Tuesday, January 31, 2023

Cultural Thursdays return with writer/musician Remi Huppert


The celebrations for the 75th Anniversary of the establishment of French-Philippine Diplomatic Relations continue this 2023 as the Embassy of France to the Philippines, and The Alliance Française de Manille announce the return of Cultural Thursdays Les Jeudis Culturels with Une Soirée Très Swing on February 2, 2023, 7:00 PM at the Multi-Purpose Hall, 4th Floor, Alliance Française de Manille.


This night of jazz will feature a presentation by writer/musician Remi Huppert and performance by the Butch Roxas Quintet. Joining Roxas on guitars in the quintet are guitarist Erskine Basilio, bassist Gerald Flores, pianist Ryan Villamor, drummer/percussionist Fernando Mendoza, guest vocalist Uela Basco.


Admission to the event is for free but registration through this link is required.

Monday, January 30, 2023

Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila to wrap up CCP Met Opera in HD Season 7


The Cultural Center of the Philippines, together with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc., and Ayala Malls Cinemas, present the finale of CCP Met Opera in HD Season 7 with the screening of Camille Saint-Saëns' Samson et Dalila on February 7, 2023, 5:30 PM at Greenbelt 3, Makati.

This new staging of Samson et Dalila, the first new Met production of the opera in 20 years reunites Elīna Garanča and Roberto Alagna in the title roles. Co-stars include Laurent Naouri as the High Priest of Dagon, Elchin Azizov as the Philistine king Abimélech, and bass Dmitry Belosselskiy as the Old Hebrew.


Tony Award–winning director Darko Tresnjak (A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder) makes his Met debut with this staging of this opera, the first new production in 20 years. Sir Mark Elder conducts the Metropolitan Opera Orchestra.


Tickets are priced at P450 each. Students and viewers 35 years and below can avail discounted tickets priced at P100 each.

Sunday, January 29, 2023

PPO to perform outreach concert at UP Los Baños


The Cultural Center of the Philippines' outreach programs continue with the return of Sunsets at Makiling featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra happening on February 3, 2023, 5:30 PM at the EB Copeland Gym, University of the Philippines Los Baños, Laguna.

The concert, conducted by PPO Associate Conductor Herminigildo Ranera, will also feature saxophonist Antonio Jesus Quilloy and soprano Pauline Therese Arejola.

Admission to the concert is for free with seats on a first come, first served basis. The performance will also be streamed live at the CCP's Facebook Page.

Saturday, January 28, 2023

Pianist Dingdong Fiel to perform Schubert at Manila Pianos


Time flies indeed as pianist Dingdong Fiel is set to perform already the second of his monthly solo recitals for 2023 happening on February 5, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom located at the Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

Billed as Intimate: The Music of Franz Schubert, this Manila Pianos Artist Series presentation sees Dingdong take on Franz Schubert's Six moments musicaux, D. 780 (Op. 94) and Four Impromptus, D. 899 (Op. 90).

Tickets are priced at P1000 each. Discounted tickets at P800 for PWDs and seniors, and P500 for students are also available. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

Wednesday, January 25, 2023

Japanese Film Festival 2023: Belle, a modern take on Beauty and the Beast in a virtual world

JFM Director Ben Suzuki, Japanese Embassy Minister
and DCM Kenichi Matsuda,
and Shangri-La Plaza Head of Operations Johnny Rios

After two online editions, the Japanese Film Festival 2023 finally made its comeback to cinemas last January 20, 2023 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Japan Foundation, Manila Director Ben Suzuki

The Japan Foundation, Manila pulled out all the stops at the opening cocktail reception at the Shang's Grand Atrium with the JFM Director Ben Suzuki, the Japanese Embassy's Minister and Deputy Chief of Mission Kenichi Matsuda, FDCP Chairperson and CEO Tirso Cruz III, Ozeki Corporation Asean Sales Representative Yukimura Sato, and Shangri-La Plaza Head of Operations Johnny Rios gracing the event and delivering welcome remarks.

Sayaw Hapon Sakura

A Nihon Buyo performance by Sayaw Hapon Sakura provided some entertainment for the guests as well as the mall goers. The opening reception was then followed by the screening of the opening film, Hosoda Mamoru's Belle (竜とそばかすの姫).

