THE prominent Laurel family members will gather in full force for the 90th birth anniversary of their late patriarch, Dr. Salvador “Doy” Laurel, an esteemed politician and philanthropist who once served as vice president of the Philippines.
Come November 19, a special show, billed as Doy! A Night of Love with Family and Friends, will be staged at the Maybank Theater Performing Arts in Bonifacio Global City, Taguig. The musical event will also double as a benefit concert to support the Legal Aid Internship Program of the Salvador H. Laurel Foundation.
Since its founding in 2012, the foundation has been quietly giving assistance to indigent but deserving and promising young scholars to help them enter the legal profession in furtherance of the late vice president’s advocacy of according equal opportunities to our disadvantaged youth.
The foundation takes pride in its very first scholar, Atty. Mark D. Oyales, who placed second in the 2013 bar examinations, and since then it has strengthened its partnership with the University of the Philippines College of Law by expanding the program’s coverage benefits. Recently, the partnership revived a legal aid internship program to perpetuate another legacy of the late politician: the championing of the legal cases of our poor and marginalized fellowmen. I have known some of the Laurel family members for many decades now and music certainly glues the family together—whether in the happiest or the saddest of times. Their love for music strengthens the deep love they have for each other.
It’s been a glorious journey for Cocoy Laurel, who debuted in Repertory Philippines’s Plaza Suite, where his mother Celia Diaz-Laurel played the lead role. During his late teens, he studied at the Academia Real de Bellas Artes in Madrid. He also enrolled at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and the Juilliard School of Music in the early-1970s. Cocoy was part of the first batch of Filipino artists recruited for Miss Saigon at the West End and, after a few years, he became one of the more celebrated actors who played the role of The Engineer in the Australian tour of the acclaimed musical.
The husband-and-wife tandem of Franco and Ayen Laurel are also special to me. Since their first meeting in the musical Rama at Sita, up to the time they fell in love, got married and started a family, this lovely couple continues to maximize their God-given gifts of music and voice to bless others. “Family comes first, always, and we are excited for this special musical tribute,” shared Franco, who is currently making a comeback as an actor for film and television.
Nicole Laurel-Asensio is starting to make a name for herself in the crazy live musical performance circuit. “It’s always a thrill to work with family. I’m grateful for this opportunity because it doesn’t happen very often. Furthermore, if it weren’t for my mom Iwi, Lola Celia and Tito Cocoy, I don’t think I would have become a performer. I owe it to them in many ways. I’m honored to be included to pay tribute to my grandfather Doy who taught us to pursue our careers with honor, perseverance and passion,” she intoned.
Another singer-actress I dearly love is Denise Laurel, and I’m happy that she will be able to join this special event. “I wouldn’t miss this for anything,” she told us, adding, “It’s for the 90th birthday of my lolo and it will be extra special!”
Other family members that will perform are Iwi, Yanah, Rajo, Venisse and John. Supporting them are the iconic Aldeguer Sisters in a very rare appearance and some special guests from the local theater community.
The Laurels will be backed up by the Manila Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Rodel Colmenar and the repertoire will included excerpts from Camelot, South Pacific, Kismet, Evita, Man of La Mancha, Sound of Music, My Fair Lady, Miss Saigon, Phantom of the Opera, Carousel, Pippin, Les Miserables and The King & I, among others.
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