Mariel Ilusorio, Shiho Takashima, Franz Ramirez concert enchants Malabon

Shiho Takashima, Mariel Ilusorio, and Franz Ramirez

The city of Malabon is fast becoming a cultural haven as the San Bartolome Parish, more specifically the Diocesan Archives and Museum at the Old Sacristy, once again played host to a chamber music concert this time around that featured pianist Mariel Ilusorio, violinist Shiho Takashima, and cor anglais player Franz Ramirez.

Previous performances held at the San Bartolome Parish that were part of the Cultural Center of the Philippines' outreach program tours had programs that leaned towards light classical and mainstream music fare that was more accessible to casual audiences. But these trio of artists, went the other route and performed pieces that demanded more from the audience.

Franz Ramirez and Mariel Ilusorio

The opening piece, Robert Schumann's Adagio and Allegro, Op. 70, saw Franz and Mariel showcase the contrasting moods of the two movements. This piece probably gave some audience members their first encounter with the mellow sounding cor anglais/English horn which is rarely seen in chamber music performances compared to the more familiar oboe.

Some elderly women tried to discreetly wipe their eyes, not wanting their seatmates to know that they most likely teared up as Shiho and Mariel gave a spine tingling rendition of Jules Massenet's very popular Méditation from Thaïs.

Mariel Ilusorio

Mariel, who also provided background information prior to each performance, had her spotlight with a confident reading of L'Isle joyeuse, expressing the various waves of emotions that composer Claude Debussy had put into the showcase piece

Shiho Takashima and Mariel Ilusorio 

The dark character of Camille Saint-Saëns' Danse macabre had Shiho demonstrating clarity in her double stops and also power that belies her tiny frame.

The trio then joined forces for a performance of the 3rd movement of the Trio for Violin, English Horn, and Piano, Op. 14 by Donald Francis Tovey. In this configuration, the cor anglais/English horn plays the part that could also be played by the viola. This resulted in fascinating colors and textures especially in the passages where the cor anglais played in tandem with the violin.

With only the 3rd movement performed, this section felt too short. The performance of the entire Tovey trio could've given the concert more meat considering that the entire performance only lasted about an hour. It is certainly a piece worthy of listening to again. Sadly, searches for existing recordings in streaming platforms have come up empty.

Mariel Ilusorio 

Despite the longing for more Tovey, there is not that much to ask for with this concert that was generously hosted by the San Bartolome Parish considering that this was born out of the trio's desire for a venue in which to perform the piece that they have been practicing.

Surprisingly, quite a number of concert regulars, including a handful of musicians from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, made the trip to Malabon to catch this chamber concert. It would no longer be a surprise if these visiting musicians put Malabon on the cultural map once again when it is their turn to perform at the San Bartolome Parish's Old Sacristy.

Illuminating the Nation: Cinemalaya 19 finds new home at the PICC

Cinemalaya XIX Filmmakers

As the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Main Building goes under major rehabilitation, the Cinemalaya Philippine Independent Film Festival moves just a few stones' throw away to its new venue at the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) as the festival holds its 19th edition this August 4-13, 2023.

Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc., Cinemalaya XIX, adopting the theme ilumiNasyon, boasts more than 50 films screenings this year with 10 short films and 10 full length films in competition vying for the prestigious Balanghai trophy. As Cinemalaya is more than just the film screenings, the festival will also include around 25 live events like talkbacks, conferences, book launches, receptions, etc.

Short Films in Competition

Cinemalaya Shorts Filmmakers

RAd thoughts: This year's entries show the continued rise of regional filmmaking that showcase other Philippine languages other than Filipino/Tagalog.

Ang Kining Binalaybay Kag Ambahanon Ko Para sa Imo (These Rhymes and Rhythms Meant for You)

Director: Kent John D. Desamparado

Cast: Dante Macam and Althea Jessy Navarez

A grandfather and a child share final moments before they separate ways.

Golden Bells

Director: Kurt Soberano

Cast: Fuji Jalando-on, Milton Dionzon. Mary Jane Quilisadio, Mari Regalado, Luke Jingco, Bernadette Deldig, Bloom Sanicas, Nonilon Torpez, Cindy Ballesteros, and Hector Gloria Jr.

