The Virgin Labfest 7 Experience Part 1

For the past couple of years, I’ve been wondering what it was about the Virgin Labfest that made people line up outside the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater) to see it. Last year, some friends have actually tried to convince me to go and check this festival for short, one act plays so that I could see what the fuss is all about. But since this event was also part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Brave New Works season, there was usually another event happening simultaneously and I happened to choose to watch that other event instead of the VLF. I guess that what I’ve been trying to say is that in regards to the VLF, I am still a virgin. But I’ve been curious as to what this was all about and indeed have wondered when I will have my first taste.

Thankfully, I finally had my first taste this year which is the seventh staging of the Virgin Labfest. And not only did I have just a small taste, but I devoured and had my fill of almost everything that they had to offer since I managed to see all of the plays. And add to that the lunch that I had with some of the playwrights a couple of weeks before the start of the festival and I also was present at the after party that happened right after the last show. The only things that I’ve missed were the staged readings, the book launchings and the earlier on site performances. But for a virgin like me, it was indeed a very good first time experience.

I wasn’t able to catch the earlier dates of the festival and instead, I decided to see my first ever play/set during its second week and on my actual birthday. So I did find it quite amusing that the first play of the second set featured a character who was also celebrating his birthday. And since this was my first, the set and the plays included in it set the tone and the standard for the rest of the Virgin Labfest for me.

The VLF 7 after party

Set D

The Valley Mission Care

by Russell Legaspi

The premise of the play is that Florencio Manatili (Siegfried Sepulveda), a resident of the nursing home Valley Mission Care in California, wants to go out and fulfill a promise on the night of his birthday. Also one of the reasons why he wants to get out of the nursing home is the Doctor (Richard Cunanan) who, despite his good intentions, extreme politeness and enthusiasm, comes across as extremely annoying. Florencio, finds an ally in Filipina nurse Ashlyn (Mayen Estañero) and he forces her to join him in his schemes. For me, it was Ashlyn who stood out in the play. As I’ve said, the Doctor came out as an annoying character, which made me understand why Florencio hated the nursing home. Ashlyn’s roughness, her endearing provincial accent and her naïveté was a nice contrast to the Doctor’s extremely polished American twang whenever he delivers the Valley Mission Care’s scripted lines like an annoying salesperson. The plot near the end got a bit predictable and I saw the ending even before they got into it. But the character development and the relationship that was formed between Florencio and Ashlyn as the play progressed were high points for me.

Mga Lobo Tulad ng Buwan

by Pat Valera

Now, this one was difficult for me to get into. I’m not really used to this kind of play and I don’t think that I’ve seen something like this before. The play focuses on three women, the mother Lourdes Conchas (Mary Jane Alejo), the pregnant wife Enriquita Villacarlos (Katte Sabatte) and the daughter Kristina Fontanilla (Chic san Agustin) grieving over the loss of their loved ones that were lost during the sinking of the MV Princess of the Stars. They tell stories about their loved ones, having brief moments of happiness until this was shattered by the reality of the tragedy and the finality of death. Conflict arose when the mother decides to move on with her life and take care of her other children who were still alive. The play spoke of metaphors with the title as a prime example, but I confess that I found it hard to see what those metaphors are. I wasn’t even sure if the two leads actually went into the sea and drowned themselves or if this was yet another metaphor. And I wasn’t able to connect much with the grieving women since I haven’t experienced a similar loss. This play was beyond my grasp and I believe that I have to educate myself further with the various forms of theater in order for me to appreciate this kind of play.

Bawal Tumawid, Nakamamatay

by Joey Paras

This play definitely has mass appeal. It is a comedy about Eva (Kiki Baento) who tries to cross a busy EDSA street. Her journey to get into her father’s funeral is delayed by hesitation brought about by the warning sign Bawal Tumawid Nakamamatay, the rainy weather and the lack of taxi cabs. And all of these force her to have a conversation with Mang Caloy (Leo Rialp) who is awaiting someone on the same busy EDSA street. The play did provide the laughs especially when some cast members who were relegated to the background butt in with their totally unrelated lines that somehow fit in and actually provided the punch line to the conversation of the leads. I felt that the play ran out of gas especially when things were starting to get serious. And in order to jolt people out of the possible tear jerker, the play had to resort to a happy ending with some shock value added. I’m glad that the set ended up with a comedy like this since the previous two sets were a bit depressing to watch back to back with tragic endings. The other cast members of this play were Gimay Galvan, Mark Jones Simbit, Vera Capiral, Jovanni Cadag, Rodel Bar Sumooc, Floiderell Zulueta, Chritine Joy Mangahis, Ramil Pauig and Biboy Ramirez.

