Unleash Your Creativity at The 9th Studios Creative Hub in Makati

The 9th Studios Creative Hub welcomes you with a smile

Have you ever been to a place where you can actually harness and develop your potentials and discover talents you never even knew you had? It's the kind of special place where you know great things would actually start from small beginnings. I personally believe that one of the biggest hurdles an artist usually encounters is finding a space to work their magic in. I recently stumbled upon The 9th Studios Creative Hub along Arnaiz Avenue in Makati City. The 9th Studios Creative Hub is a multidisciplinary studio that operates at the intersection of art, designs and the environment. Its mission is to create a space in which to exchange, develop and execute ideas that inspire people to re-imagine the world and our place within it.

The spacious dance rehearsal studio

The 9th Studios Creative Hub's Multipurpose Hall

 The 9^th Studios Creative Hub was designed and built as a vehicle to support all the major art forms as well as other activities. The said studio is suited to the needs of each creative community. The Creative Hub is composed of two rooms, a dance studio and a multi-purpose hall which are both located on the 9th floor. 

 They pride themselves in their ability to offer professional creative facilities at highly affordable prices. Both rooms are ideal spaces for artistic expression as well as corporate activities like seminars, lectures and meetings to suit all price points and creative mediums.  Their goal is to develop a creative community by offering affordable spaces with the long-term stability that is so often lacking for artists in the metro. 

Some of the happy bunch who came in to the Studio Hub

I learned that the 9th Studios Creative Hub opened its doors to the public last January 2019. But this early, I am no longer surprised why it is fast becoming a favorite place for various activities from fitness to dance, to art events as well as theater rehearsals. 

Two months after their opening, the Creative Hub has been actively promoting its regular Fitness activities for both beginners and fitness aficionados. The sessions include Dance Fitness, Pop, Jazz, Hip Hop and Yoga classes. 

Rachelle Ann Go as Disney's The Little Mermaid

Rachelle Ann Go as the first Asian to play Broadway musical Disney's The Little Mermaid.

As a young child, I had always been a fan of Disney princesses like Cinderella, Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, Belle of The Beauty and the Beast, Princess Jasmine of Alladin and of course, Ariel of The Little Mermaid. Among the six, I liked Ariel the most. Why? She’s got a fabulous voice that’s as clear as a crystal, she such a go-getter, she’s the only one who’s a redhead and she’s just like any typical kid—somewhat stubborn. Although I grew up to be looking more like Ursula (the villain in the animated film) because I am fat, I still liked Ariel even up to this day.

In college, during a study research, I stumbled upon the original version of The Little Mermaid written by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen. To my surprise, the said fairy tale’s real ending wasn’t really that appealing for kids. Just like in most of Andersen’s works, it had a sad ending with the little mermaid turning into foam. It had taken 150 years for Disney to create rather more appropriate characters. Thus, the emergence of lovable characters like Ariel, Prince Eric, Flounder, Sebastian and yes, even Ursula.

Now, kids-of-all-ages will once again have that chance to relive the magic of Disney’s The Little Mermaid as they unfold live onstage with Atlantis Productions. Youngsters will be delighted to know that popular singers Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos will be making Ariel and Prince Eric’s characters come to life in their first-ever musical play.  By the way, it is the Disney-based characters that will be seen on the play and not the sad ending that Andersen originally had.

When I first heard about Rachelle Ann doing the lead, I couldn’t imagine her fitting in as Ariel. But upon seeing her in full costume as mermaid and hearing her own rendition of Part of Your World, all my doubts suddenly disappeared. One writer even said that the more you see Rachelle Ann, the more she becomes Ariel. The same thing can be said of Erik Santos. Sure, this may be Erik’s first theatrical play—but both singers are natural thespians in their own right according to The Little Mermaid directors Mr. Bobby Garcia and Ms. Chari Arespacochaga. “Once they get on-stage, you will forget that they are the singers you had known for years. They will make you believe you’re transported to the kingdom under the sea,” says Garcia.

I strongly suggest that you see this amazing Broadway musical Disney’s The Little Mermaid with your entire family. I’m personally looking forward to hearing former Star in a Million finalist OJ Mariano as Sebastian, sings the Oscar-winning song Under The Sea, as well as beloved classic Kiss The Girl. It is also important to note that veteran stage actors Calvin Millado will essay the role of King Zeus; former Miss Saigon alumni Jinky Llamanzares will be playing the villain Ursula.

For tickets and other information on Atlantis Productions’ The Little Mermaid, please call 892-7078 or 840-1187.