Arts & Culture (06/02/21)
Arts in Hong Kong
THE HONG Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) has rolled out the Arts in Hong Kong campaign to promote a series of major events, in both physical and digital format, organized by fair organizers and cultural institutions around town. It ensures that audiences can reconnect with art and the vitality of Hong Kong, whether in person or abroad. The HKTB created a dedicated campaign website, (www.discoverhongkong.com/Arts), which is a one-stop platform providing essential information about Arts in Hong Kong and introducing online showcases, art itineraries, an event calendar, artsy offers, interviews with art insiders, and more. In the online showcases, curated virtual experiences, provided by both international fairs and local events, are at the fingertips of viewers regardless of where they are located. It also features an interactive microfilm presented by two local celebrities — multidisciplinary artist Ivana Wong and director Kearen Pang — at some of the city’s attractions, including Tai Kwun, The Mills, and the West Kowloon Cultural District. There is the annual French May (May 1 to June 30), a multicultural feast of more than 100 mostly in-person events spanning art, design, opera, classical, pop concerts, dance, and movies (www.frenchmay.com/en/home/). Meanwhile, the Yim Tin Tsai Arts Festival 2021 is an opportunity to get a glimpse into this unique village with its Roman Catholic and Hakka background. The third edition (which runs until July 16) features 31 art pieces, including 14 new works, available on-site and online (www.yimtintsaiartsfestival.hk/index.php?lang=en). The Hong Kong Arts Festival’s PLUS program is embracing the digital format this year to connect with audiences both on and offstage. Available throughout June is a hybrid line-up of online and in-venue programs, in addition to an interactive online exhibition, and series of online documentaries and cinema screenings (https://www.hk.artsfestival.org/en/programmes/index-plus.html#All).
CCP façade lights up with Philippine flag colors
THE CULTURAL Center of the Philippines (CCP) lights up its Main Building façade in honor of the Philippine flag until June 13. The façade lighting is a collaborative effort between Danilo Villanueva and Luis Alcoran, with Gobo makers Mark Macapulay and Shantie De Roca, working with theater crew members Kevin Orag, Richard Galvero, Jomar Lauta, Junelyn Maureal, Allan Jay Fami, Donato Alforja, Lucio Tapiru, Norman Aguirre, and Timothy John Calma. In accordance with R.A. 8491 (Section 26), May 28 to June 12 marks the official celebration of Flag Day, culminating in the celebration of Independence Day. The façade is lit from 7 to 10 p.m. daily, except Mondays.
Cinemalaya Institute conducts filmmaking workshop
AFTER a year-long hiatus brought by the pandemic, the Cinemalaya Institute, returns this year to pursue its commitment to provide education, training, and accreditation of film practitioners in key aspects of film production. Established in 2015, the Institute has trained new and upcoming Filipino filmmakers to ensure the growth and sustainability of Cinemalaya as the leading independent film festival in Asia. The training arm of the Cinemalaya Foundation, Inc. (CFI), the Institute plans to open selected courses following the limiting protocols imposed by the national government. The online training programs are Scriptwriting for Film by veteran playwright Ricky Lee (June 9 to Aug. 4); Master Workshop on Continuing Narratives for Broadcast and Web-based Platforms by Jose Javier Reyes (Aug. 14 to Oct. 29); Production Management by John Paul Su (July 15 to Aug. 13); and an Assistant Director’s Workshop for Film and Television by Jay Abello (Sept. 1 to 29). Interested individuals may submit their application at cinemalayainstitute@gmail.com. Download the application form/s through these links: http://bit.ly/CinemalayaProdManagement and http://bit.ly/CinemalayaAssistantDirector.
Instituto Cervantes celebrates filmmaker García Berlanga
TO CELEBRATE the birth centenary of Spanish filmmaker Luis García Berlanga (1921-2010), Instituto Cervantes this June presents the online film series “Berlanga Turns 100.” The films will be shown through the Instituto Cervantes channel on the Vimeo platform (vimeo.com/institutocervantes) and will be freely accessible for 48 hours from their start date and time. The series kicks off June 5, with the screening of the comedy Esa pareja feliz (1951) about a young couple fighting to improve their economic and social status. It will be available anytime for 48 hours on Saturday and Sunday, for free through https://vimeo.com/548754354. It is in Spanish with English subtitles.
#DamaKoLahiKo campaign kicks off
THIS June 12 marks the 123rd Independence Day of the Philippines. The Dama Ko, Lahi Ko campaign is a private sector-initiated campaign by the Filipino Culture Collective, a group of creative professionals and social entrepreneurs which aims to celebrate Filipino culture through supporting local products. The collective has prepared a website (damakolahiko.com) for free downloads of Dama Ko, Lahi Ko logos, patterns, and graphics. All these are free to use and remix. A sticker set is also available for download on Viber, Telegram, and GIPHY (search “dama ko lahi ko”). Share photos, videos, music, anything that showcases Filipino culture through the five senses. Tag @damakolahiko and #damakolahiko across Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tiktok.
