Phantom of the Opera in Manila

Phantom of the Opera, seen by more than 130 million people is the longest running show on Broadway. It is also the highest grossing box-office show, in excess of $5.6 billion, higher than Titanic and Star Wars. Not to mention bagging 50 major theatre awards including 3 Olivier and 7 Tony Awards! No wonder Andrew Lloyd Webber was hailed as the 87th richest month in Britain in 2006 with an estimated fortune of $700 million - at that time.

What's the best part, if you still haven't heard, the international touring company is currently performing in Manila with an extended run until end of October! After watching Mamma Mia February this year, I pointed the Phantom teaser to Person A and being a fan of both the musical and the composer, he purchased tickets in March and most excited for September 1st to come. If you want to talk about classic books and music, talk to Person A. I am not much help.

Before I continue this post, please allow me to establish that I am now a fan, my jaw dropped and I cried during the show. The show exceeded my expectation! The numbers presented in the introduction will not be possible if the show which premiered in 1986 is less than awesome. 

According to the musical's official site, far beneath the majesty and splendour of the Paris Opera House, hides the Phantom in a shadowy existence. Shamed by his physical appearance and feared by all, the love he holds for his beautiful protegee Christine Daae is so strong that even her heart cannot resist. Christine is betrothed to her childhood friend Raoul and the story centers on love, passion, jealousy and deception. 

Fast Facts

1. The musical is based on Gaston Leroux's novel Le Fantome de l'Opera published 1909. I read the synopsis in Wikipedia and the story is very interesting. If you want to know the backstory of the characters, the synopsis is a good introduction.

2. In the novel, the Phantom has a name: Erik.

Pictured is Jonathan Roxmouth as the Phantom. He is the actor in the South Africa and Manila run. Photo from here.

3. The chandelier is made of 6000 beads, 3 meters wide and weighs one ton. If you remember, this chandelier is a central part in the Phantom's terrorizing of the Opera managers and actors.

This is similar to what you will see in CCP. Photo grabbed from here.

What Turned Me Into a Fan

1. The musical score is out of this world. Each note and the way it ties together is well-thought of and stirs your emotion. Live orchestra accompanies the acts. It's a spectacle in itself. My favorite are the Overture/Hannibal, Phantom of the Opera and All I Ask of You.

2. The set is fantabulous. The production team has gone all out with the props and effects used. Notice the boat, the falling chandelier and the seamless transition had my jaw-dropping. 

3. Of course, the story is romantic but is neutralized by the tragedy of the Phantom's story. I actually cried for the Phantom but in Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber's sequel, the story has turned favorable for him.

4. Spot.ph featured 10 good reasons to watch the show. I agree that the cast is willing to meet the fans. Here's my tweet exchange with Emilie Lynn, the Christine understudy.

She's equally good. And if you fancy Gerard Butler, Jonathan sounds like him.

I had an awesome time watching Phantom of the Opera. So awesome that I spent the entire morning listening to the soundtrack. It will be hard to top this musical in terms of music and set design. We got our tickets at a discount and splurged on an Orchestra center seats. I have watched Balcony before, albeit far, it doesn't really matter, you will still get the entire theatrical experience.

Lastly, Diamond Hotel has special offers for viewers. Click here.

And with that, I welcome September feeling very cultured.

The Phantom of the Opera Manila

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo

Cultural Center of the Philippines

August 25 - October 14

Tickets Priced at PhP 1820 to PhP 7280

Mamma Mia: My, My, Why Can't I Resist You?

I am a Mamma Mia fan that includes both the movie and the musical. That doesn't make me unique. In fact, 50 million people have counted themselves fans of the musical which opened in West End in 1999. And by the way, the movie was the highest grossing film in Britain until Avatar. That's how good it is. What I like about the franchise is its ultimate feel-good packaging plus the fact that you can sing to all the songs that the actors are belting. That comes from a child of the 90s who has boy band and grunge marked all over her face. How much more if you are a child of the flower power generation? I bet the musical would mean so much more to you with the flared pants and the platforms overload. 

