Tenor Rogelio Peñaverde, Jr. headlines fundraising concert

The Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines presents classical crossover artist Rogelio Peñaverde, Jr. as he pays tribute to the 2022 National Artists in Minamahal Kita: The Art of Filipino Love Songs, happening this September 15, 2022, 6:30 PM at the Main Theater Lobby of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Now based in New York, Peñaverde comes home and brings his concept to fruition in Minamahal Kita as he performs Filipino love songs ranging from the classical up to the contemporary.

Directed by Manolet Garcia, the concert will also feature guest artists namely soprano Athena Macatangay, cellist Giuseppe Diestro, baritone Kris Gonzales, guitarist Lance Capitan, pianist Madeline Jane Banta, soprano Myramae T. Meneses and pianist Nathan Gemina.

Tenor Rogelio Peñaverde, Jr.

Originating from the Philippines, Peñaverde flew to the US to study at the Manhattan School of Music in New York City for a Master’s Degree in Voice. After graduation, has appeared in several productions like Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart's Così fan tutte (Ferrando) with the Martina Arroyo Foundation, Leopold Mozart's Missa Solemnis in C at the Saint Patrick’s Cathedral of New York, and in the Off-Broadway run of Figaro 90210 (Basel) by Ragman Ventures.

When the pandemic shut down all live performances, Peñaverde turned to songwriting eventually coming up with 12 compositions collectively called the Pearl Drive Project in 2021. This led him to perform, as his alter ego Ilustrado, at Pete’s Candy Store in Brooklyn and also at the iconic Mercury Lounge in New York.

Proceeds from the concert will go towards the FCCP's 26 scholars. Speaking of scholars, here are some words from Madeline Jane Banta and Nathan Gemina, guest pianists at the concert, both of whom have been FCCP Scholars.

Harpist/pianist Madeline Jane Banta 

In a nutshell, how has FCCP contributed to your journey as an artist?

Jane: I definitely consider The Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines (FCCP), through Martin Lopez, as part of the circle of friends who helped me. I value and appreciate their generous financial contribution to my studies and living expenses abroad. But more than that, they’re friends too because they gave me moral support. They were present, always ready to answer my questions and listen to my stories, and provide some connection to home. Without letting me feel the pressure, they encouraged me when I had doubts, and this inspired me to work hard and do well. The best part of it is that their support did not stop when I returned to Manila in 2017. They have continued to be a partner in my career as harpist and pianist, connecting me to people, providing performance opportunities where I can share what I have learned in all these years of learning about music, and encouraging me to branch out and keep learning about the world outside music.

Nathan: The FCCP has been a monument in my journey as an artist. While I was a music student in UST, I was blessed through their scholarship program. I have also been given meaningful opportunities by the FCCP in showcasing my talents as a pianist.

As their scholar, it felt as if they have put a certain degree of trust in me as an artist in upholding my artistic excellence and values. That trust has propelled me time and time again to live up to a high standard of excellence in my craft.

Pianist Nathan Gemina

Any message for the FCCP and also for potential future scholars?

Jane: I am glad that FCCP and I share the same mission of sharing music and the arts (yes, harp music too) to fellow Filipinos. Performing and joining FCCP events is meaningful to me because I would like to be able to help other scholars fulfill their dreams, so that they could in turn also give back to the community. Education in culture and the arts is important because through this, we celebrate our humanness. It is this that unites us, despite all our differences and other boundaries that may separate us.

Nathan: It is from the bottom of my heart that I thank the FCCP for being a pillar in my journey as an artist. They have valued me greatly as an artist and person. I am blessed to have experienced both the organisational and personal relations that the FCCP has so professionally and kindly exuded. May God abundantly bless the FCCP's endeavours!

I continually believe in their support for current and future Filipino artists. What they are doing will make an impact in the next-generation artists' hopes and dreams. To the future scholars - you are the key in shaping the world and our nation's culture. May you dream big dreams and believe that God has made you with the purpose of making an impact to the people around you with your skillful hands, voices, and ideas.

For tickets, inquiries, and more information, visit the Friends for Cultural Concerns of the Philippines' Facebook page or call call Angie Godoy at +63927-2292128.

Mexican film festival returns at the Shang

After three years, the Shangri-La Plaza and the Embassy of Mexico in the Philippines bring back Cine México, a showcase of contemporary Mexican cinema, this September 7-11, 2022 at the Shang's Red Carpet.