Show Suzuki

Belle/竜とそばかすの姫


This animated feature that debuted at the 2021 Cannes Film Festival is a modern take on the fairy tale Beauty and the Beast.

The film is about Suzu, a shy teenager who has been living inside her shell ever since her mother's tragic death when she was just six years old. In order to cope with her grief and upon the urging of her best friend, she signs up for "U", a popular virtual world.

Suzu's online alter ego is Belle, who becomes a massively popular singer in the online world. When one of Belle's concerts gets interrupted by a mysterious Beast, Suzu sets out on a quest to find out who the Beast really is. But in order to uncover his identity, she also needs to uncover her own.

Visually stunning, Belle is a movie for the online generation, heightened further by the pandemic when lockdowns made online interactions the norm. It also underlines the importance of letting emotions out in the open especially in the real world.

Yojiro Tanaka, Kenichi Matsuda, Johnny Rios, Tirso Cruz III, Ben Suzuki,
Yukimura Sato, and Show Suzuki

The Japanese Film Festival 2023 runs until February 3, 2023 at the Red Carpet Shangri-La Mall.


Here is the schedule of screenings at select SM Cinemas this January 27-31, 2023.

SM City Baguio

January 27, 2023
1:00 PM Blue
4:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
7:00 PM Belle
9:00 PM Inu-Oh

January 28, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Intolerance
7:00 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM Belle

January 29, 2023
1:00 PM Belle
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
7:00 PM Blue
9:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

January 30, 2023
1:00 PM Inu-Oh
4:00 PM Belle
7:00 PM In the Wake
9:00 PM Intolerance

January 31, 2023
1:00 PM Blue Thermal
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
7:00 PM Blue
9:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

SM Seaside Cebu

January 27, 2023
1:00 PM Every Day a Good Day
4:00 PM Intolerance
7:00 PM Belle
9:00 PM Blue

January 28, 2023
1:00 PM Lesson in Murder
4:00 PM Every Day a Good Day
7:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
9:00 PM Belle

January 29, 2023
1:00 PM Blue Thermal
4:00 PM Belle
7:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
9:00 PM In the Wake

January 30, 2023
1:00 PM Inu-Oh
4:00 PM Intolerance
7:00 PM Belle
9:00 PM Blue

January 31, 2023
1:00 PM Lesson in Murder
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
7:00 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Blue Thermal

SM City Davao

January 27, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
7:00 PM Belle
9:00 PM Blue Thermal

January 28, 2023
1:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
4:00 PM Every Day a Good Day
7:00 PM Lesson in Murder
9:00 PM Belle

January 29, 2023
1:00 PM Blue
4:00 PM Belle
7:00 PM Intolerance
9:00 PM Inu-Oh

January 30, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
7:00 PM Belle
9:00 PM Blue Thermal

January 31, 2023
1:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
4:00 PM Every Day a Good Day
7:00 PM Lesson in Murder
9:00 PM Intolerance

FDCP Chair and CEO Tirso Cruz III

Here is the schedule for the FDCP Cinematheques.

Manila
January 28, 2023
4:00 PM Intolerance
January 29, 2023
4:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

Negros
January 28, 2023
4:00 PM Blue
January 29, 2023
4:00 PM Inu-Oh

Iloilo
January 28, 2023
4:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
January 29, 2023
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder

Nabunturan
January 28, 2023
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
January 29, 2023
4:00 PM Blue

Davao
January 27, 2023
6:30 PM Intolerance
January 28, 2023
4:00 PM Inu-Oh
January 29, 2023
4:00 PM Inu-Oh

Tuesday, January 24, 2023

Pasinaya returns, to be held at CCP Complex outdoor venues


The Cultural Center of the Philippines recently announced the return of Pasinaya, the country's largest multi-arts festival, scheduled this February 3-5, 2023 at various venues at the CCP Complex along Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.

With the theme of Piglas Sining, this year's Pasinaya will break out from the CCP Main Building which is currently under major rehabilitation. The festival, the first to be held on-site since 2019, will take place at the CCP Complex's different outdoor venues such as the CCP Front Lawn, Liwasang Kalikasan, parade ground of Vicente Sotto Street, as well as the newly unboxed Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez and its surroundings.

