‘Maynila... The Musical’ Group Purchase Treats

Theater fans are in for a pre-holiday treat as Grand Leisure Corporation, producers of the upcoming “Maynila...Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag” The Musical, offers discounted rates for “barkada buys” for their kick-off shows on Sept 30  and Oct 1 matinee (3pm) and gala shows (8pm) at Kia Theatre, Araneta Center.

Those who are planning to watch with their family or friends can enjoy 20% discount on purchases of 5 tickets or more. Ticket buyers don’t need to present promo codes; they can simply go to the Ticketnet Box Office at the Araneta Coliseum Circle or several SM malls, or buy their tickets online—any purchase of five tickets or more will be automatically discounted.

The talents behind “Manyila... Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liawanag” are really excited to share this original musical to local audiences. A musical adaptation of the movie directed by National Artist for Film, Lino Brocka, based on the timeless novel by Edgardo Reyes, “Maynila” tells the story of Julio Madriaga, a simple guy from a coastal town, and his search for his long-lost beloved, Liagaya Paraiso, who left for Manila.

Julio is played by the talented Arman Ferrer, while amazing singers Shiela Martinez and Lara Maigue alternate as Ligaya. Other members of the cast are the indomitable Dulce and the equally incredible singer Ima Castro, who alternate as Mrs. Cruz; Rita Daniela and Aicelle Santos who alternate as Perla; and many others.

The cast of over 40 astounding performers has been painstakingly rehearsing for weeks under the direction of the multi-awarded Joel Lamangan, DGPI. Original music was written for “Maynila... The Musical” by awarded composer Von De Guzman; with choreography by another multi-awarded artist, Douglas Nierras.

  With a story as timely and timeless as this, “Maynila...Sa Mga Kuko Ng Liwanag” is perfect not just for theater aficionados but for students as well. Support Filipino theater and original work by rallying behind a true collaborative effort of the best talents in the industry.  For more information on the show, visit www.facebook.com/Maynila.themusical/. For tickets, visit Ticketnet outlets, order online at www.ticketnet.com.ph , or call 911-5555. 

United ASEAN

In a show of unity, ASEAN Ministers together with development partners link hands during the 35th ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM35) on 27 September held at Conrad Manila, Philippines. 

With the theme “One ASEAN Community to Resilient and Sustainable Energy,” this year’s AMEM35 focuses on ensuring accessibility to adequate supply of resilient and sustainable energy.

In photo along with the AMEM35 Chair and Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi (center) are, from left, Thongphat Inthavong (Lao People's Democratic Republic, Vice Minister), Maximus Johnity Ongkili (Malaysia, Cabinet Minister), U Win Khaing (Myanmar, Minister), Anantaporn Kanjanarat (Thailand, Minister), Fanrong Li (People’s Republic of China, Vice Administrator), Alfonso G. Cusi (Philippines, Chairman), S. Iswaran (Singapore, Minister), Pehin Yasmin Umar (Brunei Darussalam, Minister), Ith Praing (Cambodia, Undersecretary of State), Saleh Abdurrahman (Indonesia, Secretary General), AKP Mochtan (Indonesia, Deputy Secretary-General), Sanjayan Velautham (Indonesia, Minister), Hoang Quoc Vuong (Vietnam, Minister)  and Sung Kim (United States of America, Minister).

AMEM is an annual gathering of the Energy Ministers, development partners, international organizations, foreign and local investors to discuss and guide the development of energy-related initiatives, plans and programs, policies and cooperation efforts based on the directives of the heads of states/governments of ASEAN.

ASEAN Grid Milestone

Representatives from Lao, Thailand and Malaysia signed today the Energy Purchase And Wheeling Agreement (EWPA) which is the first multilateral electricity transaction in ASEAN that aims to advance multilateral electricity trade.

In photo from left are: Electricite Du Laos Managing Director Bounoum Syvanpheng, Vice Minister of Energy and Mines of LAO PDR Thongphat Inthavon, Electricite Du Laos Deputy Managing Director Bounma Manivong,  Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Governor Kornrasit Pakchotanon, Minister of Energy Thailand General Anantaporn Kanjanarat, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand Assistant Governor Abdul Pitakchartiwongse, Tenaga Nasional Berhad of Malaysia CEO-President Datuk Seri Ir. Azman Mohd, Minister of Energy, Green Technology and Water of Malaysia Datuk Seri Panglima Dr. Maximus Johnity Ongkili and Tenaga Nasional Berhad of Malaysia Company Secretary Ms. Nozarni Mohd Isa.

The Philippines highlights its role this week as host to the historic signing of an agreement integrating the power grids of Laos, Malaysia and Thailand.

The deal dubbed Energy Purchase Wheeling Agreement (EWPA) will be signed by the heads of the electric utilities of the three ASEAN member states during the 35th ASEAN Energy Ministers Meeting (AMEM35) on September 27 at the Conrad Hotel Manila.

They are Bounoum Syvanpheng of Electricite du Laos from Lao People's Democratic Republic, Kornsrasit Pakchotanon of Electricity Generating Authority Thailand and Datuk Seri Ir. Azman Mohd of Tenaga National Berhad from Malaysia. ASEAN energy ministers will witness the EPWA signing.

In welcoming this development, Philippine Department of Energy Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi emphasized that the ASEAN is indeed the place for the investors to invest. This agreement is among the endeavors of ASEAN Member States in continuously looking into policies and areas of cooperation that are open and transparent.

The EWPA is the first multilateral electricity transaction in ASEAN that aims to advance electricity trade in the ASEAN Power Grid (APG). It implements Phase 1 of the Lao-Thailand-Malaysia-Singapore Power Integration Project that involves the purchase by Malaysia of up to 100 megawatts from Laos via Thailand’s transmission grid.

The APG is one of the key initiatives under the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) ‎‎2016-2025, which serves as a blueprint for better cooperation towards enhancing energy security, accessibility, affordability and sustainability under the framework of the ASEAN Economic Community. 

As one of the physical energy infrastructure projects in the Master Plan of the ASEAN Connectivity, APG is expected to boost electricity trade across borders to meet the increasing electricity demand and improve access to energy services in the region. It is also envisioned to improve economic generation and transmission of electricity, enhance reliability and security of electricity supply and provide a platform for future energy trade. 

APG is also expected to provide opportunities to collectively utilize the energy resources within ASEAN to reduce the need and dependence on imported fuels from other regions.

The EPWA signing is part of the week-long AMEM35, where energy meetings and exhibits make the country as the destination of energy cooperation in the ASEAN.