RAd's Page Turners: White Noise by Don DeLillo

Back in December last year, I decided to get White Noise by Don DeLillo done and over with as it has been on my to be read pile even before the pandemic began. Because of the holiday distractions that came along with that time of the year, I plowed through it at a glacial pace. I somehow neglected the book altogether as the plot picked up with the black cloud just about to threaten the lives of Jack Gladney, his family and the rest of the college town.

An unfinished book bothers me so here I am, more than half a year later, attempting to read it again. And it's only recently that I learned that the novel has been adapted into a film. Yeah, how can I miss news about it? Directed by Noah Baumbach and starring Adam Driver, Greta Gerwig, and Don Cheadle, the film adaptation of White Noise is available to view over at Netflix. Nothing motivates me more to finish a book than a film adaptation already waiting at the sidelines.

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White Noise by Don DeLillo

https://amzn.to/3U4SxBf

White Noise tells the story of Jack Gladney, his fourth wife, Babette, and four ultra­modern offspring as they navigate the rocky passages of family life to the background babble of brand-name consumerism. When an industrial accident unleashes an “airborne toxic event,” a lethal black chemical cloud floats over their lives. The menacing cloud is a more urgent and visible version of the “white noise” engulfing the Gladneys—radio transmissions, sirens, microwaves, ultrasonic appliances, and TV murmurings—pulsing with life, yet suggesting something ominous.

Instituto Cervantes’ Día del Libro: Celebrating the Passion for Books at Ayala Triangle on April 26

To celebrate the World Book Day, on Saturday April 26, 2025, from 9 am to 11 pm, Instituto Cervantes de Manila, together with the Embassy of Spain, and the collaboration of Ayala Land and Make it Makati, invite visitors to the Ayala Triangle Gardens for the iconic Día del Libro, an exciting whole-day event jam-packed with a variety of activities that promote the joy of reading.

From fiction to non-fiction, poetry to prose, thousands of books will be up for grabs at the Ayala Triangle. The Día del Libro will feature Manila’s top bookstores and publishing houses, that will be selling a wide array of books at a 20% discount. Following the tradition in Spain, each book purchase will come with a free rose. Apart from the book market, visitors to the Día del Libro will get to join poetry recitals, free Spanish classes, book presentations, book signings, street art, games, exhibits, storytelling sessions, Spanish food, fun activities for the children, as well as a very authentic Flamenco show. Check out the complete program at https://manila.cervantes.es/es/cultura_espanol/calendario_dia_libro_2025.htm.

Among the activities of Día del Libro 2025, a classic stands out: Escribo el Quijote. Like every year, to commemorate the Day of Miguel de Cervantes, Instituto Cervantes is challenging visitors to join a Quixotic attempt: to handwrite the classic novel Don Quixote de La Mancha --an initiative which Instituto Cervantes started just a decade ago. The final hand-written book will be deposited in the Library of Instituto Cervantes. The activity will begin at 9:00 am. No prior registration will be required. Participants in the handwriting chain will receive a rose.

Día del Libro will officially open at 9:00 am with a special inauguration led by H. E. Miguel Utray, Ambassador of Spain to the Philippines, marking the official opening of this year’s celebration. Following the inauguration, slam poet Toni Panagu will take the stage for a moving spoken word poetry performance, setting a reflective and inspiring tone for the day’s festivities.

At 9:30 am, Vibal Group will present the workshop “Amor: Writing the New Adult Romance”, conducted by author Mina V. Esguerra. In it, Esguerra will discuss her career as a popular writer of romance stories a and her tips on how to write romance novels.

On Día del Libro, children will take center stage. They will get to enjoy a story telling at 10:15 am. The story, “El cartero simpático”, is about a mailman who delivers letters to famous characters such as Cinderella, the Three Bears, and the Big Bad Wolf.

From 11am, Spanish language learners will have the chance to take part in an Universitarian Yincana specially designed for university students across Manila. This event will include activities such as dance, live music, quizzes, poetry creation, and more. Thanks to the collaboration of local university departments, this initiative seeks to go beyond fun and entertainment — aiming to build a strong, engaged community of university students who are learning Spanish in the city. Participants will not only practice their language skills in a playful context but also connect with fellow learners from other campuses.

