Charlene raves about Aga's performance

Charlene Gonzalez is mighty proud of her husband’s Aga Muhlach performance in the movie In The Name of Love and for good reason. The movie got a B rating from the Cinema Evaluation Board and it’s a certified hit earning P15M on its first day, and according to my neighbors, no one goes out of the theater with eyes dry. You will be moved even if the last time you cried was 15 years ago. Aga who has serious kissing scenes with leading lady Angel Locsin, delivered another award-winning performance. Charlene cried a river while watching the movie. “Simula pa lang, I was already crying. Direk Olive Lamasan did another masterpiece. Ang ganda ganda ng movie. Perfect. I am not saying this because my husband is there but it’s really one of the best movies I have seen.”

She loved Aga’s scenes with Emilio Garcia and Maliksi Morales who play his brother and son, respectively. “I love the confrontation scene. Yung eksena ni Aga and his son. But I don’t want to give away all the shining moments of the movie. I don’t want to spoil audience’s excitement. Basta from the beginning, to the middle to the end, mapapa-wow ka. Mas lalo kang maniniwala sa pag ibig,” she said.

Charlene said that she is not jealous of her husband kissing Angel. “It’s part of his work. Magkaibigan pa lang kami ito na ang trabaho niya. The kissing scenes were beautifully done.”

She also said that she is very happy with the positive feedback on the movie. “They all worked hard. Fourteen months nilang ginawa ang movie at alam ko ang hirap na pinagdaanan nila. It was beautifully done.”

Josh’s musical theater debut

Josh Santana makes his professional musical theater debut and takes on the challenge of playing Mereb in Aida. Mereb is a Nubian servant to Radames who is the first to recognize Aida, his true Princess when she is taken captive. He witnesses the growing bond between Radames and Aida while he holds on to the hope that she can help set their people free.

“This is my first time to join a musical. And it’s a ‘first’ that I have always wanted. I’ve always wanted to perform onstage and I am excited to be part of Aida,” says Josh.

Josh, after appearing opposite Carol Banawa in the teleserye Bituin, went on to being the voice behind the theme songs of popular TV shows like Meteor Garden, Basta’t Kasama Kita and Cupids. He has also released two albums, the first in 2005 which earned him a Gold Record award and the latest one is a Fil-Hispano album which features the songs Hate That I Love You and Dreaming of You.

Also joining the powerhouse cast is Alys Serdenia as Nehebka. Alys was featured as Enid Hoopes in Legally Blonde and the muse Erato in Xanadu. She earned rave reviews as Petra in A Little Night Music both in Manila and Singapore. She now takes on the role of Nehebka, a Nubian slave captured alongside Aida who fearlessly pays the ultimate sacrifice for her princess. Alys is one of the brightest upcoming stars in Philippine musical theater.

“Aida is my favorite musical. It’s a big story which needs big voices and even bigger hearts. I can’t wait to be part of sharing this story of love transcending all barriers,” says Alys.

“I am thrilled to have both Josh and Alys in Aida. We have always found excitement in discovering new faces for our shows and Josh is definitely someone to be excited about. Alys is one of the most gifted, most promising theater actors of her generation. It’s always a pleasure to work with her and I am looking forward to Nehebka and the Mereb that she and Josh will create,” says director Chari Arespacochaga.

Heading the star-studded cast of Aida are Miss Saigon’s Ima Castro who plays the title role, Myke Salamon as Radames, Rachel Alejandro as Amneris and Hajji Alejandro as Zoser. Aida is a Tony Award-winning musical featuring an exciting pop-rock score by Elton John and Tim Rice, Aida is a timeless story of forbidden love that blossoms in dangerous times.

Aida, an enslaved Nubian princess falls in love with her captor, Radames who is captain of the Egyptian army and the betrothed of Princess Amneris. The young lovers are forced to face death or part forever. Together, they set a shining example of true devotion that ultimately brings peace between their warring nations.

Disney Theatricals premiered Aida on Broadway on March 23, 2000, running for 1,852 performances until Sept. 5, 2004. It was nominated for five Tony Awards and won four Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score. The musical ran from 2001 to 2003 and 2006 to 2007 in two US national tours, performed on international productions in 20 countries and continues to be produced all over the world.

Aida runs from June 24 to July 10 at the Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza. For tickets, call Atlantis Productions at 892-7078. For news and updates, follow AidaofManila on Twitter.