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Sunday, September 23, 2018

Curtain Call: BINONDO, A Tsinoy Musical

08/09/2018 11:04:36 PM



BINONDO appears to be another kind of love-in-the-odds story where the obvious ultra-conservative cultural differences has hampering lovers, and we don't mean those usual parents-are-against-his/her-lover approach here, but of also how historical events such as Industrial Revolution and Martial Law has sting the characters and swing everyone's fate elsewhere.

The resolution just sets a more mature and humane approach. This ain't not typical love triangle showcase where one goes for the evil way out and thwarting the in-loves apart. 

While this Tsinoy musical may be derived from a real-life story, tragedy should assuming be served for an ending, especially if it tackles experiencing the journey of great love and heartbreak. But given how the musical has been ploy upon by its playwrights, Binondo went down on a lighter and higher note. 

Somehow, us viewers were reminded of how this play has become a feel-good one just aside from professing how passionate Rebecca Chuansu's vision of bringing the heritage of Chinoys to the Pinoy stage – and deprived the known mixed-race persons from the usual stereotypes.

It's just sad BINONDO only had a two-weekend run. For a brief period of time, anyone who has seen this three-hour program unfold from the get-go, with stunning lights and production design set-ups that brings Chinatown into life; to the snappy choreography from no-less-than Douglas Nierras, to nearly 30 songs performed in this two-act musical – all in vibrant auditory dsiplay led by the team of musical director/composer Von De Guzman. 

Hell, everyone should even give mad props to the performing thespians with people like Carla Guevarra-Laforteza, David Eza, Noel Rayos (and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Arman Ferrer, and Floyd Tena as their alternates) leading them.

And running a long-pile of live entertainment program isn't a joke at all. For nearly three hours for a 2-act musical – even if with a  15-minute intermission – Direk Joel Lamangan certainly made its flow run smoothly and spared the audience from being a dragging event for the eyes.

BINODO was a bridge between two cultures, a professed love affair that can't be bound by stereotypes and turmoil.

Author: slickmaster | © 2018 The SlickMaster's Files

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