An answered prayer for BB

All’s well that ends well between siblings Robin Padilla and BB Gandanghari. Robin posted on his Instagram account last month a photo of his son, Ali, playing with BB who was confined in a hospital.

We quote, “My son Ali showing his boxing moves to my sister BB Gandanghari who used to be my brother Rustom who beat me up when we were young. She #is so weak because of a very serious infection but her right cross is still as fast as before. My son was surprised and amazed.”

Robin’s post gained positive feedbacks from netizens. It is no secret that a gap existed between Robin and BB after the latter admitted her real gender identity. Despite the rift, BB still looked forward to a possible reconciliation with her family. “Hindi pa ganoon ka-perfect ang sitwasyon. It’s not really the same. Wala pa kami sa estadong iyon. Iyon ang nakaka-miss. That’s why you constantly pray for peace para maayos ang lahat. Mabalik lang iyong dati,” she once said.

The heavens must have heard BB’s fervent prayer and finally granted her wish. Her mom, Mrs. Eva Cariño, recalled in The Buzz everything that transpired leading to the reconciliation.

According to Mommy Eva, BB called to inform her that she was sick. They immediately fetched BB in her condo unit and were surprised to see her son in a dire state. “Pagdating namin doon, natulala ako. Hindi na ako makasalita. Iyong itsura niya parang wala na. Gusto kong umiyak, hindi ako makaiyak. Gusto kong sumigaw, hindi ako makasigaw. Nabigla ako. Hindi ko akalain na ganoon ang dadatnan ko. Siguro baka mga ilang araw na siyang may sakit. Noong talagang hinang-hina na siya na talagang feeling niya siguro mamamatay na siya saka lang siya tumawag sa akin.”

BB was rushed to the hospital. According to medical findings, she suffered from extreme dehydration. Mommy Eva believed that the misunderstanding among siblings played a large part in BB’s declining health. BB might have felt that her relationship with her brothers and sisters has changed after she came out in the open.

“Iba iyong closeness nila noong hindi pa siya ganoon. Alam mo naman iba-iba ang opinyon. Eh ako naman anak ko iyon. Hindi mo naman pwedeng itapon, di ba? Anak is anak! Ako, kung iisipan mo talaga masakit na naging ganoon siya pero anong magagawa natin? Wala. Iyon ang gusto niya. Iyon ang napi-feel niya. Sige na lang.” Mommy Eva proves that a mother’s love is unconditional.      

Mommy Eva called her other children to the hospital. They all came and cheered BB up. “Iyong dating ni Robin, ‘O, sister! Kamusta ka na?’ Iyon ang bati agad sa kanya. So nangiti si BB tapos iyong mga kapatid din niyang babae sabi, ‘Ateng! Sister’ mga ganyan so tuwang-tuwa na siya na ibig sabihin tanggap na siya as BB.”    

The Padilla matriarch is very happy that everything has been settled among her children. She thanked them for finally accepting BB for who she is. “Napasaya ninyo ako. Ilang taon kong tiniis na kayo ay hindi nagkakasundo. Ngayon, masayang-masaya na ako. Maraming maraming salamat.”

Mommy Eva also hopes that BB is on her way to complete recovery. 

BB posted a photo of her family on Twitter with the caption, “A family love that heals.”

Indeed!

Atlantis stages Carrie

Atlantis Productions will be staging the first production of the legendary musical Carrie outside the US from Sept. 20 to Oct. 6 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

Carrie, based on the modern classic by Stephen King, with music by Academy Award winner Michael Gore, lyrics by Academy Award winner Dean Pitchford and a book by Lawrence Cohen (who wrote the screenplay of the Brian de Palma film), tells the tragic story of a misunderstood high-school teenager named Carrie White with extraordinary telekinetic powers. Terrorized by her oppressive religious fanatic mother and bullied by her classmates, Carrie’s violent rampage of revenge remains one of the most terrifying stories of all time. Carrie first premiered on Broadway 25 years ago.

Award-winning musical theater actress Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo leads the cast as Margaret White. Mikkie Bradshaw, who has appeared in Nine, Disney’s Aladdin and Rock of Ages, will take on her first lead role as Carrie White. Markki Stroem plays Tommy, Yanah Laurel plays Sue, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez plays Miss Gardner, Jill Peña plays Chris, Mako Alonso plays Billy and Jamie Wilson plays Mr. Stephens. Joining them in the ensemble are Garie Concepcion, Johann dela Fuente, Nel Gomez, Lilette Lorenzana, Kim Molina and Bibo Reyes.

The role of Carrie, originally played in London and on Broadway by Linzi Hateley, is one of the most demanding roles written for a female lead. Mikkie says of her first lead role, “I am so tremendously excited. This is what I set out to do the moment I stepped out of high school. I’m so thankful for this chance. It’s really a dream come true. I get to work with Bobby Garcia again, the music is amazing and I love blood. The role just gives me so much to look forward to. I get to push myself emotionally. Plus, I get to be slapped around by Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo!”

Bobby, who directs Carrie and marks 20 years of directing this year, says, “I can’t wait to begin rehearsals for Carrie. It is a musical that I have been a fan of for 25 years. I have been working closely with the writers of the musical who have been so generous and supportive of our production. We have assembled a fantastic cast and I can’t wait to start creating the show with all of them in the room.” 

Carrie features choreography by Cecile Martinez, musical direction by Ceejay Javier, set design by Otto Hernandez, lighting design by Martin Esteva, costume design by Raven Ong and vocal coaching by ManMan Angsico.  

Atlantis Productions was also given permission by the writers to release a four-track EP CD of Carrie featuring the original Manila cast. The limited edition CD will be released in time for the opening of Carrie and will be sold at the theater lobby and at Atlantis Productions.  

For tickets to Carrie, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.