Kabataang Gitarista holds recital online

As the celebrations for the National Arts Month wind down, the Kabataang Gitarista will stream Special Recital on February 27, 2021, 3:00 PM at the Facebook pages of the CCP Arts Education Department and Kabataang Gitarista.

Kabataang Gitarista (KG) is a group of public school students from Manila, Pasay and Parañaque who are receiving classical guitar training for free through the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Arts Education Department.

Since its inception in 2012, this music program has made an impact in the classics guitar scene here and abroad with third prize wins for the KG Trio at the Ensemble Category and Edel Mark Bitao at the Solo Category of the Saigon International Guitar Festival and Competition in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam back in November 2019. Bitao went on to win first prize at the Junior Category of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) later that month.

Joining Edel Mark Bitao at the upcoming recital are David Tiongson, Laurence Cadiente, Daryll Tiongson, Sarah Salipada, John Ericcson Rapadas, Charles Brian Mendoza, Kyle Adam Lorenzana, Kenneth Manacio, Maeriel Mon, Eliandre Tiongson, Cristian Abion, Gedd Evan Baylongo, Juan Paulo Cristobal, Augustine Francisco, Renz Land Alonzo, Heart Antang, Zack Fazunila and Kerby Trinidad.

PPO chamber music concerts return

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra resumes its chamber music concert series with the third installment streaming online this February 26, 2021, 8:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the PPO’s Facebook pages as well as the CCP’s YouTube Channel.

Featured performers for this installment highlighting wind instruments are flautists Hercules Santiago, Edgardo Silangcruz, Rosemarie Poblete performing Johann Joachim Quantz’ Sonata for 3 Flutes No.116.

This will be followed by Victor Ewald’s Quintet No. 1 to be performed by trumpet players Edwin Matias and Glober Calambro, French horn player Jay Ar Mesa, tuba player Benedicto Dela Peret Jr., and trombone player Ricson Poonin.

The PPO Chamber Music Concert Series premiered back in October 2020 with orchestra members in small ensembles as an online alternative during this time of the pandemic when PPO’s season concerts are not yet possible.

Project 201 Jazz Quartet performs French songs for February Les Jeudis Culturels

The Embassy of France to the Philippines together with the Alliance française de Manille and the French Chamber of Commerce and Industry in the Philippines present Je t’aime : An Online Concert of French Love Songs, streaming on February 25, 2021, 8:00 PM at the Embassy’s Facebook page.

This latest edition of Les Jeudis culturels/Cultural Thursdays, celebrating the month of love with French music and food, will feature the Project 201 Jazz Quartet composed of award-winning Filipino saxophonist Michael Mark Guevarra, pianist Ayman Linzag, percussionist Chico Macorol, and bassist Prince Santiago. The quartet will perform a selection of French chansons that includes including La Vie en rose, Ne me quitte pas, Les Feuilles mortes/Autumn Leaves, and C'est si bon, and many more.

The Project 201 Bigband is composed of students from the College of Music of the University of the Philippines, Diliman. Created by Guevarra in May 2017, the group aims to provide an avenue for young, aspiring jazz musicians in the college to integrate themselves into the industry and perform alongside established musicians in the country.

French music needs to be paired with French food, so in partnership with the French Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines and The Tasting Club Manila, a special French dinner menu will be offered for the benefit of the France-Philippines United Action Foundation (FPUA).

The dinner for this month is a set meal of Guinea Fowl Supreme with Raisin Sauce and Gratin dauphinois and Chocolate Éclair, accompanied by Château Kirwan 2013, AOC Margaux.

Each set costs for P1,350 (exclusive of delivery fee) with 10% of the total proceeds to be donated to the FPUA. Orders can be made through the link http://bit.ly/Jetaime-Dinner

The FPUA, created in 2013 after the devastation of super typhoon Yolanda, is engaged in long-term rehabilitation and reconstruction projects for Filipino communities affected by natural disasters. Through partnerships with local associations such as Habitat for Humanity Philippines and the Philippine Red Cross, and through the financial contributions of French and Philippines companies, FPUA has succeeded in building sustainable and resilient communities in three remote areas in Cebu, and has supported hundreds of families by providing scholarships and implementing health programs.