Through the Poetry Recital, Instituto Cervantes is inviting poetry lovers to recite verses written in Spanish. The recital will be compiled in a video that will be posted in Instituto Cervantes Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/InstitutoCervantesManila. Interested poetry aficionados must sign up here: https://forms.office.com/e/cgZtbYb7C5

For those interested in art, Instituto Cervantes is presenting the space Dibujo Makati, where Urban Sketchers Manila will display their works on the Día del Libro and conduct a workshop on sketching.

At 1:00 pm, Instituto Cervantes will have “The Writing Revolution”, a workshop on the history of the written language, at the end of which participants will get to write their name on clay in cuneiform style, in hieroglyphics on papyrus, in Greek or Latin on parchment paper, and in baybayin on palm leaf.

As one of the perks of Día del Libro, Instituto Cervantes will offer a free Spanish class for beginners at 2pm.

As gastronomy is a key aspect of culture, visitors to Día del Libro will have the opportunity to learn how to cook paella, an internationally renowned culinary delight, with one of Manila's best chefs in Barcino's delicious demo: “How to Cook a Great Paella.” Savor the intensity of Spain's flavors and surprise your friends with a delicious paella.

Book lovers will also have the chance to attend book presentations organized by some publishers. In addition, thanks to the collaboration of publishing houses, visitors will have the opportunity to meet writers who will be signing their works. Authors like Ambeth Ocampo, Anthony Shieh, Kenneth Yu, Laurel Flores Fantauzzo, Ninotchka Rosca, and Yvette Tan will be signing at the booth of Anvil Publishing. Alice Sun-Cua will be signing at Sirena Books. Charlson Ong, Kannika Claudine Peña, Wilfredo Liangco and Sanny Villafranca will sign copies of his works at the Milflores Publishing booth. Ricky Lee, Derald Lico, Yvette Tan will be signing at FEU. Jonathan Best will be signing at Ortigas Foundation. Please check the schedule at https://www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila

Flamenco

At 7 pm, catch the special show Flamenco Pasión, a musical extravaganza featuring Flamenco legend Tito Losada, a gypsy guitarist of the purest flamenco, accompanied by singer Marta Heredia, and dancers Daniela Ramos, and Lucía González. Earlier in the day, Tito Losada will conduct a free Flamenco Guitar Masterclass addressed to Advanced Guitar players. Interested in joining the masterclass must sign up through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/qKUwWFPWNE

To cap off the evening, Instituto Cervantes will close Día del Libro 2025 with a live concert by the leading Filipino rock band Yah Bles, from 9:00pm.

Whether you're a lifelong reader or just discovering the joy of books, the Día del Libro 2025 at the Instituto Cervantes de Manila is a day to celebrate the power of words to connect us with each other and to the world around us.

Día del Libro 2025 is organized by Instituto Cervantes de Manila, in collaboration with the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines, AECID, Ayala Corporation, Ayala Land, Make it Makati, the PTC Group, Acciona, Vibal Foundation, NCCA, NBDB, Fundador, Terry Selection, Barcino, Las Flores, and the embassies of Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Mexico, Panamá, and Venezuela, the Conservatory of Music of the University of Santo Tomas, Ateneo University Press, FEU Publishing House, Milflores, Anvil, Ortigas Foundation, The Indie Publishers Collab PH, Biblio, Circle of Chabacano Dreams, Fundación Santiago, Everything’s Fine, Kahel Press, Komiket, Señor Papa, Urban Sketchers Manila, Romanceclass Books, Tawid Publications, Sirena Books, Piefke, Abiva, Avenida Books, and the best Manila bookstores.

Admission to all Día del Libro activities is FREE on a FIRST-COME, FIRST-SERVED basis.

For more information about Instituto Cervantes de Manila’s Día del Libro 2025, visit the pages https://manila.cervantes.es/es/cultura_espanol/calendario_dia_libro_2025.htm or www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila.

Prinsipe Bahaghari, puppet theater play adaption of The Little Prince lands rerun at Power Mac Center, Circuit Makati

Back in November 2023, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas' Prinsipe Bahaghari, a puppet theater adaptation of Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's The Little Prince made waves in the theater scene during its brief two weekend run at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo.

And just like the beloved classic novella it was based on, Prinsipe Bahaghari is primed to be a perennial theater production as it greets the new year with a return engagement this January 19- 21 and 26-28, 2024 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit, Makati.

Below is the press release for Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas' Prinsipe Bahaghari.