Scenes from the VLF 7 after party

Set D finally got me devirginized to the Virgin Labfest but I wasn’t completely satisfied. Now that I’ve had my first taste, it’s time for me to taste more and watch the other plays.

Ian Lomongo during the VLF 7 after party

The Virgin Labfest 7 Experience Part 2
The Virgin Labfest 7 Experience Day 3

MSO II: The Artistry of Thanos Adamopoulos

Featuring:
Thanos Adamopoulos, violin/conductor

Manila Symphony Orchestra

Programme:
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart Overture from The Marriage of Figaro, K. 492

Ludwig van Beethoven Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 5 in E minor, Op. 64

Wow, I didn’t have to wait that long to see the Manila Symphony Orchestra perform once again since I only had to let nine days pass since the last time I saw them perform which was during the concert of pianist Lorenzo Medel. While it only took a short while for some people to see the MSO once again, it took about a year instead for them to see guest conductor/violin soloist Prof. Thanos Adamopoulos perform since he had to cancel last year due to medical reasons. Thankfully this year, his good health meant that he was able to come to Manila. And despite the heavy rains, people responded by coming in droves at the Philam Life Auditorium to see the MSO’s second concert for their 2011 Season entitled The Artistry of Thanos Adamopoulos.

They had a very accessible programme consisting of popular and perennial favorites. The starting piece was Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Overture to The Marriage of Figaro, K.492 which was played delightfully despite the horns’ hiccups. And right from the start, all eyes were on Adamopoulos and he truly had a very interesting conducting style: no baton and an occasional wiggling of his fingers.

The next piece was a rare treat since Adamopolous was not just the conductor but also the soloist for Ludwig van Beethoven’s Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 61 with the cadenza by Fritz Kreisler. This meant that concertmaster Gina Medina had more responsibilities during this piece which she handled brilliantly. But I felt that Adamopoulos played too politely and I waited for him to add some vulgarity in some passages. But instead of being put off by this inoffensive way of playing, his demeanor, mastery and presence made me accept that the piece could indeed be played politely whatever that may mean to others. After this piece, people applauded persistently so that he would do an encore with the violin before the intermission started which he did when he played the Fritz Kreisler transcription of Melodie of the Dance of the Blessed Spirits from Orfeo ed Euridice by Christoph Willibald Ritter von Gluck.

Prof. Thanos Adamopoulos and the Manila Symphony Orchestra

I almost had the same feeling during the last piece which was Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5 in E Minor, Op. 64 which made up the second half of the concert. Adamopoulos conducted it in a way that the resulting performance was so different from what I am used to and actually prefer. For example, the second movement felt a bit too fast for me. But it felt odd that I didn’t have the urge to just walk out and scoff at the performance simply because they didn’t play it the way that I wanted to. Instead, I was able to see and hear the piece from a different perspective, realizing that it could be played that way.

Prof. Thanos Adamopoulos with RAd and the Pinoy Violinists

I would’ve loved to have the opportunity to ask him about his decisions on why he played and conducted the way he did but he was mobbed by the audience right after the concert. Even having a photo with him along with my friends from the Pinoy Violinist group proved to be a test of patience. Overall, this was truly a very interesting concert for me. The pieces as I’ve said before are very familiar to me and to hear them performed so differently and making me accept these interpretations not just as valid and but still oddly appealing and moving is truly a testament to the artistry of Thanos Adamopoulos.

Text by RAd

Photos by Yuuko-san

The Noli Me Tangere, the Musical Experience Part 1

The Music Run Through with Mr. Ryan Cayabyab

Ryan Cayabyab gives instructions

Ever since I heard a few musical numbers from Noli Me Tangere, the Musical during the J.P., ang Gig ni Rizal and also at Tanghalang Pilipino’s 25^th Season presscon, I realized that I couldn’t get enough and that I had to hear more. Fortunately, I had the chance to drop by during the cast's music run through rehearsal with no other than Mr. C himself, composer Ryan Cayabyab. His music along with National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera’s libretto give so much prestige to this musical and I couldn’t help but expect a lot from the cast.

It was still a very rainy day that afternoon but thankfully, it was dry and comfortable inside the rehearsal area at the Aliw Theater. Some of the cast members were already there finishing their lunch when I arrived. And soon after, they started vocalizing while being accompanied by Music Director Jed Balsamo on the piano. Right from the start, I noticed at once how strong they are vocally. And then a few moments later, Ryan Cayabyab arrived and they got into serious singing.

