Miguel Mendoza awakens

Miguel Mendoza is no stranger to performing. In fact, he’s something of a singing wunderkind. How else can you describe someone who has been in both Philippine Idol and Pinoy Dream Academy? And as he makes his professional stage debut in Atlantis Productions’ Spring Awakening, Miguel will prove that he is more multidimensional than being “just a singer.” The Philippine premiere of Duncan Sheik’s ground breaking rock musical Spring Awakening will show audiences the triple treat that Miguel fully is.

In Spring Awakening, Miguel plays the supporting role of Georg, a piano student who has difficulties concentrating on his music because of his fascination for the feminine charms of his teacher. Just like the other characters in the play, Georg soon discovers the nuances of adulthood and the pains of growing up. It is a role that Mendoza relishes.

“Though I’m not a nerd, people think I am so I guess somehow it is me,” he says. “I also like Georg’s scenes with his teacher because I can actually relate to it.”

It is the material, however, that sold him to the project. “I was so impressed with Spring Awakening because it is completely different from the many musicals I have heard of. It is completely different in the sense that the whole production is so daring. I am very excited to be part of Spring Awakening. It will mark my first professional stage performance and I am ready for the challenge. I am honored to be able to sing Duncan Sheik’s alternative rock score every night,” Miguel says.

Miguel, who has a number of school productions under his belt including Godspell and You’re A Good Man Charlie Brown, will help realize this daring production come September. “It talks about a lot of untouched topics,” he says. “Based on the songs that Georg sings, it seems like he wants to break free from the weeping and mourning that’s obvious with the youth today. This generation experiences more problems than the generations before.”

In time, Miguel will give voice to the musical of his generation. It will be quite a show.

Spring Awakening won seven Tony Awards including Best Musical. Due to explicit content and partial nudity, parental discretion is advised.

Spring Awakening runs from Sept. 25 to Oct. 17 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati. Only a few shows remain available for showbuying and fund-raising.

For details, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or 840-1187.

The doting mom in Kris

Kris Aquino would drop everything for children. And for her mom, too. In the entertainment scene, she is the glamorous Queen of All Media. Behind the TV screens, she is a loving, doting mother to Joshua and Baby James. She can talk endlessly about her kids — Joshua’s piano lessons, Baby James’ recording. No doubt they are the apple of her eyes. She is a spoiler mom. And she is willing to give everything for her children. She works hard for her children. She easily gets hurt when it comes to her children. She may not be the perfect mother but she tries to be the best she can be. The health and the well-being of Joshua and Baby James are topmost in her list. That is why Kris is very cautious when giving vitamins or the food that they take. Baby James loves chocolates. Joshua loves to eat. But both of them love to drink Eight O’Clock ImmunoActive.

According to Baby James’ yaya, Gerbel Luntayao, Baby James loves sweets — chocolates and ice cream especially. He also loves Playhouse Disney. “Sobrang kulit ni Baby James. He is in that stage called the terrible two,” says Gerbel.

“Baby James is like a movie star. Artista talaga. During the album signing of his and mom Kris’ album We Are 1 at the Trinoma, kaway ng kaway na parang artista. Walang stage fright si Baby James,” adds Philip Roxas.

On the other hand, Joshua is adept at the piano and his favorite piano pieces nowadays are The Swing, Where is Love (from Oliver), Are You Sleeping, The More We Get Together, Anyone Else But You (from Juno soundtrack), All Out Of Love, Kung Para Sa ‘Yo and Ikaw Na Nga, a Willie Revillame hit song.

As a mother, Kris has found a trusted partner in Eight O’Clock Immunoactive because it has a vital list of vitamins to help maintain a strong immune system. The sweet tasting juice drink helps her children healthy. She has also taken a new role of telling mothers to give the best for their kids and to ensure their children are protected from sickness in the same manner she does with her children.

As an Eight O’Clock ImmunoActive mommy, Kris believes that love and protection for her children is of prime importance despite her frenzied schedule. She loves Eight O’Clock because it is the only drink that has Selenium. Selenium, aside from being necessary for proper immune system response of the body, strengthens the body’s defenses against illnesses.

Eight O’Clock is Kris’ best companion to keep her family with a strong immune system.