Iranian Film Festival 2025 screens at Shang's Red Carpet Cinemas

The Cultural Section of the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran in Manila, in cooperation with Shangri-La Plaza and the Film Development Council of the Philippines present the Iranian Film Festival 2025 happening this March 1-3, 2025 at the Shangri-La Plaza's Red Carpet Cinemas.

This festival's editions will showcase six contemporary Iranian films led by In the Arms of the Tree, Iran's official entry for the Best International Feature Film category at the 97th Academy Awards.

Admissions to the film screenings, at Cinema 3 of Shang's Red Carpet, are for free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here is the film lineup of the Iranian Film Festival 2025.

Capitan (2022)

Director: Mohammad Hamzei

Cast: Pantea Panahiha, Pejhman Bazeghi, Sepideh Eydi, Amir Hossein Bayat, Parham Gholamlou, Amir Ali Moghadam, Mahbod Byour, Arghavan Shabani

Isa is an 11-year-old boy in a children's hospital who dreams of playing for Iran's national football team and is often referred to as "Captain." Despite his illness, he is determined to achieve his goal.

Fragrant (2023)

Director: Hadi Moghadamdoost

Cast: Mostafa Zamani, Hoda Zeinolabedin

The story of the suffering and cowardly man’s confrontation with life and his commitments. A romantic melodrama that centers around a man's ambition to create a unique perfume that has never been experienced before. The film explores themes of love, creativity, and the personal struggles associated with pursuing one's dreams. It highlights the protagonist's emotional journey as he confronts the challenges of life and his obligations while striving to achieve his artistic vision.

Goodbye Shirazi Girl (2020)

Director: Afshin Hashemi

Cast: Afshin Hashemi, Shabnam Moghadami, Aysan Hadad

Based on Neil Simon’s The Goodbye Girl.Based on Neil Simon's Goodbye Girl it is a romantic story Nasim who is from Abadan and Shabnam a widow who lives with her girl. When they both rent the same house, they have to deal with each other until they find a solution.

In the Arms of the Tree (2023)

Director: Babak Lofti Khajehpasha

Cast: Maral Baniadam, Javad Ghamati, Rouhollah Zamani, Ahoora Lotfi, Rayan Lotfi

The life crisis of Kimia and Farid, who have been married for twelve years, destroys the world of their children. Children who know nothing but kindness in life.

A Passenger from Ganora (2024)

Director: Ahmad Alamdar

Cast: Hooman Karimi, Atefeh Rezvannia, Shohre Roohi, Leila Soodbakhsh

A family, science fiction, and adventure animation, it is about an alien who comes to the earth to search for the ruler of the planet Ganora, who is lost on earth. A disabled boy and his friends help the alien to restore peace to the land of Ganora.

Sima's Unfinished Narration (2023)

Director: Alireza Samadi

Cast: Ghazal Shakeri, Hamed Kamili, Mehran Ahmadi

Dr Arash Samin, one of the prominent professors in the field of sociology, lives a calm and peaceful life with his doctor wife and young daughter. But the publication of a picture of him in cyberspace puts his personal and family life on a new path..

Here is the schedule of screenings.

March 1, 2025

2:00 PM In the Arms of the Tree

4:00 PM A Passenger from Ganora

March 2, 2025

2:00 PM Capitan

4:00 PM Goodbye Shirazi Girl

March 3, 2025

6:00 PM Fragrant

8:30 PM Sima's Unfinished Narration

Jeanine Tesori's Grounded premieres at CCP The Met: LIVE in HD

Jeanine Tesori's Grounded is set to land on Philippine shores making its premiere at CCP The Met: LIVE in HD screening on March 4, 2025, 5:30 PM at Glorietta 4 Cinema 1 in Makati.

Grounded is a groundbreaking, kaleidoscopic opera that wrestles with often-overlooked issues created by 21st-century warmaking: the ethical conflicts created by the use of modern military technology and the psychological and emotional toll supposedly safe remote technology takes on our servicepersons.

Emily D'Angelo

This production by Michael Mayer stars Canadian mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo as Jess, the hot-shot fighter pilot whose life at the military is derailed due to an unexpected pregnancy and American tenor Ben Bliss costars as the Wyoming rancher Eric. At the podium conducting the orchestra is Met Music Director Yannick Nézet-Séguin.

Grounded is composed by Jeanine Tesori with libretto by George Brant. Tesori is the Tony Award winning composer behind Kimberly Akimbo and Fun Home, the musical adaptation of Alison Bechdel's 2006 graphic memoir.

Reprinted below is the press release for CCP The Met: Live in HD screening of Grounded.

The Realities of Modern Warfare Through a Woman’s Eyes

CCP The Met: LIVE in HD premieres Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded this March at Glorietta 4

Two-time Tony Award–winning composer Jeanine Tesori’s new opera Grounded is set to premiere in the Philippines through CCP The Met: LIVE in HD on March 4, 5:30 pm, exclusively at Glorietta 4 Cinema 1 in Makati City.

