Anna Maria leads Godspell cast in giving Letterman 'a peek'

One week before Godspell formally opened on Broadway last Monday, Nov. 7, the cast of Stephen Schwartz’s landmark musical led by Anna Maria Perez de Tagle gave David Letterman “a peek” last Nov. 7 when they guested on his top-rated show Late Night With David Letterman on CBS.

“It’s a thrill to meet Mr. Letterman and perform on his show,” Funfare’s Big Apple correspondent Edmund Silvestre quoted Anna Maria as saying. “He’s very supportive. It’s great of him to invite us and feature Godspell on his show. The entire cast just loves him.”

Anna Maria is featured in the musical with nine other Fil-Ams. Godspell opened on Broadway on Tuesday, Nov. 7.

A Disney star, Anna Maria is the daughter of one-time actor Artie Perez de Tagle, son of the legendary Sylvia la Torre. She has appeared in the TV shows Hannah Montana and Camp Rock, and the 2009 remake of Fame.

It was Anna Maria who led the singing of Day By Day, the most recognized song on Godspell, on Letterman’s show. Other popular songs from the musical include Turn Back, O Man; Learn Your Lessons Well; Prepare Ye; and Light of the World.

Based upon the Gospel According to St. Matthew, Godspell is Anna Maria’s Broadway debut after years of being a Disney star. It’s directed by Daniel Goldstein and choreographed by Christopher Gattelli (South Pacific), and stars a diverse company of 10 rising actors that also include Hunter Parish (Weeds, It’s Complicated) and Telly Leung (Glee, Rent).

 The cast went on a full-blast promo (that included the guesting on Letterman’s show) and did preview performances until Oct. 14 prior to the musical’s Nov. 7 opening at the Circle in the Square Theater in Times Square in Manhattan.

“I’m really excited to do this every night for people from all walks of life,” added Anna Maria about the musical, done in modern-day song-and dance, that originally scored more than 2,600 performances in New York and spawned touring productions in major US cities and a 1973 movie adaptation, plus numerous international engagements in the past 40 years.

Lea leads New York’s outstanding Fil-Ams

Outstanding New York Fil-Am awardees Lea Salonga and Bessie Badilla.

Lea Salonga leads New York’s Outstanding Fil-Am awardees by receiving the Heritage Award together with Dancing With The Stars junior championship winners Craig and Samantha Abaya, The Filipino Reporter, the Filipino-American National Historical Society and the Filipino-American Human Services.

NY Marathon girl Gem Padilla with Funfare ‘beauty expert’ Felix Manuel.

According to Funfare’s New York-based “beauty expert” Felix Manuel, the Heritage Award honors individuals, organizations and institutions that have provided steadfast support to the community over the years in areas of education, community engagement, public service and entertainment.

Held at the Weill Recital Hall of Carnegie Hall in Manhattan, the ceremony was hosted by Broadway star MiG Ayesa and Ernabel Demillo. Among the performers were Jonathan Badon, Kirby Asunto, Nina Mojares, Seven Odon, Gabe Basalatan, Michael Dadap and Sheldon Magbanua. Consul General Mario de Leon and philanthropist Loida Nicolas Lewis helped in handing out the plaques to the honorees and winners.

Felix said that New York City Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg stated that New York has always been proud to be a city of promise and opportunity for people of every background, including generations of Fil-Ams.

“Beauty queen/actress/singer/model/producer Bessie Badilla received the Arts & Culture Award,” said Felix. “Bessie garnered the highest number of votes among the nominees and topped the category.”

Other awardees: Grace Labaguis (Business and Entrepreneurship), Don Tagala (Media and Publishing), Jose Antonio Vargas (Courage of Conviction), Philippine Forum (Community Service and Advocacy), Sounds of Manila (Entertainment), Jerry Sibal (Fashion and Style), Rena Avendula of Payag Restaurant (Food and Restaurants), Dr. Lorna Bayes (Health Care), Michelle Manangan (LGBT Advocacy), The Filipino School of New York and New Jersey (Youth and Sports) and Deputy Marshall Roland Ubaldo (Public Service and Politics).

Former Binibini ends 2nd New  York Marathon

In another report, Felix Manuel said that 1990 Bb. Pilipinas-Universe Gem Padilla finished her second New York Marathon at four hours, 36 minutes and 46 seconds, beating her own 2008 record.

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“She’s the only Filipina to finish the NY Marathon not once but twice,” said Felix. “Gem was cheered on by her NY-based beauty queen/model friends Anthea Robles, Nol Cueto, Maricor Lustre and Lucia Santiago (she also joined the marathon). Gem was sponsored by Timex, along with Anthony Pangilinan.”

After the marathon, Gem couldn’t find the group who had her bag and celfone. She was shivering in the cold and was surprised when people helped her out and let her use their celfone to contact her friends.

“They say that New Yorkers are cold people,” Felix quoted Gem as saying. “I beg to disagree.”

What’s up?

We thought all the while that the song I Will Always Love You, sung by Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard in which she co-stars with Kevin Costner, was composed by David Foster. Guess what…it’s not a Foster composition, according to reader Tomas Ang: The song was composed by Dolly Parton (photo) in 1973, released in 1974. The 1975 version of Linda Ronstadt was brought by Kevin Costner (producer of The Bodyguard) to Whitney, re-arranged by David Foster for the movie. The original song to be used in the movie was What Becomes of the Broken Hearted but they found out it was going to be in the movie The Fried Green Tomatoes.

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