Last Valentine’s Day, I was on an “international” date—with one billion women and men. Together we danced on the streets of different cities all over the world—Manila, New York, London, Bangladesh, Rome, Belgrade (Serbia), the City of Joy in the Democratic Republic of Congo—bringing to life “One Billion Rising,” the global campaign calling for the end of violence against women (VAW).
At the recent “Mint Knows Monique” lecture at Meridian International College last week, students and fans got to know Monique Wilson on a deeper level—from her naughty childhood moments and her life in London during “Miss Saigon” to her unwavering passion for theater and her One Billion Rising campaign against violence against women.
Awash in purple light and its floor covered in rose petals, the stage of Music Museum in Greenhills was filled with women—kids, teens, mothers, artists, celebrities, even seniors who survived the war—all enthusiastically dancing to an upbeat tune.
Monique Wilson is finally out and proud. The woman behind New Voice Company, the theater group behind such hit productions as “The Vagina Monologues,” “Angels in America,” and “Rent,” has finally declared she is gay.
The Aliw Awards, celebrating its 25th year, will have its awards night on Nov. 26, 7 p.m., at the Manila Hotel. This year’s edition honors productions and performances in Filipino theater and live entertainment for the period Oct. 1, 2011 to Sept. 30, 2012. Frank Rivera and Sonny Valencia head Aliw’s screening committee.
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