‘Everything in Bituin’ in Triple Threats

Bituin Escalante. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE/Cultural Center of the Philippines
Bituin Escalante. CONTRIBUTED IMAGE/Cultural Center of the Philippines

MANILA, Philippines—Singer-actress Bituin Escalante stages her solo concert titled “Everything in Bituin,” the third and final series of “Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women of Philippine Musical Theater,” on October 9 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) at 7:30pm. The previous concerts featured Sheila Francisco and Michael Williams.

 

Bituin Escalante first gained popularity during the 2000 Metropop Song Festival with her interpretation of the song “Paano Na” written by Arnold Reyes, making the song the festival’s second prize winner.

 

With a wowed audience on her first singing appearance, Bituin rose to diva stardom and secured her spot as one of Philippines’ best female vocals during the 2002 Himig Handog Music Love Song Festival with her interpretation of “Kung Ako na Lang Sana”, the grand prize winner.

 

The song has become Bituin’s signature hit, and is considered as one of the biggest OPM hits in the past decade. As a theatre artist, she has performed in “Rocky Horror Picture Show” (Columbia), “Seussical” (Sour Kangaroo), “Death and The Maiden” (Paulina Salas Escobar), “ThreePennyOpera” (Jenny Diver), “Once On This Island” (Asaka), “RENT” (Seasons of Love Soloist, Joanne Jefferson, Mimi Marquez) and “Dreamgirls” (Effie White), to name a few.

 

She just finished the theatrical run of Resorts World’s production of “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert”. She has also shared the stage with world renowned artists Spiral Staircase, Jim Brickman, David Benoit and the legendary Michel Legrand.

 

Bituin recorded her first independently produced album “Ur Luv Thang” in 2007, an all-original album which is a brave fusion of Jazz and Rhythm and Blues. She staged a concert in May 2008 entitled “The Standards In Bituin,” showcasing her love of the Standards, giving classic pieces like Orange-Colored Sky, The Way You Look Tonight, and Lullabye Of Birdland new life.

 

In November 2010, she was the featured artist of the FILharmoniKA Concert Series at the Philamlife Theater.   Again on June 10, 2011 they collaborated in “The Colors of Freedom” at the Makati Triangle.

 

Bituin Escalante is known for her vocal power and prowess, which is widely regarded as one of the best in the industry today. She is a dynamic singer capable of rendering style and class to any composition of any genre. Although Bituin’s introduction into entertainment was routed through the pop scene, it is in Jazz and Theater where Bituin really shines.

 

Today, Bituin is even spreading her wings wider and journeying deeper to her first love, jazz; together with her beloved trio composed of Joey Quirino, Meong Pacana and Jorge San Jose.

 

“Triple Threats: Leading Men and Women of Philippine Musical Theater” is a series of solo concerts featuring the stalwarts of Philippine Musical Theater. Each concert is an intimate evening of beautiful music, personally selected by the artists themselves, from their vast repertoire of favorite songs from Broadway, West End, original Filipino musicals and the movies.

 

Dubbed as a series of “concept concerts”, the narrative of the performance is dictated by the song choices. It is a rare opportunity for the audience to see a different facet of the acclaimed theater, television and film artist being featured. The definition of a “triple threat” is someone in a particular field who exhibits the three skills that are necessary to excel—can act, can sing and can dance.

 

This event is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Subscriptions to the three concerts are available at P2,500 and P2,000. Individual concert tickets are P1,000 and P800. The following standard discounts apply: 50% for students (only for the P2,000 subscription and P800 individual tickets), 20% for Senior Citizen, Persons with Disabilities (PWDs), Military and Government Officials. All performances begin at 7:30pm at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

 

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