Ara Mina addresses gadget use issue during 'One More Chance: The Musical'
Ara Mina addressed recent claims that her companion disrupted the theater experience of others during a performance of One More Chance: The Musical by using electronic devices.
In her interview with ABS-CBN News, the actress clarified that it was not her companion using the device, but an individual in front of her.
"I also saw the laptop. It's the girl infront of me nakaupo 'yung may ari ng laptop. Alam mo may laptop ako ah pero nasa bahay, nando’n lang sa cabinet. Wala rin siyang (her companion) dalang laptop,” she said.
She stressed, “Hindi related sa amin 'yung girl sa harap na may laptop kasi ang lumabas sa amin 'yung laptop.”
Ara further explained that it’s normal to check their smartphones, especially since the play’s duration was two and a half hours.
“Two hours and a half 'yung play, normal lang sisilipin mo rin! Baka sabihin ng asawa ko bakit hindi ako sumasagot. Kahit ako naman lalabas na lang ako kung mag-phone ako the entire play,” she said.
The actress also advised the public to refrain from making assumptions based on one picture alone.
"Sometimes huwag tayo agad mag-ja-judge just for one picture. Ganito 'yan eh, 'yung anggulo parang, ‘Ay! ang laki ng braso niya’ pero pag nakita mo naman sa personal, ‘Bakit ang liit ng braso niya?’ Kasi mali 'yung anggulo,” she explained.
In case you missed it, a Facebook user named B Delgado shared in the viral post that a "rude" attendee in front of her started to affect her show experience because of her gadget use.
“Wala akong ma absorb sa Act Two until the end na nung nagkabalikan na si Popoy at Basha because there were two phones on full brightness and a freakin' laptop! They weren’t gonna stop until I tapped their shoulder," Delgado detailed.
She also called out PETA for their impartial way of dealing with audience members.
"When it’s a nobody, your ushers weave through the crowd to stop them, but when it’s a celebrity and friends, dedma na lang? They were seated on the house seats so there was an usher beside them," she questioned. In the post, Delgado included two photos of the audience, with others alleging in the comments section that it was Ara Mina and her companion.
The Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) issued an apology to the attendee in the post’s comments section.
“Please accept our sincerest apologies for the stress and frustration this has caused you. Rest assured that we are looking into this now and will immediately take the necessary actions," they wrote.
They added, "We only wish a good and positive viewing experience for all of our audiences. Please allow us to give you a complimentary ticket so that you can properly enjoy the show.”
One More Chance, The Musical is adapted from the 2007 film One More Chance, which originally starred John Lloyd Cruz and Bea Alonzo as longtime lovers Popoy and Basha.
In the musical, Sam Concepcion and CJ Navato star as Popoy while Anna Luna and Nicole Omillo play Basha.
Other cast members include Kiara Takahashi, Sheena Belarmino, Jef Flores, Jay Gonzaga, Ada Tayao, Rica Laguardia, Poppert Bernardas, Paji Arceo, Via Antonio, Dippy Arceo, Johnnie Moran, and Jon Abella.