RAd views Película 2022: A tale of two Javiers

Javier Galván, Amb. Marcela Ordoñez, Amb. Miguel Utray, and Joy Polloso

After two years of online editions, the 21st Película Spanish Film Festival had a festive opening night at Shangri-La Plaza Mall with movie buffs getting to see contemporary Spanish language films on the big screen once again at the mall's Red Carpet Cinema.

Shang Properties Inc. EVP Joy Polloso 

This year, Película offers two Javiers: Javier Bardem and Javier Cámara. These two leading Spanish actors have become favorites by Philippine audiences owing to several of their films being part of the festival's since its inception way back in 2002.

The opening night saw the Javier Bardem starrer El buen patrón/The Good Boss, a dark comedy of the corporate world. Bardem stars as Julio Blanco, the seemingly benevolent boss of a family owned industrial scale factory that is up for a business award. But when problems with his employees start popping up and threaten his chances of snagging the much coveted award, Blanco resorts to manipulative schemes.

Directed by Fernando León de Armoa, this film is clearly a Javier Bardem vehicle. Even as the movie's final quarter plods too long and plot holes appear, Bardem's magnetic performance as Blanco manages to keep the film from tipping off the scales.

The film starring the other Javier is the romantic comedy Sentimental/The People Upstairs directed by Cesc Gay.

In this film that happens in real time, Javier Cámara stars Julio (coincidentally, the Bardem and Cámara's characters are both named Julio) whose marriage with Ana (Belén Cuesta) has been lacking spice. Add to the couple's frustrations are their upstairs neighbors Salva (Alberto San Juan) and Laura (Griselda Siciliani) whose night time noises are a source of discomfort for both Julio and Ana.

Instituto Cervantes Director Javier Galván 

When Ana invites their neighbors over, she and Julio debate on how to open up the sensitive subject to them. Once the ice is broken though, a lot more than just noises from night time activies are brought out on the open.

For a film that is basically a little over 80 minutes of just four people talking inside an apartment, the witty banter of each character and their respective reactions to the twists and turns that come along the way truly engage the viewer. One cannot help but to stick it out until the end to see where these two couples will end up by the time the credits roll.

Spanish Ambassador Miguel Utray

Sentimental can still be seen as the closing film of Película on October 16, 2022. There may still be a chance to see El buen patrón of this ends up as this year's Premio del Publíco/Audience Choice Award. Catch the final weekend of Película Spanish Film Festival at the Red Carpet Cinema, Shangri-La Plaza Mall.

Repertory Philippines' brings contemporary take, 21st century perspective with Carousel

A few years ago, Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel came to my attention with the news that opera superstar Renée Fleming has made her musical theater debut in the 2018 Broadway revival of this musical. I also learned that her character, Nettie, is the one who actually gets to sing You'll Never Walk Alone, which for the longest time, is the only thing I know about this musical.

Lorenz Martinez, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Karylle, and Gian Magdangal

Considering that Time Magazine has deemed Carousel as "The Greatest Musical of the 20th Century", my extremely limited knowledge of this musical is simply embarrassing.

So when Repertory Philippines (REP) announced that they would stage Carousel for their comeback season opening on November 26, 2022, it was the perfect opportunity for me to widen my knowledge of musical theater especially those by the duo of Robert Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein. And knowing that this production will be held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' newly unboxed Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Blackbox Theater) sweetened the deal for me, since Makati has become a lot farther for me with the worsening Metro Manila traffic.

Karylle and Gian Magdangal

With this in tow, I was able to savor the announcement of the cast led Karylle and Gian Magdangal who are both making their REP debut playing Julie Jordan and Billy Bigelow respectively. REP veterans Lorenz Martinez and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante join the two leads as Enoch Snow and Carrie Pipperidge.

Obviously I highly anticipated who would play the role of Nettie, eventually revealed to be Mia Bolaños, one of the few in the country who has both musical theater and opera credits under her belt. Other familiar faces in the cast are Viva Voce members Roxy Aldiosa and Roby Malubay, who like Bolaños also have musical theater and opera experience, and Ballet Philippines Company Artist Gia Geguinto who is making her theater debut with Carousel.

Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante and Lorenz Martinez

Rounding out the cast are Red Nuestro, Julio Laforteza, Gia Gequinto, Noel Rayos, Paula Paguio, Steven Hotchkiss, Cara Barredo, Czar Decena, and Kyla Rivera-Soong.

Sealing the deal for me is director Toff de Venecia's vision for Carousel. His staging will come from a 21st century perspective dealing with the misogyny, violence, and other "landmines" in the text. Also piquing my interest is the music direction under Ejay Yatco. A 2 piano reduction of the orchestral score, with a technical difficulty similar to a concerto, will be used instead of the usual orchestra/band. The two pianists will be Yatco and Jed Balsamo.

This edgy and contemporary take on a classic material is reflective of Repertory Philippines' bold new direction as the company moves forward under Artistic Direction of Liesl Batucan-del Rosario.

Toff de Venecia, Lorenz Martinez, Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, Karylle,
Gian Magdangal, Liesl Batucan-del Rosario, and Ejay Yatco

Repertory Philippines' production of Rodgers and Hammerstein's Carousel opens in November 26, 2022 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. It will run on weekends until December 18, 2022. Tickets are available at TicketWorld outlets and at the CCP Box Office.

Trombone player Ricson Poonin performs at the CCP Special Concert Series

The Cultural Center of the Philippines presents trombonist Ricson Poonin for the second installment of the Special Concert Series 2022 happening on October 20, 202, 7:30 PM at the CCP's Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Black Box Theater).

Ricson's program includes Joseph Guy Marie Roparts' Piece in E flat minor, Jacques Castérède's Sonatine for Trombone and Piano, Carolina Calvache's Trombonsillo, Vicente Marqueses' Milagros, Leopoldo Silos, Sr.'s Lagi Kitang Naalala, and the world premiere of Herminigildo Ranera's Pandemic Concert Piece for Trombone and Piano. Pianist Madeline Jane Banta will be the evening's collaborating artist.

The Pandemic Concert Piece was specifically composed by Ranera, Ricson's long time mentor, for this concert.

“Sir Hermie has been a big influence in my career,” Poonin said. “As my mentor, I would like to pay tribute to him by featuring his work here."

Trombonist Ricson Poonin 

Ricson is currently teaching trombone at St. Scholastica's College and at the University of Santo Tomas.

He also took part at the International Trombone Association's performance that set a Guinness Book of World Records for most number of trombone players performing at a single event at the Lincoln Center in New York.

A day prior to the concert, Ricson will conduct a Trombone Masterclass on October 19, 2022, 2:00 - 6:00 PM to be held also at CCP Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez. For inquiries on the Masterclass, email artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph or call at 8832-1125 local 160.

Orchestra of the Filipino Youth to perform in 10th anniversary concert

The National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA), in celebration of its 49th Anniversary, presents the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth in a special 10th anniversary concert on October 8, 2022, 5:00 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines' Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater).

Billed as OFY X: Celebrating 10 Years of Music, this concert is the orchestra's first live performance since the pandemic.

Conducted by Gerard Salonga, the OFY will perform Mikhail Glinka's Overture to Ruslan and Lyudmila, Ludwig van Beethoven's Symphony No. 5 in C minor, Op. 67, Antonino Buenaventura's Mindanao Sketches, Lucio San Pedro's Lahing Kayumanggi, and Ryan Cayabyab's Tsismis.

The Orchestra of the Filipino Youth is a non-profit organization founded in 2012, institutionally funded by First Philippine Holdings and First Gen Corporation. Its program structure is inspired by El Sistema, which originated in Venezuela as an alternative after school activity to help at-risk children and to spark social change through music. OFY supports the musically talented, less privileged youth, and provides programs that focus on orchestral training and instrument support. It has performed in local and international venues and events. Currently, OFY is led by Gerard Salonga, Ang Misyon’s Music Director and Chief Conductor of Orchestras.

Roi Aldric Trawon

OFY gave me an opportunity to develop as a leader by challenging me to step up when the conductor is not present the organization as a whole also motivated me to see music education as a vehicle for social change.

-Roi Aldric Trawon, OFY Concertmaster 2012-2015

Admission to the concert is for free but tickets have already been committed. Additional tickets may be released to the public if ticket holders do not come.