My love affair with Mamma Mia started with the 2008 movie, it was too heartwarming for me that I sang all the songs for at least a week. I even offered to watch it again with Person A since he was away from civilization when it was shown in movie theaters and gave my Mom a DVD of the movie. I consider it the ultimate Mom-daughter bonding film.

With its month-run in Manila, Person A thinks its worth scraping off some cash for a Mamma Mia date night. Armed with an ABBA-induced high from playing the soundtrack half a day before the show, off we trooped to CCP on a Saturday night. We arrived an hour before curtain opens giving us ample time to park the car and grab quick dinner. Mind you, it was quick dinner since most restaurants are packed and order time took 20 minutes! If you want a leisurely dinner, be at the CCP complex 1.5 hours before, have dinner beside the bay and this would give you ample time to order coffee at Starbucks where some of the casts hang out before call time. Shhhh.... that's our little secret.

This is us while waiting for our Japanese dinner . 

Sex(a)y british accent heralds the start of the show. Mamma Mia is set on a Greek Island of Calicos where 20-year old Sophie is to get married in a day. She is single-handedly raised by her Mum, Donna, who runs a taverna. Sophie doesn't know who her dad is but she invited three men to her wedding whom her Mum had ... dot, dot, dot with ... the time she was conceived. And so the fun starts with ABBA hits sung all throughout the story. 

Sara Poyzer (Donna) and Charlotte Wakefield (Sophie) play the mother-daughter tandem. According to Person A, he likes Sara's portrayal best. My favorite among the Donna and Sophie's numbers are Mamma Mia, Honey Honey... all of it.

Presenting the dashing dads! Sam, Bill and Harry. 

I think everyone would agree that Donna and the Dynamos is one of the highlights of the show. My favorite is their Super Trooper performance and Rosie's Take a Chance on Me number.

Kate Graham (left) plays Tanya while Jennie Dale (right) plays Rosie. Rosie provides the most comic relief.

I can't help but sing during the entire show. I was holding back a bit considering I had to watch my theater etiquette. It was awesome, worth the price you paid for. There's a three-song concert at the end of the show. Wait for that, the whole house was on their feet and singing to the songs. 

Before I summarize this post, there's an interesting ad in the CCP lobby.

Is it coming to Manila? Person A is excited. He's an Andrew Lloyd Webber fan!

Time to save up folks.

In Summary

1. If theater, ABBA and feel good shows are your cup of tea, Mamma Mia is for you. This show is best shared with family and friends. I watched it with the significant other and we immensely enjoyed it. One of the best shows to take your date this V-day.

2. As for the best seat in the house, buy the best seat you can afford. We are only willing to shell out for the Parterre Box (~ PhP 3500), it was elevated and at the back of the hall but you still get a good view (a bit far though) and there's privacy. There were only six of us in the box and we got the two front seats so all is good.

3. It is also best to head out an hour and a half before the show to give you time to park and have dinner  in the CCP complex.

Mamma Mia Manila Tour

January 24 - February 19

Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo

Cultural Center of the Philippines

Manila

Ticket prices are as follows and can be bought at the link above.

Friday, Saturday and Sunday 

PhP 7000, 6000, 5000, 3500, 2000, 1000

Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday

PhP 6000, 5000, 4000, 3000, 1500, 750

Casa Roces

Chic, colonial, interior, great Spanish-Filipino food at a price way less than a fine dining restaurant are words I have to sum up my Casa Roces experience. It’s not hard to imagine that this converted ancestral home in San Miguel, Manila must be the go-to-place of ambassadors and the old rich since Malacanang sits right its front yard.

The Place           

If you go through the garden entrance, you will be greeted by this intricately designed blue door.

To its left is the garden, with the steel lawn chairs laid on wooden planks. Doesn’t this remind you of the lawn sets in old provincial homes? This is what childhood memories are made of.

Going back to the blue door, I was so amused by it that I showed my child-like, toothy grin. The little girl is 25, by the way. Person A is not being punished (think “face the wall”), he’s having some geeky conversation with the door.

