Cesar Montano recently graduated from the Lyceum of the Philippines University with a degree in Mass Communications. He said that his wife Sunshine Cruz is also planning to go back to school. He might study law in the future.
Recently Cesar also turned columnist for SM Mag. He wrote about Bohol, his home province. The actor visits Bohol twice a week and has several projects underway in the province. Cesar does not hide his interest to help Boholanos. For one, he has put up the Panaghoy Children Foundation which has done feeding programs, medical and dental missions in the province. He also brought several artists to Bohol to give children an art workshop.
Cesar also set up Bufido (Bohol Film Development Organization) that will come up with a film fest in July. Six films directed by members of the DGPI will be screened in Bohol. Eventually Cesar hopes to invite filmmakers from other countries as well. He is also working on a new project Eskaya, which he will direct. Cesar in 2004 directed and produced Panaghoy Sa Suba which garnered 37 awards from different award-giving bodies including Best Director and Best Film. Eskaya he said is similar to Alibata, an ancient alphabet. Cesar hopes to bring Eskaya to the Oscars.
He loves Bohol so much that he is doing his best to promote Bohol as a tourist destination. He hopes to create a Bohollywood. Bohol has been the location of many of his movies. It is also one of the most coveted destinations.
Asked if he will run for the gubernatorial seat in Bohol next year, Cesar said that he is still mulling about it.
Atlantis stages Spring Awakening
A young man rebels against the status quo, knowing there is more to life than what’s being offered. Elsewhere, a girl explores the mysteries of adulthood. The two meet, desires awaken and the world blazes afire with the experience.
The time has come for theater to celebrate youth as Atlantis Productions stages the Tony, Grammy and Drama Desk Award-winning musical Spring Awakening at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati this September. 2007’s Tony Award winner for Best Musical, Spring Awakening is the new rock musical that fuses “ethereal pop and irreverent punk” into a resounding story, thanks to the score of “Barely Breathing” chart topper Duncan Sheik.
Spring Awakening is a period musical filled with contemporary drama and rock music. Set in 19th century Germany where rules are strict and children are not spared the rod, Spring Awakening explores how brave young people rise to the challenge of self-discovery. As each character climbs his way up to maturity, audiences will share in the triumph in the youngsters’ coming of age. Due to Explicit Content, Parental Discretion is advised.
In Spring Awakening, some lucky audience members will get to be in the thick of the action with seats directly on stage. Heartfelt and intimate, each night will be another chance for viewers to be part of a show the New York Times said is “unmatched by anything in the theatre right now.”
After months of rigorous auditions and callbacks, Atlantis has assembled a fresh and exciting group of actors that can only be called one of the most promising casts to hit the stage, delivering some of the best new voices to Philippine theater. Callback videos were sent to New York for final casting approval by the New York producers of Spring Awakening. A full cast will be announced soon.
Spring Awakening marks Atlantis’ second offering for it’s 10th anniversary, after the hit production of The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee. Spring Awakening will be directed by Chari Arespacochaga and feature the set design of Tuxqs Rutaquio, choreography by Dexter Santos, costume design by Rajo Laurel, lights design by Voltaire de Jesus and musical direction by Jojo Malferari.
For showbuying and fund-raising opportunities, call 892-7078 or 840-1187. Parental guidance is advised for children who wish to view Spring Awakening.