CEBU, Philippines - Due to the resounding success of the Casino Español de Cebu’s talent night last year, the board of directors, led by president Buddy Veloso, once again gave their full support to this exceptionally unique club activity.
The evening’s extravaganza aptly 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. They were there to share their talents.
These artistas, at least for the night, gave life to an evening of sharing one’s blessings, and inspired by guts and courage, of cammaraderi and laughter, of fellowship and most of all lots of fun, the participants gave it their best amidst applause and cheers.
The show opened with Bubbly Christina Gabucan captivating the audience with her interpretation of Don’t Rain on my Parade from the Broadway musical Funny Girl. Ever graceful ballerina Tessie Javier did an up-beat dance number by Abba from Mamma Mia. Danielle Mae Louise Go, all of 11 years old and the youngest performer, endeared herself with her moving rendition of On My Own from Les Miserables.
The evening would simply not be complete without tenor Del Ordoñez, who captivated everyone with his version of If Ever I Would Leave You from Camelot. Fun couple Edgar and Cely Chiongbian brought the house down with their exhilarating adaptation of Grease Lighting from Grease.
Amanda Gabucan, who at 7 years old a few years back, performed at the Asia Pacific Festival in Pittsburg, California, showed her singing competence with her rendition of Don Quixote from Man of La Mancha, while Leigh Ramos did justice to the song 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 amidst 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 Cant Stop the Beat fromHairspray.
Eighty-seven-year-old Aurora Causing Fernandez, in glittering evening gown, received a thunderous applause, cheers and standing ovation 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 wee Jehd Ombos, Joselito Occo, Raphel Batasin-in, Mona Maningo, Joan and Philip Galban, Gil Maravillas, Rodel Caranoo, Ivy Fugosa and Julie Bato.
The programs finale had Susan Sala, Ana Climaco, Lehn Jarque, Lisette Garcia, Marivic Borromeo, Grace Lozada, Toots Torres, Rose Hennessy and this writer dressed as “angelic nuns†but with a twist, high heels and fully made up, doing an adaptation of the much acclaimed musical comedy Sister Act.
Thanks to the talent and skill of MC Bunny Pages, the evening ‘s program flowed freely from start to finish without any hitches. It was truly a wonderful evening of fun, laughter and lots of surprises with outstanding fellowship and bonding between members. (FREEMAN)