The largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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
Stars literally shone on stage, the background appeared like the night sky with bright twinkling specs. The image rivaled any night sky in the remotest regions of the world. An audible gasp was collectively heard from the audience even before Monica Cuenco sang a note. The largest LED screen in Asia has awed everyone from other RWM shows like KING & I and PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT. 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.
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
By the time curtains rose for BITUING… they managed to make the biggest become even wider and bigger. Even the peripheral areas of the stage on the sides and top are covered in LED panels. From the audience seats you’re almost enveloped by a twinkling and convincing night sky with deep dark purples transitioning from black with varied specks of white and yellow. It’s a wonderful visual metaphor for a star rising in the music and entertainment business as Monica Cuenco sings Filipino classics composed by Willy Cruz.
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
LED Video Producer Carlos Manere by now is a veteran of RWM hits KING & I and PRISCILLA QUEEN OF THE DESERT. A graduate of the Multimedia Arts program from the College of St Benilde, Manere incorporated different skills from visual effects, 3D animation, 3D modeling, compositing and video editing. He has also done LED work for Star Cruises STONE OF ATLANTIS, NOLI ME TANGERE: THE OPERA and many more.
Antoinette Tauz (Lavinia Arguelles) & Epy Quizon (Auntie). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo from Resort’s World Manila site: http://www.rwmanila.com/web/bituing-walang-ningning/#
The largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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
Apart from setting the mood and establishing locations, which are all important functions for the screen, it adds another purpose that I did not see before in previous productions. This time the LED screen is actually used to push the story forward. This was when newspaper headlines were splashed on screen, especially on the fringes. Sometimes videos of backstage conversations are included. From the literal stars on the night sky we should move on to the stars in the cast:
Peripheral LED panels are used to add information that pushes story forward. 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
MONICA CUENCO
Monica Cuenco has captured the innocence and humble roots of her role Dorina Pineda. In some ways Monica’s anonymity enhances her believability. We all know Sharon Cuneta as the daughter of the Pasay Mayor Pablo Cuneta and her showbiz lineage with mother Elaine Gamboa. For anyone taking on such an iconic role that has had a long memory and mass appeal is a tall order. But Cuenco has done quite well and has even proven her superior vocal abilities. Nothing is left to chance, Philpop Grand Prize winner Yumi Lacsamana has been tapped as voice coach for Monica.
(left photo) Monica Cuenco with Epy Quizon and (right photo) Monica with 2015 Philpop Winner Yumi Lacsamana who trained her vocally. BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo from Official Monica Cuenco fb fan page https://www.facebook.com/Monica-Cuenco-161006650605905/timeline/
Menchu Lauchengco Yulo plays Eeeeeedith the big haired, overbearing, loud, annoying, gossip columnist. Menchu admitted that yes ‘I annoy even myself’. Menchu is also RWM’s Creative director and is a long time acting coach. She said, “Monica is more confident she’s more grounded. She’s more secure with herself so it will be a better Dorina overall.”
from left: Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles) & 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 is in the role of antagonist Lavinia Arguelles. In real life she’s supportive of her co-star, “Monica is such a hard worker; she strives to work even harder every single time. She improves every single time. Come on she’s only twenty! So I think her star is on the rise. She gets better as the show progresses as well.”
Epy Quizon played Apolinario Mabini in HENERAL LUNA, the official Phil entry to the Oscars. Photo from official HENERAL LUNA fb https://www.facebook.com/Heneral.Luna
EPY QUIZON
Epy has just come from the critically acclaimed film and now the surprise box office hit HENERAL LUNA. Epi played the intellectual Apolinario Mabini known as the ‘Sublime Paralytic’. His casting in the gay role Auntie for BWN has a lot of fans and critics excited. He alternates this role with the great comedian and singer Jon Santos. While Epi has had more film and TV roles, not a lot of people are aware that he also has impressive theater and musical experience. Epi actually played Ompong a role based on his father Dolphy’s original character in the prewar era. KATY was written and directed by Nestor U. Torre who is also a columnist for Phil Daily Inquirer.
Sexy Sheng Belmonte (Mananayaw) with Epy Quizon (Dolphy / Ompong). KATY the musical was held at the CCP and MERALCO Theater in 2013. Photo by Jude Bautista
Michael Stuart Williams is in the role of sleazy record producer Larry in BWN. Williams is also co Creative Director for RWM. He said, “Epi is doing the role of Auntie at some performances – the role was originally played by Jon Santos. He is a very good actor, very hard working. He is a pleasure to work with.”
