Simbang gabi, lights and sounds show return to CCP
GIVEN the more relaxed COVID-19 alert level in Metro Manila, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) brings back its traditional celebration of the Simbang Gabi in real-time and on-site. In partnership with the Our Lady of Sorrows church, the Misa de Gallo will be held from Dec. 16 to 24 at 5 a.m. at the CCP Main Ramp. The Misa de Aguinaldo (Christmas Eve Mass) will be held on Dec. 24, 8 p.m., at the CCP Main Theater, with a pre-mass program. This will be broadcast on the CNN Philippines channel. With encouraging feedback from last year’s virtual Simbang Gabi, the CCP also renewed its partnership with various parishes from different regions in the country to celebrate anticipated Simbang Gabi masses. The Anticipated Mass from the Regions will be held from Dec. 15 to 23, 9 p.m., and streamed simultaneously on the CCP Facebook page and CNN’s Kumu App. The featured parishes are: Sto. Niño Parish in Pandacan, Manila (Dec. 15), St. Catherine of Alexandria Cathedral Parish in Dumaguete City (Dec. 16), National Shrine of Our Lady of Candles (Jaro Metropolitan Cathedral) in Iloilo (Dec. 17), Holy Cross Parish (Margot) in Angeles City, Pampanga (Dec. 18), Basilica Minore del Santo Niño de Cebu in Cebu (Dec. 19), St. Francis Xavier Parish in Cagayan de Oro City (Dec. 20), Our Lady of Piat Basilica in Piat, Cagayan (Dec. 21), the Archdiocesan Shrine of Sto. Niño in Tacloban City (Dec. 22), and St. Gregory the Great Cathedral Parish in Daraga, Albay (Dec. 23). The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group’s Pastores, a traditional re-enactment of the shepherds’ jubilation on the birth of the Messiah, will be played before the mass streaming. Meanwhile, the CCP will launch its annual Christmas lighting event, PASKO 2021: The CCP Façade Lights and Sound Show, on Dec. 15, 7 p.m. at the Main Building Façade. The launch will be live streamed on the CCP Facebook page. The annual holiday show features projected images of Christmas symbols and Christmas carols. The onsite launching program will be streamed live on CCP’s Facebook page on Dec. 15, 7 p.m. Onsite shows will be held daily until Jan. 2, 2022 at 7, 8, and 9 p.m. There will be no performances on Mondays and during inclement weather. For its Christmas activities, the CCP will strictly follow the IATF guidelines. The Center will implement 70% outdoor capacity for the Misa de Gallo (CCP Main Ramp), and 50% venue capacity for the Misa de Aguinaldo (CCP Main Theater). Read the CCP’s new normal health protocols at http://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol.
Online exhibit inspired by quarantine blues
A MOTION graphics artist aims to show “the unseen experiences we faced during the online learning setup” in an immersive illustration showcased as part of an online digital art exhibition. Yo Homecillo’s “Mga ‘Di Nakikita ng Mata” is fueled by his observations while in quarantine. “We met people through our screens, Zoom meetings, chats, and e-mails yet failed to empathize with them. With this piece, I was hoping to spark a little empathy in the hearts of the audience,” Mr. Homecillo said in a statement. The motion graphics artist worked on the project using Oculus Quill VR rendered through 3D software and uploaded on an online 3D Viewer. “Since my message revolves around empathy, I’ve decided that the audience be the ones to start empathizing with the characters. By using a 3D viewer, they can choose how to immerse themselves in the artwork, with the characters, and seeing the bigger picture. Sometimes to understand a person, you need to look at their background,” he said. Mr. Homecillo graduated with a degree in Multimedia Arts at Benilde and finished his MA in Fine Arts and Design at Philippine Women’s University.
Galeria Francesca presents ‘Sanso: Unexpected’
IN CELEBRATION of Presidential Medal of Merit Awardee Juvenal Sanso’s 92nd birthday, Galerie Francesca at the Festival Mall presents “Sanso: Unexpected,” a rare collection of 33 works by the artist. Aiming to educate the public, Galerie Francesca, with research support and authentication from Fundacion Sanso, presents 33 works from six of the seven decades of Mr. Sanso’s career. These works are from Mr. Sanso’s personal collection which he only entrusted before to museums, and to collectors who understood and appreciated his artistry. As such, they are a revelation to many who have grown familiar only to his floral and Brittany series, hence the title “Sanso: Unexpected.” Highlights include dated works from 1963, a textile design from the 1960s, a rare cityscape, dated works from the 1970s, and a large reverse series painting that bridges his reverse painting to his Brittany series from the 1980s, and three canvas paintings from his Moderno and Abstract series done in the 2000s. “Sanso: Unexpected” runs until Dec. 19. Presented by Galerie Francesca, the exhibit is located at the 2nd Level Expansion Wing, Civic Drive, Festival SuperMall, Alabang Muntinlupa City. For more details, visit www.galeriefrancesca.com, or https://www.facebook.com/GalerieFrancesca.PH.
Immaculate Mother Exhibit opens in Ali Mall
ARANETA City is hosting an Immaculate Mother Exhibit at the Ali Mall Activity Area. Organized by a group of Marian devotees, the exhibit runs until Dec. 15. It features more than 40 images of the Immaculate Mother. Various titular images of the Blessed Virgin Mary are featured in the exhibit, including the images of Our Mother of Perpetual Help and Our Lady of Fatima. The exhibit is free and open to the public during mall hours from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
OBEMIO and Blanco at Art Lounge Manila
WITH the easing of the lockdowns, Roel Obemio picks up the pace to match his usual pre-pandemic stride and presents 36 works at Art Lounge Manila for his 18th solo exhibition titled “OBEMIO.” The exhibition runs until Dec. 21 at Art Lounge Manila at The Podium, Ortigas Center. The exhibition is comprised purely of works on paper. Among the 36 works presented, more than half are drawings — from quick sketches to built-up, fully fleshed out drawings. The rest of the works are watercolor and pastel works. Meanwhile, two years since his sold-out 3rd solo exhibition, Gerrico Blanco returns with his fourth solo exhibition, “Dreamscapes.” It runs until Dec. 21. For updates on upcoming shows visit https://artloungemanila.com.
Ballet Philippines Christmas shows
THIS holiday season Ballet Philippines presents the show Gratitude to Life, featuring the world premieres of the dances “Ancient World,” choreographed by John McFall, “Abstract,” choreographed by Mikhail Martynyuk, and “She’s So Heavy,” choreographed by Joseph Phillips. The show will be on Dec. 23, 6 p.m., via Ballet Philippine Facebook Live. For more information, visit ballet.ph.
Norberto Roldan, Henrielle Baltazar at MO_Space
MO_Space presents two exhibits — Norberto Roldan’s “Objects Do Not Fall from the Sky” at the Main Gallery, and Henrielle Baltazar Pagkaliwanagan’s “conversations with myself” at Gallery 2 — for public viewing until Jan. 16, 2022. The gallery is open daily from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. For any inquiries, contact 8403-6620, or 0917-572-7970.