Grounded narrates the story of a woman who is a successful F-16 combat pilot in the United States Air Force but has to leave the military for a moment because of her unexpected pregnancy. When she comes back, she is reassigned to being a Reaper drone operator in the Nevada desert. As she adjusts to this new way of doing battle, she struggles under the pressure to be the perfect soldier, the perfect wife, and the perfect mother all at the same time.

A thrilling, fast-paced adaptation of an award-winning play by playwright George Brant, who also wrote the libretto, the opera explores the psychological toll of modern warfare, as well as the roles of women in the armed forces and in society at large.

“The main part of the opera deals with what that psychological toll is on this woman. I’ve seen so many war stories, movies and books, and they’ve been told from male perspective. To me, when you see that woman up there in her fight suit, there is a jolt of newness and differentness,” shared George Brant, the playwright and librettist of the opera, in the behind-the-scenes interview.

Tesori, the most prolific female composer in American theater history and one of the first two women ever commissioned to compose an opera for the Met, described Grounded as “a moral awakening. I think Grounded is about unseen trauma, the psyche behind that.”

Commissioned through the Metropolitan Opera-Lincoln Center Theater New Works Program, Grounded had its world premiere at the Washington National Opera in 2023 and opened the Met’s 2024-2025 season, with Tesori making history as the first woman composer in the company’s 141-year legacy to open the season. This milestone highlights the growing recognition of female composers in a male-dominated industry.

Tesori is the force behind the Tony Award–winning Best Musicals Kimberly Akimbo and Fun Home. Grounded is her fourth opera, following most recently Blue, which garnered the Music Critics Association Award for Best New Opera.

Mezzo-soprano Emily D’Angelo, one of most compelling young opera stars in this generation, headlines in the tour-de-force role of the hot-shot woman fighter pilot.

“It’s just the most amazing material, with the most amazing team of people. It’s a gorgeous story. It is a meaningful human story about a person who, you know, seems so real. So, to have the opportunity to play this character and to sing music written by Jeanine Tesori, it’s impossible to turn down,” said D’Angelo in an interview with The Met.

The Met music director Yannick Nézet-Séguin, with assistant conductor Steven Osgood, takes the podium and leads the powerful cast. Michael Mayer’s high-tech staging, using a vast array of LED screens, presents a variety of perspectives on the action, including the drone’s predatory view from high above.

The special screening of Grounded is part of the tenth season of CCP The Met: LIVE in HD, a remarkable program that brings the captivating world of opera to Filipino audiences, offering them the unique opportunity to experience world-class performances from The Metropolitan Opera. The program is in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, The Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc. (FOSFI), and the Ayala Malls Cinemas.

Regular tickets for the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD are priced at Php350. Students and young professionals may avail of the special discounted price of Php100 upon presenting a valid ID. For tickets, visit Glorietta 4 Cinema ticket booth or book via www.sureseats.com.

For more information on CCP The Met: LIVE in HD, visit the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube. Visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph).

Op-Ed: The Road to Prosperity by Radosław Sikorski

Radosław Sikorski

Browsing social media I have recently come across a map showing all the countries with GDP per capita higher than Poland’s back in 1990 and in 2018. The difference was striking. While 35 years ago there were quite a few such countries not only in Europe but also in South America, Asia and Africa, in time their number has significantly decreased. In 2018 there were no longer any South American or African states highlighted on the map.

By 2025, the group has shrunk even further. According to IMF’s data Poland’s GDP in 1990 was a mere $6,690 in current dollars. By 2024 it grew almost 8-fold to $51,630. All that in just three decades - one generation. And it goes on. According to the European Commission’s forecast, in the years 2024-2025 Polish economy will be the fastest growing large economy in the European Union.

How did it happen? Apart from the hard work of our citizens, two major factors – or, to be more precise, two institutions – contributed to the economic success: NATO and the European Union.

The first, which Poland joined in 1999, provided security guarantees and helped overcome decades-old division between Eastern and Western Europe. The second, which we joined five years later, took the process of easing long-standing disparities one step further. It granted new member states access to so-called “cohesion funds” but most importantly to the common European market.

Sources of success

After the fall of communism in Poland in 1989 and the return of messy democratic politics, despite all day-to-day political squabbles one thing remained constant no matter who was in power – Poland’s determination to join the two aforementioned organizations. Why?

We are a great nation but a medium-size country. We cherish our long history - this year marks a millennium since the coronation of our first king - but our population is much smaller than that of merely Beijing and Shanghai combined. Poland needs allies to boost its potential on the international stage.

What’s been true for Poland - in 1990 a poor country coming out of four decades of Russian domination and economic mismanagement – might well be true for many of the so-called “middle powers” in Asia, Africa and South America looking for room to grow.

These countries often need what Poland desperately needed 35 years ago and still profits from: good governance, foreign investments with no strings attached, but above all political stability, rule of law, and predictable international environment with neighbors eager not to wage wars but work together for mutual benefit. In fact, these factors can benefit every country, no matter the level of their GDP.