TAKE A FLIGHT WITH THE FILIPINO LITTLE PRINCE, PRINSIPE BAHAGHARI, IN 2024

After being recognized as one of the Best of Filipino Theaters in 2023, Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas’ Prinsipe Bahaghari is set to land at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati, on January 19- 21 and 26-28, 2024.

Prinsipe Bahaghari is the Filipino puppetry adaptation of the well-loved modern classic The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. The puppet play revolves around the journey of the Rainbow Prince in search of a companion who would help him care for his flower, the Gumamela, and keep her safe on his home planet. During his quest, he meets several extraordinary characters and makes a friend, the Storyteller, with whom he shares his joys and hardships. Prinsipe Bahaghari’s encounters ultimately led to his realization of what his relationship with the flower meant to him.

This adaptation celebrates Filipino culture, myths, and language to make the play accessible, especially to children. The puppets are made from rattan while local materials were also used in production.

“The use of the Filipino language and stories are drawn from the experiences of our people to narrate the magic and challenges of growing up, of the many ways of taking care of this world, of faith in different forms of love within and beyond the reach of the physical senses,” shared playwright Vladimeir Gonzales.

The production has received recognition and noteworthy reviews since its first iteration as a thesis project by director Aina Ramolete. It first premiered in November 2023 at the Amelia Lapeña-Bonifacio Teatro Papet Museo. It was also featured during the 14th Annual Meeting and International Conference of the Asian Theatre Working Group in March 2022 in Quezon City, Philippines, and at the Puppet Power 2022: Celebration! In May 2022 in Calgary, Canada.

The production was also one of the six finalists from across the globe in The Red Curtain International’s Good Theatre Festival for Young Audiences held on September 24 and 25, 2022, in India, where the play was recognized by the international jury and received Best Direction (Joint Winner) for Ramolete, Best Production, Best Production Design, and an honorable mention for Best Script for Gonzales.

The artistic and production teams behind this magical production include: Vladimeir Gonzales (Playwright), Aina Ramolete (Director, Illustrator, and Overall Production Designer), Amihan Bonifacio-Ramolete (Producer and Assistant Director), Steven Tansiongco (Graphics and Video Designer), Ohm David (Set Designer), Arvy Dimaculangan (Music and Sound Designer), Jessamae Gabon (Music Composer), Darwin Desoacido (Costume Designer), Gabo Tolentino (Lights Designer), Sig Pecho (Additional Shadow Puppet Designer and Publicity Manager), Clariz Caingat (Character Illustrator), Shenn Apilado (Technical Director), Shania Lee Cuerpo (Stage Manager), and Joshua Ceasar Chan (Production Manager).

Catch this award-winning puppetry theater play Prinsipe Bahaghari on January 19, 20, 26, and 27, 2024 at 7:38 pm, with matinee shows on January 21 and 28, 2024 at 3:38 pm, at Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. Tickets are available at https://ticket2me.net/event/21496.

Prinsipe Bahaghari will also go on an outreach run in Palawan on February 23, as part of the outreach program of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For inquiries, partnerships, and collaborations, please email at mulat45yrs@gmail.com. Follow Teatrong Mulat ng Pilipinas on Facebook and Instagram (@mulatpuppets). Connect with the hashtag #TMPPrinsipeBahaghari.

RAd's Page Turners | The Little Prince

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The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry

https://amzn.to/3vlT3Sl

Now with the restored original artwork, the beloved classic story of a young prince's travels throughout space—a profound tale about loneliness and loss, and love and friendship.

A pilot crashes in the Sahara Desert and encounters a strange young boy who calls himself the Little Prince. The Little Prince has traveled there from his home on a lonely, distant asteroid with a single rose. The story that follows is a beautiful and at times heartbreaking meditation on human nature.

The Little Prince is one of the best-selling and most translated books of all time, universally cherished by children and adults alike, and Richard Howard's translation of the beloved classic beautifully reflects Saint-Exupéry's unique and gifted style, bringing the English text as close as possible to the French in language, style, and spirit. In this special edition, the artwork has been restored to match in detail and in color Saint-Exupéry's original artwork.

This definitive English-language edition of The Little Prince will capture the hearts of readers of all ages.

Of course there is also a Filipino translated edition available in local bookstores and sellers online. In fact, The Little Prince has been translated in about 565 languages and dialects with some languages having more than one translated edition.

