MUSIC MUSEUM TURNS 30

The Music Museum, the unique theater concept that chanteuse Kuh Ledesma introduced to the entertainment scene on August 8, 1988, celebrated its 30th anniversary on Tuesday, August 8, literally on the Music Museum stage.

Staff led by Music Museum Group president Precy M. Florentino celebrated the milestone with Mass and a company lunch with employees, some of whom have been with the company since its very early days. Celebrities like Mitch Valdes, Nanette Inventor, Carlo Orosa, Zsazsa Padilla, Ryan Cayabyab, John Nite and Kuh Ledesma sent in video messages.

The original purpose of the longtime concert place in Greenhills San Juan was to provide performing artists with a readily accessible venue that would showcase their talents, unhampered by stiff requirements dictated by hotels, the performance venues at the time. Performers of various genre welcomed its arrival in 1988, warmly and enthusiastically. Through the years a wealth of Filipino talent in music and the performing arts performed on the Music Museum stage. 

Lani Misalucha, Side A, Jose Mari Chan, Sarah Geronimo, Agot Isidro, Keno, the Neocolors, Julie Ann San Jose, Glaiza De Castro, Loisa Andalio, Maja Salvador, Baihana, KZ Tandingan, Mateo Guidicelli and Michael Pangilinan, Enchong Dee all had their debut concerts and first big concerts at the Music Museum. 

The Music Museum experience was and still is unique because it is like being in a cozy home where artists entertain guests in a big living room. It’s the only theater in town where guests can order food and drinks during a performance so they can dine, drink and feel right at home while being entertained. In 1989 Kuh sold the Music Museum to her friend Precy Florentino.

Music Museum celebrations of its milestones were often marked by concerts that would last till dawn. When it turned 10 in 1998, a 10-band concert rocked the Greenhills Car Park, while artists like the APO, Nanette Inventor, Kuh Ledesma, Ogie Alcasid, Geneva Cruz, Randy Santiago, Lani Misalucha, Nina, Dessa and Leah Navarro performed on the Music Museum stage.

When it turned 20 in 2008, the Music Museum looked forward by recognizing young talents -- Charice Pempengco (now Jake Zyrus), then 16, and Charlie Green, the Britain’s Got Talent winner, then 11 – as future stars. It partnered with The Music School of Ryan Cayabyab to discover musically talented kids via musical tilts Musmusikwela and MusiKabataan that awarded them musical scholarships.

The 20th year was marked by a grand concert at the Araneta Coliseum called Divas 4 Divas, featuring four of the country’s best female singers -- Kuh Ledesma, Zsa Zsa Padilla, Pops Fernandez and Regine Velasquez. 

When it turned 25, the Music Museum celebrated with an all-music-genres private concert, supported various artistic endeavors and launched its commemorative coffee table book.

On its 30th year, Precy Florentino said the prevailing spirit is gratitude. “The Music Museum looks back at the past 30 years with a celebratory attitude, Thank you to the fans and concert goers who have inspired us through the years and continue to inspire us to come out with the very best entertainment. To the artists who performed at one time or another at the Music Museum, you are its life and soul. You fill us with so much gratitude,” said Ms. Florentino.

The Music Museum is now a dining, shopping and entertainment complex called the  Music Museum Group and includes Shoppesville Plus (a hobbyist’s and aficionado’s haven),Theater Mall (a hive of cinemas, shops, dining and coffee places), The Promenade (a level-up shopping place with lifestyle services, more dining places, and the most modern cinemas) and Teatrino (a favorite events place for launches, parties, and cozy performances).

Fr. Larry Faraon’s Lenten Recollection at Teatrino, March 23; Easter Egg Hunt at Promenade, March 27

Fr. Larry Faraon O.P. will conduct another stirring Holy Wednesday Recollection at Teatrino on Holy Wednesday, March 23 to bring Christ’s Passion and Death closer to the lives of the faithful. On Easter Sunday, March 27, the Promenade hosts another fun and frolicsome Easter Egg Hunt as the Risen Christ removes the pall of gloom with the joy of His glorious Resurrection.

From 2 to 5:30 p.m. on March 23, the popular Retreat Master will take retreatants on “A Journey of Presence, Sacrfice and Communion”, focusing on the wonder of the words “..and He dwelt among us” – the special privilege we all have because God became man, lived on earth to work wonders and redeem us from sin.

