The search for the next Dorina Pineda is over after Resorts World Manila and Viva Entertainment officially announced that Monica Cuenco will be taking the iconic role for the Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical that will happen on June 2015 at the Newport Performing Arts Theater of RWM. Monica Cuenco became one of the contestants in the Cebu version of Little Big Star in 2004 and became one of the 5 finalists of Star Power in 2010. She was known as Monica Sacay that time until she used the surname Cuenco.
Monica is a Cebuana singer and later moved to Ormoc City Leyte with her mother with the help by her aunt after her father died. Her journey as a singer continues after Star Power where she once again tried her luck in auditioning for Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical as Dorina, which was played by the Megastar Sharon Cuneta in 1985 for the film adaptation and later the TV version in 2006 with the Popstar Royalty Sarah Geronimo. The story character and the story itself is based from the comic book story written by Nerissa Cabral with the same title.
Aside from getting the role of Dorina, Monica also received exclusive movie and recording contract with VIVA Communications, Inc. worth Php1 million and as a contract artist for Full House Theater Company Entertainment and Productions, Inc.
Monica will be joined by Mark Bautista who will be playing the role of Nico Escobar once played by Christopher de Leon in the film and Ryan Agoncillo in the TV adaptation. Theater and indie film actress Cris Villonco will be playing the role of the iconic Lavina Arguelles played by Cherie Gil in the movie and Angelika dela Cruz in the TV adaptation that drops the famous line “You’re nothing but a second-rate, trying hard copycat!” And lastly the role of the over loyal bestfriend named Garry Diaz that was played by Joel Torre in the movie and John Prats on TV will be played by Ronnie Liang.
The musical follows the journey of Dorina who was a very avid supporter of Lavina and was given a chance to become a singer. She never thought that she will be the strong competitor of Lavina not only in the limelight but also with the love of Nico.
Visit www.rwmanila.com or call the Tourist/Visitor Hotline at (02) 908-8833 for more updates on the premiere of Bituing Walang Ningning: The Musical.
