Meet Lara Maigue and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Ligaya Paraiso in Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag
Entertainment Friday, September 01, 2017
Two beautiful and talented women with a powerful voice will bring to life Ligaya Paraiso, one of the major characters in Edgardo Reyes novel which also turned into a Lino Brocka classic film version, "Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag".
Lara Maigue and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez will be playing the role of Ligaya Paraiso, both according to Direk Joel Lamangan who will be helming the stage for the musical said that they fit the role perfectly. Under the music choreography of Mr. Douglas Nierras, expect a wonderfully crafted dance maneuvers that will set your hearts on fire together with the songs that will also touch your heart as a Filipino.
Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag The Musical is based on the Edgardo Reyes novel and inspired by National Artist for Film Lino Brocka’s classic adaptation. But the musical will be purely based on the novel.
Maynila Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag The Musical is about love that will go the distance, both literally and figuratively. It is also about the loss of innocence, the fight to survive and the challenges of the characters as they go in a journey on how to survive in the heart of Manila.
It is set to touch the audience with relatable songs and the best choreographed dance routines.
Meet the classical-jazz-opera singer Lara Maigue who is already 26 years old but doesn't really look like it, she looks so fresh that she may still enroll as a freshman student in college. Not only armed with beauty and brains but she is way one of those performers you don't want to messed with, she's a total performer. Only few Filipina artist can remarkable hit the right notes when it comes to classic and jazz genre and she is definitely on the right track, plus she's only a singer-song writer. She is under Star Music and she will have an album with all her compositions.
Lara started out as a performer when she was 16. Lara was also a former member of Philippine Opera Company’s, Opera Belles, Winner of the 2011 Aliw Award for Best New Female Group & the Golden Choice Awards for Best Official Soundtrack from their self-titled album under Sony Music Entertainment. Last July 2013, she was awarded as Philpop 2013’s TOP 5 for her song “Sa’yo Na Lang Ako” interpreted by singer/actress, Karylle.
One of her biggest performance so far will be portraying the role of Ligaya Paraiso in Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical. This role is a more mature role for her, this is the first time she will do something that this mature but she is very excited because this is something people should look forward to, Maynila being portrayed in a musical.
Lara talks about her role as Ligaya Paraiso, "Ligaya Paraiso is a 20 year old girl, she came from the province, a lot of Filipinos nangangarap ng mas magandang buhay kaya dadayo sila sa Manila at napangakuan sya ng magandang trabaho sa Manila like a good pay job but instead she ended up as a prostitute na binenta sa isang instik. Kung mapapansin nyo konti lang ang role nya pero it's such a big role kasi she represents a lot of women in our society then and now. It's a tragic story."
Lara also shared that she has done a similar tragic musical in the past which Maria Clara but
this one is way more tragic according to her since it really happens in real life, the best part is, the musical is supported by an amazing music by Von De Guzman. Ligaya Paraiso also has a notable love story with Julio Madiaga played by actor Arman Ferrer.
Since it will be a tragic story for Ligaya Paraiso, people should watch out how her life will turn out. She added that this musical shouts everything that is happening around us even until now. It's very timely. Aside from the scenes, the music, people should also watch out for the choreography coming from the direction of Douglas Nierras.
Meet the country’s prominent musical figure, Ms. Shiela Valderrama-Martinez who proved her unstoppable passion for theatre and performance, her notable performances were as Anna in The King and I, Danni Girl, Belinda Blair in Noises Off and Princess Fiona in Shrek the Musical. She started out young in the theater industry, she joined Repertory Philippines and had to stopped when she entered college and took up a Business degree in De La Salle University. The she helped run the family business Marby Food Ventures and eventually, the longing to perform is still there which is why when the opportunity knocked, she is very much willing to do it.
Ms. Shiela also portrays the role of Ligaya Paraiso which is also the role played by Hilda Coronel in the film adaptation. She described the role as, "Typical young lady who lives in the province in hope of a better life tapos goes to the city and got lost and victim of circumstance and then ends up in a you know the very popular "work" nga mga babae back then".