I find the interior very lovely and chic, just my kind of thing. The ground floor palette is gray with sprays of yellow in very soft hues.

There are old, wooden chairs

Nooks with knick-knacks

And wild orchids serve as floral centerpieces.

Even inside the comfort room

The glass, sliding doors open up to the garden outside. The interior is so beautiful that if I am to decorate my (future) home, this place will definitely have a page on my inspiration book.

 This is the view from the foyer.

This is my second visit to the place, and this time around, Person A and I invited two more friends. We can happily report that we enjoyed the place (and food) immensely.

Warm-breaded goat cheese salad (PhP 195)

Pan-fried goat cheese with rocket and salad mesclun

Based on its name, this is arugula with assorted young leaves salad mix and balsamic vinegar-based dressing. The breaded goat cheese is matchbox-sized. It is okay but Person A and I like the sweetened balsamic vinegar dressing.

Crispy Lengua Ceasar Salad (PhP 145)

I don’t normally order salads with cream-based dressing. Think calories.  We tried this caesar salad because of the crunchy lengua that doubles as a crouton replacement.

This is a really a good one. The dressing is light and doesn’t drench the greens. Plus the lengua tastes divine, renders the salty taste. Must try.

Sopa Molo Castilliana (PhP 145)

Garlic soup with pork dumplings, poached egg and noodles. The garlic compliments the pork taste and is a good meal starter. The bowl is enough for four people. It would be nice to enjoy this when it is still warm.

Fettucine with Bleu Cheese and Roasted Mushroom (PhP 185)

Cream sauce and mushroom always mix well and this is no exception. The sauce is very creamy, there is a generous serving of mushroom that gives the dish its taste but I did not taste the blue cheese at all. My friends said they do.

Bouillabaisse de la Casa Roces (PhP 210)

Squid, mussels, and other seafood stew in tomato broth. The sour tomato taste dampens the salty flavor of the seafood mix. It’s so good, a must try. This comes with bread but I prefer it with rice.  This is good for 2 people, by the way.

Callos Ala Abolita (PhP 260)

Soft tripe stew with chorizo and chickpeas. This one is my favorite as well. The fat (my friends say it’s not fat) is well cut, very soft while the flavors in the stew make you forget how greasy the dish is. This is served with rice and can serve 2-3 people.

Kape Chino Desserts

The restaurant has an in-house coffeeshop which serves coffee and cake. It is named after Don Chino Roces (Pasong Tamo) – his family owns the house.

White Chocolate Sansrival (PhP 135)

The meringue base with the white chocolate, buttery frosting is not too sweet and has a good texture to it.

Laguna Cheesecake (PhP 150)

This is one of the better cheesecakes in town. It’s very cheesy (I think it is made from local cheese, it has that taste to it), creamy and again the texture, it has a subtle gelatinous feel to it.

Malacanang Souffle (PhP ~300)

This a dessert soufflé, the “lift” part is very light but has a strong citrusy taste to it. The base part is soft. This is a citrus-flavored dessert and is a good palate cleanser or should be eaten last.  I like the two cakes better. I like to end my meal with a sweet taste in my mouth.

We also had coffee, this is my cappuccino (PhP 130) 

And this is Kat’s Bailey’s coffee (PhP 125). Good coffee, worth the order to compliment the cakes.

This is Person A’s Frosted Mocha (PhP 130), the blend has a strong coffee and the whip cream is divine as well. This pairs well with the main dishes that we had.

In Summary:

1. With its architecture, very chic interior and great food, Casa Roces is a value-for-money restaurant. Bottomline, I think dining in this place is a steal.

2. The food is good, most dishes can be shared by 2 persons and is priced around ~PhP200.

3. You can have just anything here: lovely brunch with friends, dinner with the special someone and celebration with the family. They have function rooms in the second floor that can seat from around 10 to 40 people. Perfect for those intimate gatherings.

Casa Roces

1153 JP Laurel

San Miguel, Manila

63.2.735.5896