Admission to the Pasinaya remains the same with just a minimum suggested donation of P50 although a higher price is highly welcomed. With this experience-all-you-can, pay-what-you-can scheme, participants can attend half hour workshops of various art disciplines, watch performances, and or go museum hopping.

The Pasinaya begins on February 3, 2023 with the Pagtitipon, an invitational gathering of the Kaisa sa Sining (KSS) regional partners. There are currently 59 regional partners from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao in the KSS network, with three new partners set to join this year.

On February 4-5, 2023 will be the Palihan and Palabas which will be kicked off by a parade and a special program at the CCP Front Lawn. In Palihan, audiences can join the different workshops while in Palabas, they can watch performances by various groups led by the CCP resident companies. There will also be the Paseo Museo where Pasinaya participants can visit partner museums, galleries, and art spaces via the shuttle vans available during the festival.

Detailed schedule of workshops and performances as well as the participating art/performing groups and partner museums/galleries/art spaces will be released at a later date.

Sunday, January 22, 2023

Clarinetist Herald Sison, pianist Dingdong Fiel reunite in recital at Manila Pianos


Clarinetist Herald Sison and pianist Dingdong Fiel teams up once again for Manila Pianos Artist Series' The Romantic Clarinet happening on January 29, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom located at the Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

The two first paired up back in 2022 in Manila Pianos Artist Series' Beginnings which was shown online. For their return engagement, the two will perform Johannes Brahms' Clarinet Sonata in E-flat Major, Op. 120 No 2 and Carl Maria von Weber's Grand Duo Concertant, Opus 48, J204.

Tickets are priced at P800. Discounted tickets at P500 are available for seniors, PWDs, students, and teachers. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

Thursday, January 19, 2023

Pianist Albert Tiu, conductor Shizuo Kuwahara in PPO January concert at the Met


The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra welcomes back pianist Albert Tiu in the fifth concert of its 38th season on January 27, 2023, 8:00 PM at the Metropolitan Theater.

The concert also sees Japanese-American conductor Shizuo Kuwahara leading the orchestra. He is the fourth of the five conductors shortlisted gunning for the position of the PPO Music Director/Principal Conductor. Kuwahara is the First Prize winner of the Georg Solti International Conductors’ Competition in Frankfurt, Germany and principal guest conductor of The Mariinsky Theatre, Russia.

Tiu, recently promoted to Head of Piano Studies at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, National University of Singapore, last performed with the PPO back in the the orchestra's opening concert of its 32nd season back in 2014.

The evening's program will include Antonino Buenaventura's Mindanao Sketches, Sergei Prokofiev's Piano Concerto No. 1 in D-flat major, Op. 10, Alexander Borodin's Polovtsian Dances from Prince Igor, and Igor Stravinsky's Firebird Suite (1919).

Tuesday, January 17, 2023

Manila Pianos presents violinist Jose Benjamin Caaway, pianist Dingdong Fiel in recital


Manila Piano Artist Series presents violinist Jose Benjamin Caaway and pianist Dingdong Fiel in an evening of violin sonatas on January 22, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

Billed as Éclat, the recital will feature performances of violin sonatas by Gabriel Faure, Claude Debussy, and Maurice Ravel.

Tickets are priced at P800. Discounted tickets at P500 are available for seniors, PWDs, students, and teachers. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

Opera gala concert for MSO's 97th anniversary


The Manila Symphony Orchestra ushers in the new year with Opera Gala: The MSO's 97th Anniversary Celebration on January 22, 2023, 8:00 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit, Makati.

The gala sees the MSO, under the baton of Marlon Chen, perform with some of the country's leading opera singers namely sopranos Rachelle Gerodias and Bianca Lopez-Aguila, baritone Byeong In Park, tenor Ivan Niccolo Nery, as well as the Philippine Vocal Ensemble.

The program includes pieces from Gioachino Rossini's the Barber of Seville and La Cenerentola; Gaetano Donizetti's L'elisir d'amore; Vincenzo Bellini's Norma; Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Così fan tutte; Giaccomo Puccini's Manon Lescaut, Tosca, and Turandot; Giuseppe Verdi's Nabucco, La Traviata, La forza del destino, and Otello; and Umberto Giordano's Andrea Chénier.