It was a reunion project for Shiela and Douglas Nierras because she used to train under him through Repertory Philippines and according to her, the training and the choreography was a challenge but it's for the best which is why she is willing to endure everything. This is the first time she will be working with Direk Joel Lamangan which is why she is very excited.
Her last musical was Rak of Aegis and it was her first straight tagalog musical. She is not only part of the theater industry but also does films and tv appearances. She has done an Indie Malaysian film in the past and currently she is part of ABS CBN's teleserye Wildflower where she plays the lawyer of Ivy Aguas (Maja Salvador). It her very first teleserye since she did theater ever since she was in high school. One of the reasons she is excited to be part of the musical because she'll be working with Direk Joel Lamangan plus it's a classic novel and film as well. Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag is indeed one of the most highly anticipated musical that people should really watch out.
Bringing MAYNILA SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG to life on stage are Joel Lamangan (Director), Von de Guzman (Musical Director), Jose Victor Torres and Em Mendez (Libretto), Joey Nombres (Lights Designer), Douglas Nierras (Choreographer), and Jun Flavier Pablo (Production Design). Fullhouse Asia Productions, Inc. serves as line producer.
Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical performances are slated on September 30, 3 pm and 8 pm (Gala), October 1, 2017, 3 pm and 8 pm October 4, 2017 8 pm, October 5, 2017 8 pm, October 6, 2017 3 pm and 8 pm.
Lara talks about her role as Ligaya Paraiso, "Ligaya Paraiso is a 20 year old girl, she came from the province, a lot of Filipinos nangangarap ng mas magandang buhay kaya dadayo sila sa Manila at napangakuan sya ng magandang trabaho sa Manila like a good pay job but instead she ended up as a prostitute na binenta sa isang instik. Kung mapapansin nyo konti lang ang role nya pero it's such a big role kasi she represents a lot of women in our society then and now. It's a tragic story."
Lara also shared that she has done a similar tragic musical in the past which Maria Clara but
this one is way more tragic according to her since it really happens in real life, the best part is, the musical is supported by an amazing music by Von De Guzman. Ligaya Paraiso also has a notable love story with Julio Madiaga played by actor Arman Ferrer.
Since it will be a tragic story for Ligaya Paraiso, people should watch out how her life will turn out. She added that this musical shouts everything that is happening around us even until now. It's very timely. Aside from the scenes, the music, people should also watch out for the choreography coming from the direction of Douglas Nierras.
It was a reunion project for Shiela and Douglas Nierras because she used to train under him through Repertory Philippines and according to her, the training and the choreography was a challenge but it's for the best which is why she is willing to endure everything. This is the first time she will be working with Direk Joel Lamangan which is why she is very excited.
Her last musical was Rak of Aegis and it was her first straight tagalog musical. She is not only part of the theater industry but also does films and tv appearances. She has done an Indie Malaysian film in the past and currently she is part of ABS CBN's teleserye Wildflower where she plays the lawyer of Ivy Aguas (Maja Salvador). It her very first teleserye since she did theater ever since she was in high school. One of the reasons she is excited to be part of the musical because she'll be working with Direk Joel Lamangan plus it's a classic novel and film as well. Maynila sa mga Kuko ng Liwanag is indeed one of the most highly anticipated musical that people should really watch out.
Bringing MAYNILA SA MGA KUKO NG LIWANAG to life on stage are Joel Lamangan (Director), Von de Guzman (Musical Director), Jose Victor Torres and Em Mendez (Libretto), Joey Nombres (Lights Designer), Douglas Nierras (Choreographer), and Jun Flavier Pablo (Production Design). Fullhouse Asia Productions, Inc. serves as line producer.
Maynila Sa Mga Kuko ng Liwanag The Musical performances are slated on September 30, 3 pm and 8 pm (Gala), October 1, 2017, 3 pm and 8 pm October 4, 2017 8 pm, October 5, 2017 8 pm, October 6, 2017 3 pm and 8 pm.
