A fusion of music, drama and food

After four months of work in Singapore taping episodes of The Kitchen Musical, Karylle and Christian Bautista are doubly excited to see the much-awaited TV musical air in October on ABS-CBN for the first episode and on Studio 23 for the rest of the episodes.

The Kitchen Musical is the first TV musical series in Asia. “It is about music, drama and food. Yon ang passion ng Asians. And when we first saw the first episode we were just blown away,” said Christian Bautista who plays Daniel Ray, a sous chef. “Kami ni Karylle ang dalawang assistant chefs. I am the best friend of Karylle who is secretly in love with her.”

For the TV musical, it was as if Christian and Karylle went to a boot camp where they had a few days house training or chef training. “The chefs had to learn how to stand up properly, cut food, cook food. We were shooting every day from Monday to Saturday. Our only break was Sunday. We had to be in one place. Di pwede yong paalis, alis.”

Together in Singapore for four months, some wags could not help but wonder, if romance brewed between the two. “Kung meron namuo, ang namuo ay yong professionalism naming dalawa. It’s not hard to play my role as Daniel who falls in love with Maddie (Karylle) because Karylle is amazing and she is very professional in her job.”

The cast of Kitchen Musical was all praises for Christian and Karylle. “The Filipinos are really super talented. We love to sing. And I feel proud to be a Filipino,” said Karylle.

Mariel, Robin celebrate anniversary

Mariel Rodriguez and Robin Padilla flew to Maldives to celebrate their first anniversary. Maldives, a small island between India and Sri Lanka, is a romantic island destination preferred by celebrities. Mariel and Robin stayed at ShagrilaVillingili Island Resort and Spa. According to reports, they were the first Filipino celebrities to have stayed at the place. While in the hotel, Mariel and Robin met the 30 Filipino OFWs working at the hotel. Mariel sent a video to The Buzz to share with fans, friends and followers their happy experience. “Maldives is so beautiful,” she said in the video clip. This is the place where my babes and I are celebrating our first anniversary.”

Countdown to a Century

TheUniversity of the Philippines Orchestra will lead the celebrations for the 100th anniversary of the UP College of Music with a concert on Sept. 1, 8 p.m. at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. BilledCountdown to a Century, the concert will featurepianist Nita Abrogar-Quinto with the UP Orchestra conductors Michi Martinez and Rodney Ambat.

For the concert at the CCP, the UP Orchestra will perform two works by Beethoven, namely the Coriolan Overture and Symphony No. 1, under the baton of Prof. Rodney Ambat in the first half of the program. Prof. Edna Marcil Martinez leads the orchestra in the second half of the program that will feature Britten’s Simple Symphony for Strings, Abelardo’s Piano Concerto with Nina Abrogar-Quinto as soloist, and Antonino Buenaventura’s By the Hillside.

Countdown to a Century will raise funds for the UP College of Music Alumni Association (UPCMuAA). The concert will also raise funds for the UPCMuAA Students’ recital fund and the development of the UP Orchestra.

For details, call 832-3704 or 832-2314.