CCP’s Kanto Kultura launches, opens online music competition

The Cultural Center of the Philippine recently launched Kanto Kultura, a new series highlighting Philippine culture and the arts, as well as the Filipino artists who create such works.

Ushering the launch of this endeavor, the music video of Bangon! by the band BRWN, in collaboration with the CCP and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will be released on February 23, 2021. The track is described as a battle cry, a call for every Filipino to rise up to the challenges of this year. Arranged by guitarist Migs Raneses, Bangon! features Philippine ethnic instruments and Cordillera chants.

Apart from the music video release, Kanto Kultura also launched Kanto Canta, an online band/music competition that aims to discover new talents and also original works of music that incorporate traditional/indigenous musical instruments.

The competition is open to bands with members who natural-born Filipinos, 18 years old and above, and either residing in the Philippines or not. Bands entering should have no existing professional and commercial entertainment contracts. Top 15 finalists get to win prizes worth P150,000.

Submissions for the first quarter of Kanto Canta opened on February 20, 2021 and will end on March 20, 2021. Detailed rules of the competition can be found at the CCP Website and also at Kanto Kultura’s Facebook page.

Kanto Kultura is spearheaded by CCP Board of Trustees’ Nikki Junia, Stanley Seludo, and Dr. Jaime Laya with the support of CCP President Arsenio J. Lizaso.

PPO, singer/songwriter Toto Sorioso collaborate in latest PPO Spotlight performance

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra presents the second installment of the PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances streaming online starting on February 19, 2021, 8:00 PM at the various social media pages/channels of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and of the PPO.

The upcoming episode will feature an appearance by singer/songwriter Toto Sorioso playing the guitar with violinist Jose Carlo Tuazon in a performance of the Cyndi Lauper classic True Colors composed by Billy Steinberg.

Also included in the program are Stevie Wonder’s Lately to be played by trumpet player Melvin Miranda. Alan Menken’s Part of Your World from the Little Mermaid to be performed by violinist Ayesa Cruz and harpist Jane Banta.

The episode wraps up with Jose Mari Chan’s Hahanapin Ko interpreted by a string quartet composed of violinists Christian Tan and Ma. Angelica Uson, violist Ferdinand Dumlao, and cellist Herrick Ortiz.

Pianist Raul Sunico, violinist Adrian Ong team up in fundraising recital

The Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP) presents pianist and Steinway artist Raul Sunico and violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong in a fundraising online recital this February 18, 2021, 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM.

A student of Mannes school of music in New York, Adrian Ong and Sunico will perform a selection of music by Fritz Kreisler, Jules Massenet, Franz Von Vecsey, Antonio Molina, Manuel Ponce, and Astor Piazzolla.

This performance, benefitting Filipino performing arts students, will also have the special participation of Martin Lopez and guitarist Lance Capitan.

A minimum donation of P1,000 will serve as a ticket to the performance. Donations can be deposited to FCCP’s Metrobank account number 2923292800453. Transaction slips must be e-mailed to fccpoffice@yahoo.com.ph. After completing the transaction, the link to the concert will be sent via e-mail.

Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra launches PPO Spotlight online pocket concert series

The Cultural Center of the Philippines launches the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s The PPO Spotlight: Virtual Pocket Performances, a series of online performances by members of the orchestra, premiering on February 12, 2021, 8:00 PM at the Facebook pages of the CCP and the PPO and also at the YouTube channel of the CCP.

