AN popular art fair, a theater congress, and a colorful Hindu festival have been postponed or canceled in response to the spread of the coronavirus which causes COVID-19.

President Rodrigo Duterte on Monday announced a state of public health emergency in the country as the number of confirmed virus cases in the country increased.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra has also had to substitute renowed Filipino pianist Raul Sunico for its next performance after the featured guest soloist, violinist Ryu Goto, opted to cancel his performances around Asia.

ART IN THE PARK
The 14th edition of Art in the Park, which was to have been held on March 15 at the Jaime Velasquez Park, Salcedo Village, Makati City, has been postponed in response to the outbreak of COVID-19.

“We were looking forward with anticipation to another successful edition of Art in the Park. However, in consideration of the recent advisories by both the WHO (World Health Organization) and the DoH (Department of Health), we feel that pushing through with the event would be irresponsible,” the organizer, Philippine Art Events, Inc., said in a statement.

“We hope to reschedule Art in the Park to later this year,” it said.

Art in the Park has been held annually at the Jaime Velasquez Park in Salcedo Village, Makati since 2006, for the benefit of the Museum Foundation of the Philippines. The fair offers visitors a range of paintings, prints, photographs, sculpture, and new media at prices P50,000 and below.

In 2019, Art in the Park welcomed about 15,000 guests.

For updates, visit http://artinthepark.ph/.

THEATER CONGRESS
Meanwhile, the 13th World Congress of the International University Theater Association (IUTA) has been canceled. The seven-day festival, which includes forums, workshops, and theatrical performances by local and international participants, was scheduled to be held on Aug. 25 to 31 at various venues in the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).

“We received word from the international organizers that they needed to cancel the Congress,” CCP Vice-President and Artistic Director Chris B. Millado told BusinessWold.

“It’s because of the COVID-19 outbreak outside of China. Hence, affecting the different countries. Unfortunately, a lot of the countries in Europe are where the participants are coming from,” he added.

Established at the Université de Liège in Belgium in 1994, the IUTA aims to promote recognized post-secondary activity in theater training, creation, research, and theoretical and practical research at the university level or higher studies worldwide. The organization currently has members in over 50 countries.

CONCERT SUBSTITUTION
Travel restrictions, meanwhile, have led to a major change in the performance of one of the CCP’s resident companies.

Japanese violinist Ryu Goto, who was scheduled to perform with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) on March 13 at the CCP Main Theater, opted to cancel or postpone all his performances in Asia because of travel restrictions. He will be replaced by pianist Raul Sunico as soloist in the concert.

The PPO Concert Series VII will be held on March 13, 8 p.m., at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo.

Dr. Sunico will be performing Gershwin’s Piano Concerto in F Major with the PPO, under the baton of Yoshikazu Fukumura.

“As far as we’re concerned, programming-wise, regular programs (in the CCP will) push through as long as it’s not considered [a] large-scale event,” Mr. Millado said.

For more information and updates, visit https://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph/ or the CCP’s official Facebook page.

NO MORE HOLI
The Asia Society announced that Holi Festival 2020 has been canceled due to the government’s declaration of a public health emergency over COVID-19.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the cancellation of Holi Festival 2020. This is in consideration of the risks and concerns surrounding COVID-19, and the public health emergency declared by the Philippine government,” the Asia Society Philippines said in a statement.

Holi, also known as The Festival of Colors, is a traditional and colorful Hindu festival best known for the vivid rainbow of powder clouds thrown into the air and at festival-goers.

The festival was to have been held on March 29 at SM by the Bay.

Asia Society Philippines has celebrated Holi in Manila for the last seven years alongside its partners — the Embassy of India, the Indian Cultural Association of the Philippines, and members of the Indian community.

“Notwithstanding the cancellation of Holi Festival 2020, Holi remains a season of hope and renewal. Let us continue to celebrate it with our loved ones and with our larger community, in good health and hopeful spirit,” the statement said.

Details on ticket refunds will be announced shortly.

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