Photo Coverage: LORENZO, A New Rock Musical

Co-written by Lee Cundangan

Manila, Philippines, September 14, 2013--Multi-awarded Filipino film actor Christopher de Leon, via Green Wings Entertainment Network Inc., is the executive producer of "Lorenzo," a new rock musical, which features music--a mix of rock and soaring ballads--by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab and book and lyrics by Juan Ekis, Paul Dumol and Joem Antonio. Its Philippine premiere closed earlier today at SDA Theater, 5/F College of Saint Benilde in Malate, Manila.

"Lorenzo" revolves around the themes of faith as a powerful virtue and how it strengthens one to be undaunted in the midst of obstacles. It is a play within a play: It tells the story of Lorenzo Ruiz, the first Filipino saint, who escapes to Japan and dies for his Christian faith--in the early 1600s; the saint's life story is placed side by side with the modern-day story of Laurence, an Overseas Filipino Worker (OFW) imprisoned in the Middle East, who faces imminent execution.

The play stars Lorenz Martinez (Lorenzo Ruiz) and Poppert Bernadas (Lorenzo Ruiz understudy), OJ Mariano (Laurence), Juliene Mendoza (Fray Antonio), Shiela Valderrama and Mayen Estanero (Rosario Ruiz), Terence Guillermo (Lazaro), Rhenwyn Gabalonzo (Fr. Vicente), Miguel Mendoza (Fr. Miguel), Brylle Mondejar (Fr. Guillaume), Camille Lopez-Molina (Reporter) and Celine Fabie (Reporter understudy), Noel Rayos (Rodrigues) and Brezhnev Larlar (Carvalho). The ensemble includes King Rupert Alvarez, Aaron Ching, Philip Deles, Raul Montesa, Noe Morgado, Enrhil Serguino, Melanie Dujunco, Jenny Garcia, Andrea Fe Padilla, Cristy Peredo, Allen Orolfo, Aeriel Janelle Yu, Dan Raphael Albis and the Saint Benilde Romancion Dance Company.

Nonon Padilla is director; Gino Gonzales is production designer; Dingdong Fiel is musical director; Jon Jon Villareal is lighting designer; and Christine Crame is choreographer.

At the closing performance, notable performances came from Martinez, Mariano and Guillermo.

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