The inaugural pocket concert will feature the PPO Cello Section performing Georg Goltermann’s Romance, Op. 119 No. 1. Flautist Gary Silangcruz of Ikaw at Ako will play by Moira dela Torre and Jason Marvin while horn player Ernani Pascual will perform Go the Distance from Hercules by Alan Menken. Violist Rey Casey Concepcion caps the inaugural online series with Nakikinig ka ba sa Akin by the band Ben & Ben.

The first performance of the series will be available for viewing for one week, February 12-19, 2021.

The PPO Spotlight is the latest series of online performances by PPO members following the Music for Healing: PPO Quarantine Pocket Concert Series and PPO Chamber Music Concert Series.

CCP premieres dance film shorts twinbill on Valentine's Day

The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents a double offering this Valentine’s Day with the premiere of filmmaker Jerrold Tarog’s Ang Kabaligtaran ng Gunaw (The Opposite of the End) and the launch of the dance video Hilom: Sayaw Dalangin ng Pag-asa at Pagkakaisa. This twin bill presentation will be aired on February 14, 2021 at 8:30 AM and at 4:30 PM at CNN Philippines.

Tarog’s dance film Ang Kabaligtaran ng Gunaw (The Opposite of the End), based from the original poem of the same name by playwright Eljay Castro Deldoc, features an original concept and choreography by Ronelson Yadao. Tarog also composed new music for this short film.

Dancer Eloisa Jessa Tangalin leads the cast composed of members of CCP Dance Workshop namely Sarah Anne Alejandro, Monica Amanda Gana, Stephanie Kerilen Santiago, Karla Marie Santos, Victor Maguad, Lester John Reguindin, Earl John Arisola, AL Frederick Abraham, Louise John Ababob, Danilo Dayo Jr., Bonifacio Guerrero Jr., and Justine Joseph Orande.

Adapted to screenplay by Tarog and Deldoc, the eight-minute short feature film brings together the different art forms – from literature, dance, music, theatre and film – to create a unique collaboration which hopefully reminds all artists and the public on the importance of artistic expression and undaunted creativity that is much needed in the process of healing and overcoming the pandemic.

Following the short film will be Hilom: Sayaw Dalangin ng Pag-asa at Pagkakaisa, featuring folkloric dances associated with Filipino rituals and dance traditions showing the relevance of dance to people’s lives especially during tough and challenging times.

The dance production engages various folkloric dance groups and communities in working together to produce dance performances that would highlight the affinity of the Filipinos to connect to the spiritual world for prayer, supplications, thanksgiving and worship.

Appearing in this production are dance artists and groups including Abigail Calma (as Inang Bayan) from Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Kaloob Phil Music and Dance Ministry (artistic director Dr. Ed Lapiz), Lyceum of the Philippines University of Batangas – Lahing Batangan Dance Troupe (artistic director Rodel M. Fronda), Leyte Dance Theatre of Jess De Paz Foundation Inc. (artistic director Lowe S. Taňa), University of Cebu Dance Company (artistic director Victor Lim Hao Cuenco), Melengas Dance Ensemble (artistic director Odysso D. Oyales, and Koronadal Hinugyaw Cultural Dance Troupe (artistic director Benhur Zerrudo Abulencia).

The artistic team includes director Stephen Ramos Biadoma from a story and concept by UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, with music by Teresa Barrozo, edited by Gem Aňonuevo, cinematography by Brandon Relucio, and costumes by Carlo Viray Valderama.

Following the CNN Philippines premiere, a hybrid screening, outdoors at the CCP grounds, following strict health protocols, and online at CCP’s various online pages/channels are in the works.

Sunshine Classics presents 2021 online concert series

To keep spirits up amidst the ongoing pandemic, Sunshine Classics brings forth healthy ray of sunshine online through music with its latest offering, a series of online concerts starting on February 15, 2021 to be streamed at the Sunshine Place Senior Recreation Center’s YouTube channel.

The 2021 Series, billed as Sunshine Online, is made up of five concerts with each available for viewing for one month.

