I love the holidays in spite of the holidaze because it gives
us time to catch up with friends and family. This year we were
especially blessed to have my very young cousins from the US, Lexi and Kayla, whose Papa Louie, may he rest in peace, was a like a second dad to me and my sister. I
had a blast on the last two days of 2012 with these girls.
Since I was out so often (Vietnam before Christmas and Cebu before New Years) I only had two days, December 30 and 31, to make the most of my time with them and I wanted it to count. So we did things that they both wanted to do. And something I wanted to do - eat!
Day of Music: The King and I
Lexi is 17 and a senior in her high school in Ohio. She is a superstar and Simon Cowell or Christina Aguilera will have to beat each other at discovering her amazing singing talent.
Since she loves musicals, I got us tickets to King and I. My sister and I both trained under Monique Wilson in Repertory Philippines so watching this show also had sentimental value for me. Luckily, I caught the last day of Monique's performance. It was announced after the show that while the show has been extended, Leo Valdez (the King) and Monique (Anna) are no longer renewing their contracts. Anna will be played by Menchu Lauchenco instead. And I look forward to that too because if you saw her in Evita and all her other Rep plays, you know Menchu is fabulous onstage.
Hats off to Resorts World for a long-running budgeted musicale. The costumes, set design, lighting, orchestra were all clearly well-thought out and spent for. And this wasn't a small cast.
Leo Valdez was hilarious, poignant and naughty as the King. Loved him.
But we decided that Lexi could give Monique a run for her money:
The girl who played Tuptim, Tanya Manalang, had a beautiful voice reminiscent of Lea Salonga. But I was especially impressed by Gina Respall who truly captured the role Lady Thiang and whose alto was, just like her character, tender yet strong.
Afterwards, Lexi and Kayla did the "red carpet" walk of fame:
Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban, watch out! Haha.
Another great thing about Resorts World is that they have so many activities even for those just strolling around the mall. Like a photo op with this man with REALLY LONG LEGS.
Or the Grand Fiesta that followed with drummers and dancers.
After this, we went straight to church where Lexi blessed the parishioners of Magallanes Church St. Alphonsus de Ligoury with her most angelic voice and Lady KK "harmonized".
Day of Adventure: Horseback riding in Tagaytay
The following day we visited nearby Tagaytay. Kayla wanted to go horseback riding and Lexi wanted espasol. Since we are not members of Highlands, we just got the horses available to the public - so cheap! Just P350 for a horse and you get to ride for a good half hour.
Splurge Meal: Antonio's
Finally, I wanted to treat the two girls to a great meal. And since we were already in Tagaytay, we went to Antonio's. It was especially significant because one of my last meals with Tito Louie was at this very table.
I tried something new on the menu: kesong puti salad. A large mound of kesong puti with a basil pesto sauce and the most delicious muscovado-glazed bread. Kayla got the lamb, which was oh so tender. Lexi had Antonio's Trio, a trio of beef.
Then we toured the grounds :)
Lexi's last words to me before flying back to the US early morning of January 2: "It's more fun in the Philippines!"
Love these girls :)
King and I
Tickets available at ticketworld.com.ph.
VIP P2568; Premiere P2140; Deluxe P1712; Balcony P1070 (as of today).
Antonio's
Bagong Tubig, Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines (63 46) 413-0975. Reservations required. And best to ask for directions!
had a blast on the last two days of 2012 with these girls.
 |
| The photo above of Lexi (left) and Kayla reminds me of me and my sister Goldee. |
Since I was out so often (Vietnam before Christmas and Cebu before New Years) I only had two days, December 30 and 31, to make the most of my time with them and I wanted it to count. So we did things that they both wanted to do. And something I wanted to do - eat!
Day of Music: The King and I
Lexi is 17 and a senior in her high school in Ohio. She is a superstar and Simon Cowell or Christina Aguilera will have to beat each other at discovering her amazing singing talent.
Since she loves musicals, I got us tickets to King and I. My sister and I both trained under Monique Wilson in Repertory Philippines so watching this show also had sentimental value for me. Luckily, I caught the last day of Monique's performance. It was announced after the show that while the show has been extended, Leo Valdez (the King) and Monique (Anna) are no longer renewing their contracts. Anna will be played by Menchu Lauchenco instead. And I look forward to that too because if you saw her in Evita and all her other Rep plays, you know Menchu is fabulous onstage.
Hats off to Resorts World for a long-running budgeted musicale. The costumes, set design, lighting, orchestra were all clearly well-thought out and spent for. And this wasn't a small cast.
Leo Valdez was hilarious, poignant and naughty as the King. Loved him.
But we decided that Lexi could give Monique a run for her money:
The girl who played Tuptim, Tanya Manalang, had a beautiful voice reminiscent of Lea Salonga. But I was especially impressed by Gina Respall who truly captured the role Lady Thiang and whose alto was, just like her character, tender yet strong.
Afterwards, Lexi and Kayla did the "red carpet" walk of fame:
Angel Locsin and Angelica Panganiban, watch out! Haha.
Another great thing about Resorts World is that they have so many activities even for those just strolling around the mall. Like a photo op with this man with REALLY LONG LEGS.
Or the Grand Fiesta that followed with drummers and dancers.
After this, we went straight to church where Lexi blessed the parishioners of Magallanes Church St. Alphonsus de Ligoury with her most angelic voice and Lady KK "harmonized".
Day of Adventure: Horseback riding in Tagaytay
Splurge Meal: Antonio's
Finally, I wanted to treat the two girls to a great meal. And since we were already in Tagaytay, we went to Antonio's. It was especially significant because one of my last meals with Tito Louie was at this very table.
I tried something new on the menu: kesong puti salad. A large mound of kesong puti with a basil pesto sauce and the most delicious muscovado-glazed bread. Kayla got the lamb, which was oh so tender. Lexi had Antonio's Trio, a trio of beef.
Lexi's last words to me before flying back to the US early morning of January 2: "It's more fun in the Philippines!"
Love these girls :)
King and I
Tickets available at ticketworld.com.ph.
VIP P2568; Premiere P2140; Deluxe P1712; Balcony P1070 (as of today).
Antonio's
Bagong Tubig, Tagaytay, Cavite, Philippines (63 46) 413-0975. Reservations required. And best to ask for directions!
