Christmas 2000: An Excellent Musical Play, Cast & Crew
Before I go on with this article, please note that Brod Fred Aquino sent an
email message saying that he DID COME with the largest delegation – twelve
(12) in all! So you keep the crown, Brod Fred. Our recount (without the
hanging and dimpled chads) shows that we had 133 attendees, an excellent
and unprecedented attendance, indeed.
Led by Grand Princep-elect Gabby Moraleda ‘68B and his whole family, the UP
Beta Sigma of Northern California once again produced an excellent musical
play entitled “The Gift Goes On!” Last year’s musical, “Message of the New
Millennium”, was a big hit and was re-played during Couples for Christ (CFC)
Christmas Party two weeks ago before an audience of about 300 people. This
time, Brod Billy Monteagudo directed it and employed the services of a few
original cast members from last year’s showing. The plot is just so
excellent that this will be shown again in at least two more settings
outside the U.S.A.
But to make all these possible, the Moraledas needed an excellent cast and
crew, and we would be remiss if we don’t mention them individually.
THE ANTONIO FAMILY – Cesar, Nina, and Children Aimee, Charlie, Christopher
and Mommy Laura Osorio. First and foremost, they totally opened their homes
for us for weekly practices. To our delight, they didn’t follow our
unwritten rule that the host should NOT prepare any food, maybe because
Mommy Laura always wanted us to taste her excellent cooking…. We’ve all
seen and applauded the superb acting of Nina (as Church Worker), Aimee and
Charlie (as The Teenagers), but what is unknown to many is the backroom
work of Cesar and son Christopher. Up to the last minute, both of them had
to look for materials that we used for the backdrop and the screen used in
the slide showing.
MERCY ORIA-VILLEGAS. She is THE Mercy Oria of the Philippine entertainment
industry way back in the late 50s and early 60s. My own guest, once a top
executive BPI, was so proud she finally met diva Mercy Oria in person.
Mercy set the tone of the whole musical play with her personalized
rendition and interpretation and brought new life to an old song, “O Holy
Night!” We’re so glad to have a total performer in the UP Beta Sigma
family.
THE REGADIO FAMILY – Johnny ’66 (as The Program Director), Beth (as The
Church Worker), and children Aldwyn and Albert (as The Teenagers). This
same group again starred in last year’s musical play. Beth’s last name then
was still “Aguiling.” These four cast members were just “naturals” in their
respective roles, being Church leaders and servants in real life. As most
of us know, LOVIE-DOVIES Beth and Johnny got married last September after
about two years of courtship.
THE ARANETA COUPLE – Ike ’71 and Tanya (as themselves) looking for the
meaning of Christmas now that their grown-up children Jasmin and Aleli have
left their home to live their own lives. ONE GETS THE IMPRESSION THAT THIS
MUSICAL WAS WRITTEN FOR THIS COUPLE, WITH THEM AS ACTORS! All Ike and Tanya
did was just be themselves. Tanya internalized her role so much she broke
into tears in one of the rehearsals. During the show, their daughter Minmin
was also seen wiping her tears obviously empathizing with her parents
feeling of emptiness.
DOMI “BOY” RAMOS ’59 and Son JONATHAN – spent sleepless nights making
multi-media images of Ike and Tanya. The combined expertise of this father
and son team plus MARYANN MORALEDA’s multi-media direction produced a real
spectacle of the evolution of Ike and Tanya’s family life that started with
just the two of them, begot two daughters, and now, it’s just the two of
them once again.
MAYANN IGNACIO (U.P. Law) provided such beautiful background song “Till The
Season Comes 'Round Again” that sounded very much like Astrud Gilberto of
the 60s. Her song timed so well with the multi-media presentation on the
giant screen, and this portion of the show won total approval of the
audience.
NEIL HIDALGO ‘92c – Our youngest brod in town, was a worthy “sub”, indeed!
He played the successful Santa Clara businessman but his life was simply
rotten because his family (RUBY PALATTAO, and children ARIS and JANET) had
left him for good, or so he thought. Neil’s feeling of emptiness is
carefully emphasized by his superb acting (plus, we all think Neil truly
misses his girlfriend in the Philippines!) while another light strikes at
Ruby and her children in another corner of the room. YOU DID A PERFECT JOB
THERE, FRANKLIN MORALES! (This is Frank’s second year as our lights man.)
LEVY PEREZ ’58 – astonished all of us with a voice that is as cool as the
Christmas weather with his excellent rendition of “Babalik Kaya Siya”, a
sad song dedicated to Neal Hidalgo (The Businessman). Levy later directed
his song to The Businessman’s family (Ruby and her children), obviously to
encourage them to reconcile in time for the season. Levy (and wife Lita)
came all the way from Turlock in Central Valley to be one of the
castmembers. We are all so very honored!
RIA VERGARA, a Madrigal singer, sang with gusto a lively song “The Gift
Goes On” while “THE TEENAGERS” AIMEE and CHARLIE ANTONIO, STACEY SAN PEDRO,
ALDWYN and ALBERT REGADIO, and SAM MORALEDA (also part of the production
crew when not on stage) danced to the music choreographed by MARYANN
MORALEDA.
KATRINA MORALEDA was a perfect fit for the last solo song “Nothing Can
Separate You”. The expressive quality she lent to the song gave more power
to the message of the whole musical play.
Last but not least, KIKO DELMENDO ‘72, who is among the evening’s biggest
contributors – he provided the SOUNDS FOR US free of charge (Did you notice
all the giant speakers at both ends of the stage?); he single-handedly
brought the rented Christmas tree; he found a venue for us at a time it was
almost impossible for us to have one unless we paid a handsome price; he
opened his house to the Brods, Sis and families who stayed after the party;
AND, he negotiated and FINALIZED A CONTRACT FOR A PERFECT VENUE FOR NEXT
YEAR’S CHRISTMAS PARTY!
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