my coverage: Cirque du Soleil in Manila premieres on June 23, 2011

photo from the press preview of Varekai in Manila Hotel

I've heard of this Cirque du Soleil from some people, in movies, tv, magazine and the internet. The show runs in different countries and it will have its first show here in Manila this coming June 22, 2011. That's why I'm not that familiar and not so excited when I heard that Cirque du Soleil is coming, and after I Googled it, then I discovered that this show shouldn't be missed, now I'm super excited!

more story below

The press con and preview of the show was held inside the Maynila ballroom in Manila Hotel, its my first time there and I'm amazed on the vintage style of the room and its interiors. I managed to set myself up and fixed my camera gear for some photo coverage to be posted here in my blog.

Tickets for Cirque du Soleil is now on sale and you can buy tickets from a regular price of P2,500 to P6,500 or get that VIP tickets added with a Tapis Rogue for a price of P10,000. Just visit Hooplah.ph for ticket info. Cirque du Soleil will present one of their show called "Varekai", the word means "whenever" from Romany language of the gypsies-the universal wanderers, it is a story happening in this extraordinary world deep within a forest at the summit of a volcano, a world that everything is possible and that world is called Varekai.

They also shared a good news that there will be 20% discount to senior citizens and to kids.

Here are list of schedules of their shows

June 23, 2011 (Thu)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 24, 2011 (Fri)	3:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 24, 2011 (Fri)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 25, 2011 (Sat)	3:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 25, 2011 (Sat)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 26, 2011 (Sun)	1:00pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 26, 2011 (Sun)	5:00pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 27, 2011 (Mon)	No Show	No Show
June 28, 2011 (Tue)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 29, 2011 (Wed)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
June 30, 2011 (Thu)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 2, 2011 (Sat)	3:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 2, 2011 (Sat)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 3, 2011 (Sun)	1:00pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 3, 2011 (Sun)	5:00pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 4, 2011 (Mon)	No Show	No Show
July 5, 2011 (Tue)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 6, 2011 (Wed)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 7, 2011 (Thu)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 8, 2011 (Fri)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 9, 2011 (Sat)	3:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 9, 2011 (Sat)	7:30pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 10, 2011 (Sun)	1:00pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park
July 10, 2011 (Sun)	5:00pm	Quirino Grandstand, Rizal Park

Price and seating arrangements



- VIP guests include DOT Sec. Alberto Lim and Ambassador, Christopher Thornley, of the Embassy of Canada and with general manager of Hoopla, Therese Tinio
- blogger friends spotted at the press preview


- Varekai flashes on the screen
- logo of Hoopla Inc, our local promoter for Cirque du Soleil in Manila


- General Manager of Hooplah
- (forgot the name)


- a view from my seat
- Mr. Robert Mckenzie, tour manager of Cirque du Soleil opens the press preview of the show


- "Its show unlike any other"
- one of the performer in make up and costume


a breath taking stunt


more Varekai performers


-acrobatic moves by a performer using his crutches
- taraannnn!!! everyone clapped after the preview


- awesome make up and costume


- Q and A session with the tour manager, local promoter and Manila Hotel manager


-Manila Hotel Manager shares their plans for their 100th anniversary this Oct 2011, I heard that more shows and surprises coming soon
- and some one on one interview with Cirque du Soleil productions


-interview with the performers
- my view while I was on stage waiting for my turn for the interview


- photo op with one of the performers


- and a group photo with them...as requested by that Manila Hotel waiter hahaha..thanks!



and here are some photos from Varekai show


Flight of Icarus and Georgian Dance


juggling and La promise


Russian Swings

Az video Blog - my video coverage of Varekai : Cirque du Soleil in Manila press preview

I attended the press preview and launch of "Cirque du Soleil in Manila" and here they will present their show called "Varekai". The show will premiere on June 22, 2011 to be held in Under The Blue and Yellow Grand Chapiteau (Big Top) at the Luneta, across Quirino Grandstand. Tickets are now on sale starting March 4, 2011.

watch the videos below

It's a great experience to see even a live preview of Cirqu du Soleil, and the show is very popular all over the world to have a world class production for stunts, arts and music that is live on stage.

Tickets for the show is now available for purchase at www.hooplah.ph
you may call 775-0930.

"Varekai" which means "wherever" in Romany language of the gypsies-the universal wanderers, it is a story happening in this extraordinary world deep within a forest at the summit of a volcano, a world that everything is possible and that world is called Varekai.

Varekai first premiered in Montreal in 2002 and it was visited by more than 55 cities in more than 12 different countries around the world, and now they are finally here first ever in Southeast Asia and our country - the Philippines is lucky to have this awesome show that is now being celebrated for having it's 3,000th show last August 2010 in Ostende, Belgium. 6 Million people patronized the Varekai around the world and the most great example here is that Cirque du Soleil productions do their performance with any use or show with "ANIMALS".

Cirque du Soleil started with a group of street performers in Baie-Saint-Paul in Quebec City in Canada during the early 80's and now they don't stop performing and this 2011 they have 19 Cirque du Soleil shows around the world!

And now they will be here in Manila and inviting us to be part of their amazing show!

Cirque du Soleil was brought here by their Manila promoter - Hooplah Inc. and the event is co-presented by the Manila Hotel, as the general manager of Manila Hotel said to us that this show will serve as its aunching event in a series of build up activities for their forthcoming 100th anniversary celebration which will culminate in October 2012.


Trailer
Here's a trailer that I found in Youtube. It is the same video trailer that was shared to us in our press kit, but this one is a little shorter.


Press Preview
Here's a sample show that was held in Maynila Ballroom, Manila Hotel. Its just a teaser and full stunts and action will be revealed on June 22, 2011.


A word from Therese Tinio, General Manager of Hooplah , Manila promoter for Cirque du Soleil

"Tonight is the beginning of a wonderful experience for the Filipino people"

Hooplah, as the local promoter of Cirque du Soleil, is pleased to bring a performance that will surely encourage families to go beyond their imagination and will surely be enjoyed by all the people, young and old alike and definitely to be talked about in the Philippines for a very very long time, Because Varekai combines beauty, art and stunts never seen before.

Its a show unlike any other

We will have no less than 20 shows here at the Big Top in Quirino Grandstand"


Interview with Robert Mckenzie, tour manager of Cirque du Soleil
I got a chance to interview the show's tour manager and he answer my questions below
1. How long does it take for their performers to practice and prepare before the show?
2. What are their safety measures and if they experience some accidents during the show?
3. And final question is that why the show only started this year in our country and not in the past years, did they receive any invitation from a local producer back then?

all answered by Mr. Mckenzie in my video interview.