A young Chinese-Filipino boy learns the trade from his father, which becomes his foundation in maintaining the family business for love and legacy.

Hinakdal (Condemned)

Director: Arvin Belarmino

Cast: Shalomar Binamira, Andrew Legados Figueroa, Nicksonne Dionson, Jing Diaz, Jayne Genido, and Lord Terence Genido

A zombie family gets their isolated life disturbed by a human being who attempts to steal their livestock.

Hm Hm Mhm

Directors: Sam Villa-Real and Kim Timan

Cast: Christela Marquez (Humming Vocals) and Kim Timan (Woman's Hand, and Plant-Baby Vocals)

A young woman’s touch breathes life to a dollhouse where an all-too-familiar story replays.

Kokuryo: The Untold Story of Bb. Undas 2019

Director: Diokko Manuel Dionisio

Cast: Mindy Jane Castillo, Thalia Nagaño, Resty Tirrado, Jaime Garcia, Nichole Matias, Jose Angelo Castro, Brianna Soliva, Athena Domingo, Erich Martinez, Angel Martinez, Cheska Uytingco, Joanna Andrea, Erold Benavides, Kevin Bactol, and Billy Olano

The search for the person who stole their cash prize from a gay beauty pageant tests the friendship between two transgender women.

Makoko sa Baybay (I am Going to the Beach)

Director: Mike Cabarles

Cast: Glenn Javier, Conchita Botardo, and Andrei Botardo

Two brothers hope to find the sea creature who killed their mother.

Maudi nga Arapaap (Last Dream)

Director: Daniel Magayon

Cast: Angelia Orna, Dioquino, Juralbal, Gongora, and Mary Grace Caraga

A night shift nurse’s action of dumping her mother’s possession attracts Batibat's wrath.

Sibuyas ni Perfecto (Perfecto's Onions)

Director: Januar Yap

Cast: Eddie Delima and Olimpio Tagalog

On an errand run, an aging man realizes he missed doing one very important thing.

Sota (Horse Caretaker)

Director: Mae Tanagon

Two horse caretakers struggle to make ends meet amid the low-wage employment in the horse racing industry.

'Tong Adlaw nga Nag-Snow sa Pinas (The Day It Snowed in the Philippines)

Director: Joshua Caesar Medroso

Cast: John Kyrie Lavandia, Juhannes Paulo Belarmino, Dowlson Brian Jadjuli, and Harold Librea

Amid their fondness for snow and Samurai movies, two young boys face a world of

violence and abuse.

Full Lengths in Competition

Cinemalaya XIX Full Length Filmmakers

RAd thoughts: Notable this year is the inclusion of a documentary and an animated feature in this category which is a Cinemalaya first.

Ang Duyan ng Magiting (The Cradle of the Brave)

Director: Dustin Celestino

Cast: Dolly de Leon, Bituin Escalante, Agot Isidro, Miggy Jimenez, Jojit Lorenzo, Frances Makil-Ignacio, Paolo O’Hara, Joel Saracho, and Dylan Ray Talon

A collection of interwoven stories about life and violence in the Philippines, following a college professor, a university chancellor, a social worker, a police chief, two students, two mothers, and a lawyer.

As If It's True

Director: John Rogers

Cast: Khalil Ramos, Ashley Ortega, Adrianna So, John Silverio, Angellie Sanoy, Rachel Coates, and Marnie Lapus

A fading social media influencer and a struggling musician exploit each other in a not-so-fake relationship.

Bulawan nga Usa (Golden Deer)

Director: Kenneth De la Cruz

Cast: Ron Matthews Espinosa and John Niel Paguntalan

A man embarks on a soul-stirring expedition on a mystical mountain to look for the golden deer, and finds solace in an unlikely friendship with a spirited mountain boy.

Gitling

Director: Jopy Arnaldo

Cast: Gabby Padilla and Ken Yamamura

While creating the subtitles of a film, a young Filipina translator and a middle-aged Japanese director test the limits of language and understanding.