Tickets to Opera Gala: The MSO's 97th Anniversary Celebration are available at TicketWorld.

Sunday, January 15, 2023

Tenor Kevin Gomez's send off concert at Manila Pianos


Manila Pianos Artist Series presents tenor Kevin Gomez and pianist Gabriel Paguirigan in Of Songs & Arias, a vocal recital happening on January 21, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom, Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

The concert serves as a send off for Kevin Guzman as he is set to leave on February 2023 to Australia to take up Master of Music Studies, Major in Opera Performance at the Queensland Conservatorium, in Brisbane.

To be performed are art songs by Robert Schumann, Roger Quilter, Franz Schubert, Henri Duparc, and Richard Strauss as well as arias from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Don Giovanni, Gaetano Donizetti's L'Elisir d'amore, Christoph Willibald von Gluck Paride ed Elena, Édouard Lalo's Le Roy d'Ys, and Giuseppe Verdi's Rigoletto.

Tickets are priced at P800. Discounted tickets at P500 are available for seniors, PWDs, students, and teachers. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

Saturday, January 14, 2023

Philippine Madrigal Singers perform at outreach concert at Lipa Cathedral


The Cultural Center of the Philippines, in cooperation with the City Government of Lipa, Batangas, presents the Philippine Madrigal Singers in concert on January 18, 2023, 7:00 PM at the Metropolitan Cathedral of Saint Sebastian, Lipa City.

Led by choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio, the Madz will be joined in this concert by crossover violinist Jobry Cimafranca.

Tickets are free and are open to the public. The concert will also be live-streamed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Facebook page.

This performance of the Philippine Madrigal Singers at Lipa City is part of the outreach program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines that aims to cultivate and enhance public interest and appreciation for the arts and culture, bringing them closer to the people, especially to the regions.

Friday, January 13, 2023

Japanese Film Festival 2023 brings 10 films to the big screen


Back in 2019, the Japan Foundation, Manila's announced the rebranding of its beloved, long running film festival Eiga Sai into the simply titled Japanese Film Festival that was set to make its grand debut in mid-2020. But the COVID-19 pandemic has put a damper on on-site events everywhere and the JFF had to make do with online editions in 2020 (excepting a couple of outdoor screenings) and 2022, as well as a short encore run in 2021.

Finally, everything is set for the Japanese Film Festival 2023 to return to the big screen with a selection of 10 films headlined by the animated feature Belle (竜とそばかすの姫). Directed by Hosoda Mamoru, this film made a splash when it received a 14-minute standing ovation during its world premiere at the Cannes Film Festival back in 2021.

Other films in this year's lineup include And So the Baton is Passed (そして、バトンは渡された) by Maeda Tetsu, Anime Supremacy! (ハケンアニメ!) by Kohei Yoshino, Blue (ブルー) by Yoshida Keisuke, Blue Thermal (ブルーサーマル) by Tachibana Masaki, Every Day a Good Day (日日是好日) by Tatsushi Omori, In the Wake (護られなかった者たちへ) by Takahisa Zeze, Intolerance (空白) by Yoshida Keisuke, Inu-Oh (犬王) by Yuasa Masaaki, and Lesson in Murder (死刑にいたる病) by Shiraishi Kazuya.

Show Suzuki, JFM Director Ben Suzuki, Shang Properties EVP Joy Polloso,
and JFM Deputy Director Yojiro Tanaka

The first wave of screenings will be from January 21, 2023 up to February 3, 2023 at the Shangri-La Plaza Mall's Red Carpet. Film buffs outside Metro Manila can catch the films at SM City Baguio, SM Seaside Cebu, and SM City Davao on January 27-31, 2023. Other screening venues include the FDCP Cinematheques in Manila, Negros Iloilo, Davao, and Nabunturan on January 28-29, 2023. The JFF wraps up at the UP Cine Adarna on February 17-22, 2023

Tickets for the festival are priced at P100 per screening. For more information, visit the Japanese Film Festival 2023 website.

Here are the details of the films at the Japanese Film Festival 2023.

