Leo Valdez is RP’s rightful Ruler of the stage. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

The success of Resorts World’s “King and I” has etched Leo Valdez as the lead  role in the minds of most fans. Ticket sales have already convinced producers to extend the run to December 30, 2012. Leo Valdez, however was King Mongkut long before anyone ever thought of producing “King and I” locally. Physically he already sported the bald look for years. Vocally its difficult to think of anyone having a more imposing resume.

Leo Valdez is RP’s rightful Ruler of the stage. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

One of the roles he is most known for, the Engineer in Miss Saigon matches the accent and almost the nationality. Miss Saigon’s setting of Vietnam is practically the neighbor of Thailand; setting of what was then the kingdom of Siam in ‘King and I.’ The facial features and the accents of the two countries in speaking English are not exactly the same but is similar.

From left: Leo Valdez (King Mongkut), Arnel Carreon (Edward Ramsay) and Monique Wilson (Anna) “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Seeing him live in CCP’s 40^th anniversary celebration in March 2009 was really remarkable. Covering that event was one of the early assignments I had, as Entertainment staff of Manila Bulletin. Being there to see that celebration was definitely a privilege that I won’t forget. It was one of those performances that remain in your mind long after the night ended. It had one of the most complete, resounding and longest standing ovations I had ever witnessed.

Shamaine Buencamino represented Tanghalang Pilipino at the CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration March 3rd 2009. Shamaine is also in STAGESHOW which opens the 4th National Theater fest on Nov 7 & 8. Photo by Jude Bautista

You know you’ve seen something special when it makes you really proud not just of the performances but of our Filipino culture and heritage. The Cultural Center of the Philippines is the epicenter of nearly all art forms in our country.  So they had to think up of a single show that would represent the prestige and honor of that title.

Lisa Macuja with Nazer Salgado of Ballet Manila at CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration, March 3rd 2009. Photo by Jude Bautista

The best dancers, singers, actors spanning various genres were there. Lisa Macuja Elizalde enthralled audiences with White Swan Pax De Deux with partner Nazer Salgado of Ballet Manila. Excerpts from the best performances of resident companies like: Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theater, The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and the Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company were also seen.

Jed Madela at CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration March 3rd 2009. Photo by Jude Bautista

The actors of Tanghalang Pilipino, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, reprised the most memorable plays and musicals. Jed Madela and Bo Cerrudo sang the classic ‘Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika’ which won the Metro Pop Grand Prize in 1978. Cerrudo incidentally is also in the King Mongkut role for Resort’s World’s “King and I”. It was such an incredible array of artists. The list is truly long and prestigious. Finding the right person to sing the grand finale to cap this unearthly show was an almost impossible task.

Bo Cerrudo (King Mongkut) sang a medley at CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration March 3rd 2009. Photo by Jude Bautista

To top it all, Leo Valdez came out in his trademark ‘bald’ look, foo manchu moustache, belting out his hit “Magsimula Ka”. The song written by Gines Tan won third prize at the 4^th Metro Pop Fest established by now Ilocos Norte Gov. Imee Marcos. Valdez performed the song that launched his career in the festival that discovered Freddie Aguilar, Hajji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi and even composer Ryan Cayabyab. After covering so many concerts, musical events, I have yet to see an ovation that would equal what happened after that song, to be fair after the assortment of talent that night.

Leo Valdez looked like his 2012 role King Mongkut even at CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration March 3rd 2009. He was the grand finale to an incredible show. Photo by Jude Bautista

“Magsimula Ka” was the crescendo to all of the best that CCP had to offer. The message of the song is to inspire one to create. Yes it is the 40^th anniversary, but this is just the beginning. We’re going to go on. The lyrics say it all, “Magsimula ka, pilitin at tuklasin ang hanap…Madanas man ang maraming hirap…Ang mithiin mo pag naging ganap…Langit ng pagsisikap iyo nang malalasap”. In this time of economic crisis, the words have more significance. It’s an inspiring message of creative excellence from the CCP that will continue no matter what the current challenges are.

Irene Marcos Araneta & Musical Director Josefino Chino Toledo at CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration last March 2009. Photo by Jude Bautista

From left: Andrew Fernando, Celeste Legaspi & Leo Valdez at CCP’s 40th Anniversary Celebration March 3rd 2009. Photo by Jude Bautista

When you watch Leo as King Mongkut in “King and I” he easily inhabits the role. Although vocally, one gets the feeling that the Rogers and Hammerstein songs don’t really stretch his range. The songs may be ‘too easy’ for someone who has such a powerful and operatic voice. Comparing Valdez to one of the most iconic actors of all time who made the film version famous, Yul Brynner is not a disservice to either one.

Leo Valdez is RP’s rightful Ruler of the stage. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Brynner’s advantage is his macho, almost overpoweringly strong commanding presence on screen, which Valdez may in some ways duplicate. Yul’s bald look and bearing made you believe he’s King. But vocally there’s no way that Brynner could compete with Valdez. In a previous interview with Ida del Mundo of Phil. Star, Valdez confessed that he took the best parts of both Yul Brynner and Chow Yun Fat’s interpretation of King Mongkut and then made it his own.

Leo Valdez is RP’s rightful Ruler of the stage. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

(Monique Wilson) Anna touches (Leo Valdez) the King’s arm for the first time. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Filling the role of Anna also had to be strong in order to stand up to someone like Valdez as an actor. Otherwise she’s going to disappear performance wise. Monique Wilson more than made up for this, who also used to be a lead actress for Miss Saigon. There’s so much amazing chemistry between Leo and Monique that you can’t help but fall in love with them as a couple. What “King and I” has done is to create the perfect role and show for Leo Valdez to be crowned as the ‘Rightful Ruler of the Stage.’

