Cherie back in theater after 20 years

It has taken multi-awarded actress Cherie Gil almost 20 years to return to the Philippine stage. On Oct. 16, for one night only, Cherie will perform the role of Joan in Atlantis Productions’ special staging of Anne Nelson’s powerful play The Guys, the first play written about 9/11 terrorist attacks on New York City.

Cherie, who has her hands full playing villain to Claudine Barretto in the highly rated ABS-CBN fantaserye Marina, as well as shooting a film scheduled to come out for the Metro Manila film festival, made it a point to make time for The Guys when Atlantis Productions’ critically acclaimed director/producer Bobby Garcia gave her a call.

"How can I say no to Bobby? We’ve been planning to work together for years! Timing wasn’t always right. Waiting for the right material was also partially the reason. But when he called about The Guys, we spoke for less than five minutes. I said, Finally! Moreover, the play depicts a very significant moment in all our lives which makes it more meaningful for me," Cherie declares.

The Guys revolves around the relationship of a writer and a fireman as she helps him write eulogies for the colleagues and friends he lost in the catastrophic events of Sept. 11, 2001. It was first performed off-Broadway with Sigourney Weaver and Bill Murray. It was later made into a film with Sigourney Weaver and Anthony LaPaglia.

Cherie remembers that tragic day very well. "I was living in Italy then when we saw the broadcast. Having lived in New York for awhile, it surely came as a shock! I was deeply saddened to see what the world had come to. Suddenly, there was fear everywhere. Then the sudden thought of friends we knew who lived there and the need to reach out to them hit me. I held hands with the rest of the world in the spirit of compassion, sympathy and deep pain. Personally, it made me want to make every minute count for as long as I was breathing — smile at every person I meet on the street and make every acquaintance and friendship — old and new — simply more meaningful."

And the fact the she will be performing opposite her brother, Michael de Mesa, makes this production even more memorable. "Michael is an actor and it will be a thrill and honor to work with him on stage," Cherie enthuses.

Cherie hopes that The Guys will only be the beginning of her return to the Philippine stage. She is a great fan of Broadway musicals (her last stage production in Manila was in 1985 as Mary Magdalene in Jesus Christ Superstar opposite Boy Camara). One of her all-time dream roles is that of Norma Desmond in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Sunset Boulevard.

But one thing at a time. Right now, Cherie is just over the moon to perform in The Guys. She realizes the importance of the play and hopes that the audience carries the message of the play into their everyday lives.

"I think that the play is a wake-up call for all of us to get out of ourselves and be there for others. To be grateful for this life and do the most we can to make it better for all," Cherie ends.

(The special one-night performance of The Guys is on Oct. 16, 2004 (Saturday), 8 p.m. at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. For tickets inquiries, you may call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187 or Ticketworld at 891-9999).

Manila 05 —Fubu CD Collection

In 2002, rap pioneer Francis M. together with Fubu Philippines’ Nick Tuason and Carlo Maniquiz, came up with an idea to gather the country’s best hip-hop acts in a commemorative CD for Fubu and showcase these acts all over the world.

Two years later, this dream is now realized with the release of Manila 05 — Fubu CD Collection, a collector’s item of a CD featuring the country’s most talented hip-hop artists.

The Manila 05–Fubu CD Collection boasts of such A-listers as Francis M, Mastaplann, Sun Valley Crew, PiKaso, Gloc 9, DJ Arbie Won and DJ Kimozave as well as promising acts Mike Swift, Submarine Funk, Mista Blaze, Slick N’ Sly Kane, Gobas, KrazyKyle, Caliph8, Krook & Jolo, Dcoy, DJ Mod, DJ Ryu and DJ Paul.

The release of Manila 05–Fubu CD Collection marks the first time a major US apparel brand has come up with this unique project showcasing the best of Pinoy hip-hop. This is also in line with the continuing celebration of Fubu’s third year in the Philippines as well as Fubu’s continuing support to the auspicious hip-hop industry in the country.

"Hip-hop all over the world, including the Philippines, is always portrayed in a negative light," says Francis M. "Fubu has always been a true supporter of the hip-hop culture, be it mainstream or underground. Through this CD, Fubu intends to uplift the hip-hop music industry by showcasing these great hip-hop talents all songs in the CD convey positive and inspiring messages. And that is what the Philippine hip-hop scene is all about."

Fubu Philippines initiated the production of this CD as a sequel to Fubu New York’s successful release of the groundbreaking The Goodlife in 2001, which featured hip-hop legends like LL Cool J, Nas, Bcenie Man, Nate Dogg and Eric Sermon. Like its predecessor, Manila 05 Fubu CD Collection challenges its listeners with new ideas and conscious lyrics and pulses with the populist power of the street. So successful is this CD that a sequel (Fubu CD Collection Series 2) is now in the works.

(The Manila 05–Fubu CD Collection is available only at Fubu Philippines and can be availed by purchasing P2000 worth of Fubu merchandise.)