Experience Stomp tonight!

Stomp has been on Broadway for 23 years and in London’s West End for 12 years. It will be staged in Manila again after its successful sold-out run here in October 2012. Expect an even louder and bigger bang with new, fresh routines at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Main Theater starting tonight until June 22.

A group of us recently went to London to see Stomp before its restaging in Manila. I have seen Stomp three times and I never get tired of it. It still thrills me and I always get to see something new each time I watch it. A different cast also gives the show a different feel, especially with the comic antics of each. 

I interviewed the Stomp co-creator/director Steve McNicholas who said, “I am really excited about (Stomp) coming back to Manila.” He added, “If you’ve never seen Stomp, you should come and see what all the noise is about, and if you have, come again and see what’s new.” 

Stomp’s relentless appeal, made even more exhilarating with generous doses of sinfully delicious shots of side-splitting physical comedy, pushes the boundaries of creativity with a fluidly evolving repertoire that turns an everyday object (such as matches, a plastic bag or a broom) and mundane activity into a combination of sophisticated musical performances and callisthenic-like exhibitions.

The show’s touring cast is joined this time by 17-year veteran Filipino Stomper Andres Fernandez. He said, “I’m just so extremely excited, I can’t wait to get back — it’s the first time since Christmas of 1991 that I last visited, promoting my brother Johnny’s album Puede Ba, which was recorded in the Philippines.” The Hawaii-based Fernandez had touring performances in the Hawaiian islands with his big brother Johnny (1999 Miss Saigon US tour alumnus) as opening acts for Gary Valenciano and Martin Nievera.

Joining Fernandez are Adam Buckley, Shae Carroll and Emma King who are all excited to be in the Philippines as well. Buckley in fact flew ahead (we were on the same plane from London) and has been here in Manila for a week already so that he will get to know Manila. Buckley said he has been doing Stomp for seven years and doesn’t get bored since this show is an “extension of his personality.”

Carroll seems to have been destined to be part of the show as he has been playing with pots and pans when he was only eight years old. Just recently, he found that video again doing his juvenile “stomping” antics.

King has only been doing the show for seven months and gets quite conscious when people stare as her when she practices her routine in the bus or tube! Based from what I saw, I don’t think she has been there only for seven months as she performed like a veteran!

See what Stomp is all about! The show, presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions and Concertus Manila, will be playing for a limited season starting tonight until June 22 at the CCP Main Theater. See you all there tonight!

(For ticket information, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph, www.facebook.com/ticketworldinc or www.facebook.com/concertusmanila. You may also call TicketWorld at 891-9999.)

Of ‘Gutz’ & glory

It was a night of celebration as guests from the world of entertainment, sports, politics, fashion and business gathered at the red carpet preview of E! channel’s first Asian reality show, It Takes GUTZ to be a Gutierrez, at the Century City Mall in Makati City.

Managing director of Universal Networks International Asia Pacific Christine Fellows flew in from Singapore together with NBCUniversal country manager Liza Latinazo to welcome guests in the invitational red carpet preview.

It Takes GUTZ to be a Gutierrez is E!’s first foray into original Asian reality programming. It is also the network’s continued commitment to train the spotlight on local Asian personalities and celebrities. Set mainly on a cruise ship, the show gives an unfiltered look into the lives of one of the most talked about showbiz families, the Gutierrezes.

Others seen at the event were STAR’s Tim Yap, Rajo Laurel, Bea Soriano, Pie Alvarez, Nix Alañon and Dong Alegre.

Celebration of motherhood

Some women have difficulty conceiving when they are on the heavy side. Obesity is sometimes closely linked to infertility.

Three women triumphed over this challenge and shared their inspiring stories in a gathering of Cohen mommies and babies organized by the Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre. Cohen mommies are women who underwent the Cohen’s Lifestyle Program and subsequently got pregnant during or after their weight-loss journey.

The Cohen program is a rapid weight loss and wellness solution through nutrition based on a person’s unique blood profile. The Cohen program has helped many aspiring moms lose the flab, experience the joys of motherhood and stay in shape after giving birth. Without requiring exercise, injection or intake of pills, the program delivers results, with clients averaging a loss of up to eight to 10 pounds a month.

The women were led by Dr. Angel Bandola, a Cohen mommy herself, who is an OB-GYN at the University of the Philippines-Philippine General Hospital and St. Luke’s Medical Center, and also serves as the executive director at the Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre. Bandola said, “Weight loss is the cornerstone in the treatment of obesity-associated infertility.”

Cheryl Alcantara and Love del Rosario both faced troubles in conceiving but after losing weight rapidly (51 lbs. in six months for Cheryl and 58 lbs. in five months for Love), they soon got pregnant.

As a bonus, the Cohen program has also been aiding Cohen moms in shedding the postpartum fat or the “baby weight.”

Imelda Acidera, who got pregnant after losing 32 lbs. in four months, credits the Cohen’s Lifestyle Program for teaching her how to eat well during her pregnancy and helping prevent hypertension and gestational diabetes.

Bandola added, “Our mission at the Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre is to help people adopt a lifestyle change, to become better, happier versions of themselves. To be able to let these women experience motherhood, and retain their figure after giving birth, is such a great blessing.”

(For best results, consult your doctor. For more information, check out www.cohenlifestyle.com.ph/ or visit  Cohen’s Lifestyle Centre Philippines office at Suite 808 The Infinity, along 26th Street in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig.)

(Follow me on Instagram @pepperteehankee.)