Casino Español goes Broadway
Because of the success of the Casino Español de Cebu’s talent night last year, the board of directors led by president Buddy Veloso gave their full support to this exceptionally unique club activity and opted to hold it again.
The evening’s extravaganza, dubbed “Casino Goes Broadway,†threw the spotlight on home-grown performers, all club members and their dependents. It showcased singers, dancers, and entertainers. As originally conceptualized, it was not a competition.
These artistas, at least for the night, gave life to an evening of sharing one’s blessings, and inspired by guts and courage, of camaraderie and laughter, of fellowship and most of all lots of fun, the participants gave it their best amid applause and cheers.
Bubbly Christina Gabucan captivated the audience with her interpretation of Don’t Rain on my Parade from the musical Funny Girl. Ballerina Tessie Javier did an up-beat dance by Abba from Mamma Mia. Danielle Mae Louise Go, 11 years-old endeared herself with her moving rendition of On My Own from Les Miserables. Tenor Del Ordoñez, captivated everyone with his version of If Ever I would Leave You from Camelot while fun couple Edgar and Cely Chiongbian brought the house down with their exhilarating Grease Lightning dance.
Amanda Gabucan showed her singing competence with her song Don Quixote from Man of La Mancha, followed by Leigh Ramos who did justice to I’m Telling You I’m Not Going from the Dreamgirls. Director for cultural and social activities Paco Jarque and his wife Monique masterfully exhibited their dance and song skills with Big Spender from Sweet Charity.
Past president Gabby Leyson and his partner Tina Jordana elicited much laughter and applause with their riotous interpretation of Sixteen Going on Seventeen from the Sound of Music. Restaurateur Winglip Chang, pleasantly surprised everyone when he sang the theme song of Starlight Express. The Jordana’s, Miren Sofia, Natalia Marie, and Jarrah together with Aurora Fernandez and Maria Luisa del Gallego had the audience on their feet with their rendition of Can’t Stop the Beat from Hairspray.
Eighty-seven year-old Aurora Causing Fernandez received a thunderous applause, for her performance of Memory from the musical Cats. Cheling Sala, Kathie Javellana and Ramon Jarque, lovers of music likewise elicited roaring cheers for their perfectly delivered medley of South Pacific and Bali Hai.
The Casino staff, in colorful costumes, did a perfectly choreographed surprise dance number from Les Follies. Front liners were Jehd Ombos, Joselito Occo, Raphel Batasin-in, Mona Maningo, Joan and Philip Galban, Gil Maravillas, Rodel Caranoo, Ivy Fugosa and Julie Bato.
The program’s finale had Susan Sala, Ana Climaco, Lehn Jarque, Lisette Garcia, Marivic Borromeo, Grace Lozada, Toots Torres, Rose Hennessy and myself as the singing nuns with their interpretation of I Will Follow Him from the acclaimed musical comedy Sister Act.
Bunny Pages was the evening‘s host and she made sure that program flowed freely from start to finish.
