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‘Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical’ is timely and here are 5 reasons to be excited about it


More and more, "China" feels like a bad word these days. You hear the pejorative "Intsik"  uttered on the radio often and...perhaps the anchors just don't know that "Tsinoy" is the politically correct term.

"Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical" hopes to change that by presenting a story that spans two decades in two countries, featuring characters overcoming racial prejudice and political turmoil.

At the heart of it is a romance based on a real story, with a love that endures and grows deeper through distance and time.

 

Theater actors Carla Guevarra
Theater actors Carla Guevara and Sheila Valderrama will alternate as Lily. 

Producer Dr. Rebecca Shangkuan Chuaunsu told the press at the launch on April 12 that this story was told to her by a Chinese professor she met in Beijing during her first trip to "the homeland" in 1986.

"His love story, his struggles, and survival during the cultural revolution...for the past 32 years, I've kept this story in my heart, I've etched this story in my memory," Chuaunsu said.

It's the first thing that might lure the audience in, because who doesn't love a good love story?

1. It's not just a love story, it's a love story penned by Ricky Lee

After the success of "Himala", Ricky Lee once more dives into the world of musicals. It's surprising that this is only his second, but aside from his years and years of writing experience, it's also exciting to find out how he as a second generation Chinese fleshes out the identity crises with which the characters grapple.

2. Immigration, migration, and identity

This love story only involves three people: Lily, Ah Tiong, and Carlos.

Lily is a Filipino who grew up in Chinatown and she has absorbed much of the Chinese customs. Ah Tiong is a pragmatic academic from mainland China who studied in the US, and Carlos is a Tsinoy — Chinese who grew up in the Philippines.

The love triangle aspect is almost standard fare and it's the inner struggle that the trio must face that'll give flavor to the musical.

3. Joel Lamangan will bring out that flavor

Director Joel Lamangan, composer Von De Guzman, and choreographer Douglas Nierras will bring dynamism and discipline to each rehearsal, working with the goal of enlightening the audience about Chinese culture in the Philippines.

Spoilers: There's more to Tsinoy than arrange marriages, hardware stores, and mahjong.

 

The cast of 'Binondo: A Musical'
The cast of 'Binondo: A Musical'

4. Sheila Valderrama and Carla Guevara are headlining

Two award-winning actors alternating as Lily? That'll hurt the wallet, as fans of theater will surely want to watch them both. 

Both Sheila and Carla are excited to be the first Lilies, as they get to be the "part of the process and we create the character and make it our own."

5. It's an original story!

You know why being a child is fun? Everything is new to you. "Binondo", though it has familiar elements, is an new and original musical...and it's about us Filipinos. The Tsinoy culture is part our history and heritage. Here's hoping that "Binondo" brings us together. LA, GMA News

"Binondo: A Tsinoy Musical" opens on June 29 at The Theatre in Solaire. Tickets available via TicketWorld.

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