Leah Salterio

Broadway of Asia to rise in Manila’s bay area

October 6, 2024 Leah C. Salterio 250 views

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The cast of Repertory Theater for Young Audiences Jepoy and the Magic Circle took a bow.

LAST March, Repertory Philippines suddenly had no venue to stage its productions after Greenbelt 1, its home for the past 20 years, closed for renovation.

Last night, however, what was earlier envisioned to become a new venue for Repertory, became a reality when its Eastwood Theater formally opened to the public. The theater is Rep’s partnership with Megaworld Lifestyle Malls.

“This partnership is truly a wonderful opportunity for all of us, so thank you for choosing this facility to be your next home,” said Kevin Tan, who is the CEO (chief executive officer) of Alliance Global Group, Inc., parent company of Megaworld.

“I want to greet the esteemed executives of Repertory, as well as all the alumni who are here tonight.”

Tan reiterated that their company really believes in the art form of presenting theater productions to entertain the public. Hence, Megaworld makes a “serious investment in facilities” to develop this art form.

“We believe this is really the future of Philippine entertainment,” Tan maintained. “We think the Filipino actors are very versatile in the way they act and the way they sing. What is needed really is construction to be able to develop this art form more.”

Tan disclosed one of the major projects that Megaworld envisions in the next five years is the next Broadway of Asia

“We are actually building a place called West Side City in the Bay Area,” Tan revealed. “We are putting the Grand Opera House which is 2,100-seater theater that will present musicals and host different kinds of performing arts.

The venue will also have the capacity of three other theaters – two are about 800-seater and another is 500-seater.

“We want to create a district that will be able to really put the Philippines into the map in terms of performing arts, musicals and theater. We look forward to really working more with Repertory.

“We believe our partnership (with Repertory) is the start of many more partnerships to come. We think that we can eventually go to the theater district to develop something together.

“This partnership is just that kind. We are really committed to this art form and we are very happy that we are here.

We are esteemed to have Repertory because it’s an institution already. When you talk about performing arts in the Philippines, there’s no other brand. It’s really Repertory.

Tan greeted the executives of Megaworld management, led by its first vice president and head of their lifestyle malls, Graham Coates.

Tan acknowledged Coates’ two daughters – Rachel and Becca – who are alumni of Repertory. “This is the fastest that Graham has ever done a project for me,” Tan proudly said of Coates.

“He (Coates) literally came up with this idea early this year and he kept telling me to open (the theater) October 5. I never believed him. But here we are now.”

Repertory Philippines has created such a great legacy for the last past 57 years for choosing some of the best in the world scene. Some of the alumni have graduated to perform in Broadway and West End.

“We want to continue to create and develop the young talents and develop the future of performing arts,” Tan said.

From the side of Megaworld, the company is committed to theater since years ago. “We also have the theater at Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT),” Tan pointed out.

“Our partner in developing that is Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo also I believe she is also part of Repertory, too. She’s done a great part in developing our way of contributing to performing arts.”

Meanwhile, Repertory Philippines artistic director Jeremy Domingo, acknowledged the board of trustees and directors headed by president Mindy Perez Rubio, fellow PhilStage company members, fellow Repertory alumni, as well as theater practitioners.

Domingo welcomed everybody to the Rep Eastwood theater, obviously a big boost to Eastwood City as it solidifies its status as a leading entertainment and lifestyle hub in the country.

“Tonight, we welcome you to our 464th production in 57 years, our 87th season,” Domingo informed about the inaugural production and premiere of “Jepoy and the Magic Circle,” presented by Repertory Children’s Theater and the grand opening of Rep’s Eastwood Theater.

“We want to thank Megaworld and Eastwood for giving us a new home in Quezon City,” added Domingo. “Thank you for providing our actors, our community of theater practitioners, a chance to keep honing their craft, what we love to do, our life blood, our passion and everything that has kept us going throughout the decades.”

Domingo admitted it is such an honor and privilege for him to become Rep’s new artistic director. In the Wall of Fame outside the theater, the photos of Rep’s founders – the dear departed Zeneida “Bibot” Amador and Baby Barredo – were mounted.

Thank you very much, Tita Bibot and Tita Baby, for honing and training the majority of people, the hundreds of actors sitting here in this auditorium tonight,” Domingo said. “Thank you for creating opportunities, for toughening us, for honing and giving us something to be striving for and working for.”

“For training our mentors, whose majority are here tonight and their vision of making theater a habit in Metro Manila, is proof positive tonight.”

Jepoy and the Magic Circle is written by Rody Vera who is making his Rep debut, music and lyrics by maestro Ejay Yatco. Choreographer is Stephen Viñas, stage design is by John Batalla, sets are by Mio Infante, costume by Rayven Ong and Richie Cañado, makeup artist is Yohan de la Fuente, projection design by GA Fallarme.

Next year, Domingo promised a new Rep 88th season where audiences can believe in “romance, friendship, chaos, magic and even in defiance.”

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