Serendra, High Street & some Fiddling on the Roof

There was a time not a few years ago where I'd have a mental checklist of the restaurants in Greenbelt 2 & 3; even of Eastwood's row of specialty food nooks. I'm no party boy but I pretty much loved having intimate dinners with dear friends.

Well... i haven't been to Fort Bonifacio's High Street and Serendra. It's a bit out of the way, but, what the heck, might as well re-visit a place where I once had dinners when there was just a dozen restaurants there, and Market Market was still a figment of someone's imagination.

I was amazed of the sprawling rows of high-end restaurants, cafes, shops and hobby nooks, etc. We picked a restaurant whose waiters shouted "Mahalo!" as we entered the door. Yeah, a Hawaiian restaurant called Polu Kai Grill which had a cozy ambiance. We were the only one there. It was too early for the dining crowd, although much later, the place started to fill.

What surprised me was the very affordable price of what was on the menu. Fried Calamari @ PhP180, a hearty serving of Fish and Chips @ PhP300, bottomless lemonade @ PhP 90 each. I picked Roasted Kalua Pork Rice, which turned out to be something like an adobo flakes served with rice, vegetable salad and slightly grilled slice of fresh pineapple - @ PhP290. I also had to order wedges. I miss the british Fish & Chips - cod fish dipped in batter, with vinegar. I was able to taste a slice of the fish - it wasn't bad, but it wasn't the London fish-&-chips anyway. Service charge was PhP104.50. They were attentive without being cloyingly annoying (read: unobtrussive).

With just my phone-cam, I doubt if i will do justice to a place like Serendra (pics below). But it is an amazing place to visit. Haven't seen a local place with so much dog-walking around; not since my Cricklewood days in London's Gladstone Park anyway.

I am so glad to have gone there before I watched a musical later that night which, though it had a great set, was a huge letdown. I couldnt wait for the whole Act One to end. My lids fluttered and drooped at several scenes. Funny thing really, coz I had a restful nap that afternoon. I wasn't supposed to get drowsy. Moreover, i was familiar with many of the songs, including Tevye's "Sunrise Sunset" - a favorite of my dear father. The same wistful song also became a piano piece back when I was a teeny weeny child, and mom was closely keeping watch as i hammered on with the piano piece, "Where is the little girl I carried..." Lalala!

In the midst of "Sunrise Sunset", a jubilant Miguel Faustman had an assured earnest vocal performance; but as they started dancing, "Matchmaker!!!"... I got lost in the revelry of the 40-cast musical. It just didn't draw me. I was a detached audience who would probably be thankful to Faustman for singing "Sunrise Sunset" again. I miss my dad. Just for that number, my Php1,500 had found its worth. I am not sure though if this would suffice for others with no emotional baggage to any of its songs.

This is the Eye in the Sky!

Let's Journey "Into The Woods" with Sondheim

My first acquaintance with Sondheim was the musical “Sunday in the Park with George” with the amazing Mandy Patinkin and Bernadette Peters. Up to now, I am still in awe of the intricate music of “Sunday…”, its vivid imagery still fresh and its staccato-delivery a huge thrill in my mind, considering I was just a child when I first heard and saw it on video.

Stephen Sondheim is debatably the greatest composer of American Musical Theater. Sondheim’s music is never easy. The songs are tortuous, and the music comes together through its characters which have to be nothing less than magnificent to make the whole thing work.

Some of my favorite Sondheim songs: “Side by Side by Side”, “The Little things You Do Together”, “The Ladies Who Lunch” and the bittersweet “Being Alive” from the musical “Company”; “Finishing the Hat” and “Putting it Together” from “Sunday in the Park with George” – one of the very few musicals which got a Pulitzer for its writer/composer; “Pretty Women”, “Johanna” and “Not While I’m Around” from “Sweeney Todd”.

My first West End encounter with Sondheim was the intensely intriguing “Passion” at the Queen's Theatre. This introduced and forever made me a huge fan of Michael Ball. "Loving You" is my ultimate favorite! Every raw emotion from each song was palpably felt in such a dark musical about loving someone so intensely that it hurts.



