BANGS & GARP
4 | THE CANBERRA REPORTER May 2017
Miguel Castro is a self-taught artist , mainly an actor turned singer who spends idle time doing artworks , specialising in papercut . He has had exhibits in different countries as well as concerts promoting Filipino culture . ‘ Bangs and Garp ’ cartoon strip is a product of his interpretations of the different personalities such as politicians and celebrities , and their take on Filipino way of life . Bangs , short for ‘ bangaw ’, is the bigger specie of the housefly . Garp is short for ‘ garapata ’ or flea found in every nook and corner .
BANGS & GARP
By MIGUEL CASTRO
ENTERTAINMENT
Young trio picked
for Miss Saigon ’ s new stage musical
By MARCO SELORIO
‘
THREE young women from western Sydney are now part of the new Miss Saigon Musical that ’ s set to play at the Riverside Theatre in Parramatta on July 28-August 12 , 2017 .
Filipino-Australians Jayd Luna , Trinity Dawn Ilagan and Princess De Leon have been selected by Packemin Priductions to be a part of a big cast .
Luna , 17 , of Quakers Hill , was a contestant on national television ’ s X-Factor program last year .
Ilagan , 17 , is a contemporary dancer while De Leon , 17 , is another accomplished singer who trained in classical music for over 10 years .
Both are of St Clair . All three are from the Nepean
Our roles take us out of our comfort zone , but as growing performers it ’ s good for our experience
Creative and Performing Arts High School .
They are close friends , influenced by a variety of genres from classical , jazz , pop , acoustic , a cappella and pop music .
IN MISS SAIGON MUSICAL : Jayd Luna , Trinity Dawn Ilagan , and Princess De Leon .
They have been excited at the prospect of working together for the very first time .
“ I love Miss Saigon because I ’ m a Leah Salonga fan ,” De Leon said . “ We all auditioned around the same time and got in . “ Our roles take us out of our comfort zone , but as growing performers it ’ s good for our experience and help develop our mindset if we want to break into the entertainment industry .”
LOCAL
DrainART to help keep pollutants out of our waterways
THE ACT has called on artists to take a leading part in the city DrainART .
The project aims at having 10 stormwater drains in prominent areas along Lonsdale Street in Braddon and the City Walk in Civic painted artistically to show how pollutants such as rubbish , cigarette butts , leaves and chemicals and oil wash down stormwater drains and have an impact on the health of local waterways .
Senator for the ACT Zed Seselja and Minister for the Environment and Heritage Mick Gentleman called on local artists to help promote messages of H2OK : Keeping our waterways healthy .
COMMUNITY SHOW
From left , Chantelle Torres , Adriana Gravador present an award to Jasmine Henry .
Women and girls tell their stories
TRIBUTE MARKS 2017 INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY
CANBERRA ’ S award-winning author and dramatist Merlinda Bobis , scripted and directed a stage presentation organised by Adhika Inc recently to celebrate Filipino- Australian women and girls .
The event at Dooleys Club in Lidcombe NSW marked the Filipino community ’ s contribution to this year ’ s International Women ’ s Day in March .
The program presented real-life stories , told on stage by women and girls about their struggles and achievements .
Adhika founder and president Josie Musa said Ms Bobis ’ contribution to the program went a long way toward giving voice to women and girls in the Filipino community about many untold aspects of their lives that showed their resilience and strengths .
Members of the cast were Cleo Baltazar , Violi Calvert , Michelle Baltazar ,. Robyn Russell , Jasmine Henry , and Christine Torres .
Philippine Consul General Anne Jalando-On Louis congratulated Adhika ’ s organisers and the cast lon the success of the event , remarking it was the first tribute of its kind using real-life stories and music . •