Huling Palabas (Fin)

Director: Ryan Espinosa Machado

Cast: Shun Mark Gomez, Bon Andrew Lentejas, Cedrick Juan, Jay Gonzaga, Serena Magiliw, and Senandra Gomez

In search for his long-lost father, a young boy’s reality becomes mystified when two movie-like characters appear in his hometown.

Iti Mapukpukaw (The Missing)

Director: Carl Joseph E. Papa

Cast: Carlo Aquino, Gio Gahol, and Dolly de Leon

The arrival of a familiar alien untangles a mouthless young man’s memories.

Maria

Director: She Andes

Amid shrinking civic and democratic space, and a culture of impunity, three women named Maria are on a journey to see truth and fight for justice.

Rookie

Directors: Samantha Lee and Natts Jadaone

Cast: Pat Tingjuy, Aya Fernandez, and Agot Isidro

Everything changes when an awkward teenager joins the volleyball team and falls for the volleyball team captain.

Tether

Director: Gian Arre

Cast: Mikoy Morales, Jorrybell Agoto, Breech Mae Valencia, Olivia Banela, and Albert Briones

After having a one-night stand, an arrogant playboy and a timid young woman discover that any kind of pleasure or pain they inflict on themselves can be felt simultaneously by the other person.

When This is All Over

Director: Kevin Mayuga

Cast: juan karlos Labajo, Jorrybell Agoto, Ana Abad Santos, Chaye Mogg, Nour Hooshmand, Jico Umali, Aaron Maniego, Renee Dominique, Lottie Bie, and Zara Loayan

A disconnected desperate guy forges a deal with a group of privileged misfits to plan a secret party at the height of a global pandemic, for a chance to escape his reality.

The Opening and Closing films and as well as the selections for the various Cinemalaya sections (Philippine Premieres, Visions of Asia, Remastered Classics, Tribute Films, etc.) will be announced soon.

The main screenings of the films in competition will be held in three PICC venues namely Cinema Rizal, Cinema Bonifacio, and Cinema Felipe. Fringe events and talkbacks will be held at the Cinema Palma. The usual exhibits will be housed at the Executive lounge. The CCP's Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez, aka The CCP Black Box, will host the Gawad CCP Para sa Alternatibong Pelikula at Video, which is celebrating its milestone 35th edition, on August 5-7, 2023.

To address the long queues that has plagued previous Cinemalaya editions back at the CCP, tickets for the screenings will now include assigned seat numbers thus erasing the need to line up early and the eventual mad scramble to get good seats. Tickets for each screening cost P300 (regular), P200 (student discount rate).

Also addressing accessibility issues due to the phasing out of the orange jeepneys that once plowed the route going to the CCP, free shuttles will be deployed in key areas around the complex. Pick up/drop off points for these shuttles will be announced soon as well.

Flutist Mark Kenedy Rocas, violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, pianist Aidan Ezra Baracol to perform at PPO's concert at Samsung Performing Arts Center

Aiming to introduce the young (and the not so young) to the wonders of the orchestra and orchestral music, the Cultural Center of the Philippines presents the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in the PPO Young People's Concert happening on July 7, 2023, 4:00 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater.

The concert will feature a trio of CCP music scholars namely flutist Mark Kenedy Rocas, violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, and pianist Aidan Ezra Baracol performing with the PPO under the baton of Herminigildo Ranera.

The program includes Jacques Offenbach’s Orpheus in the Underworld Overture, the first two movements of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Flute Concerto No. 2 in D major, K. 314, Maurice Ravel’s Tzigane, and Sergei Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2 in C minor, Op. 18.

The three featured soloists have been making their mark in the music scene in recent years with Bacarol making a splash during the PPO's 50th Anniversary Jubilee Gala last May. Ong last shared the stage with the PPO at A French-Ship Concert held on July 2022. Rocas, on the other hand, has been performing as Assistant Principal Flute with the UP Symphony Orchestra.

The PPO Young People's Concert marks the orchestra's debut at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Admission to the concert is for free with tickets to be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater main lobby on July 7, 2023 starting at 2:30 PM.