Isay Alvarez to perform top role in musical play for Cory

In the banner of Cory the Musical, a lady in yellow is depicted flashing the "Laban" sign (her thumb and forefinger shaped like a letter L). At first glance, she appears to be former President Corazon "Cory" Aquino but a closer inspection reveals that she is none other than Isay Alvarez, a theater actress who is tapped to portray Tita Cory in the upcoming musical. Mrs. Lourdes "Bing" Pimentel conceptualized this musical play as a "gift" to former President Cory Aquino, who is currently battling colon cancer. The wife of Senator Nene Pimentel chose Nestor Torre to direct this play and they chose Isay Alvarez to portray the first female President of the Philippines. Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. will be played by opera singer Sherwin Sozon. Cory the Musical will also star Isay's husband, Robert Seña, as former President Ferdinand Marcos and Pinky Marquez as former First Lady Imelda Marcos. Veteran actor Tommy Abuel will also be tapped to portray a reporter who follows the lives of the political leaders. Has Isay met Cory previously? "Personally for this, hindi pa. I would love if I would have a meeting with her, you know and ask her a lot of questions," says Isay. Isay says that she has been preparing for this plum role since August this year. How did she prepare? "[I read] napakaraming documentaries, books, articles, magazines, and from the Internet. Of course, with the help of Nestor [Torre, the director and writer of the play]." She adds, "Kinilala ko siya, how she thinks, how she feels. According to Nestor, kailangan dumating na kayo sa point that you treat Cory as your best friend. You befriend her. Kailangan you get to know her, e." What was the most challenging thing that she had to do for this play? Isay recalls, "In the beginning, I was really having a hard time because she is portrayed as very gentle but she's not. She's strong. She cannot be timid and very composed all the time. There must be something in her that's why she's like that. Noong una nga ayaw kong sumigaw sa play." Through her research, the former Miss Saigon actress found out that Tita Cory became really angry when she learned that Ninoy was planning to return to the Philippines. "Parang feeling niya talagang mamamatay si Ninoy and she had to go through that [his imprisonment] again. Harrowing experience na naman." When asked who will play Kris Aquino in this musical play, Isay points out with a laugh, "Bata ang gaganap sa kanya kasi maliit pa naman si Kris noon, e. Saka baka masyadong akong ma-upstage!" ASERO STAR. Since Isay is also part of the GMA-7 show Codename: Asero, how does she balance her time? "Medyo hindi madali kasi ‘pag may regular taping ka ng TV show, they only tell you like two days before, di ba? E, most of the time, yung mga shows, you're committed around two or three months ahead of time." But she adds that she is very grateful for this chance to appear on stage and on television. "I am so blessed that I can do theater, I can do television, I can do movies, and sometimes even corporate shows. Sabi ko, sino ba naman ang hindi mag-e-enjoy?" How is it like working with the Asero stars such as Heart Evangelista and Richard Gutierrez? "Nakakatuwa naman sila kasi I come from a different world. When I say theatre kasi lagi kayong seryoso when you're rehearsing, di ba? Rehearse, rehearse...talagang seryoso. Sila, na-amaze ako and I respect them for that they can actually play or magbiruan sila during rehearsal. Rehearse sila ng lines and then 'pag sinabing ‘Take!' tulo agad ang luha. "Sabi ko, ‘Paano n'yo ginagawa yun?' Me, I have to prepare. Kumbaga, hinahalukay ko pa 'yan sa likod ng puso ko and then silang parang... And for that, I really, really respect them." Cory The Musical will be staged by Buhay Isang Awit Foundation from November 29 to December 1 at the Meralco Theater. - Philippine Entertainment Portal