Family friendly films showcased at the 1st Swiss Film Festival

Beat the summer heat with family friendly films as the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines, in partnership with the Shangri-La Plaza Mall and the Film Development Council of the Philippines present the inaugural edition of the Swiss Film Festival.

The festival will feature three films for the whole family, Heidi, Vitus, and Rascals on the Road/Mein Name ist Eugen, shown over two weekends (April 28-30, 2017 and May 5-7, 2017) at Cinema 4 of the Shang Cineplex. And just like every foreign language film festival at the Shang, admission is free, on a first come, first served basis.

The Swiss Film Festival is just one of the events lined up by the Embassy in celebration of the 60^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Switzerland and the Philippines.

Here is the lineup of the three films to be screened at the festival.

Heidi

Director: Alain Gsponer

Cast: Anuk Steffen, Bruno Ganz, Katharina Schüttler, Quirin Agrippi, Isabelle Ottmann, and Anna Schinz

Based on the cherished children’s classic book by Johanna Spyri, Heidi (2015) tells the story of young orphan girl Heidi, who, after being cared for by her Aunt Dete, is brought to the Swiss Alps to live with her reclusive grandfather. The relationship between grandfather and granddaughter is not easy at first but they quickly form a bond. Heidi learns to love the mountains and becomes friendswith a goat herder named Peter. Heidi’s carefree days with her grandfather abruptly ends when Aunt Dete takes her to live in Frankfurt.

Vitus

Director: Fredi Murer

Cast: Teo Gheorghiu, Bruno Ganz, Julika Jenkins, and Urs Jucker

Released in 2006, Vitus, played by Teo Gheorghiu, is a highly gifted pianist at the age of 12. His parents mean well, but are over-protective, so Vitus rebels and seeks refuge with his grandfather who loves flying. After faking a head injury, Vitus secretly amasses a fortune on the stock market. The money allows his grandfather to purchase a Pilatus PC-6 and his father to return triumphantly to the company that had fired him previously. Vitus pursues his former babysitter, Isabel, but she prefers someone older and does not return his affections. Vitus returns to his piano and performs Robert Schumann's Piano Concerto on stage with the Zurich Chamber Orchestra.

Rascals on the Road/Mein Name ist Eugen

Director: Michael Steiner

Cast: Manuel Häberli, Janic Halioua, Dominic Hänni, Alex Niederhäuser, and Beat Schlatter

From the literary classic by Klaus Schädelin, Mein Name ist Eugen / Rascals on the Road (2005) is a coming of age story set in the 1960s, and tells of 12-year-old Eugen and Wrigley's last summer of adventure. When Wrigley's parents announce their intention to pack him off to boarding school, the boys run away, hoping to find Fritzli Bühler, the “King of Rascals” in Zurich.

But then Eugen and Wrigley bump into their Scouts group on the train and feel forced to join them to Ticino. From there they escape again and attempt to cycle back to Zurich, but the boys' disappearance is noticed and their parents get on their trail. As the boys continue their precarious journey over their Alps, they begin to doubt whether Fritzli Bühler really lives in Zurich and whether he actually exists at all.

According to the press kit, Heidi will be shown in English while both Vitus and Rascals on the Road/Mein Name ist Eugen will be shown with English subtitles. After the initial Shang Cineplex run, the films are expected to go on tour and be screened in various parts of the country.

Here is the screening schedule of the Swiss Film Festival.

April 28, 2017

2:00 PM Heidi

4:30 PM Rascals on the Road

7:00 PM Vitus

April 29, 2017

2:00 PM Vitus

4:30 PM Heidi

7:00 PM Rascals on the Road

April 30, 2017

2:00 PM Rascals on the Road

4:30 PM Vitus

7:00 PM Heidi

May 5, 2017

2:00 PM Vitus

4:30 PM Heidi

7:00 PM Rascals on the Road

May 6, 2017

2:00 PM Rascals on the Road

4:30 PM Vitus

7:00 PM Heidi

May 7, 2017

2:00 PM Heidi

4:30 PM Rascals on the Road

7:00 PM Vitus

New breed of ballet stars take flight in Ballet Philippines' Swan Lake

Eugene Obille, Joseph Phillips, and Candice Adea

Ballet Philippines’ 47^th season ender Swan Lake turned out to be the coming out party of the company’s new breed of ballet stars namely principal dancer Denise Parungao and soloists Jemima Reyes, Garry Corpuz, and Victor Maguad.

This production, restaged by Nonoy Froilan from the choreography of Marius Petipa and Lev Ivanov, saw the young quartet’s debut in a classical ballet lead role. Despite some slips owing to inexperience, each showed flashes of brilliance during their respective performances that I was able to see. One could easily imagine each of them following the footsteps of the production’s guest dancers, Candice Adea and Joseph Phillips.

Obviously, the hot ticket during the limited two weekend run was the International Gala featuring Candice Adea and Joseph Phillips. Having the most experience between the two of them compared to the other pairs, there was a sense of ease and security watching them as they embodied their respective roles. It was hard to believe that after all these years Candice Adea has never danced Odette/Odille before. But it didn’t look like it especially during Odille’s variation when she nailed the opening turns twice eliciting cheers from the audience. Joseph Phillips as Prince Siegfried provided solid support for Candice (whether she be Odette or Odille) never overshadowing his partner. His solo variations here may not have the flashy leaps and turns of his previous performances in Don Quixote or in the Flames of Paris Pas de deux during The Great Classics, but there was a sureness in it that just made me sit back, relax and enjoy watching his performance.