And So the Baton is Passed/そして、バトンは渡された (2021)


Director: Maeda Tetsu
Cast: Nagano Mei, Ishihara Satomi

Miitan was raised by her stepmother Rika, and Yuko lives with her gourmand stepfather. The relationships in their families are completely different but conceal a huge secret …

This drama intertwines the process of Yuko and Miitan’s maturation with mysterious Rika’s story to deliver a deeply moving denouement. The story is based on a bestseller that won the grand prize selected by Japan’s booksellers. Nagano Mei (Yuko) and Ishihara Satomi (Rika) are among Japan’s most popular actresses.

Anime Supremacy!/ハケンアニメ!(2022)


Director: Kohei Yoshino
Cast: Riho Yoshioka, Tomoya Nakamura

Hitomi switched careers to join an animation production company, where she spends years working her way up the ladder and finally gets to direct an anime series. However, she has to win the cooperation of stubborn craftsman-like staff to create an anime to her satisfaction. Moreover, the producer is focused on the bottom line and cuts no slack for newbie Hitomi. Plus, her anime occupies the same time slot as the hotly anticipated new anime from Chiharu, a revered genius director. Hitomi feels crushed by the pressure, but the seemingly confident Chiharu also feels the weight of everyone’s expectations.

Belle/竜とそばかすの姫 (2021)


Director: Hosoda Mamoru
Cast: Nakamura Kaho, Satoh Takeru

Suzu is a shy, everyday high school student living in a rural village. For years, she has only been a shadow of herself. But when she enters “U”, a massive virtual world, she escapes into her online persona as Belle, a gorgeous and globally-beloved singer. One day, her concert is interrupted by a monstrous creature chased by vigilantes. As their hunt escalates, Suzu embarks on an emotional and epic quest to uncover the identity of this mysterious “beast” and to discover her true self in a world where you can be anyone.

Blue/ブルー (2021)


Director: Yoshida Keisuke
Cast: Matsuyama Kenichi, Kimura Fumino, Emoto Tokio

Urita has a profound love of boxing but lacks talent. Kazuki is his underling who has a shot at the title match, and Chika is Urita’s childhood friend who dates Kazuki. Their emotions remain hidden away as the big fight approaches…

This drama uses the unforgiving sport of boxing to cast a kind gaze on human life that has no clear winner. Yoshida Keisuke’s splendid direction exudes emotions that are kept hidden, and audiences will undoubtedly be profoundly moved by Urita’s emotional state as portrayed by the famed young actor Matsuyama Kenichi.

Blue Thermal/ブルーサーマル (2022)


Director: Tachibana Masaki
Cast: Hotta Mayu, Enoki Junya, Shimazaki Nobunaga

College student Tamaki unexpectedly becomes enthralled by competitive gliding and displays surprising talent. Can she lead her university to victory in the upcoming competition? And will her relationship with the upperclassman she admires move forward?

This coming-of-age animation portrays college students enthralled by the world of gliding and ascension. Audiences relates to the heroine as she matures while struggling with relationships. Notable for visuals saturated with beauty and openness that enable viewers to share with the protagonists the thrills and pleasures of flying.

Every Day a Good Day/日日是好日 (2018)


Director: Tatsushi Omori
Cast: Haru Kuroki, Kilin Kiki, Mikako Tabe

Nearing the end of university, Noriko is not having much luck finding either herself or a job when her mother suddenly suggests she study tea ceremony. Noriko is cool to the idea, but her cousin Michiko likes it and suggests they both go. Nearby lives Mrs. Takeda, a tea ceremony teacher who, as people say, is not ‘your ordinary old lady.’

In the following years Noriko drifts from job to job, loses a boyfriend and then her father. The only constant in her life is the tea ceremony, in whose tightly prescribed movements and rhythms she eventually finds a unique sense of freedom.

In the Wake/護られなかった者たちへ (2021)


Director: Takahisa Zeze
Cast: Satoh Takeru, Abe Hiroshi

Nine years after the Great East Japan Earthquake, grisly murders occur in the urban area of Miyagi Prefecture, where victims are tied up and left to starve. The victims all had reputations for being good men, men of integrity. Seiichiro Tomashino (Abe Hiroshi), from the First Investigation Division of Miyagi Prefectural Police, uncovers common ground between the two murders. Meanwhile, Yasuhisa Tone (Satoh Takeru), surfaces as a suspect in the investigation. Tone, who had been serving time for committing arson and assault while trying to help out a friend, was a model prisoner who had just been released. While police are unable to find conclusive evidence to implicate him, a third murder occurs.