Westend stage legend Michael Ball


THEN, I finally saw the legendary Judi Dench (aka “M” of the James Bond series) play the self-absorbed actress Desiree, and in the process, sing “Send in the Clowns” in “A Little Night Music” at the Royal National Theater just along the River Thames. I still remember the ¾ tempo that inhabited the whole auditorium, a swaying mesmerizing beat that ran throughout the musical… I was floored by her performance - though she wasn't a singer, her voice low, husky & non-lyrical (it was part declamatory, part sing-song which nevertheless worked coz of her searing, larger-than-life performance).

Dame Judi Dench in "A Little Night Music" at the Royal National Theatre, London

Little did I know then that this was adapted from Swedish film master Ingmar Bergman movie (1955's "Smiles of a Summer Night" - one of Bergman's very few light-hearted romantic comedies), and that its Hollywood version had Elizabeth Taylor sing "Send in the Clowns" - this ode to ironies (her vocal work was later re-dubbed).

Elizabeth Taylor sang "Send in the Clowns"

This month of November, the New Voice Company presents Sondheim’s “Into the Woods” bringing together our favorite fairy tale characters Little Red Riding Hood and the Big Bad Wolf, Cinderella and her Prince, Rapunzel and her Prince, Jack (of “Beanstalk” fame), the wicked stepmother and stepsisters, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, et. al. This time around, these characters transcend fairytale land and move toward a darker realm, delving into gritty themes of greed and ambition, desire, infidelity, death and responsibility, self-preservation and owning up the consequences of ones actions. Fantasy meets harsh realities!

Director Rito Asilo gathers an amazing line-up of the very best of veteran as well as new English-theater stars, and I mean, “STARS”! Add the returning screen legend Tommy Abuel, and Pilipino-theater royalty Mads Nicolas in their English Theater-Sondheim debut; and finally the perfect casting of JOAQUI VALDEZ playing “Jack”, as well as child star JULIA ABUEVA playing “Little Red Riding Hood” – I cannot wait to soak myself watching this musical at the Music Museum, which opens on November 9, and runs until December 8.

I was made aware that during their open call auditions, which had a heavy turn out of almost 200 hopefuls (this included big names like the endearing Michael Williams who was a shoo-in for the Baker’s part from the very start), every one wanted to be JACK !!!

I cannot wait to hear Joaqui sing Jack’s signature song “Giants in the Sky” (a personal favorite) as well as the Princes’ duet, “Agony” (where Cinderella and Rapunzel’s princes trade musical conversation). I am also thrilled to watch Juno Henares play the wicked stepmother (I loved Juno in “The Good Body"!). And finally, Menchu Lauchengco debuts in a New Voice production – her lyrical voice interpreting the Baker’s Wife’s songs is just perfection! It is the perfect Tony-winning acting piece for Ms. Yulo's stature! Even the minor characters are a list of the brightest and the most brilliant new comers: Red Concepcion, Maita Ponce, Mika Margolles, Angela Padilla, et.al. Also in the cast: Jamie Wilson as Cinderella's Prince ("I was raised to be charming, not sincere..." - geesh!!!) and John Mulhall as Rapunzel's Prince. Tammy Monsod does a special vocal cameo.

Here are a few songs to sample:

Very Nice Prince/First Midnight /Giants in the Sky: http://rapidshare.com/files/67981234/A_Very_Nice_Prince_-_First_Midnight_-_Giants_in_the_Sky.mp3.html

No One is Alone:
http://rapidshare.com/files/68068277/No_One_Is_Alone.mp3.html

Ever After: http://rapidshare.com/files/68069624/Ever_After.mp3.html

The next item is a medley of "You've Got To Be Carefully Taught" (from Rogers & Hammerstein's "South Pacific") and Sondheim's "Children Will Listen" ("Into The Woods") as performed by Barbra Streisand before a live audience. I tell you, "Children Will Listen" (the Witch's song) has never been so beautifully interpreted: http://rapidshare.com/files/68073479/Carefully_Taught_-_Children_Will_Listen_-_Barbra_Streisand.mp3.html

Though of late, I have personally preferred straight dramas more than musicals (the more complicated and thought-provoking, the better), it is without doubt that it is the musical genre which shoved me into appreciating the theatre. I hope people will watch this amazing conglomeration of talents that only New Voice can bring together – the WAY New Voice delivers it – raw, meaty, thought-provoking and entertaining!

