An award-winning musical director comes home

One of the country’s most versatile musical directors, Archie Castillo, returns to Manila to conduct FILharmoniKA Orchestra in Atlantis Productions’ highly anticipated staging of the hit Tony Award winning musical Hairspray which runs from Nov. 14 to Dec. 7 at Star Theatre, CCP Complex.

Archie has an impressive 18-year track record making him one of the most prolific music directors in the country. As a music director, composer, arranger, record producer and orchestrator for film, TV, musical theater and concerts, Archie has numerous awards and nominations from distinguished Philippine music and film organizations. He earned an international recognition in Finland when he won Best Arrangement at the 1994 International Midnight Song Festival.

FILharmoniKA is the most sought-after orchestra in the country today. The group was formed in 2005 under the leadership of music director Gerard Salonga as the in-house recording ensemble of Carmel House Studios, a music and audio post-production facility in Manila. Their music prowess can be heard on film scores and albums such as the animated feature Tugger starring Jim Belushi, Ang Pamana, and the albums of Lea Salonga, Regine Velasquez, Martin Nievera, Gary Valenciano and Mon David. The orchestra can also be heard on the station IDs of The Filipino Channel and Q-11, as well as major TV commercials. The orchestra’s goal is to bring the best of Filipino music to audiences here and abroad. It also wants to introduce new audiences to the magic of orchestral music.

Archie and FILharmoniKA will be playing the original Tony Award nominated Broadway orchestrations of Hairspray.

Hairspray is the winner of eight Tony Awards including Best Musical. The cast has a powerful ensemble of actors and singers including Michael de Mesa, Dulce, Leo Rialp, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Nyoy Volante, Gabe Mercado, Enchang Kaimo and Noel Rayos.

Hairspray is directed by Bobby Garcia, choreography by Cecille Martinez, production design by Gino Gonzales and lighting design by Shoko Matsumoto.

For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078, 840-1187 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Puregold’s 10th anniversary

Puregold is celebrating its 10th anniversary. In line with the celebration, more stores are slated to open for better, more efficient and expansive service. Last month, Puregold opened a store in Malolos, Bulacan located at Kilometer 42 McArthur Highway, Bgy. Bulihan. More Puregold stores will soon open before the year ends.

A visit to any Puregold store gives every shopper a chance to take part in the celebration and win fabulous prizes in its All Out Blow Out 10th Year Pasasalamat Promo. Ongoing until Feb. 15, 2009, with P200 worth of participating grocery items purchased, Puregold customers can win instant prizes ranging from P10 to P10,000. For the grand draw, lucky Puregold shoppers can win one of the following: brand-new cellphones, 10 months supply of grocery items worth P10,000, a sari-sari store showcase worth P25,000, a brand-new Toyota Vios, and P1-M in cash. Over P22-M worth of prizes await loyal customers of Puregold to a total of 140,000 winners.

Puregold All Out Blow Out 10th Year Pasasalamat Promo is per DTI-NCR Permit No. 4833, Series of 2008.

The Grand International Christmas Bazaar

My friend Tin-Tin Bersola-Babao will have a Christmas bazaar titled The Grand International Christmas Bazaar on Nov. 21, 22 and 23 at the World Trade Center.

She is inviting Filipino importers, exporters, manufacturers, entrepreneurs to be part of the bazaar. Expats and Philippine residents of foreign descent are also invited to show, share and sell their unique products to Filipino consumers. Among the celebrity entrepreneurs joining the bazaar are  Sheryn Regis, Sherilyn Reyes, Korina Sanchez, Cheryl Cosim, Donita Rose, PBB winners Nene Tamayo and Ruben Gonzaga, Bianca Lapus, Erik Santos, Ai Ai de las Alas, Dawn Zulueta, Rufa Mae Quinto, Mariel Rodriguez, Kristine Hermosa, Jodi Santamaria, Toni Gonzaga, Gladys Reyes, Amy Perez, Mickey Ferriols, Mommy Carol and Judy Ann Santos, Gretchen Fulido of Star News. Also on opening day, Tin-Tin will launch her Christmas story book Bakit Siya Meron? Bakit Ako Wala?.

The bazaar is for the benefit of Bantay Bata 163 and DZMM Aksyon Ngayon. Media partners are ABS-CBN’s Bantay Bata 163, Bayan Productions, DZMM Teleradyo, Kabuhayang Swak na Swak, Trip Na Trip and 101.9 For Life.

For details, call 931-0852, 0918-4880059 and 0917-4218423.