THIS WEEKEND, two big events are going to mark my life: the first, as a filmmaker.
And the second, as a standup performer.
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On Friday, Oct. 26, my first French film “La Sirène” will have its world premiere during the Opening Night of the 2018 Dumangas Haw-as Festival.
It is the tenth year of the annual Haw-as Festival in my hometown.
And I am very honored that my film will open the festivities.
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The premiere of “La Sirène ─ un film de Peter Solis Nery” will be held at the new Dumangas Gymnasium, which will be unveiled to the public just hours before the film screening at 7:30 p.m.
So yeah, my film will be the first real artsy entertainment to inaugurate the newly renovated gymnasium.
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What to expect?
Other than the film screening (it’s just 15 minutes long), my lead stars Jannah Poncy and Charles Laza are going to perform musical numbers.
Jannah is an accomplished saxophonist, and I really love her rendition of “Despacito”.
(The girl dances with her sax!)
So you can be sure it will be in her repertoire.
I’ve requested her to prepare two numbers.
But I’m sure she has some tunes ready for an encore.
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Jannah and Charles will be joined by the whole cast and crew in true red carpet fashion.
It will be a glittery night.
I think Jannah has commissioned a special gown for the event.
And I might just wear my Swarovski-encrusted suit.
Although some people are begging to see me wearing my 2018 Palanca Awards attire.
Which many of you only saw on Facebook.
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Charles needed some serious coaxing to perform.
I’ve asked him to play the guitar.
And if he can please sing a little bit?
I am told Charles used to sing until about Grade 7.
And then, puberty hit.
Still, I asked him to play “I’m Yours” by Jason Mraz.
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I shared Charles’s video, where he is playing the guitar, to a show producer.
She said, He can play well.
She added, I can tell because I play the guitar myself.
So, Charles just got an instant spot on my show at Troi Oi on Oct. 27, Saturday.
I’m very happy for his debut performance in the Iloilo City.
And in the very venue I call home.
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Jannah is also excited to join me, and play some sax music, during my dinner show.
And that’s the second event I’m talking about.
It is called “Impossible Loves: Peter Solis Nery… Live at Troi Oi”.
I hope, by now, you know where Troi Oi is.
I mean, I’ve been performing there in like forever.
I got two shows there, both in full house capacity, during the Dinagyang season earlier this year.
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Last year, Troi Oi hosted the awards ceremony of the Peter’s Prize for Visual Arts.
The Vietnamese restaurant was also transformed into a mini-gallery for about 10 days.
And it proved successful.
I mean, four of the nine exhibited paintings were sold.
All three top prize winners in the Peter’s Prize were scooped up pretty early.
I think the first prize painting got sold on Day 1.
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This year, the restaurant will play host to the awards ceremony of the 2018 Peter’s Prize for Visual Arts.
Won by Ilonggo artist Kristoffer Brasileño.
As a muralist, Kristoffer is responsible for the design and painting of several murals all over Iloilo City.
As a book illustrator, Kristoffer designed and created the pages of the children’s book “I Am Peter”, scheduled for release early next year when I turn 50.
“I Am Peter” is obviously my autobiography for kids.
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I am shameless in declaring my love for restaurateurs Les and Grace Blair, but especially for Grace.
She’s like a BFF to me.
(Hey, there’s always enough love for all my Best Female Friends!)
And Grace is really supportive of my career as a performance artist.
In Iloilo.
And in everywhere I go.
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When I was uncertain about this show called “Impossible Loves”, Grace said, Just do it!
When I told her I’m scared because this will integrate some psychotherapy for the broken-hearted and depressed people, she said, I know that anything you put your heart into will be a success.
Ah, with a friend like that…
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So, see you on Saturday, Oct. 27?
Dinner show starts at 7:30 p.m.
No tickets required, but calling for dinner reservations is strongly advised.
I normally perform to full house capacity at Troi Oi. (500tinaga@gmail.com/PN)