And yeah, in typical New Voice fashion, the role of the emcee was given to sensational actress Ms. Missy Maramara, a role that was originally played by a male actor in its Broadway and Westend stagings – and who would ever dare, but New Voice. This early, my congratulations!

Here's a video link of some of the cast, i think at their the press conference: http://www.thebachelorgirl.com/2007/872/meet-the-cast-of-into-the-woods-manila/

(thanks to bachelorgirl for the video link- and yeah, please watch the november 17 - Saturday at 8 PM show if you haven't bought your tickets yet.)

Lyn Sherman fills in Bernadette Peters' HUGE shoes as the Witch - a doting mom to her ill-fated daughter Rapunzel (played by NVC actress Angela Padilla) : "Careful before you say, Listen to me..."

Cathy Azanza is Cinderella who "will always love the faraway Prince"

Joaqui Valdez and Julia Abueva play the most pivotal roles in the musical, Jack & Little Red

Synopsis:

INTO THE WOODS, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book and original Broadway direction by James Lapine, is a winner of three Tony Awards - including Best Book and Best Score. In addition to its successful Broadway and West End runs and subsequent revivals, Into the Woods has also been performed around the world and has produced a Grammy award-winning album.

INTO THE WOODS combines the well loved fairy tales of Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel with the tale of a childless Baker and his Wife, who catalyze the action of the story by attempting to reverse a curse on their family in order to have a child.
In the first act, the characters set out to achieve their dream of living "Happily Ever After" through the familiar stories we know of their fairy tales - Cinderella, working for her wicked stepmother and stepsisters, finally goes to the Ball and her beauty and charm captures the heart of Prince Charming, Jack foolishly climbs the Beanstalk, enters the land of the Giants and steals their gold, Little Red Riding Hood, pursued by the Wolf on her way to Grandma's house, survives her battle with him and saves Granny, and Rapunzel, locked away in a tower for years, falls in love with a handsome prince who climbs her long hair and escapes.

The Baker and his Wife meet the other characters inside the woods, as they pursue their own goal. Long ago the Witch put a curse on his house, and has finally agreed to lift it. But the Baker and his Wife must first find the ingredients to help her reverse a spell which has kept her old and ugly. Those ingredients are: A Slipper As Pure As Gold, which the Baker's Wife pursues from Cinderella, while Cinderella flees from the Prince; A Cow As White As Milk, which the Baker buys from Jack in exchange for magic beans, A Cape As Red As Blood, which the Baker gets from Little Red Riding Hood in exchange for saving her and Granny from the Wolf, and Hair As Yellow As Corn, which they get from Rapunzel.

The ingredients are put together, and the spell works, leaving the Witch devoid of her power, but restoring her beauty. At the end of Act I, all the characters believe they will live "Happily Ever After".

Act Two, however, deals with the consequences that traditional fairy tales conveniently forget. What does one do with a dead Giant in the back yard, and how does the entire community save themselves from the angry Giant's wife seeking revenge? Does marrying a self-absorbed, unfaithful Prince really lead to a happy and fulfilling life? How can children survive without their parents? How can parents let go of their children as they grow up? Are Giant always wrong? Are wishes always right?

In Act two, all the characters must deal with what happens AFTER "Happily Ever After". As they face a genuine threat to their community from the Giant's wife, they realize that all actions have consequences, and their lives are inescapably woven together, but also that that interdependence is their greatest strength. Once the characters have accomplished their goals, however, they learn about the pitfalls of greed and gluttony. Finally, they learn about the need for community and unity and the power of wishes and dreams.

The fantastic JUNO HENARES as the wicked stepmother

Pretty newbie Maita Ponce in her NVC debut

NVC actress Mika Margolles

Some of the cast of NVC's "Into The Woods"

Recording artist Joaqui Valdez: "there are big, tall terrible giants...in the sky." (His debut album, "The Jazzanova Project" was recently released; a delightful fusion of jazz & bossa - go get your copy!!!)