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
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
CRIS VILLONCO
Everybody who has seen her on stage and onscreen can’t help but love Cris Villonco. Her numerous theater roles has led her to found RED TURNIP with pals Topper Fabregas and Bart Guingona. On screen she was cast in her family’s semi-biography HARI NG TONDO. The Cinemalaya film was directed by Carlitos Siguion Reyna and was loosely based on their patriarch’s return to his old district of Tondo.
Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar) & 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
Cris’ as Lavinia for BWN gives her a meatier role made famous by Cherie Gil. She relishes playing the scheming, woman everyone loves to hate, “I love it people always think I’m a goody two shoes. I’m the nice person. I’m really not. My brain goes on and on, I have a lot of thoughts in my head I can’t really say. You have to have a certain kind of persona in public. I’m a meanie so it’s nice to let it out once in a while. Once in a while lang.”
Antoinette Tauz (Lavinia Arguelles) & Ronnie Liang (Garrie Diaz). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo from Resort’s World Manila site: http://www.rwmanila.com/web/bituing-walang-ningning/#
Antoinette Tauz alternates Lavinia with Cris, she goes on, “It’s nice because I was basically in the same batch as Antoinette when I was starting out in show business. We know what its like, we know the competition. I’m pretty sure she’s gonna do well.”
from left: Antoinette Tauz (Lavinia Arguelles) & 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 from Official Monica Cuenco fb fan page https://www.facebook.com/Monica-Cuenco-161006650605905/timeline/
Menchu describes Antoinette, “Tonette is very different her attack is different. She plays her a little bit more desperate, which works because there’s this idea that there’s someone better than her. It’s a natural reaction. Its very different, I have yet to see a full run (with changes). We’ve done scenes so I haven’t seen the totality. But that’s what comes across and wow that works. Then you really see the reason of being so nasty. She’s losing it.”
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
One of Mark Bautista’s most prominent stage roles is portraying Ferdinand Marcos in the West End production of David Byrne and Fatboy Slim’s HERE LIES LOVE. Even before that he was already one of the admired young vocalists of the country. Mark’s role here is very easy for him to portray being a singer songwriter himself. Nico Escobar is the top hit maker with the biggest star, Lavinia in love with him. Nico meets Dorina and discovers a hidden gem. Bautista shows that he has honed his acting skills to accompany his renowned vocals. He is in need of it as he shares the scenes with Villonco who can easily dominate the stage with her performance.
from left: Ronnie Liang (Garrie Diaz) 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
Ensemble from left: Ana Victoria Andres, Karina Almario, Jalynna Magadia and David Shawn Delgado, Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar) & 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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The largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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
Jon Santos (Auntie) & 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: Markki Stroemm, Vince De Jesus, Menchu Lauchengco Yulo, May Bayot & Sweet Plantado. 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
Tourists can still understand Filipino dialogue through English subtitles on LED screens on left and right side of stage. 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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Ultimate Productions Media Affairs Cherry Bong Edralin and Dennis Villaluz. 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 largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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), Jon Santos (Auntie) & David Shawn Delgado (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
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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
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
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Antoinette Tauz (Lavinia Arguelles) & Epy Quizon (Auntie). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo from Resort’s World Manila site: http://www.rwmanila.com/web/bituing-walang-ningning/#
Menchu Lauchengco Yulo (Edith); 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
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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The largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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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from left: Cynthia Guico, Cris Villonco, Vincent De Jesus, Lionel Guico & Giannina Ocampo. 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
Cris Villonco (Lavinia Arguelles) & John Nite (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
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Jon Santos (Auntie) kicks up a storm. 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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from left: Monica Cuenco (Dorina Pineda) & 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
Jay Roa (Zosimo Blaco) & John Nite (German Moreno). BITUING WALANG NINGNING is running at the Newport Performing Arts Theater, Resorts World Manila from October 8, 2015 to January 2016. Photo from Resort’s World Manila site: http://www.rwmanila.com/web/bituing-walang-ningning/#
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from left: Mark Bautista (Nico Escobar) & 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
Menchu Lauchengco Yulo (Edith); 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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Dennis Sebastian; 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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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
The largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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
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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The largest LED screen in Asia has gotten even bigger with additional peripheral panels. 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
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