PROMISING PINAY JPOP ARTIST RETURNS TO MANILA

Avid fans of JPop may have heard about our very own Athena Tibi, who currently received her break in the Japanese pop music industry by performing live at a major event in Shibuya, Japan called “Toysound”. A trilingual singer-songwriter, Athena decided to put her promising JPop career on hold temporarily so she can concentrate on her reprised role in the restaging of Rivalry: Ateneo-La Salle The Musical – The Second Round.

Born in Manila, Athena spent eight of her growing up years in Japan. Though exposed to JPop, she has also come to love western music by listening to the likes of Kelly Clarkson, Demi Lovato and Avril Lavigne. A natural performer with impressive vocal range, she has so far performed in popular musicals like Wicked, High School Musical, Legally Blonde and Much Ado About Nothing.

In the local scene, she is known for her performances in the daily soap Sarah the Teen Princess, and movies like Lastikman and A Journey Home.

Now, she’s back in Manila to revive her lead role in “Rivalry”, which will have its second run from January 25 to February 17, 2013 at the Meralco Theater.

Like a damsel torn between two lovers, Athena admits that she loves singing JPop songs and performing in Broadway type of musicals like Rivalry – two musical genres that sit on opposite poles.

“ Sometimes it’s really hard to switch from singing something JPop to Broadway, but I can’t help it. I grew up listening to JPop, and at the same time I love stage musicals because performing live is my passion. Being on stage and putting myself in my character’s shoes is something that I really enjoy doing,” Athena shares. Coincidentally, Athena’s role in Rivalry is about a colegiala who is torn between two college boys from rival universities, Ateneo and De La Salle.

Here some of the clips of Athena Tibi in the Rivalry.

Athena considers the opportunity to play the role of Reena in Rivalry as a dream come true. “ It was my first lead role in a major production which happens to be an original Filipino musical! Singing Tito Ed Gatchalian’s songs is like going to various adventures. The directorial team of Tito Jaime del Mundo also draws out the best in everyone, and the lyrics of Joel Trinidad is perfect for Broadway,” Athena enthuses. “I’m sure a lot of people can relate to the story because of its interesting plot. On top of that, the audience will be drawn by the performances of the wonderful cast whom I have now considered family. ”

Before returning to Manila for rehearsals, Athena was already working on contracts with Japan music labels Pony Canyon, Sony Music Japan, among others. She has already recorded nine tracks so far, and has been busy composing songs in Japanese. While in Japan, she has already met other JPop stars like Crystal Kay and Tanimura Nana, as well as producer/composer JJ de Barrado and Chris Mosdell. De Barrado and Mosdell are known to have worked with international pop icons Kelly Clarkson and Michael Jackson.

“ I have no illusions of becoming a superstar. I just want to do what I love. As long as I keep dreaming, I have something to live for,” concludes the budding international superstar.

            “ RIVALRY ” is a musical feast for every member of the family. Different issues were tackled like the parent vs. child, the teenage boys vs. teenage girls, varsity games specifically ‘basketball’, love and courtship, academic excellence and sports, and other related conflicts among family members.
The lead roles taking the centerstage are OJ Mariano as Paco Valencia, the Ateneo star player together with Mako Alonso as Tommy Basilio, the La Salle Star; Athena Tibi as Reena San Jose, the Maryknoller who captures the attention and affection of an Atenean and a La Sallite; and Red Concpecion as QuitoValencia.
Cara Barredo (Reena San Jose - understudy), Altair Alonso (Tommy Basilio - understudy), Fred Lo (Quito Valencia – understudy) and Mayen Cadd (Andrea Valencia) are the four new faces who will surely infuse an all-new chemistry and onstage energy with the original and fellow Rivalry cast members.
The supporting cast includes Juliene Mendoza as Anton Valencia,  Raymund Concepcion as Demetrio Basilio, Sheila Francisco as Dolores Basilio; Joel Trinidad as the Ateneo coach and Chino Veguillas as the La Salle coach, and a special appearance of Noel Trinidad as Eliseo Genaro

The artistic and creative team of  “ RIVALRY Ateneo- La Salle The Musical  ” is led by Ed Gatchalian  (Musical Director, Composer, Arranger and Orchestrator), Jaime Del Mundo (Book and Director), Joel Trinidad (Lyricist), Johnsy Reyes (Lighting Designer) and Lex Marcos (Set Designer).
The production staff is composed of Leah Reyes (Production Manager), Ems Bolanos (Company Manager), Ed Lacson (Stage Manager), Alfred Ceasar Urieta (Deputy Stage Manager), Roseanne Noelle Cornejo (Assistant Stage Manager); Jeremy Aguado (Executive Asst), Toots Tolentino (PR & Publicity) and Meynard Penalosa (Photography).

Tickets are now available at all Ticketworld outlets. For tickets and show information, call 891-9999 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.