A Date with Italian Cinema @ the Shang

The Philippine-Italian Association launched Un appuntamento con il Cinema Italiano (A Date with Italian Cinema) @ the Shang which is part of their celebrations of their 50^th Anniversary this year. Once a month, an Italian film (with English subtitles) will be shown for free at the Shangri-La Plaza for film enthusiasts and the general public to enjoy.

RAd with Cristina Moricca (right most) of the Philippine Italian Association,
film producer Alemberg Ang (2nd from right) and other guests.

This film event formally opened with the screening of the film Meditarraneo. Before the film was shown, cocktails were served at the Shaw Hall which was graced by officers and members of the Philippine-Italian Association, Film Development Council of the Philippines and other invited guests. Aside from Mediterraneo, other films slated to be shown are La Stanza del Figlio (The Son’s Room), L’Ultimo Baccio (The Last Kiss), Romanzo Criminale (The Crime Novel), Travolti da un Insulito Destino (Swept Away), Vincere (Victory) and Le Fate Ignoranti (Ignorant Fairies).

Mediterraneo

The film shown during the launch was Mediterraneo, the winner of the Academy Award Best Foreign Language Film in 1992. This movie, directed by Gabriele Salvatores, tells the story of a bunch of misfit and seemingly incompetent Italian soldiers who got stranded at the Greek island during the early days of World War II. In the midst of the war that was raging at the world around them, the soldiers eventually adapt to the carefree, rustic and peaceful life along with the residents of the island.

Mediterraneo is a breath of fresh air compared to the special effects laden blockbusters/franchises that have been dominating the cineplexes in recent years. The simple plot, the quirkiness of the characters and the idyllic nature of the island combine for a very charming and human film. The story took place during World War II but the soldiers weren’t depicted as combatants but rather as human beings. War always focus on destroying the enemy and having the other side lose, but this film focused more on making connections and relationships in which both sides win.

La Stanza del Figlio (The Son’s Room) will be the next film to be screened. This movie, directed by Nanni Moretti will be shown on May 24, 2012. Limited seats only. Seats are on a first-come, first-served basis. For inquiries call Ms. Marissa Ronquillo of the Philippine Italian Association at 815-1310 or 892-7253.

Emmanuelle Album Launch

Emmanuelle

So many songs about heartbreaks and relationships going bad have been dominating the local airwaves for quite sometime. But once in a while, a new and exciting talent emerges embodying positive vibes and a Happy disposition and young recording artist Emmanuelle is simply just that. To celebrate the release of her self-titled debut album, a launch was held at Patio Carlito that was attended by members of the press and various media outlets.

Emmanuelle by the way is not entirely new to the industry. She was signed by Universal Records four years ago but she had to hone her craft and expand her musicality before releasing her album. She did appear in several television series prior to being launched as a recording artist. But in the end, she comes up with an album consisting of seven tracks (six originals and one cover) that showcase her mature and polished voice but having a song selection that remain true and appropriate for her age. And this appropriateness showed itself in the three tracks that Emmanuelle herself penned: the lead single Happy, Dear Diary and Tonight. Yeng Constantino is featured in a duet on Manong Guard written by Iohann Garcia while Ito Rapadas and Jude Gitamondoc compositions Sandali Lang and Sarap Mabuhay round up the new tracks in the album. The lone cover, God Gave Me You, was hand picked by Emmanuelle herself ending the album on a high and feel good note.

I find it hard to believe that she’s just seventeen. Not only was she tall but she actually managed to have three of her songs in her debut album which is very unusual. She first made her mark in the industry as an actress but she said that she has no plans to go back to acting since her music is her priority now. With a pleasant sounding voice, a promising songwriting and guitar playing ability, Emmanuelle is indeed a welcome addition to the local music industry.

