Winnipeg Theatre History was made on June 1st which was the first day of Phillipine Heritage Month! as Joseph Sevillo and Josh Caldo premiered the first public reading with RAINBOW STAGE for their musical MA-BUHAY! at the PTE FESTIVAL OF NEW WORKS. This is the first original musical Rainbow Stage has ever presented at the festival and Joseph and Josh have been working closely with Rainbow Stage Artistic Director Carson Natrass and Assistant Executive Director Jeff Kohut to see this musical rise to it’s full potential.
Joseph Sevillo and Josh Caldo are Co-writers, Lyricists, and Composers of MA-BUHAY! and they collaborate with local musician Andrew Nolan who does the Musical Arrangements.
The story of MA-BUHAY is a fictional story that follows the journey of three young singing hopefuls HONEY MAE DIZON, DAVID CABALLERO and CELINA MOLINA as they compete in the grand finals of the highly televised reality singing competition STAR ON THE RISE! in the Phillipines. This story is Joseph and Josh’s observation of their own culture, touching on subjects of poverty, religion, family and the standards of being a filipino.
The reading was performed by an all Winnipeg Filipino Cast starring : Gordon Buduhan, Mimoza Duot, Joy Lazo, Josh Caldo, Raymond Padua, Dutchess Cayetano, Rochelle Kives and Robin Jordan Quintana.
The show was created to empower , inspire, and create a gateway for local filipino singer, dancer, and actors to the world of musical theatre here in Winnipeg and hopefully beyond.
Over 83000 filipinos live in Winnipeg , and only 8 are members of the Canadian Actor’s Equity Association. Which is the union for professional singer, dancer and actors in live theatre and stage. Joseph and Josh have a vision to educate and attract the community of the opportunities in the arts in Winnipeg.
With the help of Rainbow Stage, Canada’s longest outdoor theatre company, Joseph and Josh are looking to organize a one week workshop, where local professional and aspiring actor, singers, and dancers will be paid to rehearse and help develop this musical for the big stage.
“We will be working with Rainbow Stage in seeking out new filipino talent from the community, alongside seasoned professionals in the hopes to educate and cultivate a larger community of filipinos to the world of musical theatre ” Says Joseph
Joseph has been a professional musical theatre performer for 23 years and is also a choreographer and teacher at the Shelley Shearer School Of Dance, he is also Co-Directer of Broadway Dance Convention, a workshop that inspires kids to sing , dance and act! He first started working with Josh during a highschool mentorship program and in less than a year, Josh has garnered three professional shows under his belt and is now an equal partner in the creation of Winnipegs first all filipino musical at the age of 19!
Ma-buhay! is a homegrown creative project that seeks to rise to it’s unlimited potential in the world of theatre and arts! Any future investors and sponsors who want to be involved in further developing the first ever All FILIPINO MUSICAL here in Winnipeg, Please email mabuhaymusical@gmail.com and follow their social media handles on facebook and instagram @mabuhaymusical to watch this historical event unfold!
