Maniolas

The Blue Fairy (played by Liesl Batucan) visits Pinocchio (Noel Comia) in Rep’s Theater for Young Audiences’ production of Pinocchio, which opens on Aug. 16 at 10:30 a.m. at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt One. PHOTOS BY JOJIT LORENZO One of my favorite quotes comes from an article on theater for children by Lauren Gunderson who, quoting Bill English of San Francisco’s SF Playhouse, wrote, “Theater is like a gym for empathy. It’s where we can go to build up the muscles of compassion, to practice listening and understanding and engaging with people that are not just like ourselves. We practice sitting down, paying attention and learning from other people’s actions. We practice caring.” This is what I love about theater. Learning comes so easily, affects deeply, and lasts a lifetime. To my mind, nothing gives such a clear understanding of human nature as theater does —“understanding and engaging with people that are not just like ourselves.”  And this is why I am passionate about theater for children. They need to learn to care.  We care for our children’s health. We see that they get their shots, their vitamins, their check-ups, that they get enough sunshine and exercise and that they eat the right food. We try to give them the best schooling possible. But sometimes we overlook how vulnerable and sensitive children’s minds are and that there is another part of their brain that needs care and feeding, too. Our children are made to grow up too fast. Electronic devices, Read More …

Who are the celebrities who attended the Tatt Awards 2014?

Edu Manzano has turned his life around from being a party animal to hardcore health buff.

A previous FYLPRO delegation with the program’s initiator, Ambassador Jose L. Cuisia Jr. FYLPRO PHOTO WASHINGTON, D.C.– What began as a program to reconnect with their Filipino roots ended up becoming a humbling learning experience for 10 Filipino-American youth leaders. Now back in the United States after an immersive program in the Philippines, the delegates to the 3rd Filipino American Youth Leadership Program (FYLPro) said they are ready to make a difference in their respective communities. “I think the FYLPro, in its own Filipino way, was an indirect immersion and an opportunity for the Philippines to reveal herself to us through indelible images and thoughts that will sit with us long beyond the airplanes carrying us have touched down back on American soil,” said Michael Dahilig, Director of the Department of Planning at the County of Kauai in Hawaii. “The past week in the Philippines has placed into context the extreme privilege my family has fought to allow me to live, and that my identity as an American needs to be softened and humbled by knowing the roots of my bloodline come from fighters and survivors,” Dahilig added. “I thank the program for stirring that hunger and thirst and allowing me to reflect on where my place remains.” For some delegates, like Edward Aparis, a consultant from Chula Vista, California,  the program provided a firsthand perspective of where the Philippines is now and where it is headed. “I have more to learn about this new and brave Philippines. At the end, Read More …

Lorna Tolentino (MNS Photo) MANILA (Mabuhay) – Six years since her husband, actor Rudy Fernandez, passed away, actress Lorna Tolentino confessed she does not see herself walking down the aisle again. Tolentino said she is now okay with having her two sons with her, as well as her granddaughter. “I’m happy with my life now,” she said. “I am happy being a lola. I have two men in my life and I don’t need one more.” This despite the fact that Fernandez had told her it’s okay if she falls in love again. “He told me naman that it’s okay lang for me to fall in love again. Kaya lang huwag daw d’un sa kasing-edad ng mga anak namin. But then, okay sana if I were in my 40s. Kaya lang nasa 50s na ako. As it is, as of now, okay lang ako,” she said. Tolentino is currently 52 years old and she will be turning a year older in December. While she tells everyone that she has already moved on from losing Fernandez, Tolentino admits she still has her husband’s things intact in their home. “They are intact, nasa cabinet. Rudy’s things are in order, ayos na ayos, so why touch them?” she said. “Actually, Rap and Renz (her sons) are using some of their dad’s things. They would say, ‘Ay, kelangan ko ng ganito.’ And I would tell them, ‘Ayan, tumingin ka sa cabinet ng Papa n’yo, mayroon dyan.’ It’s a good thing na magkasukat sila…shoes, shirts Read More …