The film festival features six Mexican films from the past decade namely La Promesa (The Promise), Ella es Ramona (She is Ramona), 90 días para el 2 de julio (90 Days to Election Day), Fuego Adentro (Fire Within), El Mar entre las Casas (The Sea between the Houses), and Después de Lucia (After Lucia). All films will be screened in the original Spanish language and with English subtitles. Admission is free on a first-come, first-served basis.

Here is the Cine México 2022 film line up with additional information.

90 días para el 2 de julio/90 Days to Election Day (2021)

Director: Rafael Martínez García

Cast: Luis Arrieta, Danae Reynaud, Armando Espitia, Martha Claudia Moreno, Greta Cervantes

Luis, a young 20 year old man must remain hidden in a house while the presidential elections pass. This is what Andrés, his boyfriend and presidential candidate of a very conservative party, asked him.

Después de Lucia/After Lucia (2012)

Director: Michael Franco

Cast: Tessa Ia, Hernán Mendoza, Gonzalo Vega Sisto, Paloma Cervantez, Tamara Yazbek Bernal, Juan Carlos Barranco, José María Torre, Paco Rueda, Diego Canales, Carmen Beato, Marco Treviño, Mónica del Carmen, Humberto Busto

After the death of her mother Lucía, teenage Alejandra and her dad Roberto have just moved from Puerto Vallarta to Mexico D.F. She is new at school, he has a new job. Starting over is sometimes complicated when you have left so much behind.

Ella es Ramona/She is Ramona (2015)

Director: Hugo Rodríguez

Cast: Andrea Ortega Lee, Daniel Giménez Cacho, María Rojo, Julio Bekhor, Leticia Huijara, Lila Avilés, Juan Carlos Colombo, Patricia Garza, Johanna Murillo, Alenka Rios, Darío T. Pie, Lilia Ortega (Doña Pinoles), Gabriela Murray, Alessandra Pozzo, Enrique Arreola, Ricardo Palacios, Jimena Guerra, Paulo Galindo

Ramona is fat woman with too much weight and barely any luck. She recalls a childhood filled with moral abuse by her mother, sister and friends, calling her silly offensive names referencing her overweight. When she became an adult, things didn’t really get any better. She’s fired for being fat, she wants a liposuction but the doctor informs her she’s not a candidate due to her overweight, and all her universe seems to be collapsing after a series of unfortunate events. But everything will soon get better thanks to some magical beetles she finds in a Tarot café.

Fuego Adentro/Fire Within (2020)

Director: Jesús Mario Lozano

Cast: Hugo Catalán, Armando Espitia, Luisa Pardo

A lonely and repentant man hides in a lost town until his younger brother finds him to bring him news of his beloved Marta. However, this unexpected visit will discover not only a past he did not know but his implacable destiny.

El Mar entre las Casas/The Sea between the Houses (2020)

Director: Juan Pablo García Diego

Cast: Aram Oyarzabal, Maria Fernanda López, Guillermo Duque de Estrada, Julián López, Mary Carmen Olvera Trejo, Alondra Amador, Felipe Evans Amador, Josefina López Cortés, Imanol Lecona, Mariana Hernández Pineda, Jesús Clemente Olvera, Feliciano González, César Villalba, José Rafael Ortega, Enrique Sánchez, Román González “Chispita”, Pablo Márquez Cervantes, Leobardo Tinixcatl, Daniel Moreno

Jose is a biologist who suddenly needs to return to his hometown because his mother has passed away. She left him a large inheritance with a very important message: He must accomplish the expectations she had for him in life. Jose falls in love with Estela, his teenage neighbor, whose father has serious money problems and is also terribly sick.

La Promesa/The Promise (2018)

Director: Óscar Blancarte

Cast: Rafael Inclán, Lumi Cavazos, Alessio Valentini, Alejandro Cardenas, Mario Zaragoza, Víctor Huggo Martin, Mónica Dionne, Alonso Echánove, Jorge Celaya, Eva Moral, Yosi Lugo, Marisol Chiquete, Alberto Lomnitz, Valentina Nallino, María Elena Quiñones

A boy in a small rural mexican town founds joy through books thanks to his teacher.

Here is the schedule for Cine México 2022.

