TEXT BY CHARMAINE BAYLON
All the World’s His Stage
AUDIE GEMORA TALKS ABOUT MULTI-TASKING AS HE TAKES ON THE ROLES OF SWEENEY TODD, DAD, MENTOR AND RECORDING ARTIST
AUDIE GEMORA ISN’T known as the king of Philippine theater for nothing. He’s played parts in over 40 productions, including West Side Story, Les Miserables, Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo. He motivates fresh talents as president of management agency Stages, and as president and artistic director of theater company Trumpets. The teacher, host, director and choreographer also plays the lead in Repertory Philippines’ Stephen Sondheim musical, Sweeney Todd.
Which role challenges and fulfills you most?
I am essentially an actor. Many times on stage, I silently praise God, “This is what you created me to do — perform on stage.” All the other things I do emanate from that. I wish one could make a decent living out of acting in theater alone.
How do you decide on your next show?
As a producer I choose material that has great artistic and commercial possibilities. Trumpets even has a third consideration — spiritual. That has been the hardest for me to gauge. I have learned the hard way to seek God’s lead and wait on Him.
Sweeney Todd is a character driven by revenge and murder for the wrongs done him. How is it to play someone like him?
What makes Sweeney diabolical is he becomes a mass murderer in the course of seeking revenge. My challenge is to come up with a three-dimensional character that’s not only evil, but human too. Vocally, it is my most difficult role yet. The music of Sondheim is driving all of us in the cast batty.
What’s the most important lesson you’ve learned so far?
In my 30s I completely embraced my role as a musical theater actor. An artist cannot be self-centered. There comes a point when he has to give back. When your art positively impacts people, you know you’re on the right path.
What do you do during your time off?
What most people don’t know is that I’m a dad now. Best role bar none. Being with my son is my absolute favorite pastime. We do so much together. He’s into taekwondo now.
What’s your favorite place in the Philippines?
I’m from Iloilo, so whenever I can visit the province I do.
My brother owns a mountain resort in Bucari, Leon. It’s like Tagaytay there. Beautiful.
What impresses you about new talent?
Filipinos are innately talented in the performing arts. And I’m not just talking about the theater. I sit on the panel of [TV show] Talentadong Pinoy and week after week, I am floored by how talented Filipinos are. It’s incredible!
INFLIGHT ESSENTIALS
LISTEN
Battle Studies John Mayer’s fourth studio album doesn’t disappoint. A mix of ‘70s and ‘80s rock and pop, it has tunes from artists like Tom Petty, Fleetwood Mac and Neil Perry.
READ
Sense and Sensibility and Sea Monsters Don’t worry — Ben Winters’ parody of the Jane Austen classic still features the lovable Dashwood sisters. But instead of young men, they have to deal with giant lobsters, octopi and sea serpents in their journey and quest for true love!
STORE
SanDisk Extreme Pro CompactFlash Bring this memory card along if you love taking a lot of videos and pictures. It has a 64GB storage capacity and a 90MB read/write speed so you can transfer any kind of data immediately. So once you’ve shot your pics, you can save them, store them, and share them with friends and family.
Happy Brew Year
GET THESE MACHINES TO PERK UP YOUR MORNINGS IN 2010
What makes the Nespresso CitiZ&Milk desirable is its slim design, built-in fresh milk frother and fire-engine red color, S$678/PHP22,926 (www.nespresso.com). In a hurry? The Taurus Azzero gives you your espresso with one touch of a button (www.mayer.sg). The ultra sleek Francis Francis X7 from illycaffè helps you make the perfect espresso, from US$395/ PHP18,658 (www.illy.com).
shop alert - TRAFFIC
Top men’s footwear like Adidas, Ipanema, Frank and Kartel go for reasonable prices at Traffic. At Power Plant Mall, ShangriLa Plaza Mall, SM Mall of Asia, SM North Edsa, The Podium, Eastwood City Mall, Greenhills Shoppesville, Trinoma, SM Cebu and Ayala Cebu. www.trafficfootwear.ph
TRAVELING WITH YOUR LAPTOP?
