PHL to host 1st Asian choral grand prix
THE Philippines will host the 1st Asia Grand Prix for Choral Singing in 2019 said Cultural Center of the Philippines vice-president and Artistic director Chris Millado. The Asia Grand Prix is 2019 will be one major highlights of the 50th anniversary celebration of the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2019. “The Asia Grand Prix for Choral Singing will further strengthen the network of choirs in the Asian region,” Mr. Millado said during the Closing and Awarding Ceremonies of the 3rd Andrea O. Veneracion (AOV) International Choral Festival on July 23. “It will attract choirs from different parts of the world to come to Asia to hear the best choral singers. The Asia Grand Prix will allow choirs from Asia to participate in a competition of the highest standards in the region where they belong.” Winners of the AOV International Choral Festival, the Bali International Choral Festival and the Singapore International Choral Festival in 2017 and 2018 will compete at the 1st Asian Grand Prix for Choral Singing. The 1st Asia Grand Prix for Choral Singing will coincide with the 4th AOV International Choral Festival in 2019.
Short+Sweet Theatre returns
SHORT+SWEET (S+S) Theatre gears up for its fourth Manila visit. Known across the globe as the festival of 10-minute plays (S+S Theatre is dubbed as the “Biggest Little Play festival in the world”), S+S is a springboard for scriptwriters, and a lab for directors, technical crew and thespians alike. S+S Theatre Manila mirrors the goal of the mother company in Australia – to showcase hundreds of bite-sized dramatic treats, handpicked from submissions all over the world. Presented by OilLamp, Inc., S+S Theatre Manila will take place at the Power Mac Spotlight Auditorium, Circuit Makati, spread across three weekends in September and October. This year, OilLamp, Inc. is partnering with organizations to help victims of violence and abuse and with humanitarian organizations focused on ending poverty by helping children and youth.
MSO goes on tour in the Visayas
THE Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) will embark on a tour of Visayas from Aug. 25-30, performing its signature programs, Bach vs Beatles and Soundtracks & Symphonies. There will be performances in Iloilo on Aug. 25, 7 p.m., at the Molo Church, and on Aug. 26, 6 p.m., at the Iloilo Convention Center. Inquiries about the Iloilo concerts may be directed to (33) 335-0333 and 337-8341. There will likewise be two concerts in Cebu City, in two SM Supermalls, featuring its members, natives of Cebu, as soloists: Sara Maria Ariza Gonzales, June Philippe Ong, Danielle Caballero, and Noreen Yambao. The concerts are Bach vs Beatles on Aug. 27, 7 p.m., at SM City Cebu; and Soundtracks and Symphonies on Aug 28, 6 p.m., at SM Seaside City Cebu. Finally, the MSO will be performing at the Leyte Academic Center in the town of Palo, Leyte on Aug. 30, 8:30 p.m. This time, the MSO features two MSO members who are from Tacloban City, Raphael Espada and Alfonso Encina. As a bonus, friend of the MSO and guitar master Noli Aurillo will also be performing his arrangements and collaborative works from the MSO’s signature programming, Bach vs Beatles. For tickets, call (053) 832-4021, 0928-869-8990, 0926-863-1575, or e-mail leyte_tourism@yahoo.com. Meanwhile, the MSO’s Rush Hour Concert #5, Classics vs Rock with local band Silent Sanctuary has been moved from Sept. 7 to Oct. 5, 6:30 p.m., at the Ayala Museum in Makati City.
Kenneth Cobonpue to lead collaborative design exhibit
INTERNATIONALLY acclaimed Industrial Designer Kenneth Cobonpue, senior Industry Fellow of the De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde’s (DLS-CSB) Industrial Design Program, will spearhead a collaborative exhibit of its students and faculty entitled Extraordinary, to be held on Sept. 18 to 21 at the SM Aura Premier Atrium. He will be supported by Program Chairperson Mary Lei Nobleza. The showcase will display outputs ranging from product rendering, tabletop models, lighting, to furniture designs – all a mix of merchandise conceptualized and developed by mentors and apprentices of their respective professions and courses. DLS-CSB’s Industrial Design Program has been the institution’s pioneer and innovative arts course since its inception in 1991. For more information about the event and the program, visit its Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/BenildeIndustrialDesign/.
Oddin Sena at Kaida
KAIDA CONTEMPORARY presents Oddin Sena’s recent works in Humanized, with portraits that dwell on the human condition utilizing intimate subjects juxtaposed with easily recognizable objects. Sena’s images are laden with symbolism and meaning, revealing that vulnerabilities pave the way to understanding one’s humanity better. By using his self-portraits and the faces of those most intimate to him, he maps his journey to discovery with markers and metaphors in recognition of the connections that bind people together or force fields that keep them apart. Meanwhile, in the Gray Room, Jeona Zoleta, Catalina Africa and Martin de Mesa – collectively known as Jol3na – use their recent paintings, photos and found objects to create an installation and performance in Jol3na enters the dragon foot shakes with bohovees top 100 boys of 2017 from the province of Noel. Kaida Contemporary is located at 45 Scout Madriñan St., South Triangle, Quezon City. For inquiries, call 0924-463-5859, 0927-929-7129, or e-mail kaida529@yahoo.com.ph.