September 7, 2022

7:30 PM La Promesa

September 8, 2022

3:00 PM La Promesa

5:15 PM Ella es Ramona

7:10 PM Después de Lucia

September 9, 2022

3:00 PM El Mar entre las Casas

5:00 PM 90 días para el 2 de julio

7:00 PM Fuego Adentro

September 10, 2022

1:00 PM 90 días para el 2 de julio

3:00 PM La Promesa

5:15 PM Después de Lucia

7:30 PM Ella es Ramona

September 11, 2022

1:30 PM Fuego Adentro

3:15 PM El Mar entre las Casas

5:05 PM La Promesa

7:20 PM 90 días para el 2 de julio

CCP's 53rd Anniversary Gala celebrates the return of Filipino musicals

The Cultural Center of the Philippines celebrates its 53rd Anniversary with Musikal II, a one-night musical extravaganza happening on September 10, 2022, 8:00 PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater).

A sequel to 2014's Musikal from the CCP's 45th Anniversary celebrations, Musikal II celebrates Filipino musicals through song performances from productions staged from 2015 up to the present namely Eto Na! Musikal nAPO!, Kanser the Musical, Felix Starro, Ang Larawan, LapuLapu, ang Datu ng Mactan, Guadalupe, Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko, F(r)iction, Changing Partners, Ang Huling El Bimbo the Musical, Binondo, A Tsinoy Musical, Dekada ‘70, A Game of Trolls, Mabining Mandirigma A Steampunk Musical, Aurelio Sedisyoso A Rock Sarswela, The Quest for the Adarna, Ding Ang Bato, Kung Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady, Himala, Isang Musikal, and Daluyong ng Diwa.

Performing onstage are some of Philippine theater's best including Bituin Escalante, Bayang Barrios, Arman Ferrer, Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Carla Guevara Laforteza, Sandino Martin, Reb Atadero, Delphine Buencamino, Topper Fabregas, Upeng Fernandez, Vic Robinson, Ricci Chan, and Juliene Mendoza.

The show will also herald the start of the CCP's two year rehabilitation wherein the Main Building will be closed starting January 2023.

The creative and production team are led by director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and musical directors/arrangers Ejay Yatco and Vince De Jesus. Rounding up the team are choreographers Daniel Cabrera and PJ Rebullida, lights designer John Batalla, sound engineer Aji Manalo, set designer Ricardo Eric Cruz, technical director Dong Calingacion, and stage manager Ed Murillo.

The program will also feature two new songs composed by Vince de Jesus entitled Muling Gisingin and Nandito Pa Rin Ako. The all star cast will perform the world premiere of these songs specially commissioned for Musikal II.

Musikal II is an invitational event but certain sections of the theater are open to the public for free. Tickets for the public will be released at the CCP Main Ramp two hours before the performance on a first-come, first-served basis. The show will be shown streamed, live online at the CCP's Facebook page.

Special Concert Series 2022 at the new CCP Black Box Theater

In what seems like ages ago, soprano Stefanie Quintin, trombone player Ricson Poonin, and guitarist Ivar Fojas were announced to headline the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Special Concert Series scheduled for the latter half of 2020. Inevitably, the concert series became one of the countless cancellations caused by the Covid-19 pandemic.

Two years later, the trio's respective performances will finally see the light of day with the return of the Special Concert Series 2022. The series will be among the first concerts to be staged at CCP's new Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater).

Soprano Stefanie Quintin 

Kicking off the series on September 7, 2022, 7:30 PM is soprano Stefanie Quintin whose vast repertoire includes music from the Renaissance up to the present day. She has premiered and performed works by such composers as National Artist for Music Dr. Ramon P. Santos and the American composer Eli Marshall.

She has given solo performances at the Asia Europe New Music Festival in Vietnam, the Yilan International Arts Festival in Taiwan, the soundSCAPE Festival in Italy, the Baroque Festival in Singapore, and the International Bamboo Organ Festival in the United States (Philippines). Aside from the Trovillo-Graham Award for Voice and the Rey Paguio Scholarship, Quintin also won the Delphic Lyra Award for Traditional Music at the Third International Junior Delphic Games, and the PGMA Presidential Award for Culture and the Arts.

Stefanie will also conduct an online voice masterclass on September 8, 2022, 2:00-5:00 PM via ZOOM. Interested participants for the masterclass can call the CCP Artist Training Division at 8832-1125 loc. 1605 or email artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph.

The second concert of the series sees trombonist Ricson Poonin take to the stage on October 20, 2022 while guitarist Ivar Fojas wraps things up on November 11, 2022. All performances begin at 7:30 PM to be held at the Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. Both Poonin and Fojas will also conduct their respective masterclasses with exact dates to be announced soon.

All live performances and events held at the CCP still adhere to health and safety protocols that can be viewed at https://bit.ly/staysafeatCCP