For the cast of ‘Beauty and the Beast,' it really is more fun in the Philippines
Remember the late travel host Susan Calo-Medina’s famous parting line, “Huwag maging dayuhan sa sariling bayan”?
Well, reporters probably had this in mind when they met the cast of the hit Broadway musical “Beauty and the Beast,” now on a second extended run until Feb. 8 at the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).
Since arriving in the country earlier this month for the Manila leg of the stage musical’s 20th anniversary Asian tour, the cast has taken the Department of Tourism’s “More Fun in the Philippines” campaign to heart.
Golf inside Taal Volcano
In between stagings at the main stage of the CCP—and because shows were cancelled due to the 5-day papal visit—the foreign cast seems to have taken every opportunity to break up into small groups and explore many corners of the Philippines.
The Beast (played by Darick Read) had fun water rafting at Bumbungan River in Pagsanjan, Laguna.
And there was no better way to enjoy the experience than with his stage and real-life princess, Belle (played by Hilary Maiberger).
The couple also played golf in the most unique way: hitting the ball inside the mouth of Taal Volcano.
Swimming with whale sharks
Adam Dietlein, the widely-praised Gaston in the Disney show, went swimming with whale sharks in Oslob, Cebu.
His sidekick Lefou, played by Jordan Aragon, went to see the underground river and Honda Bay in Palawan.
But his trip to Bohol was probably the most amazing, particularly because a pod of dolphins—around 40 or 50 of them—swam by their boat while they island-hopped. (Incidentally, Jordan traces his paternal roots to Ilocos and La Union where his Filipino grandfather came from.)
And he was amused no end by the floating restaurant on Loboc River which was in the shape of a giant turtle.
Awed by sunsets
Even when their schedule is too tight for road trips (there are matinee shows during weekends), the guys are still spoiled by the daily spectacle of the world-famous Manila Bay sunset, with the location of the CCP offering some of the best views anywhere.
Take it from Belle who says she has never seen a sunset as beautiful as Manila’s back in her native California.
And as for the Beast, he said that sunsets here are so magical, he hasn’t seen a bad one yet.
Well, now that the shows have been extended until February 8, it’s not just good news for locals who now have more time to catch the musical. The cast, too, gets the chance to explore more of the country. Because as Gaston and Lefou pointed out, even karaoke’s bigger here.