Today the international order is being challenged on multiple fronts. Sometimes for good reasons. Decades-old institutions - including the UN and its Security Council - are unrepresentative of the global community and incapable of dealing with the challenges we face. What they need, however is to be thoroughly reformed, not entirely rejected.

Imperialist illusions

To those desperate for change force might look appealing. It would be a mistake. Abandoning forums for international dialogue and resorting to violence will not get us far.

Take Russia’s unprovoked aggression against Ukraine. According to Kremlin’s propaganda it is a justified reaction to western imperialism allegedly threatening Russia’s security. In fact, it is a modern-day colonial war against Ukrainian people who – just like us Poles 30 years ago – want a better life and realize they can never achieve this goal by going back to subjugation to Russia. That is what they are being punished for – an effort to free themselves from the control of a former metropolis. Kremlin’s aggression is a desperate struggle of a failing empire to restore its sphere of influence.

Russian victory - may it never come - would not create a more just global order. It wouldn’t benefit countries dissatisfied with where things stand now. It wouldn’t even bring about a more just and prosperous Russia. Suffice to say there are now more political prisoners in Russia than there were in the 1980’s when the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan. There are many more casualties as well.

War is hardly ever a shortcut to prosperity. Over the last millennium Poland experienced its share of invasions and uprisings against occupying forces. What finally brought us prosperity were three decades of peace, predictability, international cooperation and political stability.

That is why on assuming the presidency of the Council of the European Union Poland made its priority clear – security in its many dimensions, from military, through economic to digital. Europe safe, prosperous and open for business can benefit not only Europeans but a greater global community. Just as it benefited Poland over the last three decades.

It may sound dull but it worked. Just look at the numbers.

Radosław Sikorski is Poland’s foreign minister.

Jericho Rosales plays Quezon in TBA Studios biopic

Jericho Rosales
Photo ©TBA Studios

Jericho Rosales is Manuel L. Quezon.

TBA Studios has officially announced that Jericho Rosales will portray the role of Philippine President Manuel L. Quezon in the historical biopic Quezon. 

Quezon, the latest installment in Bayaniverse, the studio's cinematic offerings based in Philippine history, follows the life of Quezon, a Filipino lawyer, and soldier who became the President of the Commonwealth of the Philippines from 1935 to 1944.

“I feel so honored to be with this team. Coming to a script like this which is so potent and so entertaining, I feel so lucky and happy.” Rosales said. “Here, you will see Quezon as a person. He's not written as a hero. He is cunning, he is charming, he is intelligent. Quezon is such an interesting character to play; there are so many things I can put into the role to build Quezon as a character. That adds to the pressure, but at the same time I am very excited.”

Quezon marks Rosales' big screen comeback since the 2018 drama The Girl in the Orange Dress. He starred in the recently concluded ABS-CBN drama series Lavender Fields.

TBA Studios President and COO Daphne Chiu said of the casting: “We are honored to welcome Jericho Rosales as he leads the cast of ‘Quezon.’ Jericho’s unbelievable screen presence has made him one of our best actors today, and we're all looking forward to working with him and seeing how his artistry can give life to one of the country’s most charismatic yet divisive political figures.”

Meanwhile, “Quezon” director and co-writer Jerrold Tarog said Rosales was cast for the power he is known to deliver on screen—the same power the actor showcased when he auditioned for the role of Gen. Antonio Luna in Heneral Luna (2015).

Reprising their previous Bayaniverse roles in Quezon are Mon Confiado as Emilio Aguinaldo and Benjamin Alves as the younger Quezon. Also joining the cast are Karylle Yuzon as Quezon’s wife, Aurora Quezon, Romnick Sarmenta as Sergio Osmeña, the first Vice President of the Philippines, JC Santos as Manuel Roxas, and Cris Villanueva as the older Joven Hernando, the only fictional character in the film series.

Quezon is slated for local and international release later this year. Until then, it's time to revisit the previous two installments of the Bayaniverse.

Heneral Luna (2015)

Director: Jerrold Tarog

Cast: John Arcilla, Mon Confiado, Arron Villaflor, Joem Bascon, Archie Alemania, Art Acuña, Alex Medina, Nonie Buencamino, Lorenz Martinez, Epy Quizon, Alvin Anson, Mylene Dizon, Bing Pimentel, Leo Martinez, Ketchup Eusebio, Ronnie Lazaro, Paulo Avelino

General Antonio Luna, commander of the revolutionary army, is spoiling for a fight. After three hundred years as a Spanish colony, the Philippines must endure a new foreign power: the United States of America. General Luna wants to fight for freedom but members of the elite want to strike a deal with the Americans. The infighting is fierce in the new cabinet but General Luna and his loyal men forge ahead even as his military decisions are met with resistance from soldiers who are loyal only to President Aguinaldo. Ultimately, it is the general’s legendary temper and pride that bring him to his death when a pack of presidential guards assassinate him in broad daylight. While American newspapers blame Aguinaldo, the mystery of General Luna’s assassination was never completely solved and his killers never put to justice.

