2017 04/19-04/25

SCENES IN THE CITY

(LOS ANGELES, CA) - Kris Aquino meets with her Hollywood Agent, Chris Lee of East West Artists last Monday, April 17, 2017 at an LA restaurant. She stayed at The Peninsula Hotel in Beverly Hills. Photo cropped from her Instagram post

(NEW YORK, NY) - Three time Tony and Grammy Winning Producer, Jhett Tolentino in action at the St James Theater in Broadway (shown here with ABS-CBN Prime Talent, Jake Cuenca, to be seen in the upcoming Kimerald teleserye, 'Kung Kailangan Mo Ako') during their chance encounter on 'Sideshow' Opening Night on Tuesday, October 28, 2014. Photo / text by Bradford Adkins

KRIS AQUINO NABS PLUM HOLLYWOOD ROLE

SHE PASSED ALL PHASES OF AUDITION AFTER OTHERS FAILED

SEEN IN THE CITY:

(NEW YORK, NEW YORK) – So much has been written about Kris Aquino flying last weekend from Manila to Los Angeles to sign a Hollywood movie contract. Prior to that, Kris Aquino previously indicated on various posts on social media that she signed a Non-Disclosure Agreement (NDA) precluding her from discussing details of the Hollywood movie. But then she mentioned in the post also that it was Jhett Tolentino, the Three Time Tony Award and Grammy Winning Producer who initially recommended her for the role.

Well, Jhett Tolentino did not sign any NDA relative to the movie. So, ‘Scenes In The City’ decided to contact the New York-based award winning Broadway Producer. In an exclusive interview this morning, Tuesday, April 18^th, Jhett Tolentino (born, raised and educated in Iloilo) confirmed to this Journalist that indeed, it was him who called Kris Aquino on March 23, 2017 from New York to Manila to discuss to her about a much-talked about casting happening in Los Angeles from a major Hollywood Studio. Apparently, this LA-based casting agent/friend of Jhett has been looking for an all-asian cast and he asked Jhett for any referrals for a movie to be shot in Asia sometime in May or June this year.

The Agent specifically asked for someone Asian and has a large following in the Philippines. In addition, the specific requirements of the role was discussed to Jhett. In his mind, there is only one that fits the criteria to a T. Only Kris Aquino. After he got hold of her, he discussed the role over long distance international calls to Kris Aquino and the audition requirements. From then on, it was an endless exchange of daily telephone messages between Kris Aquino and Jhett Tolentino as they hurdle the deadlines of submitting her audition reels in between differing time zones (they spoke at 3:00AM and 4:00AM sometimes both Manila and New York times, in length) and their equally busy schedules.

She was doing endorsements for Petron and San Miguel while he was finishing his documentary film, “Life Is What You Make It” and his Seattle, WA production of ‘Here Lies Love,’ (Special Benefit Performance on Saturday, May 6 at the Seattle Repertory Theater) starring Mark Bautista as Ferdinand Marcos. Both their pressure and schedules were both tight – as a matter of fact, she got sick immediately after finishing her audition reel taping. Furthermore, according to Jhett, others already auditioned for the role, but sadly did not pass. Kris Aquino, according to her posts, audititoned and passed all 5 levels of intense screenings. According to Jhett, she read a 10-minute script for different roles.

Our online check on Agent Chris Lee revealed that he was once in the United States Navy and a Proud Filipino (based on his Instagram posts). Chris and Jhett have known each other for almost two years now as they share talent and connections with each other. Chris for his Hollywood talent needs and Jhett for his Broadway stage requirements.

When Kris Aquino flew to LA last Monday to meet her agent Chris Lee of East West Artists, she called to meet Jhett Tolentino in person (would you believe they haven’t met, physically?). Kris even offered to generously pay for Jhett’s airfare and first class hotel all the way from New York. Unfortunately, Jhett has to decline Kris’ invitation due to his busy schedule. To him, it is more important that Kris gets it and seals the deal and savor all the glory. He chose to maintain a low profile and concentrate more on the results.

Jhett continues, that ‘Kris is eternally grateful for the opportunity and I was just happy I was able to help and contribute in my own little way. What I like about Kris is her sense of humor. She knows she has a lot of followers and bashers and she takes it all in stride. I want to continue to bring Filipino talents here on Broadway and in Hollywood, one artist at a time. I am also trying to bring ‘Here Lies Love,’ the only Filipino-production about Filipinos on Broadway (previously, it was shown off-Broadway).”

To be clear, both Kris Aquino and Jhett Tolentino never mentioned anything about the title of the movie, the name of the Hollywood studio and anything specific about the movie contract, anywhere.

Although, according to Inquirer.net and Rappler’s published smart guesses, the Hollywood Studio is Warner Brothers, the movie is ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’based on the best selling book by Kevin Kwan. They based their conclusion on recent Instagram follow by Kevin on Kris and Warner Brothers’ all-out campaign for casting.