Take these along to make working, surfing or playing games completely fuss-free.
The Belkin Cooling Pad (PHP1,700) features a patented wave design so your laptop doesn’t overheat. If you need to charge the battery ASAP, use the Belkin AC Anywhere (PHP1,490). Just plug it into your car’s lighter socket.
The Logitech Alto Cordless Notebook Stand (PHP4,050) elevates your laptop, enabling better access. It comes with a cordless keyboard and a builtin USB hub for accessories like the Logitech Wireless Mouse M205 (PHP1,450). Available at Complink. Buy a new laptop and get a discount voucher for these products. Log on to www.complink.com.ph for info.
Finding out if your documents have reached their destination is beneficial to your business and boosts your efficiency. Melisar Services, Inc offers a proof of delivery service to inform you once these precious documents are already in the right hands. Contact Mayu Flores, tel: +63 (918) 461 3711/ (2) 636 3714, www.melisar.com
Slick Traveler Harvey Tapan
HARVEY TAPAN, 28, has been shooting photos professionally since his teens, working with his father, legendary travel photographer George Tapan. This mountain-climbing-slash-biking-slash-diving enthusiast hits the road (or the airport) when he gets wanderlust.
Make sure to climb… The Mountain Province — from the rice terraces in Banaue and Batad to Mt Pulag and the caves of Sagada. Mt HibokHibok in Camiguin is great, too!
Pedal on If the weather permits, head to Batanes and rent a bike to explore the island.
Snap postcard perfect shots in… El Nido, Palawan. Visit at any time of the year. Palawan is also the country’s best diving destination.
Holiday, celebrate! I’ll go anywhere, as long as it’s cold. But I’m planning to spend them on the party island of Boracay.
Say cheese To take great photos while traveling, do plan ahead. Schedule your trip during a fiesta if you can.
Leaf relief, anyone?
HOLIDAY STRESS BOGGING YOU DOWN? GET WRAPPED UP IN BANANA LEAVES
WE KNOW THAT bananas — with their vitamin B6, vitamin C and potassium content — are good for the body. But a new treatment offered at CHI, The Spa in Boracay, claims that using the leaves of banana trees can also help soothe aching muscles and joints.
The Hot Dinuot Muscle Relief is a 60-minute treatment that uses a balm made from local flora, a combination of sambong (Philippine camphor), native lemongrass, lagundi (five-leaf chaste tree) and morin (jackfruit tree bark) which is applied to aching muscles using deep pressure techniques.
As a finishing touch, the limbs are wrapped in these leaves, resulting in long-lasting relaxation. Sound delicious? You can find out more about this and other therapies available at CHI, The Spa Boracay, at www.shangri-la.com
BEAUTY BOOTY
Elsève Shampoo and Conditioner
Bubbles Bubbles SumulongRilloraza, Rilloraza, assistant assistant manager I find the scent very pleasant and not too overpowering.
It’s great for dry and treated hair. My hair looks healthier!
Kiehl’s Blue Herbal line
John John Benedict Benedict Salvador, Salvador, HR adviser HR adviser It was highly recommended by friends; so far, it’s been working well on my skin. The cleanser has a soothing/cooling effect and using the moisturizer also helps.
Olay Total Effects
Joyce Camacho, office employee It keeps my skin hydrated and protected. It also works under cold and harsh conditions, making my skin feel more supple, smoother and healthier-looking.
Master Hair Styling Wax
Juan Miguel Juan Miguel Corona, Corona, product product manager It easily styles my unmanageable hair without giving you that tell-tale oilslicked finish. A small dab ensures that each strand stays in place no matter what happens during the day.