Goyo: Ang Batang Heneral (2018)

Director: Jerrold Tarog Cast: Paulo Avelino, Art Acuña, Alvin Anson, Epy Quizon, Mon Confiado, Empress Schuck, Gwen Zamora, Rafa Siguion-Reyna, Carlo Aquino, Arron Villaflor

With this film (the second war trilogy set during the Filipino-American war in the early 1900s), the revolution marches on against the Americans after the bloody death of General Antonio Luna. The conflicted philosophies behind the heroic struggle continue and become personified in the colorful character of General Gregorio “Goyo” del Pilar.

Philippines joins worldwide film screening of Ludzie in solidarity with Ukraine

Photo ©Jan Lemiech

The Philippines joins more than 30 countries in the worldwide screening of the film Ludzie (People) in commemoration of the third anniversary of the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.

Directed by Polish filmmakers Maciej Ślesicki and Filip Hillesland, Ludzie is the first feature film about the war in Ukraine. The film features an all Ukrainian cast led by Afina Ostapenko, Mariia Shtofa, Oksana Cherkashyna, Tetiana Yurikova, and Nina Naboka as well as Cezart Pazura.

The film focuses on the lives of five women sharing the experience of war, emphasizing the women's point of view as well as their courage, strength, and perseverance which is often overlooked in films depicting military conflicts.

I have frequently announced my plans to stop making any more films, but something made me go back on my promise. Cruelty and bestiality of Russians who invaded Ukraine made me furious. I guess that this sense of helplessness and injustice, mixed with anger, are the best motivation for a film director to make a movie. The script I wrote is based on true events; all I had to do was to combine them into a whole. Civilians are the group most affected by absurdity and cruelty of war. The film is an attempt to help others see the war through their eyes.

- Maciej Ślesicki, producer and director

Photo ©Jan Lemiech

At the end of the day, each global crisis translates into suffering of local ordinary people: mothers, sons, daughters, fathers, grandfathers, lovers and neighbours. This film is about them. They are suddenly forced to make unimaginable decisions of critical importance, where both life and human dignity are at stake. Unfortunately, we tend to forget about the fact that such tragic events take place every day beyond our Eastern border. We all have our own lives to live, our own reality and problems. It is normal that we grow indifferent with time. Now and then, empathy needs a booster. I hope that this film will provide this much needed stimulus. I hope it will trigger empathy.

- Filip Hillesland, director

The free public screening of Ludzie will be on February 24, 2025, 3:00 PM at Cinema 3 of Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza in Mandaluyong.

Ludzie is produced by the Warsaw Film School and co-financed by the Polish Film Institute. The Philippine screening is presented by the Embassy of Poland in Manila, the Embassy of Ukraine in the Philippines, the Delegation of the European Union in the Philippines, the Film Development Council of the Philippines, and the Shangri-La Plaza.  

Ludzie | People (2024)

Directors: Maciej Ślesicki, Filip Hillesland

Cast: Mariia Shtofa, Cezary Pazura, Oksana Cherkashyna, Afina Ostapenko, Daniel Dziubynskyi, Hryhorii Horobchuk, Tetyana Yurikova, Nina Naboka, Oleksandr Yarema

When war breaks out in Ukraine, five women are forced to take up a desperate fight to save themselves and their loved ones. A doctor who faces a huge moral dilemma. A blind girl who becomes a carer for a group of orphans. A teenager who tries to save her little sister at all costs. An elderly woman who loses her husband after many years of living together. A mother who goes to the front to find her son. Their intertwined fates combine into a symbolic story about humanity, and remind us that war is just around the corner.

A Rare Glimpse into Japan’s Living Tradition: Maiko and Geiko from Gion, Kyoto to Perform in the Philippines

The Japan Foundation, Manila (JFM) proudly presents a rare opportunity to witness the elegance and artistry of Japan’s renowned Maiko and Geiko from Gion Higashi, Kyoto. This exclusive performance will take place on February 22, 2025, at 6:30 PM at Shangri-La Plaza Grand Atrium, as part of Nihongo Fiesta 2025.

This once-in-a-blue-moon event offers audiences a rare chance to experience traditional Japanese performing arts, showcasing the grace, refined movements, and time-honored culture of Kyoto’s Hanamachi (flower town). Maiko (apprentice Geiko) and Geiko from the historic district of Gion in Kyoto will perform classical Japanese dances and share insights into their centuries-old traditions.

The Nihongo Fiesta 2025, scheduled from February 22-23, 2025, is JFM’s annual celebration of Japanese language and culture. This year’s festivities also include the 52nd Nihongo Speech Contest, where talented Filipino learners of the Japanese language will showcase their skills, and a special Kobanashi (comic storytelling) performance, adding humor and wit to the program.

Admission to the Maiko and Geiko performance is free, offering a unique cultural immersion experience for Filipinos interested in Japan’s vibrant heritage.

For more details about Nihongo Fiesta 2025, visit The Japan Foundation, Manila’s official Facebook page and stay updated on event schedules and announcements.

