Buhay Isang Awit Foundation Inc. will be restaging the first musical about the life of former President Cory Aquino next month at the Meralco Theater. Those who missed the first run of Cory, the Musical have another chance to watch this musical play when it is mounted from January 16-17, 2009.
Over 70 cast members are tapped to take part in this play, which is the seventh musical project mounted by Buhay Isang Awit Foundation. Former Miss
Saigon star Isay Alvarez plays the character of Cory, while Sherwin Sozon
plays the late former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino. Isay's husband,
Robert Seña, is chosen to take the role of the late former President Ferdinand
Marcos while Pinky Marquez plays Imelda Marcos. Rito Asilo is also cast as
Senator Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel while Tommy Abuel plays a reporter who documents
the tumultuous Martial Law period.
Mrs. Bing Pimentel reveals that she was inspired to create a
musical play about the first female President of the Philippines when she
learned that Mrs. Aquino was diagnosed with colon cancer. She recalled that the
former President was impressed when Buhay Isang Awit Foundation mounted the
play Pag-ibig sa Bayan. This production was based on writings of Senator
Aquilino "Nene" Pimentel about his daunting experiences during Martial Law,
especially when he was detained four times by the military.
This time, the Foundation offers Tita Cory with her own musical play that features 20 original songs composed by Mrs. Bing Pimentel. Nestor Torre directs
this production while Leo Quinitio is musical director, conductor, and
arranger.
Nestor and Isay first worked together in Magsimula Ka, another Filipino musical that Torre co-wrote and directed with award-winning composer Gines Tan. Isay was among the young and aspiring stars who auditioned to play the female lead role in Magsimula Ka.
The musical served as Isay's stepping stone to stardom. Along with several others featured in Magsimula Ka, which included Robert Seña (now Isay's husband), she was cast in the initial London production of the hit musical, Miss Saigon.
After their long stint in the West End production of Miss Saigon, Robert and
Isay decided to go back to the Philippines so their children could grow up in a
typical Pinoy setting. They also wanted to share what they learned abroad with
other Filipino talents. The couple then put up a talent development studio
called Spotlight Artist Center.
They asked their mentor, Nestor Torre, to teach a workshop that combines
acting, scriptwriting and directing. Past enrollees include Miriam Quiambao,
Lorenzo Mara, Mike Sandejas and Robert himself, among others.
In a previous interview with PEP (Philippine Entertainment Portal), Isay
recalled how she was chosen to play the lead character in this musical play.
"We were at the Center when Nestor called me and asked me to face the mirror.
Ginulo-gulo niya ang aking buhok, pagkatapos sabi niya, ikaw na! Ako na ang
alin? Yun pala, ako na ang Cory."
For ticket inquiries to Cory, the Musical call Shiela at 851-3120 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.
Performances: January 16-17, 2009 (8 PM)
Venue: Meralco Theater, Ortigas Avenue, Pasig City