Exploring Poland through music and literature

Ena Aldecoa, Zdzisław Łapiński, Maria Pomianowska,  and Tusa Montes

Whenever I think of music from Poland, composer Frédéric Chopin always comes to mind first followed by other classical music figures like Jan Paderewski, Henryk Wieniawski, Witold Lutosławski, and of late, Karol Szymanowski.

This is why it was a very welcome change that the Embassy of Poland brought folk music here when cellist Zdzisław Łapiński and folk musician Maria Pomianowska flew to Manila for a series of events as part of the festivities celebrating the 50th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Poland.

One of the highlights of the duo's visit was a an intimate concert held at the Manila Polo Club where they performed folk and traditional Polish music as well as compositions by Pomianowska herself.

All eyes and ears were with Pomianowska as she showcased two Polish fiddles namely, suka biłgorajska and fidela płocka. Having a more angular shape rather than curves and similar in size with a viola, and played upright like a cello but just placed on the lap like an ehru, these instruments were lost for centuries but she, along with her collaborators Prof. Ewa Dahlig-Turek and luthier Andrzej Kuczowski, were able to reconstruct them despite the lack of existing specimens.

Ena Aldecoa, Maria Pomianowska, Zdzisław Łapiński, and Tusa Montes

Hearing Pomianowska play her compositions with these instruments with Łapiński on the cello providing accompaniment was a treat to the ears as the music not only explored different textures but also featured touches influenced by Asian music.

Befitting an event celebrating the ties between the two countries, local artists, namely soprano Ena Maria Aldecoa and percussionist Tusa Montes joined their Polish counterparts on stage resulting in a music performance that was truly collaborative.

Apart from this performance, Łapiński and Pomianowska gave masterclasses, workshops, performed at other lecture/concerts, and participated in a discussion about the music ties between the Philippines and Poland. A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between the University of the Philippines and the Krzysztof Penderecki Academy of Music in Kraków to develop academic cooperation and promote mutual understanding.

A couple of days after the Manila Polo Club performance, the festivities of 50th Anniversary of the Diplomatic Relations between the Philippines and Poland reached its climax with yet another celebration, that of the National Day of Poland held at Fairmont Makati.

Embassy of Poland's Chargé d’Affaires Jarosław Szczepankiewicz reiterated in his speech the strong ties between the two countries. He then delighted the guests when he told in Filipino that the chicken galantina, a favorite dish served during feasts, and the mazurka folk dance (specifically Mazurka Boholana) have their origins in Poland.

H.E. Jarosław Szczepankiewicz, Usec Eduardo de Vera, and
Papal Nuncio Reverend Charles Brown 

In attendance at the reception were Eduardo de Vega, Undersecretary of the Department of Foreign Affairs, Reverend Charles Brown, Papal Nuncio to the Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, government employees, the Polish community in Manila, and some personalities in the world of business, media, and arts/culture as well.

Polish chefs ensured that the event would be a gastronomical feast showcasing the best of Polish cuisine. Good food is best paired with good drinks and the Zubrówka or Bison Grass Vodka was divine. Polish food products that are available in local groceries were also on display.

Suyo Rondalla Group

As with any celebration, music is always a highlight and the special guests that night was the Suyo Rondalla Group, coming all the way from Ilocos Sur.

RAd's Page Turners | Solaris

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As always, whenever I attend a national day celebration, I got compelled to read a novel by a Polish author to learn more about the country. But I am uncertain if reading Solaris by Stanisław Lem can help me at all to learn more about Poland since it takes place on a far away planet.

https://amzn.to/3QYrlCd

The science fiction novel is about a group of scientists in a research station studying the strange planet of Solaris, especially the ocean that covers almost the entirety of the planet. In their quest to find answers regarding the possible sentience of the ocean, the scientists instead get confronted by their inner, suppressed feelings manifested in human form, that is probably the work of the mysterious ocean itself. In the case of the lead protagonist Kelvin, he is visited by his ex-lover who has long been dead.

Solaris is a psychologically charged novel that has already been adapted into film twice, first by Andrei Tarkovsky in 1972, and then by Steven Soderbergh in 2002 that starred George Clooney

CCP Intertextual launches e-book on Filipino mothers’ experiences in time of Covid-19

With the year 2020 clearly defined by the Covid-19 pandemic, it is inevitable that literature coming out from this period will have the health crisis as its primary focus.

