Pinched by Ang Huling El Bimbo: The Musicale 2023

The Eraserheads — composed of Ely Buendia, Raymund Marasigan, Buddy Zabala, and Marcus Adoro — has dominated the music industry since their big break in 1993.

Their songs evoke nostalgia and resonate with Filipino listeners.

“Ang Huling El Bimbo” recounts an unrequited love story between childhood friends who grew up and grew apart, only for it to come to a terrible conclusion.

One can feel a bit of pain just singing the song, how much more if it will be acted on stage?

It was my first time watching “Ang Huling El Bimbo” (AHEB): The Musical at the Newport Performing Arts Theater on April 27, 2023.

I am not a musical aficionado but AHEB was truly “nakakaindak,” “nakakaaliw,” and “nakakatindig balahibo.”

The story focuses on the complicated relationships of 4 friends – Joy, Hector,

Anthony and Emman - whose friendship is tested after a personal tragedy.

Each scene was carried out infused with the iconic songs of Eraserheads such as “Alapaap,” “ Ligaya,” “Tindahan ni Aling Nena,” “Toyang,” “Pare Ko,” “ With A Smile,” “Tikman ang Langit,” “Magasin,” “Sem Break,” and many more.

I found myself singing along from the very first scene and the musical’s stage, lighting, costumes and choreography were visual treats.

Now on its 5th year, the cast of AHEB is composed of some of the best theater actors in the country namely Gab Pangilinan, Gian Magdangal, and Topper Fabregas, who reprise their lead roles as young Joy, Hector, and Houng Anthony respectively.

They were also joined by new cast members, theater actor and The Voice finalist Niño Alejandro (Anthony), Indie folk artist Bullet Dumas (Emman), GMA7’s The Clash grand finalist Anthony Rosaldo (Young Hector), Gawad Buhay Award-winning theater actor Paw Castillo (Young Emman), and professional voice teacher Katrine Sunga (Joy).

The musical is produced by Newport World Resorts and Full House Theater Company.

Very special thanks to Newport World Resort’s Cluster Director of Marketing Communications Archie Nicasio , Laurence Joy Andrade , Aina Elinon , Judd Jhocson, Sofia Vital and the rest of the team, and to Cebu Pacific.

La la la la la..... la la... la la.... la la la..

(AHEB photos courtesy of Newport World Resorts and Full House Theater Company Facebook pages)

This one is for Robert Ripley’s Believe It or Not. If you are interested in farming but don’t have land, you can still grow crops without soil. This can be accomplished by using water. That’s what hydroponics is all about.

Hydroponic comes from two Greek words: hudor for “water” and ponos for “work”; it means “water working.”

As a technology, hydroponics is a system of growing plants using a water-based nutrient solution rather than soil and can include a growing medium such as vermiculite, coconut coir, or perlite.

In the past, hydroponic production techniques were practiced by small farmers and hobbyists but in recent years, it could be applied in commercial production, too. Experts consider hydroponics as “one of the smart technologies that can help the country ensure food security and to be climate resistant in the future.”

History records showed the first commercial hydroponics farm was set up in 1981. It was observed that the yield of vegetables was better during cool months than during the summer months.

Hydroponics farming is an upside trend in the country.

According to the Philippine Hydroponics Development Corporation, around 120 hydroponic farms currently operate in the Philippines, with an annual production capacity of 800 metric tons.