+ Follow ISAY ALVAREZ-SE Tag
ISAY ALVAREZ-SE
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[ArticleID] => 1276337
[Title] => Don’t be wicked, see ‘Wicked’!
[Summary] => CCP artistic director Chris Millado gave the following announcement, herewith revised and edited by RLO.
[DatePublished] => 2014-01-08 00:00:00
[ColumnID] => 135822
[Focus] => 0
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[SectionName] => Opinion
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[ArticleID] => 1075571
[Title] => Back in time with Katy!
[Summary] => Black and white movies, the classics, were part of my childhood. It was our kasambahay’s way of keeping me preoccupied whenever I got back from school, just in time for siesta. I don’t remember much about the plot, but I loved staring at the beautiful actors of that time — the men in their well-tailored suits and the ladies in their balloon skirts, which gave emphasis on their small waists. Through the classics, I was introduced to the young Gloria Romero. I can’t forget how beautiful she was, the curve of the bridge of her nose and her innocent face. During that era, actors possessed a regal air.
Fast forward to almost 30 years after, theater veterans and husband and wife Robert and Isay Alvarez-Seña were at our Umagang Kay Ganda studio to plug Katy! The Musical. It’s about the life of Katy dela Cruz. “Who is Katy?” I asked. Robert explained that Katy was Nora Aunor of her time: The queen of the entablado.
Isay gamely sang a few lines from Katy! about “Peping buying some saging.” She interpreted the song with a lot of throaty grumbling ala Cookie Monster (for the young generation to relate). But of course, it was tastefully done. It was jazz!
And something in me jumped to life, as if I’ve heard that kind of singing from somewhere — bodabil or vaudeville!
I had to watch Katy! The Musical.
The Meralco Theater was abuzz with spectators on the last day of the musical. And guess who I saw? Gloria Romero!
I was not so sure of what to expect as we waited for the curtain to open. When little Katy, played by Leana Tabunar sang, tears filled my eyes. It was really embarrassing, especially since the song was not even sentimental, but an upbeat Pahiram ng Kanta. In the scene, little Katy was trying to convince her father Juan to let her perform at the plaza. Later, she went on to sing in the sabungan. When her big break to perform on stage came, she did jazz, even as kundiman was the norm then.
I loved the scene of Hanna, Patsy and Katy where they sang Bituing Tahimik. With Katy, nothing was tahimik or quiet on stage. She was vibrant! Despite troubles in her personal life, the death of her husband, she gave her audience her best, the-show-must-go-on attitude.
I only knew of these things because of the play, but director Nestor Torre had the privilege of knowing the star up-close and personal. “Mommy Kate was the compleat professional in terms of performance, giving her shows and movies everything she had, thus did she emerge in my view as a symbol of our people’s shared dedication, creativity and survival instinct, traits which I hope will radiate out of tonight’s performance to inspire you, as they did our first opening night audience at Rizal Theatre, some 25 years ago,” was Torre’s message in the souvenir program.
I have so many favorite scenes in the musical — from Pahiram ng Kanta to Tale, Tale when Tatay Juan was telling Katy not to rush things, as well as the scene of Tingnan Mo nga Naman, Tatay’s farewell to Katy. Tirso Cruz III played Tatay Juan, and he was brilliant. I also enjoyed the scene where Katy sang Balut. All the while I thought it was an original of Sylvia La Torre. I was holding on to every note and every word of Olivia (portrayed by Dulce) and the teen Katy (Aicelle Santos). “Minsan ang minahal mo ay ako.” Katy and Peping’s Isa na namang Paalam was a bittersweet moment.
What made Katy! quite special for me, as it was for the rest of the audience, was not only about the inspiring life of Katy. It was about the struggle of Philippine theater and love for country. The scene where Olivia sang Panahon ng Kagipitan reminded me of the rebels in Les Miserables. It gave me goosebumps.
After watching the musical, it made me wish I lived during the days of vaudeville. Katy! The Musical brought me back in time.
So, thank you to all the actors, the production team of Katy! the musical for sharing with us an unforgettable moment, for bringing it back to life. Thank you, Robert and Isay, Tricia Amper Jimenez and Carl Balita for bringing Katy! to this generation.
The first run of Katy! in 1988 was the product of the passion and nationalism of Filipino artists — director Torre, librettist Jose “Joey” Javier Reyes and music by Ryan Cayabyab. The role of Katy was then played by Mitch Valdez. Olivia was played by Celeste Legazpi.
Mr. C’s message to the audience of Katy! The Musical: “Twenty-five years after its creation, it is but right to say now that the songs of Katy! do not anymore belong to Joey and myself. They belong to the Filipino people.”
It sure felt like it Mr. C, and I’m so proud.
Too bad Katy! only ran for two weeks at the Meralco Theater. I hope more Filipinos will be able to watch this masterpiece. I wish the producers release a soundtrack of Katy!. I have things on my wish list. I beg for your indulgence, I really want more of Pinoy music. Now, I can almost hear Tatay Juan singing Tale, Tale, “huwag lang magmadali.” Maybe, in time. I’m just grateful that Katy! The Musical happened.
(For comments and feedback, please e-mail me at [email protected]. For updates, follow me on Twitter @bernadette_ABS.)
[DatePublished] => 2013-08-11 00:00:00
[ColumnID] => 134513
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[AuthorID] => 1168457
[AuthorName] => Bernadette Sembrano
[SectionName] => Entertainment
[SectionUrl] => entertainment
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[ArticleID] => 913152
[Title] => Katy restaged July 25-Aug. 4 at Meralco Theater
[Summary] => Here’s good news for theater fans: Spotlight Artists Centre announces that Katy The Musical will be restaged from July 25 to Aug. 4 at the Meralco Theater.
[DatePublished] => 2013-02-26 00:00:00
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[ArticleID] => 544425
[Title] => Robert & Isay at CSE fair
[Summary] => Robert Seña and Isay Alvarez-Seña (photo) will lead the line-up of featured entrepreneurs at the Center for Small Entrepreneurs’ (CSE) third annual trade fair starting today until Jan. 31 at the SM Megamall’s Megatrade Exhibit Hall 2 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.
[DatePublished] => 2010-01-29 00:00:00
[ColumnID] => 133272
[Focus] => 0
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abtest
February 26, 2013 - 12:00am
January 29, 2010 - 12:00am
