UPLB Choral Ensemble competes against 5 Indonesian choirs in 1st Asia Choral Grand Prix

Lone Philippine bet University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble will compete against five Indonesian choirs for the title of the 1st Asia Choral Grand Prix on July 21, 2019, 6:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

The other five choirs hoping to bring the bacon to Indonesia are Brawijaya University Student Choir, e Deum Voice, Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Padjadjaran, Vocalista Harmonic Choir ISI Yogyakarta, and the St. Louis High School Choir.

The six competing choirs for the Asia Choral Grand Prix qualified through finishing among the two at the 2017 and 2018 international choral festivals in Asia namely the Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival, the Bali International Choir Festival (BICF) and the Singapore International Choral Festival (SICF). 

The jury is for the competition is composed of Werner Pfaff from Germany, Jason Max Ferdinand from the USA, Digna Guerra from Cuba, David Squire from New Zealand, and Mark Anthony Carpio from the Philippines.

The next two editions of the Asia Choral Grand Prix will be held in Indonesia in 2021 and in Singapore in 2023.

Prior to the competition, the six choirs will perform in various churches around Metro Manila the day before the competition begins.

St. Louis High School Choir

Conducted by Onny Prihantono

July 20, 2019, 6:45 PM

National Shrine of Our Mother of Perpetual Help
Baclaran, Parañaque City

Vocalista Harmonic Choir ISI Yogyakarta

Conducted by Athitya Diah Natalia Monica

July 20, 2019, 6:45 PM

Minor Basilica of San Lorenzo Ruiz
Binondo, Manila

University of the Philippines Los Baños Choral Ensemble

Conducted by Roijin Galauran Suarez

July 20, 2019, 7:15 PM

San Sebastian Basilica
Quiapo, Manila

e Deum Voice

Conducted by Jan Rohtuahson Sinaga

July 20, 2019, 7:30 PM

St. John Bosco Parish
Amorsolo St., Makati City

Paduan Suara Mahasiswa Universitas Padjadjaran

Conducted by Arvin Zeinullah

July 20, 2019, 7:30 PM

Archdiocesan Shrine of the Blessed Sacrament
Our Lady of the Pillar Parish
Santa Cruz, Manila

Brawijaya University Student Choir 

Conducted by Agustinus Bambang Jusana

July 20, 209 7:45 PM

Saint Andrew the Apostle Parish
Bel Air II, Makati City

ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra puts spotlight on young artists in upcoming concert

Catch two of the country's promising young, music talents, pianist Jet Stephen Chong and violinist Adrian Nicolas Ong, perform with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Gerard Salonga in The Young Soloists, a concert happening on July 20, 2019, 7:00 PM at the Hyundai Hall, Areté at the Ateneo de Manila University campus.

Pieces to be performed are Alexander Glazunov's Chopiniana, Op. 46, Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's Piano Concerto No. 1 in B flat minor, Op. 23 with Jet as soloist, and Violin Concerto in D major, Op. 35, with Adrian as soloist, and Sergei Rachmaninoff's Vocalise, Op. 34 No. 14.

Adrian is headed to New York, USA to study at the Mannes School of Music (The New School) under the tutelage of Professor Aaron Rosand and Christina Kimmh Rosand. Jet, on the other hand, is Singapore bound to study at the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music under the tutelage of Professor Albert Tiu.

For tickets, contact Eric Bolante at (0998)969-7175 or Kat Berber at (0998)969-7176 or contact 415-2272 local 2411.

22nd Eiga Sai: Running for their lives in Samurai Marathon

An intense Kendo demonstration, rocking shamisen music, a film where villagers ran for their lives, and a return to the Shangri-La Plaza marked the opening of the 22nd Eiga Sai, Japanese Film Festival presented by the Japan Foundation, Manila.

True to tradition, Eiga Sai at the Shang is always more than just the Japanese film screenings at the Red Carpet. There are other events at attractions as well in line with the Philippines-Japan Friendship Month celebrations and there were previews of them during the opening night of the 22nd Eiga Sai like a kendo demonstration by the IGA Kendo Club.

