I felt a very different kind of atmosphere when I arrived at the Main Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines when I went there to see the by invitation only J.P., ang Gig ni Rizal. First of all, there were so many students in their school uniform. And their behavior (both excited and a bit apprehensive) suggested that it was very likely that they’ve never been to the CCP before. Add to that several young people dressed in native formal wear gamely posing for photos, especially beneath the banners featuring themselves that were displayed at the lobby. Seeing, hearing and feeling all of these made me realize that the the musical gala and awards ceremony which is in line with the numerous events happening in celebration of national hero Dr. Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary, would be very much unlike the usual shows that I’ve seen inside the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo or the CCP Main Theater.
While waiting for the event to start, the people gathered at the lobby were treated to music provided by the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Foundation Rondalla. And right before the show started, the Philippine Hiphop Dance Community showed their moves at the lobby as well. It was interesting for me to see both the traditional and the new and it did set the tone for the rest of the event. The show turned out to be a spectacle hosted by Riki Benedicto with live orchestral music provided by the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Olivier Ochanine. At first, the attempts to make Rizal hip, cool and current through the host’s spiels felt a bit forced in my opinion. I guess that this just showed my age since I am more fascinated whenever I view Rizal from a distance and knowing that his lifetime was more than a century ago. I guess that you could credit that on how I respect and view music composers from centuries ago as well.
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| The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra led by Olivier Ochanine |
But just like these composers of music, Dr. Jose Rizal also had works of his own like the novels Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo and the poem Mi Ultimo Adios. And after Rizal’s death, future generations of artists have interpreted and re-worked these works into songs, plays and dances. And samples of these were featured during the show with soprano Myra Mae Meneses singing the Rizal penned poem Canto Patrotico de Maria Clara set into music by Juan Hernandez. An excerpt from the ballet Crisostomo Ibarra (the lead character from Noli Me Tangere) was also performed by Candice Adea and JM Codero accompanied by a piano trio led by Jed Balsamo. I guess that for most of the students in the audience, it was their first time ever to see a soprano and a contemporary ballet performance.
Awit ni Maria Clara (Maria Clara’s Song), an excerpt from Noli Me Tangere, the Musical (libretto by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera and music by Ryan Cayabyab) was performed by mainstream stars Rachelle Ann Go and Erik Santos along with members of the Tanghalang Pilipino Actors Company. The inclusion of mainstream stars along with the very accessible music of Ryan Cayabyab resulted in a well applauded number.
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| John Arcilla with the 300 Voice Choir performing Mi Ultimo Adios |
Then immediately right after, John Arcilla delivered a monologue which led directly to Mi Ultimo Adios, with orchestrations by Ryan Cayabyab, performed by the 300 voice choir composed of DLS-CSB Coro San Benildo, DBM Chorale, DILG Chorale, DOJ Chorale, DSWD Chorale, East Avenue Medical Center Chorale, Landbank Musical Ensemble, NBI Chorale, Pag-Ibig Fund Chorale, Senate Choir, Supreme Court Choir, Tarlac State University Choir, TINING – Ang Koro ng Letran Calamba Colegio de San Juan de Letran Calamba, UP Concert Chorus. These choirs were led by choir conductor Jai Sabas Aracama. This number gave me goose bumps and I hope that this piece would be performed more often.
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| The Philippine Allstars |
In order to connect with the younger audiences, the Philippine Allstars performed a hiphop number but it was early in the programme and I think that the students at the audience still had yet to get settled so the response wasn’t as warm as I thought it would be. But they performed with the precise and sharp moves they’re known for and I did like the seamless and effortless formation changes throughout their routine. The kids responded well with the video by Mae Paner aka Juana Change. She also had a monologue as Josephine Bracken which made me nervous since she almost crossed the adult territory with her language and topic and there were students and even sisters in the audience. But I guess that this was the main reason why the kids responded well with the monologue.
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| The entire cast with the awardees |
The PPO performed an Itchy Worms medley which I think fell flat with the audience but the next number which was Hallelujah by Bamboo featuring four choirs drew out spontaneous applause during the introduction, the first verse and the chorus which really made me glad. And the very patriotic Bayan Ko translated as My Country which featured John Arcilla and Jai Sabas Aracama along with the 300 voice choir ending with the whole cast and awardees on stage was the hair raising finale of the musical gala.
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| The 35 Bagong Rizal |
The main highlight of this event was the awarding of 35 children and youths as Mga Bagong Rizal (Modern Day Rizal). These 35, from ages 11 up to 21 and coming from all over the country who are willing to commit their lives to the ideals of Jose Rizal were chosen by Philippine Center for Gifted Education, in cooperation with the National Historical Commission of the Philippines, the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and Tanghalang Pilipino from hundreds of nominees. They were presented on stage and were given trophies. 2009 CNN Hero of the Year Efren Peñaflorida administered their oath and delivered a speech telling the awardees that being a hero isn’t easy and that there’ll be challenges along the way.
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| The 35 Bagong Rizal awardees taking their oaths |
After the show, a banquet was held in honor of the awardees along with their families and friends. It was during this time when they started loosening up and acted like the young people which they were. After the banquet, some took turns in singing for the people in the dining area amidst the friendly teasing of their fellow awardees. They were called once again and were given more tokens including a laptop for each. I found out that prior to this event, they had a leadership seminar and that they would have a courtesy call at the Malacañan Palace
The 35 Bagong Rizal Awardees:
1. John Gabriel Pelias, University of the Philippines
2. Joseph Kennedy Tabor Jr., Batasan Hills National High School
3. Kim Robert de Leon, University of the Philippines
4. Melchora Elena Mabilog, St. Scholastica’s College-West Grove, Cavite
5. Ma. Francisca Iñez Mejia, Miriam College Quezon City
6. John Carlo Baltazar, Technological Institute of the Philippines Manila
7. Aleo Denoyo, PAREF Southridge School
8. Justin Daniel Junio, Jose Rizal University
9. Jeannett Gonzales, University of Baguio
10. Ivan Jim Layugan, University of Baguio
11. Angelica Licudan, University of Baguio
12. Jhonard Galicia, Tabuk National High School
13. Mico Martin Mallillin, Cagayan National High School
14. Daniel Ortega, Isabela State University
15. John Kit Masigan, St. Paul University
16. Pamela Camille Pene, Cesar E. Vergara Memorial High School
17. Avian Faye Vital, San Fernando Elementary School
18. Bianca Sophia Regala, College of the Immaculate Conception GS
19. Marc Wendolf Duque, Pampanga High School
20. Anne Mimille Guzman, Philippine High School for the Arts
21. Henrielle Pagkaliwangan, Philippine High School for the Arts
22. Raoul Danniel Manuel, UP Visayas - UP High School in Iloilo
23. Serge Lorenz Villasica, Mandaue City Science High School
24. Miko Cabatingan, Abellana National School
25. Ezekiel Majan, Cebu City National Science High School
26. Ridwan Landasan, Xavier University
27. Ellen Joy Cajes, Maryknoll High School
28. Carla Beatriz Lazara, Philippine Science High School Davao
29. Percival Adonis Casiño, St. Mary’s College of Tagum
30. John Elmer Loretizo, GSC SPED International School
31. Romeo Dequito Jr., GSC SPED International School
32. Isam Benedict Blen Dimacutac, GSC SPED International School
33. Rexbelle Mae Caliguid, Agusan National High School
34. Hyacinth Faune, Agusan National High School
35. Ernn Andre Torregoza, Bonifacio Elementary School
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