Monique Wilson is wonderful as Anna. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Leo Valdez (King Mongkut) falls for Monique Wilson (Anna) on the dance floor. “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila is extended until December 30, 2012. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Confetti rains down on Prince Chulalongkorn’s parade without littering the streets, through the magic of an LED screen in the background. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

A baby elephant heralds the entry of a royal parade. Rockets shoot up, igniting the sky; confetti falls in a kingdom-wide celebration, honoring the birthday of Prince Chulalongkorn (Anton Posadas). The scene is almost impossible to produce inside a theater but there it is on stage. Audiences see the background lit up with fireworks and in later scenes the moon and stars.

Lady Thiang (Gina Respal). Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

The dark blue colors of the moonlit sky behind the secret lovers Lun Tha (Lorenz Martinez) and Tuptim (Tanya Manalang) is actually the largest indoor LED screen in Southeast Asia. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

The onstage effects make the experience real and you are no longer in the New Port Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World watching the ‘King and I.’ You feel like you really are in 19^th century Siam. The secret is a giant and movable LED screen in the background. The screen size encompasses nearly the whole stage both in length and height. No wonder it is able to create the illusion of the sky. The claim of it being the biggest LED screen in a theater in Southeast Asia is believable.

The Philippine Ballet Theater executed traditional Thai dance. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

The advantage of having an LED screen is its ability to show an actual transition between night and day or afternoon slowly turning into dusk. Golden, orange hues turn into light purple then to a very dark blue completing the illusion of a sky complete with clouds.

From left: Lady Thiang (Gina Respal) talks to Anna (Monique Wilson) on a moonlit evening created by the biggest indoor LED in Southeast Asia. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

The most high tech equipment is only as good as the people who use it.  Resort’s World very own Video Producer Carlo Manere was charged with creating the animation and effects used on the enormous LED screen. He cut his teeth working for South African digital designer Andrew Botha. The two worked on KAOS, a light, sound and music extravaganza starring Gian Magdangal as the Prince also at RW Manila.

The elephants rise to the ceilings in the background while Anna (Monique Wilson) pleads with the King (Leo Valdez). Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Production Design

Painted gold in front of the screen are two gigantic elephants rising nearly to the heights of the ceiling. The white elephant is a royal symbol in Siam. At the foot of the left elephant is the throne of King Mongkut (Leo Valdez / Bo Cerrudo), three tiered stairs with large gem like embellishments. Behind the throne is a large gong. Set designer Jo Tecson needed to employ his company Light and Space concepts to design the many elaborate pieces for the show.  Tecson earned his reputation setting up “Ripley’s Believe It or Not” exhibit in Shangri La Plaza Mall.

King Mongkut (Leo Valdez) reads by the embellished steps of his throne. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Costumes

For King Mongkut’s royal robes, no less than the current king of Philippine fashion Rajo Laurel was tapped to design them. The designs have their expected colors of magenta, purple and yes even a sparkly, silken gold on black. The cuts are very comfortable with pants up to the knees revealing golden sandals. There may not have been a more confortable royal attire in the world that lets the King execute the grand gestures and choreography for the musical.

Anna (Monique Wilson) takes the King’s breath away in a rose colored gown by Rajo Laurel. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Anna (Monique Wilson / Sheila Valderrama) has a more traditional western dresses of the 19^th century. Of note was the later scene when she attends a ball. Her rose colored gown takes the King’s breath away. Rajo designed the memorable and dazzling costumes for both lead roles.

Lun Tha (Lorenz Martinez) is bare chested with an elaborate neckpiece and armbands beside him is Tuptim (Tanya Manalang). Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Resort’s World resident costume designer Aksana Sidarava came up with the costumes for the rest of the cast. Lun Tha (Lorenz Martinez / Floyd Tena) is the dashing lover of Tuptim (Tanya Manalang / Marian Santiago). Sidarava made his character bare chested accented with an elaborate necklace of gold and rubies. Arm bands also encrusted with rubies actually made his character look more masculine.

The costumes of the royal kids are coordinated according to age. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

The adorable royal children were color coordinated silk according to age the two eldest Yingyaowalak (Alexi Rodriguez) and Chulalongkorn were in purple, the twins (JC and Miguel Urquico) were in blue, the babies (Audrey Sy and Alexa Villaroel) were in pink.

The Philippine Ballet Theater executed traditional Thai dance. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

Music and Dance

Musical director Rodel Colmenar may have had the most difficult task since the songs are familiar to a lot of people and theater enthusiasts. Knowing how to tweak and update some of the music however miniscule is challenging. He also masterfully conducted The Manila Philharmonic Orchestra. The Philippine Ballet Theater was instrumental in creating the royal play within the show.

The throne is at the foot of a gigantic elephant. One of the royal kids bow to his father King Mongkut (Leo Valdez) as Anna (Monique Wilson) looks on. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista

The diabolical creative genius that is director Freddie Santos conducted the whole production team to the cast, to make it come together. All the performers from Leo Valdez, Bo Cerrudo to Gina Respal and Apple Chiu were such larger than life personalities. They are able to inhabit their roles and combined with the lavish production, take you on that wonderful journey that is “The King and I”.

The elephants rise to the ceilings in the background with the King (Leo Valdez) in the foreground. Catch “The King and I” at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resort’s World Manila. Check schedules and other info on the official website: http://www.rwmanila.com/the-king-and-i/. Photo by Jude Bautista