Spanish Classical Guitar Virtuoso Miguel Trápaga performing 3 concerts at UP Diliman, UST and Instituto Cervantes de Manila

Miguel Trapaga
Photo © Kazuhiro Yoshizumi

The Instituto Cervantes de Manila, the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and the Spanish Agency for Cooperation, in collaboration with the UP College of Music and the Conservatory of Music of UST, are proud to present the internationally acclaimed Spanish guitarist Miguel Trápaga in a series of concerts featuring one of his latest project, The Guitar in the Time of Manuel de Falla.

Performances are scheduled on February 17, 6:30 PM, at the University of the Philippines Diliman; February 19, 2:00 PM at the University of Santo Tomás, and February 21, 7:00 PM at Instituto Cervantes in Intramuros. These concerts promise a captivating journey through Spain’s rich musical heritage, brought to life by Trápaga, one of the world’s leading Spanish ambassadors of classical guitar.

Born in Cantabria, Spain, Miguel Trápaga is celebrated for his profound commitment to the classical guitar repertoire, from 18th-century masterpieces to contemporary works. Being a graduate of the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid, Trápaga has earned numerous awards, including top honors at prestigious competitions, such as the Andrés Segovia International Guitar Competition or the Guitar Foundation of America’s International Solo Guitar Competition.

With an impressive international career, Trápaga has performed in iconic venues such as the Forbidden City Auditorium in Beijing, the Teresa Carreño Theater in Caracas, or the National Theatre in Taiwan. He has also collaborated with esteemed orchestras including the Real Filharmonía de Galicia, the Seville Symphony Orchestra, and the National Philharmonic of Ukraine.

Trápaga’s discography includes seven albums, with notable recordings for the NAXOS label, such as Concierto de Aranjuez by Joaquín Rodrigo, and the world premiere of Leo Brouwer’s Concierto de Benicassim. His latest album, Double Guitar Concertos, showcases works by renowned Spanish composers.

In addition to his active concert schedule, Trápaga is a professor at the Royal Conservatory of Music in Madrid and a sought-after guest lecturer worldwide, having taught masterclasses at institutions such as the Sibelius Academy in Helsinki and the Melbourne University Conservatorium of Music.

The program, The Guitar in the Time of Manuel de Falla, features a carefully curated selection of compositions that highlight the vibrant and evocative spirit of Spanish music.

First Part:

• Isaac Albéniz: Asturias, Capricho Catalán, Torre Bermeja
• Manuel M. Ponce: Suite in A Minor (Prélude, Allemande, Sarabande, Gavotte I et II, Gigue)

Second Part:

• Federico Moreno-Torroba: Sonatina (Allegretto, Andante, Allegro)
• Manuel de Falla: Homenaje a Debussy, Romance del Pescador, Canción del Fuego Fatuo
• Joaquín Turina: Sonata for Guitar, Op. 61 (Allegro, Andante, Allegro Vivo)

The three performances are free of charge, but seating is limited. Reservations can be made through the following link: https://forms.office.com/e/sXJCJsA1wq

Don’t miss this rare opportunity to witness the artistry of Miguel Trápaga and experience the timeless beauty of Spanish classical guitar.

On 18 February, Miguel Trápaga will also conduct a master class for advanced guitar students at Instituto Cervantes. Interested candidates should register through this link: https://forms.office.com/e/Qutb69171c

For updates on the concerts and other cultural activities of Instituto Cervantes, kindly visit Instituto Cervantes de Manila website https://manila.cervantes.es, or its Facebook and Instagram pages: www.facebook.com/InstitutoCervantesManila and https://www.instagram.com/institutocervantesmanila/

PPO celebrates peace and solidarity in Wings of Hope concert

The Embassy of the Republic of Poland in Manila and the Cultural Center of the Philippines present the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the music direction of Grzegorz Nowak, in Wings of Hope: Warsaw-Manila Peace Tribute, a concert celebrating peace and solidarity happening on February 14, 2025, 7:30 PM at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.

Konrad Binienda

The concert, the fifth installment of the PPO's 40th season, is highlighted by the world premiere of Roxanna Panufnik’s Wings of Hope, a commissioned work dedicated to the incredibly brave resistance fighters of World War II in both Manila and Warsaw.

Accompanying the music are film illustrations created by director Adam Ustynowicz and graphic artist Piotr Forkasiewicz creating a multi-sensory experience. Ustynowicz bagged the Best Film Award at the Monaco Film Festival with Chopin: the Space Concert, which brought Frédéric Chopin’s music along the flight of the Space Shuttle.

Małgorzata Trojanowska

Aside from composer Roxanna Panufnik, also flying to Manila for the concert are pianist Konrad Binienda and soprano Małgorzata Trojanowska.

Binienda opens the concert with Richard Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto, a miniature concerto originally written for the 1941 film Dangerous Moonlight. He will also perform Frédéric Chopin’s Allegro de concert, Op. 46 featuring his own orchestration. Trojanowska, on the other hand, will be the featured soloist in Henryk Górecki's Symphony No. 3, Op. 36 'Symphony of Sorrowful Songs'. This symphony, composed in 1976, is Górecki's most famous work as evidenced by the commercial success of the 1992 recording by the London Sinfonietta with Dawn Upshaw, under the baton of David Zinman making it one of the most best selling contemporary classical records in the world.

