it was early 80s when gines tan and nestor torre' MAGSIMULA KA! was first staged in CCP by bulwagang gantimpala at huseng batute. i was still an active member of the MET chorus of the metropolitan theater (for those who are not aware of its existence..it's that dilapidated structure in lawton. it was a beautiful theater during those days but our country has no appreciation of what is cultural that's why it is now like that) when i auditioned. i was still in college and was my second time to audition in a CCP production. i got in the first time (a production directed by nestor torre) and was offered a major role but i was not ready to leave my comfort zone so i backed out! auditions for MAGSIMULA KA! came and so i tried again..it turned out it was another torre musical and so when he saw me in the audition...he told to me not dare back out if i get the part or not audition at all.
but of course i got the female lead!!! although i was already being given lead parts at the MET, but i wanted to try musical theatre! so i accepted and MAGSI was really a great start for my musical career. i have learned so much from this musical. i got my training, discipline and love for the theater beacause of MAGSI. i owe nestor a lot! he took pains mentoring me...even up to now.
MAGSI is a story about four friends who have just graduated from college. they were all excited to embark on their respective dreams! one wants to be a social worker (monina), a singer (mandy), writer (mario) and composer (miguel). miguel who comes from a wealthy family really wanted to become a musician but his father wanted him to take over the management of their business. he joined a songwriting contest and his entry was MAGSIMULA KA! syempre may love story si monina and miguel at syempre maraming heartwarming moments ang mga friends and family of miguel. adding spice to the musical is the love story of the household helpers namely: jograd and monang, the best friend of monina (delia) who disappeared because of an accident, and a number of beautifully written songs of gines tan and arranged by ryan cayabyab. the story is very refreshing with all the positive moral values imparted in the musical.
MAGSI really started my career as performing artist. a number of us went to london to do miss saigon (bobby martino, jon briones, bicong del rosario, rico villavert,me and robert). Jograd dela torre, beverly salviejo, albert avellana, jun sudayan, jovi quilala, albert jimenez, gigi posadas, tricia amper jimenez are some of the names who also "started" in MAGSI! a number of established singers graced the show as guest artists: dulce, rico j, loiuie reyes, pat castillo, carlo orosa, marco sison, angelique lazo, eugene villaluz, ray an fuentes and many more!
now we want to pay tribute to nes and gines thru this musical. and YES! we are producing this. we want to discover young artists who'll share this passion for this original filipino musical. ARE YOU A TRIPLE THREAT? come and audition on feb 21 at SPOTLIGHT ARTISTS CENTRE at dona consolacion bldg 122 jupiter st makati city. 1-5pm. call yssa at 8998089 for questions. come and sing your favorite song from a pinoy musical...i hope you can sing and dance too because there's plenty of that in this musical. the musical btw will be in november..hopefully in CCP little theater. see you at SAC!
we want to discover young artists who'll share this passion for this original filipino musical. 