Hi Robot
TRY THIS UNIQUE WAY TO GET KIDS EXCITED ABOUT SCIENCE
The most ingenious way to get children thrilled about learning is to make it feel as if they are playing … or watching a movie by Pixar. Take them to the DigiStar Planetarium of the NIDO Fortified Science Discovery Center. The 15m-tall, three-dimensional space has an amazing all-dome video playback and digital surround system, so that kids can fully appreciate the films and features shown here, such as Dark Star Adventure, Ice Worlds, Dawn of the Space Age and Cosmic Collisions. There are hands-on exhibits with robots and galleries, like Spaceship Earth, Virtual Reef and Grossology, that are sure to engage young and old alike. SM Mall of Asia, tel: +63 (2) 556 2153, www.sdc.websitedesign.com.ph
A GIFT REGISTRY FOR KIDS
Here’s a goof-proof way to shop for children — sign them up for the Geoffrey Birthday Club Gift Registry at Toys “R” Us. That way, they can just choose their presents from seven themed spaces: rows of dolls at Girls’ Favorites, anime figures and trucks at Boys’ Action and Adventure, and board games and magic sets at Family Fun and Games. Shops are at Robinsons Galleria, Ermita, Metroeast, Lipa and Bacolod, and Trinoma Mall and Alabang Town Center. www.toysrus.com.ph
Better than a Bike
If your teenager asks for a bicycle for Christmas, surprise him or her with the Electric Leisure Mini Scooter! The 60lb dynamo comes with a sealed lead acid battery and can cruise up to roughly 26km/ hour. Charging the battery at AC 110V/220V can take from four to six hours. Tel: +63 (2) 534 9586/9587/2088, inquire@kcttools.com
Going away for the Holidays?
WANT TO SPEND CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR OUT OF THE HOUSE? CONSIDER CHECKING INTO THESE LOVELY RETREATS
Relax at a luxe beach resort
Sheridan Beach Resort and Convention Center aims to promote sustainable ecotourism — the resort is just a few hundred meters from Palawan’s famed subterranean underground river. A personal butler service is also one of the perks. Sabang Beach, Puerto Princesa, Palawan, www.sheridanbeachresort.com
Celebrate in a city hotel
Gran Prix Manila is a 40-room boutique hotel in Malate with a spa, a Fenwick Coffee Company branch, a Tesoro souvenir shop, and the alfresco Namayan Bistro Restaurant. Elegant and minimalist, rooms come with Wi-fiaccess, flatscreen TV sets and bathtubs. Gran Prix also eliminates a lengthy check-in process with an automatic key dispensing machine! Tesoro Building, Malate, Manila, tel: +63 (905) 268 6068/(915) 296 5757, www.granprixhotels.com
“WAITER, THERE’S A RING IN MY SOUP!”
Imagine dining, drinking and shopping for jewelry, all in one place. At Gemtalk, a new boutique hotel in Boracay, you can. The brainchild of the people behind Vanafi— a Manila-based jewelry boutique chain — has modern suites and a “jewelry café” where you can dine and buy pieces made of 18K gold, vermeil and sterling silver. Prices start at PHP20,000 — dessert not necessarily included. D’Mall Station 2, Boracay, tel: +63 (2) 712 4982, experiencegemtalk@gmail.com
Treats for Sharing
BOND WITH LOVED ONES OVER THESE LUSCIOUS ICE CREAM DESSERTS
Sebastian’s black and white waffle
This chocolate Belgian waffle with powdered sugar and fudge, topped with one Sebastian’s-sized scoop of macadamia white, crowned with whipped cream and Dutch cocoa, and served with warm caramel sauce.
Best shared with… your sweetie after Simbang Gabi mass.
Where At Sebastian’s Cold Comfort, 2/F, SM Mall of Asia
Häagen-Dazs original fondue
Rich fondue scoops of choc choc chip, coffee, macadamia nut and strawberry ice cream) served with slices of fresh fruit, crunchy nuts, baked pastries and a pot of rich, warm chocolate sauce.
Best shared with… your long-lost high school or college buds.
Where At Häagen-Dazs branches across the country.
OSTs with the mostest
Our picks of this year’s most memorable soundtracks, and when to play them
500 Days of Summer
The film is about Tom (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) who falls for love cynic Summer (Zooey Deschanel). The sweetly quirky songlist has one to please everyone. Tracks include Us by Regina Spektor, and She’s Got You High by Mumm-Ra.