Emmanuelle's self titled debut album under Universal Records is now out on record bars nationwide and at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Emmanuelle

Tracks:

1. You Make Me Happy

2. Dear Diary

3. Tonight

4. Manong Guard with Yeng Constantino

5. Sandali Lang

6. Sarap Mabuhay

7. God Gave Me You

Sofya Gulyak performs all Russian programme in solo concert

Pianist Sofya Gulyak

May 8, 2012, 7:30 PM

Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater)

CCP Complex

Pasay, Metro Manila

Featuring:
Sofya Gulyak, piano

Programme:
Sergei Rachmaninoff

     Morceaux de fantaisie Op. 3

          No. 1 Elégie

          No. 2 Prélude 

          No. 4 Polichinelle

     Etude Tableaux in E flat minor, Op. 39 No. 5

     Variations on a Theme of Corelli, Op. 42

Alexander Scriabin 2 Poèmes, Op. 32

Dmitri Shostakovich Prelude and Fugue in D flat major, Op. 87, No. 15

Sergei Prokofiev Piano Sonata No. 6 in A major, Op. 82

Piano music lovers waited for about a year and a half for Sofya Gulyak to return in Manila. They finally had their wish when the acclaimed Russian pianist had a triumphant performance during the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s final concert of their 29^th season. This time around, people don’t need to wait that much longer as the 2009 Leeds International Piano Competition winner is back in the country once again as she mounts a solo piano concert featuring an all Russian repertoire this May 8, 2012, 7:30 PM at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Sofya Gulyak conducts a masterclass

Sofya prepared a programme consisting of formidable pieces by Sergei Rachmaninoff, Alexander Scriabin, Dmitri Shostakovich and Sergei Prokofiev. I always find it very interesting whenever a musician performs works from his/her native country and Sofya’s concert will do just that. One thing that Sofya didn’t do during her past visits here was to conduct a masterclass. But she was able to conduct one at the University of Sto. Tomas Conservatory of Music which impressed piano majors who were fortunate to be part of this activity.

Ticket prices:

P800 Orchestra Center

P600 Orchestra Side

-50% student discount

-20% senior citizen discount

For inquiries:

CCP Box Office 832-3704

TicketWorld 891-9999

Text by RAd
Photo by Almond Ponge

Karylle launches Found My Smile Again MV

Karylle

Things have been on the upswing for recording artist, television host and actress Karylle giving her a lot of reasons to smile for. The success of her post-Valentine’s Day concert Love and Laughter, the awards recently won by The Kitchen Musical, her hosting stint at Showtime and the gold record status achieved by her self-produced album Roadtrip are just some of the reasons making her smile. And Karylle was all smiles when she entertained members of the press (myself included) at Centerstage Family KTV & Resto Bar at Timog for a fun filled afternoon of catching up and finding out what’s in store for her in the future.

During this afternoon, she presented to us the video of her latest single Found My Smile Again. This is the third single from her Roadtrip album after OMG and Basically. This video, showcasing different sides of her is directed by noted photographer Raymund Isaac. This music video is the second one that he has directed after Erik Santos’ Kulang Ako Kung Wala Ka.

When asked about what’s coming for her in the future, Karylle was hesitant about spilling that The Kitchen Musical has been renewed for a second season (official word of the renewal has come out since then). The musical series that has been shown in different  territories recently won a Best Performance Bronze Medal and Best in Writing Gold Medal from the New York Festivals International TV and Film Awards. Karylle also couldn’t contain her excitement over her nomination in the Best Actress category at the Festival de Télévision de Monte-Carlo. She also informed us of the release of the first season soundtrack of the series and casually said that she wishes to have some of her original material be included as musical numbers during  the second season.

Roadtrip, distributed by Polyeast Records is available at leading record stores and can also be downloaded at MyMusicStore Philippines.

Roadtrip

Tracks:

1. OMG

2. Good To Me

3. Kulang feat.Zsa Zsa Padilla

4. Everything About You

5. Roadtrip

6. Running

7. Found My Smile Again

8. Basically

9. My Hero, My Angel feat. Robin Nievera

10. Safest Place

11. Subic

12. Desert Drama

13. Desert Drama Tribo Manila Remx

14. OMG Riddler Remix