Partying in Phl: Now & then

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippines has always been known to be a festive country inhabited by warm and friendly people with a penchant for good times. With hundreds of festivals, or fiestas, every year such as Cebu’s Sinulog, Baguio’s Panagbenga and Bacolod’s Masskara, it’s no wonder the Department of Tourism’s slogan “It’s more fun in the Philippines” has proven to be a truthful and resounding success.

Fiestas aside, partying in the Philippines often extends into the evening and sometimes well past midnight. In the last 20 years, the late-night party circuit has evolved from watching live bands to singing at karaoke bars to frequenting nightclubs playing retro music. And while the times may be changing, one common denominator has remained the same throughout the years: The nostalgia.

It could be argued that the Philippines is one of the most nostalgic countries in the world, especially when it comes to music, and whether you are watching live bands in the ‘90s or singing your heart out in karaoke bars, chances are, the songs you are partying to are from the ‘70s and ‘80s.

But more than simply being stuck in a time warp, much of this nostalgia can be attributed to one thing: Good times. People familiar with these classic hits associate them with good times and parties. Be it from a high school soiree or wedding reception, songs from the ‘70s and ‘80s have been staples of DJs around the country simply because they repeatedly get requested and liven up any party. 

As a nod to the Filipino partyphile’s love for the retro genre, Resorts World Manila (RWM) is gearing up to present its fifth major production titled Priscilla, Queen of the Desert. The production tells the story of two drag queens and a transsexual who go on a cross-country trip for a cabaret gig in a resort town in the remote Australian desert.

Bringing the party scene to RWM’s Newport Performing Arts Theater (NPAT), the show will be jam-packed with immortal hits such as Tina Turner’s What’s Love Got To Do With It?, the Village People’s Go West, Alicia Bridges’ I Love The Nightlife, Gloria Gaynor’s I Will Survive, Dionne Warwick’s I Say A Little Prayer, The Weather Girls’ It’s Raining Men, Peaches and Herb’s Shake Your Groove Thing plus two Kylie Minogue medleys featuring her hits The Locomotion, Can’t Get You Out Of My Head, Confide In Me, Come Into My World and Spinning Around.

Adapted from the 1994 film The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, the musical is written and directed by Stephan Elliott together with renowned screenwriter and producer Allan Scott. For the Philippine production, big names who have signed on are Leo Tavarro Valdez as Tick/Mitzi, Jon Santos as Bernadette, Pinky Marquez as Shirley, Red Concepcion as Adam/Felicia, Michael Stuart Williams as Miss Understanding, Bituin Escalante, Lani Ligot and Timmy Canlas as The Divas and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo as Marion.

For details, log on to rwmanila.com or call 908-8833.