from left: Ronnie Liang (Garrie Diaz), Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles), Monica Cuenco and Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Written and photographed
By Jude Bautista
Undeniably for all Filipinos, BITUING WALANG NINGNING is an iconic film. The drama of the storyline is expected. What caught me off guard was how much I enjoyed the music. IF only to hear the familiar OPM hits performed well in the context of a story, it may even be considered better as a musical than a movie. Everyone remembers the famous line, “You’re nothing but a second rate copycat”. But there were so many hit songs from the soundtrack that have become Filipino classics.
Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Due to insistent public demand BITUING WALANG NINGNING (BWN) at Resort’s World Manila will have another run from October 8, 2015 through to January of 2016. Willy Cruz, one of the most prolific film scorers and composers produced so many memorable songs just from BWN alone: MAGANDANG GABI, SA DUYAN NG ‘YONG PAG-IBIG, PANGARAP NA BITUIN, SANA’Y MAGHINTAY ANG WALANG HANGGAN, KAMUSTA KA, INIT SA MAGDAMAG and title song BITUING WALANG NINGNING.
Willy Cruz has scored over 100 films and is in the FAMAS Hall of Fame.
from left: RWM CEO & VP for Entertainment Colin Kerr, RWM Creative Technical Dir Sviatlana Burkun and Priscilla Director Jaime Del Mundo. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Everyone admires the music composed by Willy Cruz who has scored countless more titles that have become classics. Just a few of the of the 100 films includes BUKAS LULUHOD ANG MGA TALA, INIT SA MAGDAMAG, SANA’Y WALA NANG WAKAS and MADRASTA.
from left: Mak Alonso, Michael Stuart Williams, Jay Roa, Menchu L Yulo, Dino Divinagracia and Edz Bordamonte. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
An interesting side note is that Philippine Star columnist Baby Gil wrote lyrics for 2 BWN hits: SANA’Y MAGHINTAY ANG WALANG HANGGAN and KAMUSTA KA. She is also Vice President for Corporate Media of VIVA Ent., which produced this runaway hit and has worked with composers, Ryan Cayabyab and Louie Ocampo.
Jon Santos (Auntie) & Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Not a lot of people are aware that BWN show director and playwright Freddie Santos is himself a composer and lyricist. He wrote and composed POINTS OF VIEW originally recorded by Joey Albert and is one of the additional songs. The other two additional songs that night were USAHAY from Cebu and ANG BOYFRIEND KONG BADUY. Director Freddie Santos also adapted the BWN screenplay by Orlando Nadres based on a comic series by Nerissa Cabral. Santos has also written songs for Jaya, Angelika and Vina Morales.
Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Musical Director Rodel Colmenares. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Willy Cruz has won the FAMAS Best Musical Score five times and consequently was elevated to the FAMAS Hall of Fame. In order to successfully execute these time loved hits by Cruz a similarly skillful musician and arranger has to be on board to execute them. Enter musical Director Rodel Colmenar, he commands no ordinary band but the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. The quality of a whole live orchestra adds that drama and depth that makes for a truly unforgettable musical experience. Rodel Colmenar said this particular musical is special for him because the music was made during an era where OPM was king.
Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
That period is really what you see in the production design by Jo Tecson and costumes by Aksana Sidarava. There are big black rotary phones, gigantic hair on Edith (Menchu Luachengco Yulo’s character), shoulder pads and headbands during aerobic workouts. The 80s were more than just these nostalgic elements that bring you back. It was a time when OPM artists were no.1 for a great majority of Filipinos as it well should. Somehow, looking back at that time is important especially for the youth and the public in general to think about and see on stage. The music we make should always be no.1 for us all.
Jon Santos (Auntie) does Pilita Corales impression beside Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
The famous names of the time are as enduring with their voice and talent. We should support them now as fervently as we did then: Nonoy Zuñiga, Basil Valdez, Martin Nievera, Pops Fernandez, Apo Hiking Society, Freddie Aguilar, Pilita Corales and Gary Valenciano, (many more).
Maine Mendoza looks like a teen Pops Fernandez. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016
For all the ALDUB fans of today Maine Mendoza has a lot of the facial features of a teenage Pops Fernandez. The difference is Pops was an amazing vocalist and dancer even as a teen and later on a seasoned actress. She even earned the title of Concert Queen opposite Martin Nievera her former hubby who is known as the Concert King. Who knows maybe Maine Mendoza will be able to display her talent musically and evolve from her dub smash shtick? Mendoza has a leg up on comedy, which I hope she’ll develop into real acting in the future.
Before ALDUB there was Martin and Pops. ALDUB has yet to prove themselves talent-wise vs the Concert King & Queen. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016
Zsa zsa Padilla with guests Martin Nievera and Karylle recently held a concert at RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater. There are so many Pinoy artists you can catch live that are able to perform 80s and current hits at different venues in Resort’s World- Bar 360 and Bar 180. One of them is The Voice 2013 winner Mitoy Yonting who fronts the Aliw award winning band DRAYBERS. There’s PRIMO, SINGING SENSATIONS, SHAYNE AND THE BROWN UNION, JO & THE HOLY NOTES. Another The Voice S1 finalist Janice Javier can also be seen performing in Bar 360 on October 11. Check out the full schedule on http://www.rwmanila.com/shows-events.
John Nite plays his uncle German Moreno. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
left: Basil Valdez, right: Raymond Lauchengco have voice overs as center: Menchu Lauchengco Yulo (Edith) writes her column. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Two leading OPM artists of the time actually have a cameo appearance of sorts in BWN, through a voice over. Menchu Lauchengco Yulo as Edith has a phone conversation with her (real life) brother Raymond Lauchengco and then Basil Valdez. Basil is perhaps one of the most familiar and iconic voices in original Pilipino music. Raymond Lauchengco is a singer in his own right and has also starred in some of the biggest Pinoy films and TV series: BAGETS, B@GETS: JUST GOT LUCKY, MMK. This is where the LED screens also play a role, as their photos are projected almost cinema wide during the phone conversation.
Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar) hugs Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from left: Ultimate Production bosses Christine Manalang & Mark Manalang,
RWM Dir Sponsorships & Partnerships Anna Chua. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
COSUN FAMOUS STONE supports Bituing Walang Ningning BWN is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016.
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Ronnie Liang (Garrie Diaz) serenades audiences. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, Composer Vincent De Jesus and May Bayot. Photo was taken during TRIPLE THREATS series of Vincent De Jesus’ DEMENTED, DELIGHTFUL, DERANGED DEJESUS last September 24, 2015 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino, CCP. Photo by Jude Bautista
Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from left: Danrev Dimaculangan (Ensemble), Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles) & Timothy Fabian (Ensemble). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
DATEM INC supports Bituing Walang Ningning BWN is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016.
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Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles) sings in fiesta. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar) & Jay Roa (Zosimo Blanco). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
from left: Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar), Menchu Lauchengco Yulo (Edith) and Michael Stuart Williams (Larry). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Ronnie Liang (Garrie Diaz) and Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from left: Cara Barredo (Ensemble), Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda) and Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Ensemble from left: Jill Peña, Luani Sablan and Cara Barredo. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Musical Director Rodel Colmenares. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles) and Michael Stuart Williams (Larry). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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from left: Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar) & Jay Roa (Zosimo Blanco). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles); BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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left-Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda) in pink is a thrilled fan of Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles) right. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo by Jude Bautista
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