The young pair of Jemima Reyes and Victor Maguad were the leads during the opening night, marking a huge step up for these two. The most technically daring among the leads, Victor executed a brilliant sextuple pirouette early in Act I while Jemima completed her trick laden fouettés, throwing some doubles during the first half and then rotated spots at the second. A far cry from their lead roles in the feel good ballet Peter Pan, both had to dig deep and plunge into emotional depths to fulfill the acting demands for Swan Lake. Their superb performances in their starring role debuts in Firebird for Jemima and Crisostomo Ibarra for Victor somehow paved the way for them to be cast in here.

The other pair of Denise Parungao and Garry Corpuz looked very tall together with each possessing limbs that seem to last forever. Denise’s arms were divine especially towards the end of Act II that actually drew gasps from the audience. Garry, the tallest member of Ballet Philippines, used his extension to maximum effect. Although he played it safe with his pirouettes, his leaps were exemplary with a hang time that make it seem like he pauses for a beat while in mid-air. He also displayed abilities to do double tours in both directions which is a neat trick. Denise, after being sidelined for almost a season due to injury, blossomed as Odette/Odille. Just like a swan, she has transformed into a woman while her previous roles in Giselle and Cinderella, she felt like a girl back then.

The orchestra, under the baton of Yoshikazu Fukumura, was on top form although I couldn’t help but cringe whenever I heard the harp part which was actually an electronic keyboard simulating the sound of the instrument. This further highlights the lack of harpists that our country has which I hope could be remedied as soon as possible. I also have to mention that when I saw a show that didn’t have the orchestra and just had recorded music, the tempo was noticeably faster. No wonder that some of the dancers were a bit off and encountered some difficulties during their performances accompanied by the orchestra. Having to perform on stage at a much slower tempo than the one they’ve been rehearsing with could really throw off their timing especially when jumping and turning.

Ballet Philippines’ latest staging of Swan Lake had been ambitious and also risky considering that all but one of the leads had never danced their roles before. The company’s 47^th season was billed as Wings, and with Swan Lake, the young ones who had their baptism of fire with this production had just spread their wings and took their first real flight. And it would be interesting to see how these dancers and the rest of the company will soar as we gear towards their golden anniversary a few years from now.

Cellist Renato Lucas returns in March PPO concert

A wedding march, Dvořák’s other symphonic gem, and a former principal cellist’s return are all in store in Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert this March 17, 2017, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

Former PPO principal cellist Renato Lucas takes to the stage as the guest soloist performing Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33. His last performed with the PPO was back in September 2011 wherein he performed Elgar’s Cello Concerto in E minor, Op. 85. Lucas currently serves as the president of the National Music Competition for Young Artist (NAMCYA) and also currently teaches Cello, Chamber Music, Music History, and Music Literature at the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music

Other pieces scheduled for this evening are Antonín Dvořák’s Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88, B. 163 and Felix Mendelssohn’s A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite. PPO’s principal conductor/music director Yoshikazu Fukumura conducts.

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra 34^th Concert Season 2016-2017

Timeless Classics, New Beginnings Concert V

March 17, 2017, 8:00 PM | Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Featuring:

Renato Lucas, cello

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra

Yoshikazu Fukumura, conductor

Program:

Antonín Dvořák

     Symphony No. 8 in G major, Op. 88, B. 163

Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky

     Variations on a Rococo Theme, Op. 33

Felix Mendelssohn

     A Midsummer Night's Dream Suite

Ticket prices:

P1500 | P1200 | P800 | P500 | P400 | P300

50% discount for students

20% discount for senior citizens, PWD, government and military personnel

For inquiries:

CCP Marketing Department 832-1125 local 1806

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999

Clarion Chamber Ensemble serves “All Main Courses” in concert

In “Carrying the Banner for Chamber Music in the Philippines”, the Clarion Chamber Ensemble serves All Main Courses for their 15^th concert season this March 16, 2017, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

The evening will feature hearty servings of chamber music that includes Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, K.452, Bohuslav Martinů’s Trio in F major for Flute, Cello and Piano, H.300, and Johannes Brahms’ Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25.

This music will be dished out by Clarion Chamber Ensemble members namely cellist clarinetist Ariel Sta. Ana, Gerry Graham Ariza Gonzales, flutist David Jerome Johnson, pianist Hyun Joo “Julia” Lee, French horn player Jay-Ar Mesa, oboist Reynato Resurreccion, and bassoonist Noel Singcuenco. Guest artists joining them onstage are violinist Sara Maria Ariza Gonzales, pianist Seung Yun “Cecilia” Lee, and violist Maria Corazon Reyes.

All Main Courses is a joint production of Clarion Chamber Ensemble and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and is co-presented by 98.7 DZFE The Masters Touch. Steinway Boutique,Manila is the official piano sponsor.

All Main Courses

March 16, 2017, 8:00 PM | Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

Featuring:

Clarion Chamber Ensemble

     Ariel Sta. Ana, clarinet

     Gerry Graham Ariza Gonzales, cello

     David Jerome Johnson, flute

     Hyun Joo “Julia” Lee, piano

     Jay-Ar Mesa, French horn

     Reynato Resurreccion, oboe

     Noel Singcuenco, bassoon

Sara Maria Ariza Gonzales, violin

Seung Yun “Cecilia” Lee, piano

Maria Corazon Reyes, viola

Program:

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

     Quintet in E flat major for Piano and Winds, K.452

Bohuslav Martinů

     Trio in F major for Flute, Cello and Piano, H.300

Johannes Brahms

     Piano Quartet in G minor, Op. 25

Ticket prices:

P700 | P500

50% discount for students

20% discount for senior citizens, PWD, government and military personnel

For inquiries:

Clarion Chamber Ensemble 890-8840

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999