The Cultural Center of the Philippines through its Intertextual Division, is set to launch one such work, an e-book collection of pieces by Filipino mothers about their respective experiences during the pandemic.

Entitled In Certain Seasons: Mothers Write In The Time of COVID, this e-book will be launched on January 23, 2021, 2:00 PM, via the official Facebook pages of the CCP, CCP Intertextual Division, and the Philippine PEN.

The Filipino mother writers whose work are collected in the e-book are:

Kora Dandan Albano (Nanay)

Nikki Alfar (Surviving Ourselves)

Merlie Alunan (Pilgrim Heart)

Alma Anonas-Carpio (Pandemic Kitchen)

Lualhati Bautista (Usapang Rape)

Adelle Chua (Nest Never Empty)

Jhoanna Lynn B. Cruz (Some Terms of Reference for a Pandemic)

J. G. Dimaranan (Sa Wakas)

May Dolis (Ang Iyong Ama)

Heidi Emily Eusebio-Abad (Isang Panalangin)

Rowena P. Festin (Tanawin Mula sa Aking Bintana)

Geraldine Flores-Ingco (Braso ni Mercedes)

Christine V. Lao (Violin Practice)

Babeth Lolarga (Dreaming of When It's Over)

Maricel Padua Lopez (Sabay: Buhay-Guro, Buhay-Nanay)

Gina Lumauig (When Kindness Becomes Contagious)

Ruth Elynia Mabanglo (Pamamaalam)

Liwliwa Malabed (Mahal Kong Sampinit)

Princess Malonzo (Linggo)

Alma Cruz Miclat (Lola Love in the Pandemic)

Banaue Miclat-Janssen (Learning in the Time of Covid-19)

Aimee Morales (Mother Panawagan)

Reina Mae Nasino (Mensahe ng Pasasalamat at Panawagan)

Marot Nelmida-Flores (Life-Changing)

Eunice Barbara Novio (Yet, We Had Each Other)

Rica Paloma-Espiritu (Chicken Soup)

Mae Ann Reginaldo (Mga Lalaki sa Cubao sa Panahon ng Lockdown)

Rae Rival (Paliligo sa Bakuran)

Hope Sabanpan-Yu (The Garden is Always There)

Adelma Salvador (Bisikleta)

Anna Felicia C. Sanchez (Snapshots from the Pandemic Summer)

Aida F. Santos (Being a Mother in the Underground)

Heidi B. Sarno (Ponx Not Dead)

Lee Sepe (Sa Bawat Bukas)

Neni Sta. Romana-Cruz (Cocooning with No Complaints)

Eleanor Strata (Shelved)

Angela Stuart Santiago (Way to Live)

Almayrah A. Tiburon (Pagluluwal)

Mia Tijam (Directing Grace)

Winnie Velasquez (Takipsilim ni Granny Google)

Lalaine F. Yanilla-Aquino (Roller Coaster of Emotions, Blessings in Disguise, at Reversal of Roles).

Together with the Philippine PEN, the book project aims to understand the importance and the role of women, specifically mothers, and their literature during the global crisis, and promote the narratives of women who are mothers, highlighting that women can be both child-raisers and artists amid the struggles of being a parent.

In Certain Seasons: Mothers Write In The Time of COVID is edited by Che Sarigumba and Jenny Ortuoste and features a cover by Imelda Cajipe Endaya. The book also includes artworks by Imelda Morales, Jenny Ortuoste, Kora Dandan Albano and Chua Keng Keng – Lua.

A copy of the e-book can be availed for free by visiting the CCP Intertextual Division Facebook page, by sending an e-mail to ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com, or by texting 0919-317-5708.

Getting to know Leonardo da Vinci through his own words

Massimiliano Finazzer Flory and Lito Casaje

To commemorate the 500th anniversary of Leonardo da Vinci's death, several events under the banner Leonardo in Manila, were held  in various parts of Metro Manila highlighting the genius of the Renaissance man. Headlining these events (that included a cook off, dinner lectures, film screenings, and a masterclass/workshop) was the play Being Leonardo da Vinci, An Impossible Interview that was staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

For these events, presented by the Philippine-Italian Association, Embassy of Italy, Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, writer/actor/director Massimiliano Finazzer Flory flew to Manila to present the films, conduct the masterclass/workshop, and to star in the play as the Renaissance Man himself. Co-star Lito Casaje acted as the Journalist who seemingly went through a time portal of sorts for him to encounter Leonardo da Vinci in person for a once in a lifetime interview.

