One night in Oz: Samsung Performing Arts Theater marks its fourth year with 'Wicked' stars Lissa de Guzman and Allie Trimm

By John Legaspi

Published Jul 18, 2026 07:45 am

It was in July 2022, a few years after the pandemic struck the country, when the Samsung Performing Arts Theater (SPAT) first opened its doors. During that time, being outside was daunting for many people, let alone being part of a crowd in an enclosed area. But its unveiling marked hope for the Philippine performing arts scene—a promise that people could once again gather, reconnect, and enjoy shared experiences without fear and uncertainty.

Lissa de Guzman and Allie Trimm lead SPAT's fourth anniversary concert "After Oz" (Photos: SPAT)

Through the years, that’s what SPAT has become: a home where artists, audiences, and communities come together to share stories and create lasting memories. Its stage has been a platform for international acts and local productions to shine. And as it marks its fourth year, it continues to strengthen its mission of bringing world-class performances closer to Filipinos.

A testament to that is its recently concluded anniversary concert, dubbed “After Oz.” On July 10, the Yellow Brick Road led Filipino fans to SPAT for a night of music, dance, and gratitude despite a gloomy day. What was supposed to be a one-night-only show was extended to two performances, thanks to the overwhelming response and support from audiences eager to experience the celebration.

“‘After Oz’ invites us to imagine what happens after ‘happily ever after.’ We are reminded that every ending is also the beginning of another journey, filled with new possibilities, purpose, and stories waiting to be told,” said Christopher Mohnani, SPAT managing director and Circuit Makati Arts and Culture manager. “In many ways, that is also the story of SPAT. Four years on, we continue to look ahead to new productions, collaborations, audiences, and ways of enriching the cultural life of our city.”

Allie and Lissa giving homage to "Wicked"

Morissette Amon givign a glimpse of TGA's upcoming production of "The Notebook: The Musical"

As the name suggests, the event plays with the magical world created by American author L. Frank Baum. To fully bring the magic to the stage, SPAT tapped “Wicked” stars Lissa de Guzman and Allie Trimm, who played Elphaba and Glinda, respectively, on Broadway.

For Lissa, the first Filipina Elphaba on Broadway, the concert marked a homecoming to SPAT after gracing its stage as part of the cast of Theatre Group Asia’s (TGA) “A Chorus Line.” Allie, on the other hand, marked her Philippine debut, bringing her artistry and powerful vocals to the theater’s anniversary celebration.

Throughout the night, the Broadway actresses serenaded the audience with songs from iconic musicals such as “Frozen” and “Once on This Island.” Together with musical director Farley Asuncion and the UST Singers, the two powerhouse vocalists performed songs from TGA’s upcoming production “Sunday in the Park with George.” Also there to celebrate SPAT’s anniversary was singer Morissette Amon, who gave a preview of her performance for the forthcoming show “The Notebook: The Musical.”

Toward the end of the celebration, Lissa and Allie treated everyone to a medley of “Wicked” hits, giving audiences a short but sweet glimpse of what it is like to witness the mega musical on Broadway. As Allie said, “You may leave ‘Wicked,’ but ‘Wicked’ doesn’t leave you.” And based on their performance, the musical indeed left a handprint on their hearts.

Ayala Land president and CEO Meean Dy, Sofia Zobel Elizalde, and Christopher Mohnani, Samsung Performing Arts Theater managing director and Circuit Makati Arts and Culture manager

As SPAT moves forward into another year, it continues to stand as a reminder of the power of live performances to bring people together. Like the journey beyond the Yellow Brick Road, SPAT’s story is far from over—there are still countless stages to grace, stories to tell, and memories to create.

“When this theater first opened its doors four years ago, it marked an important milestone, not only for Circuit Makati, but for the Philippine performing arts community,” Christopher said. “It was the first major cultural destination to take root in this estate, bringing to life our vision of Circuit Makati as a place where creativity, culture, and community come together. That vision continues to grow.”

Religion with politics?