Michael Jackson’s
This Is It
A fitting tribute to the King of Pop, the movie chronicles Michael Jackson’s rehearsals for what would have been his final concert series and features some of his best-loved hits. This is sure to make you a fan, that is, if you aren’t one already.
The Twilight Saga: New Moon
It doesn’t matter if you’re for the Vampires or for the Werewolves. This soundtrack is hot with Meet Me on the Equinox by Death Cab For Cutie, Possibility by Lykke Li and A White Demon Love Song by The Killers.
Shop with a conscience
Buy these for yourself — no one will say you’re being selfish!
TEES FOR CHARITY
Some of the proceeds from the sale of this T-shirt by Mango and Brazilian author Paulo Coelho will go to the novelist’s charity, The Paulo Coelho Institute, which helps Brazil’s underprivileged children and elderly. T-shirt, PHP1,250, Mango.
WEAR IT AND SMILE
Retail brand Guess teams up with Operation Smile, a medical mission that provides reconstructive surgery and related health care to kids with cleft lip, cleft palate and facial deformities. For every purchase, PHP100 goes to
ART TREK III IN SINGAPORE
Now until March 14, 2010, catch the third annual Philippine Art Trek in the Lion City. In the Eye of Modernity: Philippine Neo-Realist Masterworks from Ateneo Art Gallery will be at the Singapore Art Museum. Artesan + Studio, Galerie Joaquin Singapore and Utterly Art are three of six galleries taking part in the trek. Organized by the Philippine Embassy.
The Stress-free Christmas Feast
FOCUS ON FUN this holiday season. How? Spoil yourself with a meal with all the trimmings without lifting a finger! Bubba Gump Shrimp Co in Hong Kong serves a festive all-day menu from December 1 to 26 (HK$399/ PHP2,444), which comes complete with starters, main courses, seafood specials and desserts. Begin with the yin yang shrimp salad with mango, peanuts, wasabi dressing and crispy wonton strips; Cajun shrimp sautéed in Cajun spices and served with garlic bread; or calamari rings with red bell peppers, pepperoncinis and dippin’ sauces. Order roast turkey with trimmings or a steak and shrimp combo. Then end it with Christmas pudding and filling gulps of bottomless soda, beer or wine. Shop 304/305, Level 3, The Peak Tower, Hong Kong, tel: +852 2849 2867, www.bubbagump.com/locations/hong_kong.html
Wear your art on your sleeve
One way to show off your favorite Filipino artist’s work is to wear it. Freeway offers you this chance with its exceptional Holiday Collection and National Artist Collector Series, which include a variety of graphic tees, outerwear, woven tops, dresses, hoodies and accessories. The Holiday Collection features the timeless masterpieces of National Artist for Visual Arts Ang Kiukok, and his themes of Scream, Dog, Harvest, and Clowns; while the Collector Series highlights the literary genius of National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. All items come with a special gift packaging. www.freeway.net.ph
Explore Art in Macau
LET THESE SPECIAL EVENTS HAPPENING IN THE CITY’S CREATIVE SPACES INSPIRE YOU
Check out the glorious pieces on display at Ancient Silk Road: Landscape Paintings by Miao Chong’an, December 12 to March 7 at the Tap Seac Gallery, Avenida Conselheiro Ferreira de Almeida, No 95. www.macauart.net/TS/index.asp
Feast your eyes on modern art at the Exhibition of Art Works by the Macao Artists Society, December 7 to 13 — it’s free! Mount Fortress Corridor (through Travessa dos Artilheiros above Estrada do Repouso). www.macautourism.gov.mo
The Macao Orchestra Christmas Concert enthralls its audiences with much-loved carols with its free concert on December 23, St Dominic’s Church. www.icm.gov.mo
Love Chinese handicrafts? Check these out: Wuxi Embroidery and Clay Figures from Huishan, till December 13; Ivory and Bamboo Carvings, and Artisanal Gold and Silver Craft, December 15 to January 10. Catch these events at Lou Kau Mansion. Travessa da Sé, No 7, tel: +853 8399 6699
HAIR CONTROL, WE HAVE A PROBLEM…
We asked Jing Monis, hairstylist to stars Judy Ann Santos and Sarah Geronimo, how to ensure lovely locks at landing. 1 Pre-flight, wash your hair with a product like Essensity moisturizing shampoo. Blow-dry well. 2 Minimize “static electricity” with static guard on your comb before running it through your tresses. 3 Hair flat? Right before disembarking, bend over so hair falls forward. Spritz it with a volumizing spray, then flip your head back. Voila — instant body! Check out Jing Monis Salon for Propaganda in Greenbelt 1, Makati City.