Finazzer Flory, brought Leonardo da Vinci to life through makeup and costume, answered a myriad of questions from the Journalist with da Vinci's own words taken from his various notebooks. The questions went through a range of topics, from art, science, nature, music, religion, etc. that it was difficult to keep track of how them without the luxury of recording the interview or at least taking down notes.

All of da Vinci's dialogue was taken directly from his writings which was from the Renaissance era making it hard even for a native, contemporary Italian speaker to comprehend immediately. Some of his responses were so profound that one has to spend a little more time with it and ponder on its meaning. But the Journalist went on with the next question, not giving the audience to let da Vinci's words sink in especially upon realizing that while they were written more than 500 years ago, they still very much resonate in present times.

The play began with the journalist posing a question about the Mona Lisa. After more than an hour of going through various topics, the interview went full circle going back to Mona Lisa. When the anticipation is at its highest, when the audience felt like a bomb is going to be dropped and the mystery surrounding the Mona Lisa would finally be unearthed, the play ends with the question, still unanswered. I guess that makes this portrait, considered to be among the most precious in the world, remains insanely popular up to this day.

RAd's Page Turners | Leonardo's Notebooks

Prior to the events commemorating Leonardo da Vinci's 500th death anniversary, I wasn't even aware that he wrote extensively. So the play served as a launching point to know more about da Vinci's writings and Leonardo's Notebooks: Writing and Art of the Great Master looks like a good next step.

The book collects his writings from his voluminous notebooks, along with some of his art, detailing his artistic and intellectual pursuits. A wide range of da Vinci's interests are covered in here ranging from human figures, light and shade, perspective and visual perception, anatomy, botany and landscape, geography, the physical sciences and astronomy, architecture, sculpture, and inventions.

Also included is commentary and insight by art historian H. Anna Suh who also served as editor of this publication.

A tale of forbidden love at the 1st Colombian Film Festival

Flavio Chomnalez, Lhuana Lopez, Gerardo Regalado, David Montoya, Pilar Cuadra,
Giancarlo Mosciatti, and Isidora Rojas

The Embassy of Colombia and the Film Development Council of the Philippines presented the first ever Colombian Film Festival in the country at the Cinematheque Centre Manila.

A diverse selection of six films were featured at the festival namely Of Love and Other Demons, Mamá, The Dragon Defense, Keyla, Bad Lucky Goat, and Mateo. The film festival opened with a reception night attended by members of the diplomatic corps, distinguished guests, members of the media, and film enthusiasts. This was followed by the screening Del Amor y otros demonios/Of Love and Other Demons. A fitting opener, I might add, since this is a film adaptation of the novel written by Gabriel García Márquez, Nobel Prize Winner for Literature and very likely the most well known Colombian here in the Philippines.

Colombian Embassy's chargé d'affaires
David Montoya

The Colombian Film Festival heads over to Cinematheque Centre Iloilo this August 20-24, 2019 and then will travel to Cinematheque Centre Davao this October 2-5, 2019. 

Del Amor y otros demonios/Of Love and Other Demons

Directed by Hilda Hidalgo, the film tells about the story of Sierva Maria (Eliza Triana), the 13 year old daughter of the Marquis, who is whisked away to the convent after getting bitten by a rabid dog and then thought to be possessed by the devil. Enter Father Cayetano Delaura (Pablo Derqui) who the Bishop assigned to exorcise the demon out of the young girl. But Father Cayetano, who firmly believes that she is not possessed, falls for her instead 

The animosity of Sierva Maria's parents towards each other and towards her as well, coupled with the contempt that the Bishop and the Abbess have for one another, just made the plight of Sierva Maria and Father Cayetano more tragic and hopeless. Despite the seemingly forbidden nature of their love, it somehow seemed pure and chaste when compared to how repulsive the people around them are.

Like so many films adapted from novels, something had to give. The novel had more layers and nuances that were lost in the film. It is highly recommended to read the book after seeing the movie or even if not seeing it. This is a Gabriel Garcia Marquez work for crying out loud!

RAd's Pageturners | Gabriel García Márquez' Of Love and Other Demons

Right from the start the book sets up mystery and intrigue with a prologue recounting on how Márquez, a young journalist at the time, was supposed to have stumbled upon the skeletal remains of a young girl with more than 20 meters of copper hair still intact even centuries after her death.