In addition, IMDB officially lists the outstanding Cast and Crew of ‘Crazy Rich Asians,’ as follow: Director: Jon M. Chu Writers: Kevin Kwan and Peter Chiarelli Actors: Gemma Chan, Constance Wu, Sonoya Mizuno, Michelle Yeoh and Henry Golding. Nowhere is Kris Aquino’s name mentioned anywhere.

Irregardless, at this point, whatever that movie is, congratulations are already in order. Congrats, Ms Kris Aquino, Jhett Tolentino and The Philipppines! More Power

This article also appears online at www.eManilaMail.com, www.BradfordAdkins.com, www.ScenesInTheCity.com, and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 176 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com

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‘MINDANAO TAPESTRY’ TO CIRCLE THE GLOBE

(“The Best” of All Miss U ancillary events)

SEEN IN THE CITY:

(MANILA, PHILIPPINES) – The Miss Universe Organization (MUO) and foreign pageant journalists both hailed the 65^th Miss Universe held in Manila as ‘THE BEST’ ever presentation held by any country, ever (Congrats, Producer Chavit Singson and his team)! Apart from the hospitable people, first class accommodation, food, there were many enjoyable ancillary events that surrounded the pageant, stretching from the North (Vigan) to the South (Davao). Event Director Concon Sinel of Marikina articulated it well on a recent television guesting when he said that “these ancillary events are important, because they help the beauty queen candidates and the MUO staff discover firsthand the beauty of our islands and our culture.”

One of these ancillary events stand out from the rest, for reports have it, according to the MUO staff, this particular event was the most organized, the most entertaining, the most rich in cultural content and very well presented – and that is Davao’s Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show featuring the designs mainly, of renowned Fashion Designer, Mama Rene Salud.

The Davao Mindanao Tapestry show features the six (6) autonomous regions of Mindanao, their culture, dance, color, weave style and fashion design. Its original target audience were President Rodrigo Duterte, Tourism Secretary Wanda Teo, Usec Kat De Castro (all hailing from Mindanao) and the Miss Universe Organization staff and beauty queen candidates. As fate would have it, President Duterte and Secretary Wanda Teo were unable to watch the Davao show held at the SM Lanang Premier Convention Center last Thursday, January 19, 2017 due to schedule conflicts.

Mindanao Tapestry was originally given twelve (12) Miss Universe candidates to model the creations. It ballooned to thirty (30) beauty queens. Considering almost zero rehearsals as the beauty queens arrived later in the afternoon, the show flowed almost flawlessly from start to finish. Credit must be given to the dancers (who repeatedly rehearsed like their life depended on it), the local Davao designers and Mama Rene Salud (for their glowing creations), the Davao production team (whose flexibility was tested to the max on the ever changing line up of candidates as they have to adjust the presentation slides and choreography as well) and most especially the Overall Production Director – Concon Sinel.

The show was sponsored by Phoenix Petroleum – who gave special awards to three (3) distinct candidates of their choice. Miss Phoenix (Miss Venezuela), Hiyas ng Phoenix (Miss Philipppines) and Phoenix Smile of the Night (Miss Indonesia).

The Davao Mindanao Tapestry Fashion Show was so successful that it was handpicked by the Department of Tourism heads to be the anchor show in their Winter Escapade 4 (It’s More Fun In The Philippines Tour) held last Friday, February 10, 2017 at the Luzon and Visayas ballrooms of the Sofitel Philippine Plaza Hotel Manila. Using the same skeletal production crew and professional models this time (the Miss Universe candidates already had left the country), again the show was so well received; audience applause was defeaning and a clamor for more shows were voiced out loudly.

Last we heard, Mindanao Tapestry is next going to Berlin, Germany in March, 2017 and will also go to North America (USA and Canada).

Congratulations, Mama Rene Salud! More Power!

This article also appears online atwww.eManilaMail.com, www.BradfordAdkins.com, www.ScenesInTheCity.com, and http://sites.google.com/site/adkinsmmcevents/Home/ with readership in 176 countries now (& still counting!) according to the latest Google Analytics report.

Do you have any personal or community events you want announced or published? Just email them to bradford_adkins@yahoo.com

Add me on Facebook http://www.facebook.om/jb.adkins

Follow me on Twitter @Bradford_Adkins) and Instagram @BradfordAdkins

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Concerts/Theatre

GMA Network unveils entire cast of Mulawin vs. Ravena

After much anticipation, GMA Network proudly unveils the star-studded and powerhouse cast of Mulawin vs. Ravena.

Headlining the biggest telefantasya of GMA this 2017 is none other than Kapuso Drama King Dennis Trillo who returns as Gabriel, Alwina’s childhood friend who is in love with her and becomes the King of Halconia.

And multi-talented Kapuso actress Carla Abellana will be portraying the role of Aviona, the wife of Rodrigo and one of the most loved and recognized Mulawin in Avila.