 

By Nick Alviar

Published Jul 18, 2026 12:05 am | Updated Jul 17, 2026 04:27 pm

INCITING INSIGHTS

We woke up one day with a huge rally in EDSA on June 30 organized by the Iglesia ni Cristo (INC) in support of one of its prominent members involved in politics, Senator Rodante Marcoleta. Reportedly without securing a permit beforehand from local authorities, that lightning organized protest of around 9,000 religious followers caught the police and traffic enforcers by surprise as thousands of daily EDSA commuters endured long hours of traffic and inconvenience travelling to and from work and school. According to news accounts, when authorities attempted to clear vehicles blocking EDSA-White Plains Avenue, tensions flared leading to confrontation and several arrests (“Thousands join INC rally on EDSA,” Manila Bulletin, 30 June 2026). The day before, Ombudsman Jesus Crispin Remulla said that plunder charges against Sen. Marcoleta may be filed soon over alleged campaign donations during the 2025 elections which he did not disclose in his Statement of Contributions and Expenditures upon his own public admission aired on a TV program. The protest was also attended by several political figures, including Sens. Imee Marcos and Alan Peter Cayetano, who belong to the Senate minority bloc with Sen. Marcoleta. The rally continued the next day and then, moved to Liwasang Bonifacio in Manila on the third day.

Some political analysts interpret this as a show of force for government and politicians to realize the capability of the religious sect’s leaders to mobilize their followers within a short span of time to support a cause they have identified.

Two days earlier, on June 28, another religion-related rally was held in the same EDSA People Power Monument dubbed the White Ribbon March. Securing the required permit days before, Church and civil society groups called for government accountability amid the ongoing probe into flood control corruption scandals and impeachment proceedings against Vice President Sara Duterte. Sticking to these issues, BAYAN President Renato Reyes emphasized that the protest is neither pro-Marcos nor pro-Duterte. The event started with a mass celebration presided over by Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) Inter Religious Leaders’ Council for National Transformation lead convenor and Kidapawan Bishop Jose Colin Bagaforo who called on government officials to stop being self-centered and embody the selflessness of Jesus Christ. “We believe that a better future can only be achieved through better politics, politics that serves the people’s interests, protects human dignity and is guided by justice rather than greed,” he said in a previous statement. Afterwards, personalities from various religious groups and civil society spoke about major political issues afflicting our country, particularly, corruption and the need to fight against it. The Philippine National Police (PNP) said that no untoward incident took place, and the gathering was generally peaceful. Although traffic slowed down a bit near the People Power Monument with barriers set up to manage the flow of vehicles on this no-work Sunday. It helped that motorists were previously advised to plan alternative routes so as not to inconvenience the public.

The contrast between the two religion-inspired rallies is noticeable in terms of organization, cause, and public reception. It is worth noting that the White Ribbon focused on political issues: corruption and accountability, is composed of diverse groups of civil society organizations fighting for change and reform including ideologically opposed groups like the Catholic Church and leftist movements but united by a common cause, and is generally peaceful according to the PNP, well planned with a secured permit on a Sunday.

The deeper question to be asked though is whether religious groups should be involved in politics. Must a religion which ideally should be helping people in their spiritual needs and is concerned about the afterlife support political agenda, confront secular issues such as impeachment and investigations on flood control anomalies, encourage followers to go to the streets to protest against the government, specify whom to vote during elections?

For the Catholic Church, there are documents, for example, the CBCP Pastoral Exhortation on Philippine Politics (1997), which provide clear-cut principles to guide the behavior of Catholics in politics. While Church leaders are discouraged from directly getting involved in purely political matters, the lay persons must realize their obligation to live their faith in public life, and to transform society following the Christian teachings on truth and justice, human dignity, common good, preferential option for the poor, solidarity and subsidiarity, fulfilling all these with personal freedom and responsibility … and creativity.

In this latter sense, yes religion may get involved in politics by providing guidelines on the moral and spiritual dimensions of politics, and by encouraging the lay persons to make them a reality.

Nicomedes ‘Nick’ Alviar, PhD is with the School of Politics and Governance, University of Asia and the Pacific (UA&P).