Also to be performed at the concert Andrzej Panufnik's Heroic Overture and Tragic Overture.

Reprinted below is the press release of the PPO Concert V which is also dubbed as Hope.

Resilient tales of love and loss in PPO Concert V: HOPE this February 14

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) imparts narratives of solemn heroism and resiliency in the fifth installment of its 40th concert season, dubbed as “HOPE,” on February 14, 2025, 7:30 p.m., at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila City.

PPO Concert V: Hope uses the universal language of music to tell the shared past of two capitals, Warsaw (Poland) and Manila (Philippines), through melodies from Wings of Hope: a Warsaw-Manila Peace Tribute.

Accompanying the music are film illustrations created by director Adam Ustynowicz and graphic artist Piotr Forkasiewicz, thus creating a multi-sensory experience. Ustynowicz also bagged the Best Film Award at the Monaco Film Festival with “Chopin: the Space Concert,” which brought Frédéric Chopin’s music along the flight of the Space Shuttle.

Through the universal language of music, PPO Concert V: Hope honors the heroes who sacrificed their lives during the Warsaw Uprising in Poland and the Manila Massacre in the Philippines, both important historical events during World War II.

The first Warsaw Uprising began on the afternoon of August 1, 1944, with 50,000 troops attacking a German garrison. Their initial success, however, didn’t last long. When the Germans counter-attacked, the Polish underground resistance Home Army faced the bloodiest encounter as they tried to regain control of their city. Without significant support, the Home Army was forced to surrender on October 2, 1944. Over 15,000 insurgents and 250,000 Polish civilians faced death while the survivors were captured and sent to German concentration camps.

Also known as the “Rape of Manila,” the often overlooked Manila Massacre happened on the heel of the return of Gen. Douglas McArthur to the capital city during the waning months of World War II. The battle was characterized by the bravery of Philippine troops amidst the atrocities committed by Japanese troops. Refusing to surrender, the withdrawing Japanese forces slaughtered more than 100,000 Filipinos. They bombed Manila, obliterating cultural landmarks, religious sites, and government infrastructures. These acts sparked a firestorm with the World War II allied forces.

Under the baton of Maestro Grzegorz Nowak, PPO Concert V: Hope highlights solidarity during trying times and spotlights the bravery shown by the people of the two countries.

The concert begins with Richard Addinsell’s Warsaw Concerto, featuring multi-talented Konrad Binienda on piano.

Addinsell half-heartedly wrote this concerto for the romantic film Dangerous Moonlight (1941). Besides evoking turmoil, this song narrates the bubbling love story between protagonists Polish pianist Radetzky and American journalist Carole. Addinsell’s “Warsaw Concerto” is known to divide opinion among musicians. For movie-goers, however, it is deemed brilliant for sounding like a “full-bloodied romance.”

From describing the tragedy of love amid war, PPO Concert V: Hope continues with Andrzej Panufnik’s Heroic Overture and Tragic Overture. “Heroic Overture” reflects Poland's brave resistance during World War II. Drawing inspiration from his origins, Panufnik finished writing it in 1939. That same year, Poland was betrayed by the Stalin-Hitler pact, causing Panufnik to lose all optimism, giving birth to “Tragic Overture”.

Agonizing over the death of his only brother during the uprising in 1944, Panufnik composed Tragic Overture. Including its first version, 30 years of his life’s work were destroyed in the war. He rewrote Tragic Overture, intending to hide his frustration beneath it. Panufnik’s subconscious, however, seeped through and presented his grief in onomatopoeic passages.

Panufnik’s Wings of Hope pays homage to Polish airmen who risked their lives in the name of freedom. This commissioned work discusses the helplessness and hope that come with heroism. While exploring the struggle of making sacrifices in exchange for triumph, Panufnik’s “Wings of Hope” weaves modern harmonies with the human spirit’s innate resilience.

Featuring Binienda’s most Chopin-like orchestration, the PPO Concert V: Hope will showcase Frédéric Chopin’s Allegro de concert with patriotic conviction. Despite its title, this composition is technically not a “concerto” as it lacked orchestration from Chopin. This, however, didn’t stop it from gaining popularity as artists reimagined it over the years. Chopin’s “Allegro de concert” derives from military music and nocturne-like lyricism, making it stylistically inconsistent.

PPO Concert V: Hope culminates with Henryk Górecki’s Symphony of Sorrowful Songs. With Konrad Binienda on the piano and golden-throated soprano Małgorzata Trojanowska, this magnificent piece offers the perspective of the war’s innocent victims. Lamenting on the horrors of World War II, Górecki’s magnum opus describes the intricate relationship of a mother and her child amid wartime. Long, sustained notes decorate “Symphony of Sorrowful Songs,” creating a contemplative mood.

Through the poignant repertoire from Wings of Hope: A Warsaw-Manila Peace Tribute, PPO Concert V: Hope harnesses music’s profound power to foster solidarity among audiences of diverse cultures.

