Kapuso Divas promise ‘queenable’ performances

MANILA, Philippines — Thea Astley, Rita Daniela, Mariane Osabel, Hannah Precillas, Julie Anne San Jose, and Jessica Villarubin bring their Diva-esque talent in performing and singing tonight at 8, Dec. 2, to the Newport Performing Arts Theater. Their show’s title is Queendom: Live.

It refers to their All-Out Sundays (AOS) segment, Queendom, that displays their powerful vocals and engaging presence to tell stories through songs.

“This is a long time coming — this concert with the Divas, especially the Queendom. Actually, we’re just responding to the clamor from fans, which is to give platform and opportunity to the Queendom, to share one stage, a brighter spotlight for them,” said GMA Integrated News, Regional TV, and Synergy SVP and head Oliver Victor Amoroso in a recent virtual press conference.

“They are homegrown talents, and we take pride in their incredible talent that they have shared with their fans and the network,” added he.

Asked how they describe Queendom as a musical collaboration, Julie Anne San Jose had this to say: “I-de-describe ko na lang ‘yung mga queen (I would rather describe the queens). Everybody has their own styles and strengths. Lahat palaging may baon (All have something up their sleeve). This group is very collaborative and when all those strengths are put together, they become stronger.”

“I think it’s one of the advantages when you’re in Queendom. It seems your talent is top-tier, especially when you are with these queens. I can also say they are very versatile,” shared Julie Anne.

Although the concert has its origins in the Sunday variety show, Queendom: Live presents something new that viewers can only experience by watching it live — inside the theater.

“I think it’s very different because there will be a lot of prods (production numbers) that we will do. There are (vocal) harmonies that we haven’t done before even on All-Out Sundays stage. Busog sa mata talaga, hindi lang sa ears. Busog sa ears, sa mata, at sa puso ‘yung na-prepare namin na concert, which is Queendom: Live,” said Rita.

As for the creative contributions of each Diva of the Queendom, the show’s repertoire, and theme-wise, Jessica said, “We were also asked regarding what we would like to do in the actual concert. We suggested songs. I think all of us contributed a lot, and we did plan what else we really wanted to do, ‘yung di pa namin nagawa sa AOS na sa concert lang namin maipapakita. They (the people behind the show) were open to our suggestions. Tinupad nila ‘yung mga dream prod namin (They’ve made our dream productions come true).”

Hannah shared, “When it comes to the songs and feels, we made our own suggestions like, ‘Mariane, maganda kapag parang mellow lang ‘to sa’yo (Mariane, I think this suits you well if it’s sung mellow.’ Then there were things we would like to do. So, we just suggested them, and we’re very happy na nasunod din ‘yon dahil isa rin yun sa mga pangarap namin gawin as a group.”

To find out what these dream collaborations are, audiences need to troop to the Newport Performing Arts.

Yes, the producers and fans may have an idea of what Queendom is, but it’s also nice to get the Divas’ two cents’ worth on it.

“Queendom is very unique when it comes to performing and singing,” said Thea. “Like what has already been said, nag-re-reflect talaga onscreen and on stage ‘yung friendship namin (Our friendship reflects onscreen and onstage). Kaya hindi talaga siya ‘yung madaling ma-replicate kasi very personal ‘yung relationship namin with each other (It cannot be easily replicated because our relationship is very personal). That’s why our harmonies, blending and chemistry on stage really work. It’s because of that friendship and that’s what makes Queendom unique, that’s what makes it ‘queenable’ in terms of performing.”

For her part, Mariane said, “We in Queendom, we’re very easy to work with because we support each other when it comes to, for example, blending. Sinasabi namin kung ano pa ‘yung kulang, kung ano pa ‘yung pwede namin ma-improve (We would tell each other what’s lacking and what needs to be improved).

“For instance, kung gusto namin mag-adlib, sinasabihan namin ‘yung isa’t isa kung ano ‘yung pwede (If we want to adlib, we simply tell each other about what could be done). And in performing, napakadali rin nila na maka-perform kasi nga ang tatalino rin ng mga babaeng ‘to, so ang dami nilang ideas na pwede mabigay sa isa’t isa (It’s easy to work with them because these ladies are very smart, so they have lots of ideas to share and give).”

So, the women of Queendom are ready to deliver a musical evening like no other.

(Tickets for the concert are available via www.gmanetwork.com/synergy and ticketworld.com.ph.)