Concert recap: Franco, Ayen Laurel make sweet music in CCP show | ABS-CBN
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Concert recap: Franco, Ayen Laurel make sweet music in CCP show
Concert recap: Franco, Ayen Laurel make sweet music in CCP show
Leah C. Salterio
Published Oct 15, 2018 05:01 PM PHT
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Updated Oct 15, 2018 08:02 PM PHT
MANILA -- Franco Laurel and Ayen Munji-Laurel have been married for nearly 18 years now. They have performed together in a number of TV shows like "ASAP," corporate shows and other special events. Yet, they have never done a full-length concert together.
MANILA -- Franco Laurel and Ayen Munji-Laurel have been married for nearly 18 years now. They have performed together in a number of TV shows like "ASAP," corporate shows and other special events. Yet, they have never done a full-length concert together.
So, when the couple was invited by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to be part of its “Triple Threats” series for 2018, featuring musical theater couples, Laurel and Munji were thrilled and immediately gave their nod to close the series.
So, when the couple was invited by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) to be part of its “Triple Threats” series for 2018, featuring musical theater couples, Laurel and Munji were thrilled and immediately gave their nod to close the series.
They are the third and the last couple this year to featured in “Triple Threats,” following Juliene Mendoza and Stella Canete in “Ze Papu and Mamu Show” in August; and Robert Sena and Isay Alvarez in “Mister and Misis Sena” in September.
They are the third and the last couple this year to featured in “Triple Threats,” following Juliene Mendoza and Stella Canete in “Ze Papu and Mamu Show” in August; and Robert Sena and Isay Alvarez in “Mister and Misis Sena” in September.
The couple recently staged “Kitang Dalawa,” at the CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). Clearly, the show was a labor of love for the husband and wife tandem.
The couple recently staged “Kitang Dalawa,” at the CCP’s Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater). Clearly, the show was a labor of love for the husband and wife tandem.
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“It was such a great honor to perform in the world-renowned Cultural Center of the Philippines and to be included in the CCP roster,” Laurel said. “The concert was extra special to us, considering it was our first-ever concert together.”
“It was such a great honor to perform in the world-renowned Cultural Center of the Philippines and to be included in the CCP roster,” Laurel said. “The concert was extra special to us, considering it was our first-ever concert together.”
All the songs lined up in the couple’s carefully selected repertoire have been part of major milestones in their career. “Mahawi Man ang Ulap,” for instance, was Munji-Laurel’s audition song in all the productions she joined in.
All the songs lined up in the couple’s carefully selected repertoire have been part of major milestones in their career. “Mahawi Man ang Ulap,” for instance, was Munji-Laurel’s audition song in all the productions she joined in.
They also did songs from the acclaimed musical “Rama at Sita,” where they first met in 1999. It was also the musical that launched Laurel’s career as a singer-actor.
They also did songs from the acclaimed musical “Rama at Sita,” where they first met in 1999. It was also the musical that launched Laurel’s career as a singer-actor.
“All the songs we rendered were all very personal to us,” Munji-Laurel shared. “We had to stop ourselves from crying while we were rehearsing, because the songs brought back beautiful memories of the times we began our respective careers and how we have grown in the industry we both love.”
“All the songs we rendered were all very personal to us,” Munji-Laurel shared. “We had to stop ourselves from crying while we were rehearsing, because the songs brought back beautiful memories of the times we began our respective careers and how we have grown in the industry we both love.”
The couple lined up gems from the pop world and musical theater, and even included inspirational songs – all the intimate worlds they couple shared.
The couple lined up gems from the pop world and musical theater, and even included inspirational songs – all the intimate worlds they couple shared.
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“Kitang Dalawa” was culled from the musical “Atang,” the story of vaudeville artist Honorata “Atang” de la Rama, which they did in 2008.
“Kitang Dalawa” was culled from the musical “Atang,” the story of vaudeville artist Honorata “Atang” de la Rama, which they did in 2008.
Laurel performed Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Unexpected Song,” which he recorded for his wife in 1999. He also sang “Corner of the Sky” from the musical “Pippin.”
Laurel performed Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Unexpected Song,” which he recorded for his wife in 1999. He also sang “Corner of the Sky” from the musical “Pippin.”
“I always wanted to play Pippin,” said Laurel. “But now, I’m too old to do that. Maybe I can still play the father of Pippin.”
“I always wanted to play Pippin,” said Laurel. “But now, I’m too old to do that. Maybe I can still play the father of Pippin.”