Ice, Ice, Baby!
Flights leave your skin dehydrated. But just 10 minutes in this Ice Mask buffs up your collagen, reduces wrinkles and prevents free radical damage with Vitamin C.
At GloMed Spa, 9 Scotts Road, #03-07 Pacific Plaza, Singapore, www.cutislaser.com
Make a Difference
POST-ONDOY, THESE ORGANIZATIONS SPUR YOU TO JOIN OTHER RELIEF EFFORTS
The Philippine National Red Cross (PNRC)
Approximately 15,000 homes hit by typhoons and other disasters have been rebuilt under the shelter program of the PNRC, with the help of PNRC chairman and CEO, Senator Richard Gordon, international aid agencies, and the Philippine and US governments. This includes victims of the Southern Leyte landslide; typhoons Reming, Milenyo, Winnie, Yoyong, Unding and Violeta; and conflicts in Mindanao. Full shelter and roofing kits have been provided to towns in Camarines Sur, Albay and Catanduanes, among others. www.redcross.org.ph
Yahoo! and Flickr
If you or someone you know is still trying to locate a person lost during Typhoon Ondoy, an initiative by website Yahoo! can help. Email the missing person’s photos to yseanewsroom@yahoo-inc.com — in the subject field, type “Typhoon Ondoy Missing Persons”; in the body text, type the name, age, description and location of the missing person when last seen, plus your contact information. Or you can post their photos at Flickr (www.flickr.com) — use “Typhoon Ondoy Missing Persons” as the title, and the same emailed information. Tag the photos with their names, and the words “Typhoon Ondoy” and “missing person”. Visit www.yahoo.com.ph
RX FOR BUSINESS TRAVELERS
Experts at UC Berkeley’s Ergonomics Program advise keeping the top of your laptop screen at eye level and angled so you don’t need to bend your head. Relax your shoulders and keep your wrists straight. One we like: the ultra slim NEO Edge Z3265 — just 23mm with its 2GB DDR3 memory. PHP49,000/PHP4,167 per month for 12 months, www.neo.com.ph
HEY THERE, GOOD COOKING!
Whip up a feast from start to finish with these new cookbooks
The course
Aperitif
The book
Asian Cocktails: Creative Drinks Inspired by the East With names like sake mojito and Hanoi hooker, you’re in for an intoxicating ride with this book of 90 cocktails compiled by Holly Jennings and Christine LeBlond. S$26/PHP874
The course
Entrée
The book
Carousel, A Food Odyssey Confit of duck leg with bean cassoulet, teriyaki-glazed cod fish and chocolate moelleux — replicate these elegant mains by executive chef Abraham Tan and his team at the award-winning Carousel restaurant in Royal Plaza on Scotts, Singapore. S$38 / PHP1,284. www.royalplaza.com.sg/carousel.php
The course
Coffee and dessert
The book
Home Café: 100 Recipes for Irresistible Coffees and Delectable Desserts Hot choco macadamia malt, crème caramel latté, black bottom banana cream pie and fallen chocolate cake may sound daunting, but author Aileen Anastacio — also the chef and owner of Goodies N’ Sweets in Manila — assures you with her tips and how-to’s that you can make them at home. Available by January 2010. S$28/PHP946. www.marshallcavendish.com
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