Reading the pages just reaffirms the inherent difficulty in adapting Márquez' words to the silver screen. Never had descriptions of bowel movements and foul odors emanating from a woman's body sounded so delectable. And these words by Marquez can only be savored by reading the pages of his works.

The fairy tale connection between Hans Christian Andersen and Jose Rizal

The book Hans Christian Andersen and José Rizal: From Denmark to the Philippines by Anvil Publishing is probably the most unusual literary mash-up published locally that I’ve encountered. Edited by Jan Top Christensen, Ambassador of Denmark to the Philippines, this volume highlights the relations between the Philippines and Denmark through five fairy tales and two of each country’s leading literary figures.

The five Hans Christian Andersen (HCA) fairy tales, namely The Fir Tree, Thumbelina, The Ugly Duckling, The Angel, and The Little Match Girl, along with their respective Tagalog translations by Jose Rizal make up the bulk of the book.

Preceding the tales are four essays about HCA and Rizal by Ejnar Stig Askgaard, Katrina Gutierrez, Johs. Nørregaard Frandsen, and Ambeth R. Ocampo that give historical and literary context to the stories.

Danish Ambassador Jan Top Christensen and historian Ambeth R.Ocampo

One could jump right to the stories, follow them up with the essays, and then give the stories another go, which I did. The second pass at the stories read differently for me once armed with more context about HCA, Rizal and their respective times.

Revisiting these fairy tales as an adult made me realize how gloomy these stories actually are. And these may sound morbid, but knowing that back then when these stories were first written and published, child mortality rates were so high (only around 60% survive childhood) that I felt disturbed picturing these tales being read to children in their deathbeds suffering from diseases that are easily cured nowadays.

Another notable aspect of this book is the translation by Jose Rizal. For 21^st century ears, the Tagalog sounds archaic since the translation was made during the late 19^th century decades before the declaration of Filipino as the country’s national language. Although it was a struggle for me to read, this will be of great interest for linguists and those who are into the evolution of our language.

This book, a pet project by Ambassador Jan Top Christensen, was around three years in the making. This hefty volume is a fine addition to bookshelves everywhere with a multi-faceted approach to children’s literature and Philippine-Denmark relations. Since reopening in 2014, the Embassy of Denmark has embarked on numerous projects like the Carl Nielsen Project concert and the annual Danish Film Festival.

Hans Christian Andersen and José Rizal: From Denmark to the Philippines is available in both hardcover and softcover editions in finer bookstores and online at www.anvilpublishing.com.

Ballet Manila starts 2017 with Spanish flair in Don Quixote

Ballet Manila starts 2017 with a lot of Spanish flair and technical fireworks as the company presents Don Quixote in a limited one weekend run this February 24-26, 2017 at the Aliw Theater.

This upcoming production sees the emergence of three new Kitris: Katherine Barkman, Pia Dames, and Dawna Mangahas. The three follow in the footsteps of Ballet Manila’s CEO and Co-Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde who has performed the role of Kitri the most times during her illustrious dancing career. The role of Basilio will be portrayed by Rudy de Dios, Gerardo Francisco, and guest dancer Mikhail Martynyuk, principal danseur of the Kremlin Ballet Theater.

The ballet Don Quixote, based on the novel of the same name by Miguel de Cervantes, features choreography by Marius Petipa and Spanish flavored music by Ludwig Minkus. In the ballet, the focus is more on the love story of Basilio and Kitri while Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza are reduced to peripheral, non-dancing roles.

Quite a number of Don Quixote productions by the major ballet companies had been staged over the years and I’ve yet to start reading my copy of the novel that has been sitting on my shelf for many years now. If I start now, I doubt that I’ll be able to finish it just in time when I get to watch Ballet Manila’s staging of it. But I’m convinced that after seeing the pirouettes, double tour en l’air, jetés, and that notorious 32 fouettés, I’d have the drive to finally finish the novel.

Don Quixote wraps up the Ballet Manila’s 21^st season billed as Revenge of the Classics. Productions for this season also included the rerun of Martin Lawrance’s Rebel, a celebration of Tchaikovsky’s music in The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess, and the world premiere of Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella.

Don Quixote
February 24-26, 2017 | Aliw Theater

Ticket prices:
P1500 | P1000 | P500

For inquiries:
TicketWorld 891-9999