Michael Williams as the baker and returning cinema icon Tommy Abuel as the mysterious man: "No more questions, no more tests; comes the day you say, What for? - please no more... we disappoint, we disappear, we die but we dont..."

the lovely Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as the baker's wife (a Tony-award winning role) : "Sometimes people leave you half way through the woods, others may deceive you, you decide what's good...no one is alone."

Cinderella's wicked stepmother and stepsisters

INTO THE WOODS runs at the Music Museum from November 9 to December 8. Show and block buying packages are available for fundraising purposes. Interested show buyers, school groups and sponsors can contact Rona De Lim at the New Voice Company office: 896-6695, 896-5497, 899-0630. Visit the NVC office at 8020 Tanguile Street, San Antonio Village, Makati City, or visit www.newvoicecompany.com. Tickets are available at the NVC office or at Ticketworld (891-9999). Discounts are also available for students, groups and senior citizens.

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This is the Eye in the Sky!

Grande Island Resort Getaway - Subic

A few months back, we visited a friend in Olongapo City and decided to revisit Grande Island which, some 10 years back, was just a patch of nipa huts with hardly any amenities to speak of. It was rustic, just basic facilities, although I remembered the wild blossom of fire trees and a sumptuous meal.

The highlight was the array of hills with fortifications just under its mounds. These were hiding cells and batteries used by the American and Filipino soldiers during the Japanese invasion. These days, the island has been transformed into a resort with a swimming pool, a fine-dining restaurant, a souvenir shop, several cottages, billiard hall, a coffee shop, and some diving facilities, among other things.




The first 3 sets of photos are from their website.

A day visit departs from the Subic port via a ferry (at 8 AM and 10AM respectively). Each person pays P750 (or thereabouts) which already includes sea transfer (air-conditioned boat), welcome drinks, lunch buffet, 2 free rounds of banana-boat ride pulled by a speedboat. For in-house guests, a cluster of chalets are situated at the right wing of the island – complete with verandas and an internet access. There are diving gears available and some Buggy Carts (see pic immediately below) and ATV’s are up for rent BUT the rate is rather steep - $200/ person which is good for 3 hours. Other activities available: snorkelling, parasailing, gyro, sumo, flying-fish, banana boats, jetskis, canoes, mambo duos and horseback riding.

Grande’s distance from Manila and the ease of reservations make this venue a cinch! Conveniently accessible and affordable!

Having no one else there, the place feels a little eerie at times. ;->

My personal favorite – solitary hiking up the nature trails around the island and visiting the nearby Chiquita Island, which can is a comfortable walk aduring low tide. You have to be on the lookout though for falling insects and creepy crawlies, one of which dropped right in front of my trail. And there is a lagoon in the middle of the island!!! This is an exciting sanctuary of sun and sand, island adventure; one more thing, there isn’t a crazy crowd populating the area – the perfect place for introspection.

And how is the beach? It has crystal clear blue waters with the mildest of waves – and teems with sea creatures; infact, we caught (and released) a seahorse! Moreover, there are plenty of deserted strips of beaches around the island.

At PhP 750, I have never had anything so cheap (dinner at several Greenbelt restaurants cost more), and it’s just a 2-hour car ride (or 3-hour bus) from Manila. Be sure though to be at the wharf at 7AM to purchase your ticket; or reserve your tickets via phone. For overnighters, the rate is on the pricey side – P8,000++ (single/double bed). For day visitors, it is cheap! For anyone who wants to get away from it all but with limited budget or time, Grande Island is highly recommended.

On a personal note, I was more grateful with the company of a dear friend Cel and the hospitality of her whole clan. I will always take delight remembering our midnight chat, talking about people, past and present experiences, catching up on stuff.

Chiquita Island

Email - reservation@grandeislandresort.com. Or call (632)6887300. I suggest the latter.

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Update:

Blogger perpetual malcontent emailed for the rates and was told that the buggy carts cost P1,200 for locals. A friend who emailed from Antwerp said she found the shedless walk from the cottages to the pool cumbersome. She wrote that by the time you get back to your cottage from your swim, you're once again bathed in sweat. My take on this: Grande is still worth more than what it's charging us.

P.S. We would appreciate updates or feedback from your Grande Island visits, so that others might benefit from your insight. Thank you.

For queries and a whisper: eyeintheblueskyblog@yahoo.com