IGA Kendo Club

The opening night also featured a performance by shamisen player Keisho Ohno combining the traditional (instrument) with the modern (rock music).

Shamisen player Keisho Oho

A highly popular attraction this time around is an exhibit by Geisha's Blade Philippines Samurai Sword Shop with Samurai katana and armor on display.

The film screenings at the Red Carpet might have ended but the exhibit and other attractions still go on until the end of July. The films have started its nationwide tour before heading back to Manila towards the end of August.

Samurai Marathon

Directed by Bernard Rose, Samurai Marathon is a historical drama based on Dobashi Akihiro's novel Bakumatsu Marathon Samurai which is about the Ansei Tooashi, the first marathon in Japan.

The arrival of the Americans in Japan has threatened Annaka feudal lord Itakura Katsuakira (Hiroki Hasegawa). To whip his samurai warriors back into shape just in case of an invasion, he orders them to run a marathon. But Karasawa Jinnai (Satoh Takeru), an undercover ninja in their midst mistakenly reports to the Bafuku central government that Annaka is plotting a rebellion. The simple training exercise has turned into a deadly race for their lives and Jinnai's loyalty will be tested.

Samurai Marathon is a different take on a Japanese period film, through the perspective of a western director. It holds no punches right from the start with the comic portrayal of the Americans who sailed to the Japanese shores. And he spared no subtlety in depicting the gore in a few scenes.

The film offered genuine surprises especially when it was revealed how much have the ninjas truly infiltrated Annaka without anyone knowing. The race and its impending outcome kept viewers on the edge of their seats. It made me wonder how historically accurate the role of the Princess Yuki (Nana Komatsu) in all of this. Even her servants acting out as secret guards sparked my curiosity if this was indeed true or was just added to increase the female presence in this otherwise male dominated film.

Noteworthy also is the Philip Glass score which is oddly reminiscent of his work in Mishima. Unfortunately, information about the soundtrack is rare and it is uncertain if Philip Glass has released any other music based on this score.

12 choirs compete at 4th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Fest

With the stakes getting higher and slots for the 2nd Asia Choral Grand Prix up for grabs, the 4th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival takes place this July 18-21, 2019 the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, this biannual competition will see a total of twelve choirs from the Philippines, Indonesia, and Poland competing in three categories namely Folk Song, Equal Voices, and Mixed Choir.

The twelve competing choirs are Don Bosco Makati – Boscorale, Chór Pueri et Puellae Cantores Plocenses (Poland), Chorus Vocales Philippines, Far Eastern University Chorale, Gloria Patri Singers, Miriam College High School Glee Club, Philippine Normal University (PNU) Kalibnusan Chorale, Philippine Vocal Ensemble, St. Paul Pasig High School Chorale, Technological Institute of the Philippines (TIP) Choral Society, University of Baguio (UB) Voices Chorale, and the Voice of Satya Wacana Christian University (Indonesia).

Aside from the competition, the AOV International Choral Festival will feature a Gala Concert by the Philippine Madrigal Singers with choirmaster Mark Anthony Carpio and also lead up to the inaugural Asia Choral Grand Prix at the final day of the festival.

Members of the jury are Dr. Jason Max Ferdinand (USA), Werner Pfaff (Germany), Digna Guerra (Cuba), David Squire (New Zealand), and Mark Anthony Carpio (Philippines). They will also name the two choirs who will compete at the 2nd Asia Choral Grand Prix to be held in Bali, Indonesia in July 2021.

Here is the schedule for the 4th Andrea O. Veneracion International Choral Festival.

July 18, 2019

5:00 PM Opening Ceremonies

7:00 PM Philippine Madrigal Singers Gala Concert

July 19, 2019

7:00 PM Folk Song Category Competition

July 20, 2019

4:00 PM Equal Voices Category Competition

7:00 PM Mixed Choir Category Competition

July 21, 2019

6:00 PM 1st Asia Choral Grand Prix

8:40 PM Closing and Awarding Ceremonies