The couple sang and danced to “They Can’t Take That Away,” with the Whiplash. “Mahirap sumayaw kapag pumo-forty ka na,” Munji-Laurel smilingly rued, slightly catching her breath after a production number. Choreography was by Cecile Martinez and PJ Rebullida.
The couple sang and danced to “They Can’t Take That Away,” with the Whiplash. “Mahirap sumayaw kapag pumo-forty ka na,” Munji-Laurel smilingly rued, slightly catching her breath after a production number. Choreography was by Cecile Martinez and PJ Rebullida.
Laurel also rendered “A Fire in the Soul,” a powerful song from the cantata of the same title, “gloriously composed” by the concert’s musical director, Von de Guzman.
Laurel also rendered “A Fire in the Soul,” a powerful song from the cantata of the same title, “gloriously composed” by the concert’s musical director, Von de Guzman.
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Similarly, Laurel crooned “Init sa Magdamag,” an OPM ditty he sang in his very first concert 18 years ago, directed by Munji-Laurel. Also included in his solo spot was “For Once In My Life.”
Similarly, Laurel crooned “Init sa Magdamag,” an OPM ditty he sang in his very first concert 18 years ago, directed by Munji-Laurel. Also included in his solo spot was “For Once In My Life.”
Meanwhile, Munji-Laurel sang “Can You Read My Mind,” “Mahawi Man ang Ulap” and a Celeste Legaspi medley of “Tuliro,” “Saranggola ni Pepe” and “Mamang Sorbetero.”
Meanwhile, Munji-Laurel sang “Can You Read My Mind,” “Mahawi Man ang Ulap” and a Celeste Legaspi medley of “Tuliro,” “Saranggola ni Pepe” and “Mamang Sorbetero.”
The couple loves the Apo Hiking Society, so they had a medley of well-loved Apo tunes which became huge crowd-pleasers – “Batang-Bata Ka Pa,” “Yakap sa Dilim,””Panalangin,” “Kabilugan ng Buwan,” and "Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba.”
The couple loves the Apo Hiking Society, so they had a medley of well-loved Apo tunes which became huge crowd-pleasers – “Batang-Bata Ka Pa,” “Yakap sa Dilim,””Panalangin,” “Kabilugan ng Buwan,” and "Mahirap Magmahal ng Syota ng Iba.”
“The show is a testament of God’s faithfulness and goodness in our lives,” Laurel said. “From the very beginning, we dedicated everything to Him and since then, He has poured out His favor upon us.”
“The show is a testament of God’s faithfulness and goodness in our lives,” Laurel said. “From the very beginning, we dedicated everything to Him and since then, He has poured out His favor upon us.”
They are truly thankful that friends were all willing to help them and even offered their support without them asking. “God’s grace truly abounds in our lives and in our show,” Munji-Laurel said. Back-up singers were Babsie Molina, Sylvia Macaraeg and Zebedee Zuniga.
They are truly thankful that friends were all willing to help them and even offered their support without them asking. “God’s grace truly abounds in our lives and in our show,” Munji-Laurel said. Back-up singers were Babsie Molina, Sylvia Macaraeg and Zebedee Zuniga.
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With script and direction by Floy Quintos, “Kitang Dalawa” also highlighted the talents of the couple’s children. Twenty-seven-year-old Mariella beautifully dished out “Araw Gabi.” Fifteen-year-old Angia went all-out in her rendition of “Rolling in the Deep,” with older brother Hasan Bolkiah (Munji-Laurel’s son from her previous relationship), on bass guitar.
With script and direction by Floy Quintos, “Kitang Dalawa” also highlighted the talents of the couple’s children. Twenty-seven-year-old Mariella beautifully dished out “Araw Gabi.” Fifteen-year-old Angia went all-out in her rendition of “Rolling in the Deep,” with older brother Hasan Bolkiah (Munji-Laurel’s son from her previous relationship), on bass guitar.
Laurel and Munji-Laurel have two younger daughters, four-year-old Sofia and 10-month-old Lucia.
Laurel and Munji-Laurel have two younger daughters, four-year-old Sofia and 10-month-old Lucia.
After a powerful Broadway medley, the couple ended the concert with “Umagang Kay Ganda,” which they rendered while in the audience.
After a powerful Broadway medley, the couple ended the concert with “Umagang Kay Ganda,” which they rendered while in the audience.
The “Kitang Dalawa” concert was a clear testament to the “polish, presence and professionalism” shared by the couple who displayed love and respect for the hard work that theater and performing entail through the years.
The “Kitang Dalawa” concert was a clear testament to the “polish, presence and professionalism” shared by the couple who displayed love and respect for the hard work that theater and performing entail through the years.
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