Celebrate Heart’s Day with these classical melodies of heroism, love, and loss on February 14, at 7:30 p.m., at the Metropolitan Theater.

PPO tickets are priced at Php 3,000, Php 2,500, Php 2,000, and Php 1,500, and are available at TicketWorld. Be a PPO Subscriber and enjoy up to 25 percent discount. Email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the CCP Box Office at +63931-033-0880 for more information.

For updates on PPO’s future concerts, follow the official Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube accounts of the PPO and the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). You may also visit the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph for more information on upcoming masterclasses, workshops, performances, and other events.

CCP The Met LIVE in HD's 10th season opens with Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann

The Cultural Center of the Philippines in partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, the Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc. (FOSFI), and the Ayala Malls Cinemas bring back CCP The Met: LIVE in HD now screening at Glorietta 4 in Makati.

Now on its 10th season, CCP The Met: LIVE in HD offers eight recent Metropolitan Opera productions featuring today's biggest opera stars and filmed in high definition and Dolby Atmos surround sound.

Leading the lineup is Jacques Offenbach's Les contes d'Hoffmann screening on February 4, 2025, 5:30 PM at Glorietta 4, Makati.

This production by Bartlett Sher stars French tenor Benjamin Bernheim, American soprano Erin Morley as Olympia, South African soprano Pretty Yende as Antonia, and French mezzo-soprano Clémentine Margaine as Giulietta. Rounding up the cast are American bass-baritone Christian Van Horn as the Four Villains and Russian mezzo-soprano Vasilisa Berzhanskaya in her company debut as Nicklausse/Muse while Marco Armiliato conducts the Metropolitan Orchestra.

Here is the rest of the 10th season lineup of CCP The Met: LIVE in HD.

Grounded

Jeanine Tesori

March 4, 2025, 5:30 PM

Tosca

Giacomo Puccini

April 8, 2025, 5:30 PM

Aida

Giuseppe Verdi

May 6, 2025, 5:30 PM

Fidelio

Ludwig van Beethoven

June 3, 2025, 5:30 PM

Le nozze di Figaro

Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

July 1, 2025, 5:30 PM

Salome

Richard Strauss

August 12, 2025, 5:30 PM

Il barbiere di Siviglia

Gioachino Rossini

September 9, 2025, 5:30 PM

Here is the press release for CCP The Met: LIVE in HD.

CCP The Met: LIVE in HD returns with Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” this February

CCP The Met: LIVE in HD continues to fulfill its promise of bringing the magic of opera closer to the Filipino audience in its 10th season beginning this February. In partnership with the Metropolitan Opera of New York, The Filipinas Opera Society Foundation, Inc. (FOSFI), and the Ayala Malls Cinemas, eight (8) new operas will be screened at Glorietta 4 in Makati City with the surround sound technology of Dolby Atmos.

Curtains of the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD reopens with Jacques Offenbach’s “Les Contes d’Hoffmann” this February 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Les Contes d’Hoffmann (The Tales of Hoffmann) are the ramblings of a man drunk in wine and love. Tormented poet Hoffmann (played by Benjamin Bernheim) adores Stella, an opera singer. In three dramatic acts with fantasy elements, he narrates anecdotes of his past lovers: a mechanical doll named Olympia, the young Antonia, and the courtesan Giulietta residing in Venice.

Because it drew inspiration from three stories written by its namesake Ernst Theodor Wilhelm Hoffmann (E. T. A. Hoffmann), Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann faced numerous setbacks. It was originally intended for Paris’s Théâtre de la Gaîté-Lyrique in 1877 but Offenbach missed the deadline. After his death in 1880, French composer Ernest Guiraud was commissioned to finish the opera.

Les Contes d’Hoffmann has no “official” version. Music historians questioned Offenbach’s intentions with its spoken dialogues, resulting in multiple iterations in the order of its acts. However, they strived to honor Offenbach’s plan of mapping the spiritual journey of love from the early stages of infatuation to the occasional indulgence of passing fancies.

Directed by Tony award-winner Bartlett Sher, Offenbach’s Les Contes d’Hoffmann shares its whimsical tales with Filipino audiences at Glorietta 4, Cinema 1 on February 4, 2025, at 5:30 p.m.

Among the lineup of CCP The Met: LIVE in HD this season are Jeanine Tesori’s Grounded, Giacomo Puccini’s Tosca, Aida by Giuseppe Verdi, Ludwig Van Beethoven’s Fidelio, Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro, Salome of Richard Strauss, and Gioachino Rossini’s Il Barbiere di Siviglia.

Tesori’s “Grounded” focuses on former fighter pilot Jess who finds her passion psychologically and ethically challenged. Under the guidance of critically acclaimed conductors Steven Osgood and Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this fast-paced tale of modern warfare graces the Philippine cinema on March 4, at 5:30 p.m.

“Tosca” by Puccini is a political thriller set in 1800s Rome. The lives of diva Tosca, her lover Cavaradossi, and corrupt police chief Scarpia intertwine in this tale of love and deception. Witness Tosca confront her darkened fate on April 8, at 5:30 p.m.

