What to watch during the holidays

Ever since the “ber” months started in September, the days have been filled with activities that remind everyone that Christmas is just around the corner. Although still two months away, the countdown has began on television news programs that broadcast our reputation as having the longest Christmas celebration in the world.

This interesting characterization leads to the last three months of the year being crammed with concerts, film showings, book launchings, television specials, weddings, corporate announcements, blessings, reunions and anything remotely related to the birth of a child in a manger. November has brought us observations of Halloween as well as the Catholic celebration of All Saints’ Day. After that is a virtual avalanche of activities to pick from. 

From the area of communications and entertainment comes an announcement of Viva Communications, Inc. being appointed Philippine representative of RTL CBS Asia Entertainment Network for provincial distribution and airtime sales. What this means is that Viva Films, the small film company formed in 1981 by Boss Vic del Rosario, is now one of the largest entertainment companies in the Philippines with interests in movie production, home video, artist management, music, concert and event management and pay television.

RTL CBS is the English-language general entertainment TV channel formed by a joint venture in 2013 focusing on entertainment and variety shows broadcast in high definition. Based in Singapore, it is broadcast in Hong Kong, Indonesia, Malaysia, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Singapore and the Philippines. The group’s first channel RTL CBS Entertainment HD is now available in the Philippines as part of SKYcable offerings. Its programs include America’s Got Talent, Entertainment Tonight, Late Show with David Letterman, The X-Factor and US series like Elementary and upcoming Under the Dome.

In theater, we expect the showings this November until December of the pop classic Grease at the RCBC Theater with Gian Magdangal and Frencheska Farr; Cinderella with Karylle and Christian Bautista at the Newport Performing Arts Theater; Maxie the Musicale with teen actor Jayvhot Galang and Jojo Riguerra at Peta Theater Center; The Addams Family with Eula Valdes and Arnel Ignacio at Meralco Theater; and The Producers with Carlo Orosa, Topper Fabregas, G Tongi and Audie Gemora at Onstage Greenbelt 1. This is by no means a complete list.

Other Christmas time offerings are Martin Lopez’s annual Come to the Stable at Ritz Tower Makati, Dec. 7 with The Virlanie Children’s Choir; San Andres (Bonifacio) opera, CCP Little Theater, Nov. 29 to Dec. 8; Sandosenang Sapatos, children’s musical based on a Palanca winner, CCP Batute, Dec. 7 to 13; A Christmas Carol, Nov. 30 to Dec. 8, CCP Main Theater; and Jack and the Beanstalk musical, Nov. 14 to 16, Star Theater, Star City.

Of course, we shall never miss to list down the annual Disney on Ice Presents Treasure Trove that kids and seniors like us never tire of watching, from Dec. 25 to Jan. 3, 2014 at the Smart Araneta Coliseum. Watch out for favorite characters like Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White, Tinker Bell, Nala and Simba. For details, call 911-5555.

The bad news is that because of our insistence on scheduling everything during the holiday season, we shall not be able to watch everything. So our only advice would be to be selective.

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