The golden (and not so golden) moments at CCP's 50th anniversary concert

Bulawan: The CCP 50th Anniversary Concert performers

One of the events lined up for the year long celebrations of the Cultural Center of the Philippines's 50th Gold Anniversary was Bulawan: The CCP 50th Anniversary Concert, the two night extravaganza that not just brought out stellar performances from some of the country's finest artists but also highlighted the aging structure's need for major upgrades

Clocking for three hours, the Loy Arcenas directed grand spectacle hosted by the trio of Celeste Legaspi, Shamaine Centenera-Buencamino, and Nonie Buencamino showcased different facets of Filipino art ranging from the traditional to the global.

But technical problems, underutilized talents, and a bit of behind the scenes drama put a dent to this golden affair.

The Golden

The truly golden in my book had to be Joanna Ampil, who delivered a faultless medley of West End tunes from Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ, Superstar, Les Misérables, and Cats and remained unfazed despite some problems with the microphone. She gave a truly splendid performance that one would've snagged tickets to her upcoming production right away although too bad that it will be at another venue which is not the CCP.

The Good

Compared to other CCP resident companies, I rarely see performances by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group and Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company. That is why it was great to see them in a substantial section composed of various Philippine dances while being accompanied by the MusiKalinangan Philippine Gong and Bamboo Ensemble, the Bayanihan Rondalla Ensemble, the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Madz etal choirs conducted by Mark Anthony Carpio.

Also given a huge chunk of the program was Ballet Philippines with an excerpt of Carmina Burana choreographed by National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes. With live music courtesy of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Herminigildo Ranera, the double choir of the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Madz etal choirs, as well as baritone Byeong-In Park and soprano Rachelle Gerodias, this portion was as close as an actual CCP resident company production that one could get at Bulawan. Coincidentally, BP is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary this season as well.

It is always a delight to see friends and familiar faces namely singers Lara Maigue, Poppert Bernadas, and Stefanie Quintin, former Ballet Philippines principal Candice Adea (with Julio Blanes from West Australia Ballet), and pianist and former CCP President Raul Sunico perform at the CCP Main Theater stage once again.

Not to be left out as part of the good are the inexpensive ticket prices (P50 & P100) for the balcony seats during the People's Gala. For less than a price of admission at the cinema, one was able to see a live performance and also meet some of the performers at the lobby after the show which is an added value and enriches the whole experience I might add.

The Not So Golden

The sound glitches prevalent throughout the evening, that prompted Celeste Legaspi to go off script at one point to stress the need to raise funds for the CCP, was truly bothersome.

My excitement to see excerpts of Noli Me Tangere by the original Maria Clara Monique Wilson with Gian Magdangal who was one of the most current Ibarras quickly fizzled by how brief their portions were. Members of Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company barely registered to the audience as they just recited a few lines of Mi Ultimo Adiós behind a sheer curtain.

Unfortunately, there was also some behind the scenes drama that led to the Philippine Ballet Theatre, a CCP resident company, not participating in this production.

Bulawan just kicked off the year long celebrations for CCP's 50th Anniversary. Expect more productions and events to come as the festivities continue until September 2020. And by that time, may the microphones and sound glitches be a thing of the first fifty years.