Magic, music, and Filipino identity illuminate 'Into the Woods' opening night

Lea Salonga as The Witch, Mikkie Volante as the Baker's Wife, and Nyoy Volante as the Baker in Theatre Group Asia's "Into the Woods." (Photo by Mark Alvarez)

By John Legaspi

Published Aug 12, 2025 03:47 pm

Ever since the announcement of its stellar cast, Theatre Group Asia’s (TGA) production of “Into The Wood” has had Filipinos spellbound—to the point that there are barely any tickets left to purchase. This reimagining of the beloved Stephen Sondheim musical features a cast of global Filipino artists, led by Eugene Domingo, Nyoy Volante, and internationally acclaimed thespians Arielle Jacobs, Josh Dela Cruz, and Tony Award-winner Lea Salonga, among others.

Sarah Facuri, Tex Ordoñez-De Leon, and Kakki Teodoro 

Sarah Facuri, Tex Ordoñez-De Leon, and Kakki Teodoro

Josh Dela Cruz

Josh Dela Cruz

Lea Salonga

Lea Salonga

Nyoy and Mikkie Volante

Nyoy and Mikkie Volante

Clint Ramos and Chari Arespacochaga

Clint Ramos and Chari Arespacochaga

Eugene Domingo

Eugene Domingo

Teetin Villanueva

Teetin Villanueva

Rody Vera

Rody Vera

On Aug. 7, 2025, the curtains rose at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City. Leading the celebration were TGA’s overall artistic and creative director, Clint Ramos, and the musical’s director, Chari Arespacochaga. They welcomed Filipino fans eager to witness the crossroads of beloved fairy tales—infused with a distinct Filipino soul.

Through theater, TGA honors the depth and richness of Philippine history and culture, creating a space where Filipinos resonate within a global context. Its vision includes bridging gaps and fostering connections among Filipinos in the international theater community to present world-class productions by Filipinos, for Filipinos.

Christopher Mohnani and Arielle Jacobs

Christopher Mohnani and Arielle Jacobs

Mariana Zobel de Ayala and son

Mariana Zobel de Ayala and son

Nic Chien and Joyce Oreña

Nic Chien and Joyce Oreña

Fernando and Kit Zobel de Ayala with their son Alvaro and daughter Sylvia

Fernando and Kit Zobel de Ayala with their son Alvaro and daughter Sylvia

Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos

Gabbi Garcia and Khalil Ramos

Carol Garcia, Alice Eduardo, and Pops Fernandez

Carol Garcia, Alice Eduardo, and Pops Fernandez

Adelbert Abrigonda, Iza Calzado, and Ricky Lee

Adelbert Abrigonda, Iza Calzado, and Ricky Lee

Morissette Amon and Joreen Bautista

Morissette Amon and Joreen Bautista

Martina Campos and Abby Binay

Martina Campos and Abby Binay

Cristina and Bea Elizalde

Cristina and Bea Elizalde

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Keri Zamora

San Juan City Mayor Francis Zamora and Keri Zamora

Crickette and Donnie Tantoco

Crickette and Donnie Tantoco

As “Into The Woods” continues its run, audiences can look forward to a production that not only entertains but also uplifts the collective Filipino voice—boldly weaving tradition, innovation, and identity into every note, step, and scene.

Ballet Philippines brings back the magic this holiday season with ‘The Nutcracker’

Published November 25, 2022, 11:54 AM

by Feliciano Rodriguez III

After two years of lockdowns, it’s time to go back to the theatre and enjoy this treasured holiday show

Ballet Philippines closes the year 2022 with a full-length, on-site, ballet of “The Nutcracker,” a first since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. There will be performances at the CCP Main Theater on Dec. 17, 8 p.m., and on Dec. 18, 2 p.m and 8 p.m.

“It’s time to go back and watch,” exclaimed Ballet Philippines’ President Kathleen Liechtenstein, at a media preview of the ballet, which was held at the beautiful and historic Mira-Nila House in Quezon City.

After two years of just watching shows remotely, Lichtenstein told guests that it was high time to get out again and enjoy ballet, and that “The Nutcracker” is the perfect piece for the “new normal” holiday season.

The Mira-Nila House was the perfect venue for the press preview. The old, genteel mansion was a suitable backdrop for the minutes-long ballet preview. The skillful Ballet Philippines dancers pranced, twirled, and wowed guest at the mansion’s courtyard. The ballet company also showed off the wondrously designed costumes that are to be featured in this year’s “The Nutcracker.”

Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director Mikhail “Misha” Martynyuk was also present, “The uniqueness of our performance is its high level of musicality. Every scene is built precisely to the rhythm of the composer’s work.”

Lichtenstein also revealed that this year’s The Nutcracker will be extra special, as it will be performed to live music from the Manila Symphony Orchestra.

“Playing time-honored compositions of Peter Tchaikovsky, audiences can expect complete enchantment as music and dance transport senses to the Land of The Sugar Plum Fairy,” they shared.

Choreographed by Martynyuk, this full length performance of The Nutcracker brings the complete Christmas experience to audiences. Martynuk explains, “We are creating a fresh version while still respecting the classical version of the play. The performance will not only uphold the motives of E.T.A Hoffman’s Nutcracker and The Mouse King, it equally showcases the brilliant libretto of Marius Petipa.”

For tickets to Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker, visit www.ballet.ph or go to TicketWorld

Siquijor has magic - it's true!

Having heard many good things about the beauty of Siquijor and seeing photos of what it offers, I arranged a trip to the so-called “Island of Black Magic.”

It wasn’t so much about the mystical stories of witchcraft surrounding the island, as an excuse to travel and appreciate the country’s beauty one island at a time, that set us off.

Maldives of the Philippines   

Before heading to Siquijor itself, my friends and I took a detour to Majuyod sandbar, an hour’s drive in a van from Dumaguete airport where we landed. There’s a video on social media that hails it as the “Maldives of the Philippines.”  We wanted to see it for ourselves.

It was only 15 minutes by boat from the drop-off point in Bais. There was a cottage waiting for us in the middle of the sea at the edge of the sandbar.

Since we made prior arrangements, lunch was ready the moment we got there.

After lunch, it was time to bring out our inflatables and float on the tide to enjoy the water surrounding the cottage.

Once the low tide came in at around midday, the sandbar emerged. Immediately we grabbed our drinks, hung out on the newly surfaced area and buried our feet in the sand. It was just like having a pool in the morning and a beach in the afternoon—only way better.

When the sun was about to set, we headed back to Dumaguete to spend the night and prepare ourselves for the main attraction.

Getting there

Getting to Siquijor was not as easy as I thought it would be. There were less boat trips on weekends, so we took the earliest departing ferry at 7 a.m.

An hour and a half into the two-hour ride, the water turned into a rich, clear blue—all the way to the port.

It heightened our excitement of exploring the majesty of Siquijor.

Cambugahay Falls

We rented a coaster and headed straight to our first stop on the island, the Cambugahay Falls.

When we got there, some went straight to the top of the falls and plunged into the lake. The others took their time, dipped in the water and positioned themselves right under the waterfalls to shower. Who wouldn’t want to start their day with a cold and refreshing swim by a waterfall?

After everyone was revved up and endorphins were high, we took a crack at the famous swing set up by the locals. This is probably one of the most known sites of Siquijor posted on social media.

We wasted no time in trying it and released the inner Tarzan in all of us. Successful and unsuccessful summersaults or backflips were attempted repeatedly.

It was an exhilarating experience to catapult up into the air and land in the water;  twice or thrice of doing this was simply not enough. Really, everyone must try this at least once!

Salagdoong Beach

Less than an hour away is a public beach called Salagdoong where locals and tourists can enjoy the crystal-clear and blue water. There are numerous cabanas along the shoreline, which was the setting for our lunch.

Adding to the beach’s charm were the 20-to 30-feet-high platforms for cliff-diving created by the locals. Confronting one’s fear of heights and plunging into the sea is a great way to build up an appetite for lunch.

Coco Grove Siquijor

Accommodations were at Coco Grove which was only an hour away. This developed resort has one of the best beaches in Siquijor. A large stretch of white sand is surrounded by turquoise water. There are also hundreds of coconut trees planted around the resort.

This was the place to revel or reflect, depending on one’s inclination.

It was hard to leave and our journey back to Manila came with a heavy heart. Still, the experience created many happy memories of an enchanting  island.

There were plenty of stories and photographs to bring back and share. That, I believe, is the true “magic” of Siquijor. It allows us to discover, and rediscover, and ultimately fall in love with our country—again and again.