Learn about Korean culture
WHILE the pandemic has changed the times and the way students learn and take their classes, the Korean Cultural Center (KCC) in the Philippines has education-themed activities for the month of June. Kicking off KCC’s June events is ChikaHansik: Kimchi Edition, a digital talk and cooking series featuring Korea’s kimchi. It will come out on all Fridays of June at 5 p.m. via KCC’s YouTube channel. In this month’s episode of Along with K-Culture: Meet the K-Stans in the Philippines, there will be a discussion on the growing popularity of the Korean language, on June 10 on KCC’s YouTube Channel. There will be a one-day webinar on K-Drama scriptwriting on June 30 on KCC’s YouTube Channel. KCC will be launching KCC Throwback Photo & Essay Contest as a prelude to KCC’s 10th birthday this July. Prizes including P5,000 cash, a KCC gift bag, and a feature on KCC’s SNS pages await the 10 winners. For more information on these and other programs, follow Korean Cultural Center in the Philippines on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/KoreanCulturalCenterPH/ and @kccphil on Instagram and Twitter.
Fr. Tito Caluag releases prayer guide
FATHER Tito Caluag has launched his latest book, Only Your Grace, a personal guide to having a more intimate relationship with the Lord through prayers, reflection, action, and rhythm. The first a planned three-set volume on prayers and reflection exercises, Only Your Grace was inspired by The Spiritual Exercises (SPEX) of St. Ignatius of Loyola. Its 26-week prayer, reflection, and journaling activities aim to guide readers in discovering their own “style of prayer.” Fr. Caluag’s previous book was the prayer and devotional book Give Thanks and Praise, which received a special citation at the 42nd Catholic Mass Media Awards’ Best Special Feature category. The book can still be purchased via Lazada and Shopee for P225, while its e-book version can be availed in Amazon, Kobo, Scribd, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords. Copies of Only Your Grace can be ordered via myprayerchannel@gmail.com, via Viber (0945-352-8731), and on Shoppee and Lazada starting June 2. The Only Your Grace Kindle e-book version is also now available on Amazon.
Hagonoy Art Group Artists at Robinsons Galleria
NINETEEN Filipino artists from the Hagonoy Art Group gathered together this June for an art exhibition at ARTablado, located at the 3rd floor of Robinsons Galleria. The exhibit entitled Hango features pieces that unites the work of Hagonoy, Bulacan’s culturally diverse contemporary artists. Over 30 art pieces will be sold until June 15. The group is composed of Kevin Atienza, Nilo Badajos, Osie Bautista, Jade Alfonso Cabauatan, Carlos Noriel Colonel, Fil Delacruz, Janos Delacruz, Jojo Dela Cruz, Len-Len, CJ Lopez, Pilo Medina, Roxan Musni, Mario Nolasco, Al Perez, Mar Perez, Gody Reyes, Marc Salamat, Jun Sta. Cruz, and Gliff Victor. For more updates, visit ARTablado on Facebook and @artablado on Instagram.
CCP holds National Rondalla workshop
THE ARTIST Training Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) is holding the sixth National Rondalla Workshop 2021 on July 27 to 31. This year’s National Rondalla Workshop will be held online for the first time via Zoom. The Workshop is open to rondalla groups nationwide who have been in existence for at least two years and are non-beginners. Rondalla Ensembles who have all the rondalla instruments including the banduria, octavina/laud, guitar, and bass may apply for the workshop. The workshop trainers will be led by Prof. Elaine Juliet Espejo of the Celso Espejo Rondalla and the UP Rondalla, and faculty member of the UP College of Music. The workshop will culminate in an online recorded performance that will be streamed via the CCP Facebook page on Aug. 21. The workshop fee is P2,000 per participant (inclusive of online materials and newly arranged rondalla pieces). Due to limited slots available, a maximum of 16 participant slots (15 students and one conductor) per group can be accommodated. Interested applicants must submit the following: an accomplished application form (http://bit.ly/CCPRondalla2021App); and an audio/video recording of a recent performance of at least two pieces by the group. Applications must be sent via e-mail to artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph on or before June 15. Acceptance to the workshop will be based on the merit of the application. Upon notice of acceptance, each rondalla group must pay a reservation fee of P5,000 that will be deducted from the full amount of the registration fee. The full amount must be paid on or before July 16. For more information, contact the CCP Artist Training Division by e-mail at artist.training@culturalcenter.gov.ph.