During the reign of pharaohs in Egypt, Verdi’s “Aida” is a princess in love. After her beloved is chosen to lead a war with Ethiopia, she questions her loyalty to her country. This tragic story fosters a rollercoaster of emotions on May 6, at 5:30 p.m.

“Fidelio” is Beethoven’s sole opera. Laced with soaring melodies, heroine Leonore infiltrates a dungeon as a man to save her husband from an unjust execution. Under the baton of Grammy nominee Susanna Malkki, soprano Lise Davidsen fights for freedom in this drama slated on June 3, at 5:30 p.m.

Servants Figaro and Susanna navigate a whirlwind of mistaken identities to cement their happy ending in Mozart’s “Le Nozze di Figaro (The Wedding of Figaro)”. Set to premiere on July 1 at 5:30 p.m., this comedy expresses themes of gender equality, infidelity, and love.

Strauss’ “Salome” faces a tragedy as Herod, a superstitious ruler who happens to be her stepfather, becomes increasingly obsessed with her. Conducted by Grammy winner Yannick Nézet-Séguin, this gruesome biblical tale premieres on August 12, at 5:30 p.m.

Slated on September 9, Rossini’s “Il Barbiere di Siviglia” is a story of deception and bribery. Count Almaviva falls in love with Rosina, who Bartolo locked in his home. Count Almaviva creates multiple disguises to access her in this comedy featuring powerful vocal performances from Isabel Leonard and Lawrence Brownlee.

As the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD returns, the CCP keeps true to its commitment to developing the nation’s appreciation for all art forms. The CCP, while imparting splendid operas from all parts of the world, hopes to encourage Filipino audiences to welcome new artistic experiences.

Now screening exclusively at Glorietta 4 - Cinema 1 in Makati City, regular tickets for the CCP The Met: LIVE in HD are priced at Php350.00. Students and young professionals may avail of the special discounted price of Php100.00 upon presenting a valid ID. To purchase tickets, you may visit the venue’s ticket booth or book them online via www.sureseats.com.

For more information on CCP The Met: LIVE in HD, visit the official Facebook page of the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media or the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph). You may also follow the CCP’s official social media accounts on Facebook, Instagram, and YouTube.

MiraNila Heritage House hosts romantic outdoor film screenings

Imagine a romantic evening under the stars, surrounded by the timeless beauty of MiraNila Heritage House and Library. This Valentine’s month, MiraNila opens its doors to couples, friends, and families seeking a truly unique Valentine’s celebration. Pelikula sa MiraNila presents an unforgettable experience where love, history, and cinema come together.

On February 4, the first of the two Valentine’s outdoor screenings, Pelikula sa MiraNila presents a back-to-back showcase of Gitling by Jopy Arnaldo and Past Lives by Celine Song. Both of these films, according to film critic Jason Tan Liwag, explore “unlived lives, cultural differences, and our unknowable selves through the prism of failed romance.”

Gitling, winner of Best Screenplay at Cinemalaya 2023, tells the story of a young Filipina translator and a middle-aged Japanese director as they navigate the challenges of language and understanding. Past Lives by Celine Song, an Academy Award Best Picture nominee in 2024, traces the lives of two childhood friends over 24 years as they reflect on love, connection, and their divergent paths.

On February 12, the event continues with an equally captivating lineup, beginning with two acclaimed fantasy-romance short films. Martika Ramirez Escobar’s Living Things, a Cinemalaya 2014 Best Short Film winner, tells the whimsical tale of a woman’s partner turning into a cardboard standee. Carla Pulido Ocampo’s Tokwifi, an award-winning film from FAMAS, Gawad Urian, Cinemalaya, and QCinema, tells the story of a 1950s mestiza star trapped in a television that fell from the sky and discovered by a young man from Bontok who does not know how to kiss. The evening culminates with Isa Pa with Feelings by Prime Cruz, a heartfelt romance about an aspiring architect and her deaf neighbor, played by Maine Mendoza and Carlo Aquino, as they navigate their growing connection.

Petty Benitez-Johannot, MiraNila Heritage House Archivist and Curator, says, “Through Pelikula sa MiraNila, we aim to extend MiraNila’s appeal beyond heritage and history by engaging young cineastes. By presenting non-formulaic films that resonate with younger audiences, we hope to create a dynamic cultural experience that will encourage more people to explore the unique charm of MiraNila.”

MiraNila will open at 4:45 PM with the screenings will starting at 6:00 PM.

Tickets are priced at P700 for regular admission and P560 for students. Each ticket includes the film screenings, a heritage house tour, and a bag of special popcorn. Garden mats will also be provided to ensure a cozy and comfortable outdoor screening experience. Guests are encouraged to bring their own mini-pillows.

MiraNila is located at 26 Mariposa St., Brgy. Bagong Lipunan ng Crame, Quezon City. This event is in partnership with the Third District of Negros Occidental and Gallery MiraNila by The Blue Leaf, with the support of Star Cinema, Sinegang.ph, and Bizu Cafe and Patisserie at MiraNila.

For ticket reservations, call Robeen at 0927-2776335.