The series premieres on February 15, 2021 with the Angono National Symphonic Band. The band performs compositions and arrangements by one of Angono’s pride, National Artist for Music Lucio San Pedro, a timely affair with his 108th birthday on February 11. The concert will be available for viewing up to March 15, 2021.

The second concert will feature the tandem of soprano Stefanie Quintin-Avila, tenor Ivan Nery, and pianist Mariel Ilusorio. Billed as Singing in Sunshine, the concert premieres on April 15, 2021 and will remain viewable until May 15, 2021.

Available from July 15, 2021 up to August 15, 2021, the third concert features the Manila Symphony Junior String Quartet. Composed of violinists Jeanne Marquez and EJ Villarin, violist Lance Tulagan, and cellist Justin Talusan, the quartet will perform a selection of popular movie themes.

Nostalgia, a solo piano performance by Inna Montesclaros is the fourth concert available to view online from September 15, 2021 up to October 15, 2021.

The series wraps up with a performance by the Manila Piano Trio composed of violinist Denise Santos-Huang, cellist Anjo Inacay, cellist, and pianist Dr. Abelardo Galang II. Available from November 15, 2021 up to December 15, 2021, the trio will present a program ranging from the classics to cinema favorites.

Tickets for each concert are priced at P350 with seniors enjoying a discounted price of P250.

Subscription packages are also available for P1,400 (regular) and the discounted price of P1,000 for seniors for all five concerts.

A selection of four concerts costs P1,250 (regular) and P850 (senior) while a selection of three are priced at P100 (regular) and P700 (senior).

For tickets and reservations, contact Mariel Ilusorio via mobile (0917) 709-2255 or e-mail marielilusorio@hotmail.com.

Dingdong Fiel with his band Hari hold fundraising Valentine's Day Concert

Hear a different side of 2020 Aliw Awardee for Best Instrumentalist Dingdong Fiel as he and his band Hari present Songs from the Heart this February 14, 2021, 12:00 PM at the Facebook page of the Manila Piano Artist Series.

This Valentine’s Day concert is a fundraiser specially dedicated to Ms. Gina Faustino Ronquillo for her continued and speedy recovery.

The concert will also benefit the Brigada Eskwela program of the Sumulong Elementary School in Brgy Sumulong, Calaug, Quezon. The funds will augment the limited resources of this public school that currently has 470 students from Kinder to Grade 6, along with 15 teachers. The school currently uses learning modules from the Department of Education.

Donations can be made via:

GCash:

09063892248

BPI :

Heliodoro Fiel II #3049-1166-31

Security Bank:

Heliodoro Fiel II #0000012442061

CCP holds online writing event for mental health wellness

The Cultural Center of the Philippines, together with the Freelance Writers Guild of the Philippines, presents Write Side Up! an online event on writing and mental health, streaming on February 10, 2021, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM at the Facebook pages of the CCP, CCP Intertextual Division, and the Freelance Writers Guild of the Philippines.

This event, which aims to use writing as a way to release the anxiety caused by the ongoing pandemic, will include sessions in writing exercises in calming the mind along with talks and seminars from notable Filipino writers and mental health advocates with topics on Preliminary Research on Writer’s Mental Health, Practice of Mental Wellness especially for Writers and Artists, Writing as Meditation, Arterapiya, and How to Survive through Writing and Reading.

The lineup of speakers include writers Maria Fatima Villena (Preliminary Research on Writers’ Mental Health), Dr. Ellay Nadera (The Practice of Mental Wellness especially for Writers and Artists with Q and A), Ramil Gulle (To Break Away Writing exercises to help calm the mind), Imelda Morales (Writing as Meditation), Anna Felicia Sanchez (How to Survive through Writing and Reading), and Dr. Vim Nadera (Arterapiya).

Writers Hark Herald Sarmiento and Ina Avellana Cosio will serve as moderators at this event.

For more details and inquiries, please contact the CCP Intertextual Division via e-mail ccpintertextualdivision@gmail.com or through the mobile number (0919)-317-5708.