Intolerance/空白 (2021)


Director: Yoshida Keisuke
Cast: Furuta Arata, Matsuzaka Tori

A junior high school student is suspected of shoplifting and flees the store, but she gets hit by a car and dies. Her short-tempered father is outraged and terrorizes the school and grocery store manager. Soon everyone involved in the accident is pushed to the edge…

The film captivates viewers with surprising plot developments and intricate portrayals of the behavior and psychology of people caught in extreme situations. This unusual drama deals with questions of absolution and spiritual restitution. Popular stage actor Furuta Arata and leading young actor Matsuzaka Tori deliver credible performances.

Inu-Oh/犬王 (2021)


Director: Yuasa Masaaki
Cast: Avu-chan, Mirai Moriyama, Tasuku Emoto

Traditional musicians used songs to pass down the tale of the warfare that once divided Japan. In the 14th century those songs become fated for censorship when the government puts their official history in order. Blind musician Tomona has a fateful encounter with Inu-oh, the dancer with unique physical characteristics, and they electrify the populace with their radically new music and dance.

This animation uses bold concepts and beautiful visuals to portray the birth of a traditional Japanese performing art. Director Yuasa Masaaki conceived of the medieval hero entertainers as rock stars and is himself one of Japan’s leading artists.

Lesson in Murder/死刑にいたる病 (2022)


Director: Shiraishi Kazuya
Cast: Abe Sadawo, Okada Kenshi

A serial killer acknowledges his crimes but says one of the murders was not his own and asks a young man to investigate. For him, the man was a kindly figure…

In this shocking thriller, a young man who can’t turn a blind eye on a killer uncovers even bigger riddles. Abe Sadawo portrays the murderous fiend with versatility that spans comedy to serious drama. Okada Kenshi is a rising star. Director Shiraishi Kazuya is acclaimed for his unflinching portrayals of emotional darkness.

Here is the JFF 2023 screening schedule at Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

January 21, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day 
9:00 PM Lesson in Murder

January 22, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM Blue Thermal

January 23 ,2023
1:00 PM Intolerance
4:00 PM Belle
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Anime Supremacy!

January 24, 2023
1:00 PM Blue
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM In the Wake

January 25, 2023
1:00 PM Blue
4:00 PM Intolerance
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM Belle

January 26, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day 
9:00 PM Blue

January 27, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM Intolerance

January 28, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM Belle

January 29, 2023
1:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM And so the Baton is Passed

January 30, 2023
1:00 PM In the Wake
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

January 31, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Blue Thermal
9:00 PM Belle

February 1, 2023
1:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
4:00 PM Blue
6:45 PM Inu-Oh
9:00 PM Lesson in Murder

February 2, 2023
1:00 PM Lesson in Murder
4:00 PM Anime Supremacy!
6:45 PM Every Day a Good Day
9:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed

February 3, 2023
1:00 PM And So the Baton is Passed
4:00 PM Lesson in Murder
6:45 PM Every Day is a Good Day
9:00 PM Anime Supremacy!


The JFF 2023 will also feature a side event, a workshop on Wagashi, the traditional Japanese sweets, inspired by one of the films included in the festival namely Every Day a Good Day.

The workshops, facilitated by wagashi master Momoko Takai, will be held over two days. On January 21, 2023, a nerikiri workshop will have two sessions, at 11:00 AM and 3:00 PM, at the Shangri-La Plaza Atrium. Interested participants can register for limited slots over at the Japanese Film Festival website. Observers who want to see the workshops are still welcome. On January 22, 2023, 11:30 AM, an online daifuku workshop will be streamed over at the JFM Instagram Live page.

PPO to perform at Jaro Plaza Gym on January 14


The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra adds another performance in celebration of the Dinagyang Festival this January 14, 2023, 7:00 PM at the Jaro Plaza Gym.

The PPO, conducted by Herminigildo Ranera will be joined by the Nightingales, tenor Jomel Garcia, soprano Amabelle Pamocol Castro, and local artists from Iloilo.

