Cebu, she would have taken that route instead of enrolling in Mass Communications. “The increased number of reported cases may be interpreted by some as a rising incidence of violence against women. But it could also be that women now are more aware of which government agencies to approach or have the courage to speak up. If the latter is the case, then there is improvement,” she says.

“But still, there are women who remain afraid and not aware of their rights,” laments Andrea.

Until then, and as long as they are able to get up on that stage, these women will persist with their mission of ending the violence one monologue at a time.

Hair, Makeup & Photography: Ana Candelaria AvisoLocale: Best Western Plus Lex CebuSpecial Thanks To: Angelie Palicte

TV5 doubles the weekend excitement with Pinoy Explorer, Kanta Pilipinas

Another fun weekend awaits Pinoy TV viewers with twice the excitement and thrill on TV5’s Pinoy Explorer and Kanta Pilipinas. Everybody’s favorite traveler Aga Muhlach is off to a new adventure on Pinoy Explorer this Saturday at 7:00PM, while the country’s first reality singing competition Kanta Pilipinas will reveal its grand winner on Sunday at 9:00PM.

This Saturday’s Pinoy Explorer episode will be Aga’s last episode for the show before he hits the campaign trail for the upcoming elections. He will visit Sarangani and General Santos City, where he tries his hand at catching flying fish.  Aga also tried another type of flying altogether, as he takes to the skies through paragliding. This week’s guest, Aga’s close friend Bayani Agbayani will join our host as they drop by the GenSan gym where Pambansang Kamao Manny Pacquiao often trains. Here, they will learn how to fight and punch like the People’s Champ.

While Aga takes a break from Pinoy Explorer, the journey of the country’s next music sensation is set to begin. The 24 hopefuls of Kanta Pilipinas have been narrowed down to eight finalists. Who among siblings Nicole & Carlo, the “sweet voice of Bicol” Pia, Fil-Am crooner Timmy, rock star princess Thara, Ilonggo rakista Ricky, Boracay-based singer-songwriter Ferns, Cebuana diva Chadleen and former New Born Divas member Jeniffer will make it to the grand finals? A whole new level of challenges await the remaining finalists this Saturday at 9:00PM.

On Sunday night, viewers will be at the edge of their seats for Kanta Pilipinas’ much-awaited grand finals night. Who among the remaining finalists will take home the grand prize of Php 1M and a recording contract? Host Rico Blanco and judges Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and Asia’s Nightingale Lani Misalucha will be put in the unenviable position of choosing who will be the country’s next musical inspiration.

This weekend, Pinoy viewers can spend quality time with their families while watching TV5’s double dose of fun. Catch Pinoy Explorer on Saturday, 7:00PM, and the finals of Kanta Pilipinas at 9:00PM on Saturday and Sunday.

MYX Music Awards 2013: The most iconic one yet

This year’s MYX Music Awards pays special tribute to all of the industry’s most renowned artists, all the way from the past to those who will shape the future of the scene.

It will be a night to bring together the best of all musical genres, be they pioneers or aspirers, to commemorate the power and the beauty of their craft in whatever form it may be.

With the likes of Sam Concepcion, Nikki Gil, and Elmo Magalona to the talents of Richard Poon and Yeng Constantino, the stage on this night will reveal the timelessness of music—and with presenters such as Pupil and Jay R, those present will witness just how vast the reach of a single song can be.

The highlight of the night will be the much anticipated presentation of the Myx Magna Awardee, an icon from the 80’s who shaped and forever changed the image and the sound of music, not only in the Philippines, but also in countries far beyond our shores. This awardee stands as concrete proof of what a Filipino musician can be.

See how the spectacle comes together on MYX (SkyCable Channel 23) or catch its live streaming on myxph.com.

Hangover Part III: Teaser Trailer

Warner Bros. has just released the first trailer for “The Hangover Part III” which can be viewed at http://youtu.be/VLDn91XrrcM.

This time, there’s no wedding. No bachelor party. What could go wrong, right? But when the Wolfpack hits the road, all bets are off.

Directed by Todd Phillips, the film reunites Bradley Cooper, Ed Helms, Zach Galifianakis and Justin Bartha as Phil, Stu, Alan and Doug. Returning to the ensemble are Ken Jeong, Heather Graham, Jeffrey Tambor and, as the guys’ long-suffering wives, Gillian Vigman, Sasha Barrese and Jamie Chung. John Goodman joins the cast as well.

A presentation of Warner Bros. Pictures, in association with Legendary Pictures, “The Hangover Part III” opens in Philippine theaters on May 29, 2013. (FREEMAN)