“In this year of the Special Jubilee of God's Mercy and Compassion, the Eucharist comes out as the perfect example of such mercy.The abiding presence of Christ in the Eucharist is God 's expression of 'being with' his people especially in challenging times. The sacrifice on the cross of His son Jesus commemorated in the Eucharist brings forgiveness, the ultimate act of God's mercy and compassion. In holy communion, which is the result of the eucharistic activity, God's mercy and compassion is shared in fellowship and charity. We shall share with each other the richness of God's mercy and compassion in the retreat,” said Fr. Larry.

“The Music Museum group started the tradition of the Lenten Recollection at Teatrino in 2010. It is oursimple but meaningful way of sharing God’s word and His love with our mall goers.It is our spiritual gift to everyonewho has made us truly blessed through the years,” said MMGI President Precy M. Florentino.

“We want to spread the happiness of Easter to everyone as well. So on Easter Sunday, March 27, we will also celebrate the most important Christian feast, which is Christ’s Resurrection, via our traditional Easter Egg Hunt. Did you know that the word Easter comes from the Latin word oestre which means egg?,” she asked.

Everyone is invited.The Lenten Recollection is on a first come-first served basis and reservations may be made through 721-6726 and 722-4535 loc. 116. The Easter Egg Hunt happens right after the Easter Sunday Mass at 10:30 a.m.​

*This is Press Release

Fabulous February Performances at Music Museum and Teatrino

It’s going to be a Fabulous February at the Music Museum and Teatrino, pre- and post-Valentine.

The Thrill Factor is high as early as February 6 when Solenn Heusaff and Lovi Poe turn up the heat in a special concert at the Music Museum entitled Fantaisie: Lovi & Solenn at 8 p.m.. Confessions : A Night of Secrets, Stories and Songs featuring the fast-rising stars of Stages Talents -- Morisette Awon, Aicelle Santos, Tippy Dos Santos, Bullet Dumas, Timmy Pavino, Clara Benin and more – take center stage on February 12 at 7 p.m.

On February 13, Rico Blanco stages a diferent kind of Valentine Concert at 8 p.m. Entitled “Your Alternative Valentine”, the singer, songwriter, musician, record producer and  actor is joined onstage by Never The Strangers (Ace Libre, JP del Mundo, Gab Palanca and Nash Ignacio) and the talented Meg Fernandez.

On February 19 the Music Museum stage comes alive with 3D : Davao, Dancel, Dumas, the first major concert of the three acoustic guitar phenoms playing together as a three-person-act. Johnoy Danao, Bullet Dumas and Ebe Dancel are out to capture your hearts with the Manila String Machine, the pioneering string quartet famous for performing contemporary music on their classical instruments, starting 7:30 p.m.

Arnel Pineda closes off Valentine month at the Music Museum with Love and Rock and Roll at 8 p.m. on February 27 – with the Philia Band, fronted by actress model Arci Muñoz, and Dion Ignacio on Rhythm, Kristian Uy on Lead, Tim Toribio on Bass and Paolo Pampuan on Drums.

Meanwhile at the Teatrino, “A Valentine Classic (Dinner for Two and a Timeless Romantic Movie) lets diners enjoy a good old-fashioned steak dinner plus drinks, followed by a movie -- An Affair To Remember, starring Cary Grant and Deborah Kerr – one of the most romantic films of all time for just P1,200, all in, per pair.

On February 13, RnB heartthrob. Daryl Ong treats the audience with an intimate concert simply titled Daryl Ong : Intimate. The  artoonist-turned singer-songwriter holds his first major concert for the year in the cozy and intimate “biggest little theater” in the City.

On February 19, Tanghalang Batingaw Alumni Association, Inc. and the National Commission of Culture and the Arts restage Harold de Mesa’s Kiriring, Aida’t Makaraig at Teatrino at 4 p.m. and 8 p.m to promote public awareness on HIV through theater.

For inquiries and reservations, call Teatrino (722-4501/722-8310 loc 116) or Music Museum (720-0635 or 721-6726). Also visit www.musicmuseum.com.ph and www.teatrino.com.ph.