When was the last time you watched a truly great show? Like you walked out of the theater speechless, breathless, and relatively satisfied, more or less? The last great show I saw was in Vegas. It was a show called O by Cirque du Soleil and it delivered wave upon wave of death-defying feats, a unique tinge of surrealism, and a laudable amalgamation of waterworks, artistry and scintillatingly sensational acts. It was that definitive show that made me want to become an acrobat until, alas, indolence and anatomy took their unfortunate toll. O was that show that super made me look forward to visiting Vegas, apart from my dream of gambling and squandering all my money on slot machines and poker tables as soon as I turn 21. Now, I’m not so sure if O is still playing at the Bellagio. But with Celine Dion, Blue Man Group, and even Martin Nievera, Sin City will surely be your best bet for cutthroat gaming and world-class entertainment.
In a not-so-distant archipelago, the Philippine Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) has directed its own magnanimous efforts to bring Vegas a little bit closer to home. With Casino Filipino continuously providing the “ultimate gaming experience” to the regular Juan de la Cruz, PAGCOR has recently expanded its profile to include world-class family-oriented entertainment into its smorgasbord of contributions to the Filipino community. The company is able to do this via the recent debut of its hit show, Wanders, the Philippines’ most revolutionary breathtaking and captivating show to date.
Along with Cam, I caught Wanders several weeks ago, and was rather impressed by that night’s festivities. Rounding up some of the country’s most celebrated performers was a troupe of Chinese acrobats from Henan province and a handful of jazz and ballet dancers from Moscow and Bellarussia who showcased and injected a Vegas feel to the originally Filipino show. Wanders was conceptualized and produced, not by a London- or New York-based company, but by Filipinos with a vision. “We no longer relied on foreigners for their ideas and expertise but collaborated with other creative minds within the region to develop a show that is truly world-class,” said PAGCOR chairman and CEO Efraim Genuino, the visionary behind this mammoth undertaking.
The company performed a selection of timeless classics and dance numbers that reminded me of something you’d see in both Old and New Hollywood. These numbers were enhanced via advanced theatrical engineering, stunning acrobatics, and the right amount of gimmickry to give the show that extra oomph! Among the show’s top-billing performers were Topper Fabregas and Cathy Azanza who play the curious, hippity-hoppity travelers in la-la land, Calvin Millado as the touring maestro, Nonie Buencamino, and Frenchie Dy who you may remember from ABS-CBN’s Star-in-a-Million. In addition, the show has employed some top dancing groups from within the region to grace the stage alongside Wanders’ international performers. Among which were the Hotlegs, Whiplash, and the Manoeuvers
Although the show was cohesively conceptualized and executed as a whole, there were some parts that really struck me and kept me on the edge of my seat. Some standout acts were the seemingly frail and delicate Chinese girl manhandling the candleholders with every conceivable part of her body; the group of female contortionists that bended more than Beckham, to the audience’s delight; and the couple that flew and danced around the stage via a white cloth that had consequently swung in circular motion after being machinated by the performers themselves. There had also been the standard shoot-through-holes routine by the male acrobats, the renowned “yoyo” act from the Henan region, and even a bow to the astoundingly amusing Blue Man Group from Vegas with Wanders’ own inspired rendition.
What the show was able to capture most of all is that distinct “East meets West” feel, compounding elements of theatre, concert, circus, and dance within a multimedia setting. An “initial step” towards bigger projects for the corporation in the future, Wanders should be able to catapult both our local entertainment and tourism industries to go head to head with international heavyweights, as well as take the notion of a truly Filipino show to a whole new level. With shows like Wanders, you realize that it’s not such a big stretch to say, “There’s no place like home!” So ‘til your next Vegas trip comes along, why not travel South to a little place called Casino Filipino? And experience something world-class a little bit closer to home?
Wanders is currently showing at the PAGCOR Grand Theater at the Airport Casino Filipino in Paranaque City. Shows are scheduled every Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday at 8 p.m. For more inquiries, contact 852-7752 or 852-7754.
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Catch your breath and let me know what you think at imcalledtoffee@mac.com.