What does Bituin admire about millennials

MANILA, Philippines - Bituin Escalante is the voice behind Watching the Crescent Moon, the theme song of the movie Across the Crescent Moon. She is hoping the song will reach a bigger audience in time for the film’s release in cinemas on Jan. 25.

“Hopefully, it would be given the chance. If it’s good enough, it would take a life of its own or someone will love it and listen to it enough. I’m thankful for the chance to record it,” Bituin told The STAR in a recent interview after the presscon of her pre-Valentine concert #SoMuchFeels: Kung May Love Story Ka, Eto Ang Love Concert Mo on Feb. 10 and 11, 8:30 p.m. at the Music Museum.

Meantime, as preparations for the musical-themed concert are underway including the finalization of song line-up, Bituin shared that she’s hands-on with this show unlike in her previous concerts.

“As an artist or performer, you don’t really get as involved. Sometimes, you’re not given the chance unless you’re producing your own show. This one is different because we’re part of the process and it’s fun.”

The two-night show, directed by Rem Zamora, will take the audience, especially the millennials, on a rollercoaster ride of emotions as #SoMuchFeels is a production that tackles millennial love stories. The concert is executed like a musical, replete with characters having dialogues or monologues. It will also have storylines and a range of dramatic acting that will depict the sad or happy emotions experienced when one is in love, thus making it a concert quite not like the usual.

“Be ready for Kung Ako Na Lang Sana, I Will Survive and even the current favorite Closer (by The Chainsmokers) will be seen and heard in a new light,” she noted, adding that there will be a sure mix of old and new songs.

“I am very excited to perform in this concert. It’s a refreshing and powerful concept (featuring) stories and wisdom about love across different generations that millennials can learn from,” added Bituin who couldn’t help but admire and find these millennials refreshing to work with — her fellow theater performers Cris Villonco, Kim Molina, Yanah Laurel and JC Santos. 

“Ganito pala magtrabaho ang mga millennial…very organic,” she noticed.  

What did she learn from working with the millennials or younger artists?

“Ang tapang ng millennials when they make their choices. For them to make all these decisions, to live on your own far away from your family and to make their career choices. They do what they want to do and pour everything into it. So, how can you not learn from them?”

Asked further what makes the show “very millennial,” Bituin replied, “Since our producers are all millennials, from the get-go, they wanted us to tell their stories. But what’s so obvious is we all have the same stories no matter what generation you’re from.”

“All these millennials lend their voices to it. Sometimes, they tell their stories and sometimes, it’s me because usually it’s the third party who tells the story most honestly. They’ve put me in there so there’s someone who really tells the story like it is. That’s the structure but you will see how direk Rem and (writer) Luna (Inocian) decided to stage it and I think that’s a great idea,” added Bituin. 

“It’s a gift to be given the opportunity to tell the story because we are all theater actors, that’s the business we’re in to share that story, to empathize and not judge. And that’s a perfect venue for it. We’re gonna tell as many love stories as we can.”

 (#SoMuchFeels is a production presented by Brand Republic Ph. Tickets are priced at P3,500, P3,000, P2,500 and P1,200. For details, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999; Music Museum with tel. no. 721-6726; or 0977-7652106. You may also visit www.facebook.com/HashtagSoMuchFeels.) - Honey Orio-Escullar