Fil-Am Actress Anna Maria Perez de Tagle Joins The Jonas Brothers in the Philippines, 10/19-20

Filipino-American Hollywood and Broadway actress, and 2012 BroadwayWorld.com (New York) Best Featured Actress in a Musical, Anna Maria Perez de Tagle, is coming to the Philippines this month to perform with international musical group The Jonas Brothers (Kevin, Joe, and Nick). 

Via Twitter and Facebook, The Jonas Brothers proclaimed early Sunday morning, “Excited for our Philippines shows [tonight, October 19 in Manila, October 20 in Cebu] and we're here to officially announce our good friend Anna Maria will be opening for us!”

As many Filipinos already know, Anna Maria’s grandmother, Sylvia La Torre, is one of the great singing talents of the Philippines.  Anna Maria has not been to the Philippines in 12 years since when she was nine.  Her parents, Artie (son of Sylvia) & Evelyn, will be joining her on this trip.

“I’m thrilled to be coming back,” Anna Maria shared.  “My work has kept me so busy that I can’t believe so much time has passed.  I was extremely flattered when the Jonas Brothers invited me to join them on their Manila and Cebu dates.  Actually, they said I had to come!  I’m glad all my talking about the beauty of the Philippines, the food, and the people made an impact on them through the years,” joked the young star.

Joe Jonas, a previous endorser of Bench, announced earlier in the year that his involvement with the brand and the country originated with hearing about the Philippines from Anna Maria during the times they starred and sang together in the “Camp Rock” movies (Anna Maria played “Ella” alongside Demi Lovato and the Jonas Brothers in “Camp Rock” and “Camp Rock 2: The Final Jam”).

According to an interview at that time, Joe said he “learned a lot about the Philippines through [Anna Maria] actually.  She’d mention some things and places.”

Anna Maria’s connection with the Jonas family is strong and their family is quite fond of her and she is often referred to only half-jokingly as the “Jonas sister.”  Kevin Jonas, Sr. is her manager and she even calls him, “Papa Jonas.”

Anna Maria is truly one of those triple threats in Hollywood – she acts, she sings, she dances.  The rising star just concluded a Broadway role in “Godspell,” co-starring with Hunter Parrish and Corbin Bleu.  Anna Maria sang “Day By Day,” one of the most memorable songs from the production.  During the show’s run, she and cast mates appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman," "The View," "The Rosie Show," and "The 2012 Tony Awards." For her performance, Anna Maria was voted “Best Featured Female Artist in a Musical” at the 2012 BroadwayWorld Awards.

Anna Maria started her acting career early with a recurring role as “Ashley Dewitt” in the Disney hit show “Hannah Montana.”  In 2009, Anna Maria appeared in MGM’s re-invention of “Fame” as aspiring actress “Joy.”  Exhibiting her own amazing singing talents, she toured with the Jonas Brothers and Demi Lovato in 2010 North & South America tours as an opener and performer throughout the show. 

A special honor for someone so young, former First Lady Nancy Reagan requested she perform at the Ronald Reagan Centennial Birthday Celebration a few years ago.  Anna Maria sang two of Mrs. Reagan’s favorite Broadway songs, “I Dreamed A Dream” from “Les Miserables” and “Someone Like You” from “Jekyll and Hyde” in front of hundreds of dignitaries at the Ronald Reagan Library in Simi Valley, California.

Anna Maria will perform a number of surprise songs, including some originals, as the opening act for the Jonas Brothers tonight, October 19 in Manila and October 20 in Cebu.  She will appear on stage in outfits by Hollywood designer Oliver Tolentino.  

After the shows, Anna Maria plans to spend some time in the country reconnecting with her roots.

Photo by Oliver Oliveros

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