Admission to the concert is for free and open to the public. The event will also be live streamed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Facebook page.

Tuesday, January 10, 2023

Manila Pianos Artist Series presents violinist Leila Neynes, cellist John Paolo Anorico, and pianist Brian Berino in recital


The Manila Pianos Artist Series presents violinist Leila Neynes, cellist John Paolo Anorico, and pianist Brian Berino in Synergy, a chamber music recital happening on January 15, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom located at Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

This recital features solo and duo performances of Impromptu G flat Major Op. 90 No. 3 D 899 by Franz Schubert, the Allegro from Violin Sonata No. 5 in F major, Op. 24 "Spring" by Ludwig van Beethoven, Le cygne/The Swan from Carnival of the Animals by Camille Saint-Saëns, Caprice No. 1, Op. 25 by Alfredo Piatti, Caprice No. 2 in A minor, Op. 22 by Pierre Rode, Concert Étude Op. 40, No. 3 "Toccatina" by Nikolai Kapustin, and Oblivion by Astor Piazzolla.

The recital will be capped by a performance of Felix Mendelssohn's Piano Trio No. 1 in D minor, Op. 49.

Tickets are priced at P800. Discounted tickets at P500 are available for seniors, PWDs, and students. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

PPO to perform in Guimaras and Iloilo


The Cultural Center of the Philippines brings the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra on tour in Guimaras and Iloilo to kick off 2023.

Under the baton of Associate Conductor Herminigildo Ranera, the PPO will perform a couple of outreach concerts first at the Guimaras Museum on January 11, 2023, 7:00 PM. Then on January 13, 2023, 6;30 PM, the PPO presents the Dinagyang Opening Salvo Concert at the Iloilo Convention Center as one of the opening events of the festival


The PPO will also be joined by The Nightingales, a soprano duo, in this tour. The Iloilo concert will see performances by tenor Jomel Garcia and soprano Amabelle Pamocol Castro.

Music to be performed will include classical favorites, selections from film and musical theater, kundiman, OPM, and a whole lot more.

Tickets are free and open to the public for both concerts. The performances will also be live streamed at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Facebook page.

Wednesday, January 04, 2023

Manila Pianos Artist Series launches 2023 season; Dingdong Fiel to hold monthly solo piano recitals


Manila Pianos Artist Series opens its 2023 season with a solo piano recital by Dingdong Fiel happening on January 8, 2023, 6:00 PM at the Manila Pianos Showroom located in Paseo de Magallanes, Makati.

Billed as First, this solo recital will feature piano sonatas by composers Nikolai Medtner and Sergei Rachmaninoff. This performance marks the first of Dingdong's 12 monthly solo recitals for 2023 featuring piano pieces that he has never performed publicly before.

Tickets are priced at P1000 each with senior, PWD, and student discounts available. Reservations can be made via GCash payment to 0917-4158876 under the name of Richard S. After paying, send confirmation, along with payer's name and number of tickets to the same number. Reserved tickets can be claimed at the gate on the day of the performance.

Monday, January 02, 2023

CCP Met Opera in HD screens Donizetti's La fille du régiment at Greenbelt 3 cinema


Ring in the New Year with a vocal firework display of high Cs as the CCP Met Opera in HD presents Gaetano Donizetti’s La fille du régiment screening on January 10, 2023, 5:30 PM at Greenbelt 3, Ayala Malls Cinemas in Makati.


Catch a rare encore performance at the Metropolitan Opera by tenor Javier Camarena, singing Tonio's explosive aria Ah! Mes amis … Pour mon âme that features nine high Cs. The subsequent encore brings the total of high Cs to 18. Camarena stars alongside soprano Pretty Yende as the titular "Daughter of the Regiment" Marie.


Rounding up the leads are baritone Maurizio Muraro singing Sergeant Sulplice, mezzosoprano Stephanie Blythe as the Marquise of Berkenfield, with award-winning actress Kathleen Turner making a cameo appearance as the Duchess of Krakenthorp. Enrique Mazzola conducts this production by Laurent Pelly.


The CCP Met Opera in HD, now on its seventh season, is a special program of the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division, Production and Exhibition Department, in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc. and Ayala Malls Cinemas.