More Photos: Buencamino, Lauchengco-Yulo Take Over THE KING AND I

Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo (photo by Jeffrey Aguiman)

By Jude Cartalaba

Manila, Philippines, December 19, 2012 - Nonie Buencamino ("Stageshow") and Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo ("God of Carnage"), who first worked together in New Voice Company's production of "Into the Woods" five years ago, are paired up as the new King Mongkut of Siam and Anna Leonowens respectively in Resorts World Manila's extended run of Rodgers and Hammerstein's "The King and I," announced at a recent press conference held at Newport Performing Arts Theater.

Leo Valdez and Monique Wilson, whose contracts expire on Sunday, December 30, opened the show three months ago.

Lauchengco-Yulo confessed, "I'm very excited to doing this with Nonie."

Buecamino expressed the same thought.

"The King and I" director Freddie Santos, who showed off the production's 2012 Aliw Award for Best Musical at the press conference, described his new "King and Anna" as the show's "third front page." According to Santos, the show's first "two front pages" were Valdez and Wilson as "King and Anna," and Bo Cerrudo and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as "King and Anna" alternate actors.

Also at the press conference, Buencamino and Lauchengco-Yulo were joined by the other cast members: Cerrudo, Valderrama-Martinez, Gina Respall (Lady Thiang), Marian Santiago (Tuptim), Anton Posadas (Chulalongkorn), and 2012 "Miss Saigon" audition finalist Apple Chiu (Lady Thiang).

For tickets and more information, visit rwmanila.com or call (632) 836-6333.

Photos by Jeffrey Aguiman

Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo

Freddie Santos, Nonie Buencamino, Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo