Another Filipino who is thriving in the Magic Kingdom is Wendy Panganiban, a former Ballet Philippines dancer who moved to HK Ballet.
The HK Disneyland auditions proved to be her second wind. She auditioned in January this year, and by June she was rehearsing with the cast of "The Festival of the Lion King," a spectacular, 45-minute Broadway-style show which was making its debut in HK Disneyland. Her part: the mythical spirit bird that soars across the theater as Simba and Nala sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."
The show is headlined by African-Americans, but its two dance captains are Filipino: Panganiban herself, and Jaime del Prado (of Trumpets and Repertory Philippines).
There are 20 other Pinoys in the ensemble, mostly products of dance companies in Manila.
Working with Disney has been a very rewarding experience, says Panganiban. "They're very easy to work with, and they take good care of their staff. They always think of my safety first. Everything is computerized in our show, and if the winch [the device connected to her harness] is off by a few seconds, they won't let me fly."
A bigger show in terms of showcasing Filipino talent is "The Golden Mickeys," a 30-minute awards-style pageant that celebrates Disney's most memorable films, songs and characters. It goes onstage several times a day at the Storybook Theater in Fantasyland.
Here, nearly all the major vocal parts are played by Filipino performers.
"The exodus of Filipino talents to Disneyland can do nothing but good for us," says Garcia. "It will allow others back home to shine, while we here will go back with new experiences. More than anything, the quality we look for in a Disney cast member is joy in telling a story. And we Filipinos understand this very well."
More .... Asia's minstrels light up the Magic Kingdom - INQ7.net: "Magic Kingdom
Monday, September 19, 2005
Asia's minstrels light up the Magic Kingdom
THE HAPPIEST PEOPLE ON earth have found fertile ground in the happiest place on earth.
Filipinos, working either as talents, bartenders, park attendants or management executives, are among the 5,000 or so cast members helping create magic in the newly opened Hong Kong Disneyland in HK's verdant Lantau Island.
One of the most prominent Pinoy executives is Bobby Garcia, erstwhile resident director of Atlantis Productions and now the show director of the Disney theme park. As such, he is creatively in charge of all live entertainment in the park, from Broadway-style shows such as 'The Golden Mickeys,' the daily afternoon parades down Main Street, to the general atmosphere of the resort.
Another Filipino who is thriving in the Magic Kingdom is Wendy Panganiban, a former Ballet Philippines dancer who moved to HK Ballet.
The HK Disneyland auditions proved to be her second wind. She auditioned in January this year, and by June she was rehearsing with the cast of "The Festival of the Lion King," a spectacular, 45-minute Broadway-style show which was making its debut in HK Disneyland. Her part: the mythical spirit bird that soars across the theater as Simba and Nala sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."
The show is headlined by African-Americans, but its two dance captains are Filipino: Panganiban herself, and Jaime del Prado (of Trumpets and Repertory Philippines).
There are 20 other Pinoys in the ensemble, mostly products of dance companies in Manila.
Working with Disney has been a very rewarding experience, says Panganiban. "They're very easy to work with, and they take good care of their staff. They always think of my safety first. Everything is computerized in our show, and if the winch [the device connected to her harness] is off by a few seconds, they won't let me fly."
A bigger show in terms of showcasing Filipino talent is "The Golden Mickeys," a 30-minute awards-style pageant that celebrates Disney's most memorable films, songs and characters. It goes onstage several times a day at the Storybook Theater in Fantasyland.
Here, nearly all the major vocal parts are played by Filipino performers.
"The exodus of Filipino talents to Disneyland can do nothing but good for us," says Garcia. "It will allow others back home to shine, while we here will go back with new experiences. More than anything, the quality we look for in a Disney cast member is joy in telling a story. And we Filipinos understand this very well."
More .... Asia's minstrels light up the Magic Kingdom - INQ7.net: "Magic Kingdom
Another Filipino who is thriving in the Magic Kingdom is Wendy Panganiban, a former Ballet Philippines dancer who moved to HK Ballet.
The HK Disneyland auditions proved to be her second wind. She auditioned in January this year, and by June she was rehearsing with the cast of "The Festival of the Lion King," a spectacular, 45-minute Broadway-style show which was making its debut in HK Disneyland. Her part: the mythical spirit bird that soars across the theater as Simba and Nala sing "Can You Feel the Love Tonight."
The show is headlined by African-Americans, but its two dance captains are Filipino: Panganiban herself, and Jaime del Prado (of Trumpets and Repertory Philippines).
There are 20 other Pinoys in the ensemble, mostly products of dance companies in Manila.
Working with Disney has been a very rewarding experience, says Panganiban. "They're very easy to work with, and they take good care of their staff. They always think of my safety first. Everything is computerized in our show, and if the winch [the device connected to her harness] is off by a few seconds, they won't let me fly."
A bigger show in terms of showcasing Filipino talent is "The Golden Mickeys," a 30-minute awards-style pageant that celebrates Disney's most memorable films, songs and characters. It goes onstage several times a day at the Storybook Theater in Fantasyland.
Here, nearly all the major vocal parts are played by Filipino performers.
"The exodus of Filipino talents to Disneyland can do nothing but good for us," says Garcia. "It will allow others back home to shine, while we here will go back with new experiences. More than anything, the quality we look for in a Disney cast member is joy in telling a story. And we Filipinos understand this very well."
More .... Asia's minstrels light up the Magic Kingdom - INQ7.net: "Magic Kingdom