More instructions from Mr. C

I was extremely fortunate to see how Ryan Cayabyab works. It was truly amazing to see how he made one piece, with the chorus singing just in unison, sound a lot better when he suggested that they add more character to their voices. And this resulted in an unusual and rather haunting texture but sounding a lot better even though they were just singing the same notes. And hearing them that close with their voices reverberating at the hall was such a treat for someone like me who had been looking forward to hear the chorus sing. And I wasn’t disappointed especially when I heard them take on my favorite song as of the moment which is Sa Labas ng Bayan.

Ryan Cayabyab looks on as Jed Balsamo plays the piano

The leads and those with supporting roles also went through their songs as well. Gian Magdangal who plays Crisostomo Ibarra was solid as always. Cris Villonco as Maria Clara surprised me a lot since she sang with such maturity that I found it hard to believe that she’s no longer that little girl on television. Garry Lim and Ring Antonio who play Don Tiburcio and Doña Victorina respectively sang an animated and comedic duet without breaking a sweat. Al Gatmaitan is a very interesting Padre Salvi since he is more menacing than the frail priest depicted in the novel. And there’s nothing frail about his tenor voice. The other Ibarra, Mark Bautista and Bodjie Pascua who plays Padre Damaso were not present during the rehearsal so I hope to see them when I visit once again.

Ryan Cayabyab, suggested that they go through the entire score which meant that they would work over time but no one complained. Sadly, I had another event to attend to so I wasn’t able to see how they wrapped up this rehearsal. But as I’ve mentioned earlier, I do plan to drop by once again and hopefully see and hear those who weren’t present before. Until then, I’ll keep on humming the melody of Sa Labas ng Bayan.

Gian Magdangal sings his lines

Noli Me Tangere, the Musical runs on all weekends of August 2011 at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

Part 2 The Opening Night

Part 3 The Other Ibarra and Other Scenes
Part 4 The Closing Night

JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters Opening

The JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters exhibit had its opening at the Metropolitan Museum of Manila. Despite the rainy weather, quite a number of people, including Doraemon, showed up and it was no surpise that a handful came in their cosplay attire. The exhibit, presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila and the Embassy of Japan along with Toshiba, highlights the characters originating from manga, anime, video games, etc. that has become part of the daily life of the Japanese people.

Gerry Torres, director of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila gave the welcome remarks while Corazon Alvina (Vice Chairman of the Board of the Metropolitan Museum of Manila), Shinsuke Shimizu (Minister and Head of Chancery of the Embassy of Japan), Shuji Takatori (Director of the Japan Foundation, Manila) and Josel Ignacio (Director for Northeast Asia Division of the Office of Asian and Pacific Affairs, DFA) gave messages to the guests gathered at the lobby before formally opening the exhibit.

Doraemon makes a special appearance

Then it was time to view the exhibit. The exhibit consisted of prints which showed which characters came into the forefront during a particular decade. I liked how some historical events were placed beside the prints giving an idea on how life was like during the decade and how these characters fit in to the overall picture of Japanese history and culture. The prints were supported by a handful of statues like that of Pikachu from Pokemon and the RX-78 Gundam from the Mobile Suit Gundam series.

RX-78 Gundam

Another part of the exhibit was a reproduction of a teenager’s room full of Hello Kitty items which is typical for most girls in Japan. This showed how the characters have already become part of the Japanese people’s daily lives. And this penetration has conquered all demographics not just children and teenagers. And then there were also a few videos projected on the wall showing flash animation of newer characters. The video portion showed where the future of characters is headed. There’s also a portion where characters representing different regions were shown. It’s interesting to realize that characters/mascots are so accepted in Japanese society that regional governments actually make use of them to foster hometown pride and affection.

JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters

The exhibit is not that extensive especially for someone like me who is very much aware of who these characters are and what their impact had been to Japanese society which has now expanded globally. I guess that this exhibit is really geared towards the uninitiated, the one who would scratch his or her head thinking why an adult male likes to build Gundam models. I did feel that the exhibit should’ve included more in depth historical information regarding the characters and their cultural, social, political, economical impact in Japan. I guess that this will be fulfilled by a couple of lectures happening at the same venue. Prof. Tito Valiente (Japanese Studies) of the Ateneo de Manila University will give a lecture on July 29, 2011 2:00 PM while Prof. Romanlito Austria (College of Fine Arts) of the University of the Philippines will give the other on August 12, 2011 2:00 PM. The JAPAN: Kingdom of Characters exhibition runs until August 20.

RAd and Shuji Takatori, Director of Japan Foundation, Manila