The Phantom strikes at the CCP

“It is not length of life, but depth of life.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

“It was simply stunning,” gushed the mesmerized crowd that gathered during the recent gala night presentation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Main Theater. Jaw-dropping set designs and breathtaking special effects, particularly the magnificent chandelier, had the audience enraptured all throughout Broadway’s longest-running musical.

Hearing the timeless songs as sung by the international cast splendidly dressed in extravagant costumes simply had the audience clamoring for more. Spontaneous standing ovations — too numerous to count — punctuated every glorious act, and everyone was still raving over the performance at the after-gala party held at the elegant Corniche of the Diamond Hotel Philippines. Many thanks to the fabulous team of Concertus Manila managing director Bambi Rivera-Verzo and Hi-Definition Radio Inc. chief executive officer Francis Lumen for bringing the show to Manila.

The show is presented by Smart Infinity and Citibank in cooperation with Philippine Airlines. The Manila production will run until Sept. 30. The show is something really worth watching a second time!

(For tickets, contact TicketWorld at 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.)

GREETINGS

Happy birthday to our celebrators today, Furnitalia managing director Florence Ko, golfer Bolo Tuason and Irene Marcos-Araneta.

Advance birthday greetings to Aiza Seguerra, Toti Fernandez and PeopleAsia’s Beth Mendoza, Sept. 17; Chiquita Trapaga, Sept. 18; Sea Wind GM Joebert Cocjin and Peping Cojuangco, Sept. 19; two-time Papal awardee Imelda “Meldyco” Cojuangco, Tony Carag, Maridol Mabanta and Rachy Cuna, Sept. 20; Steve Psinakis, Marilou Guingona, Baby Paterno, Jake Ramirez and Marc Aguado, Sept. 21; Odi Rufino, Maripaz Garcia and Nene Leonor, Sept. 22.

So, how was your week?

(For comments or inquiries, please e-mail me at jjlitton@indanet.com)