Injured PH Eagle moved to rehab in Davao City

PHILIPPINE Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan inside the isolation cage at the Philippine Eagle Center in Malagos, Davao City. (Keith Bacongco)

By Keith Bacongco

Published Jul 17, 2026 09:57 pm

DAVAO CITY – Fifteen days since it was captured, critically endangered Philippine Eagle Sawaga-Dalwangan is fast recovering and transferred to an isolation and rehabilitation facility at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Davao City, on Thursday evening, July 16.

However, during the pre-transfer check up at Doc Bayani's Animal Wellness Clinic, veterinarian Bayani Vandenbroeck discovered a fresh entry wound from an air gun pellet on the left thigh.

Sawaga-Dalwangan was rescued by an indigenous farmer in the forests of Barangay Dalwangan in Malaybalay City, Bukidnon on July 3.

The indigenous farmer, Marvin Linoy, turned over the eagle to the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) which then handed it over to the Philippine Eagle Foundation.

Vandenbroeck recalled that the raptor was really in bad shape when it arrived in his clinic from Bukidnon on July 3.

But after two weeks of intensive monitoring and treatment, the eagle gradually regained its strength and demeanor, he said.

“When the eagle arrived, it was in an extremely critical condition. The team’s immediate priority was to address the wing injuries and remove the maggots while minimizing handling to avoid additional stress and further compromise to the bird’s condition,” recounted Vandenbroeck, veterinary consultant of the PEF.

He disclosed that the eagle was already aggressive when approached inside its temporary holding cage a few days after receiving treatment.

During the X-ray scan, veterinarians discovered air gun pellets lodged on the right wing and left thigh of the eagle.

The pellet on the wing has been removed while the other on the thigh is buried deep in its muscles, requiring major surgery to be removed.

On Thursday afternoon, PEF Director of Operations Dr. Jayson Ibañez said that Sawaga-Dalwangan was cleared from Newcastle Disease and Avian Influenza.

Ibañez said that these laboratory tests were required before the raptor could be transferred to the PEC.

He explained that the air gun pellet’s entry wound was not immediately discovered during initial checkup because the raptor could not be restrained for an extended period.

“The protocol for handling the Philippine Eagle is that it should not be too long as it might stress the bird. That explains why the wound was not immediately located because the bird was also heavily soiled at that time,” the seasoned conservationist pointed out.

Vandenbroeck recalled that feathers around the thigh injury were heavily caked with mud and dirt when the eagle was rescued, making the wound difficult to detect.

“After the bird was carefully washed and blow-dried, and as it regained strength and resumed its natural preening behavior, the wound became much more visible. Its fresh appearance suggests the injury was inflicted only recently before the eagle’s rescue,” he said.

Ibañez said they are awaiting the results of the deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) sexing test to confirm the gender of the rescued eagle.

With Sawaga-Dalwangan now in an isolation facility, the PEF said that human interaction will be kept to a minimum to reduce stress, support healing, and help maintain the eagle’s natural wild behavior and demeanor as it continues its recovery.

The PEF reiterated their call for a deeper investigation on Sawaga-Dalwangan's rescue.

DENR-10 Regional Wildlife Rescue Center veterinarian Rodner Tuquib said that he noted clinical signs of prolonged suffering on Sawaga-Dalwangan.

Based on his observation on the circulating photos of the eagle prior to turn over to the DENR in Bukidnon, Tuquib particularly noted the bird’s facial expression.

“The look on its face as if asking for help because it was not feeling well and the demeanor of an eagle with chronic wounds and myiasis,” the DENR resident veterinarian wrote on Facebook.

“It breaks my heart to see the photo of the Philippine Eagle in that condition and with reported maggot-infested wounds. The animal must have endured several days of suffering before intervention.”

Big-time oil price hike next week:

 

Big-time oil price hike next week: Diesel up by around ₱10, gasoline up over ₱3

Based on the four-day trading average of the Mean of Platts Singapore (MOPS) and foreign exchange rates, local diesel prices are projected to rise next week by ₱9.50 to ₱10.50 per liter. Gasoline is also expected to increase, with forecasts pointing to an upward adjustment of ₱3.50 to ₱4.50 per liter. Read more