'Cartas de Amor' tells love story of Jose Rizal, Leonor Rivera | ABS-CBN

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'Cartas de Amor' tells love story of Jose Rizal, Leonor Rivera

'Cartas de Amor' tells love story of Jose Rizal, Leonor Rivera

Christine Santos | TFC News Toronto

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The Filipino musical “Cartas de Amor” captivated the audience in Toronto with its heartfelt depiction of the tragic love story between Jose Rizal and his true love, Leonor Rivera.

Alternating between songs and love letters, the play captured the deep affect and longing between the lovers, as well as Rizal’s love and patriotism toward his homeland.

The musical’s creator, Josephine Roces Chavez, said this was conceptualized back in 1996 for the centennial birth anniversary of the Filipino hero.

“The [Cultural Center of the Philippines] asked me to create a program, so this is how it came about,” she said. “I did about two months of research and I had a partner then, Joel Navarro, and we sort of selected the songs together.”

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The script is based on actual correspondence of Rizal with his family and friends, particularly with his close friend Ferdinand Blumentritt and his older brother, Paciano.

“Cartas de Amor” was performed by a small powerhouse cast composed of Roces Chavez as Rivera, and another Filipino-Canadian artist from Nova Scotia, Leander Mendoza, as Rizal.

Together with accomplished pianist Cristina Patricio Sanchez and seasoned stage musical director, Rey Tamayo, the group delivered a musical worthy of a big stage.

“I had no difficulty in directing and conceptualizing because these are not only professionals but [also] very, very good singers and actors,” said Tamayo.

Rechie Valdez, a Filipino-Canadian member of parliament, said Rizal “devoted the rest of his life to fight for the country, knowing that he lost the love of his life.”

“I’m really encouraging the team to try and make this bigger,” she said. “We need our youth to be able to see this message, to learn about the writings of Jose Rizal.”

The “Cartas de Amor” creative team hopes to take the show to other places so more Filipinos can watch the show.

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Biden thanks Black Americans for their support

Biden thanks Black Americans for their support

Reuters

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During an event to mark Black History Month on Tuesday, US President Joe Biden told the audience at the White House he expects to be back next year celebrating the date, hinting at a successful re-election campaign.

Biden thanked the Black Community for their support and called on voters to choose honesty, decency, dignity, and respect.

On Saturday, Biden won the South Carolina Democratic primary - the first officially sanctioned race of the party's nominating season.

While Biden, 81, faced little opposition, the vote was being closely watched amid concerns about his popularity, especially among Black voters.

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Four years ago, it was South Carolina's Black vote in the state's primary that helped ignite Biden's campaign and ultimately propel him to the White House.

(Production: Gerardo Gomez) 

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