Noli Me Tangere, The Opera returns

THE Philippines’ first full-length opera, National Artists Guillermo Tolentino and Felipe Padilla De Leon’s 1957 opera, Noli Me Tangere (Huwag Mo Salangin/Touch Me Not) returns to the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Main Theater from March 8 to 10. In this all-new production, about 200 actors-classical singers, classical musicians, and production crew are joining forces including Nerissa de Juan and Bianca Lopez (alternating as Maria Clara); Ivan Nery and Nomher U. Nival (Juan Crisostomo Ibarra); Allison Cervantes, Kelly Peralejo, and Bernadette Mamauag (Sisa); Joseleo Logdat (Elias); Greg Abelardo de Leon (Pilosopo Tasyo); Nil’s Flores and Ronaldo Villaruel Abarquez (Padre Damaso); Miguel Espiritu (Kapitan Tiago); Noel Comia, Jr. and Mari Yapjoco (Basilio), and Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin). It is co-directed by Jerry Sibal and Jose Jeffrey Camanag, and features the 53-piece NOLI Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Herminigildo Ranera. The opera has English supertitles. Tickets range in price from P900 to P3,500 and are available at J&S Productions, Inc. (0947-168-1714, 0915-819-3459, or 99802356), the CCP Box Office (832-3704/06), or TicketWorld (891-9999, https://ticketworld.com.ph).

Soun Hong holds solo exhibition

1335MABINI presents Soun Hong’s solo exhibition Sidescape — Objections, which opens on March 9, 6 pm. In this series, Soun Hong re-contextualizes images based on photographic references. The exhibit will be at the 1335MABINI branch at Karrivin Plaza, 2316 Chino Roces Ave. Extension, Makati.

CCP art collection book out

THE Visual Arts and Museum Division of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has released a publication on the Visual Arts Collection of the CCP — Cultural Cache: Selected Works from the Visual Arts Collection of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Since its inauguration 50 years, the CCP has actively promoted Philippines visual arts, together with the performing arts as among its major programs. In 1985, the art collection of the Museum of Philippine Art was merged with that of the CCP Museum, which now comprises the CCP’s Visual Arts Collection. The collection has, in many ways, become a reflection of the history of the CCP as it includes works by artists who have actively contributed to its programs for almost five decades. Cultural Cache showcases these artworks, including works in various media and forms — painting, sculpture, drawing, prints, mixed media works — as well as thematic essays and write-ups on selected artists represented in the collection. For inquiries about Cultural Cache, call 832-3706, e-mail ccpsalesandpromo@gmail.com or visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

MSO Jr. does Vivaldi’s Four Seasons

THE Manila Symphony Junior Orchestra (MSJO) and Italian violinist Alessio Benvenuti perform one of the most popular pieces of classical music, Vivaldi’s Four Seasons, on March 14, 6:30 p.m. at the ground floor of the Ayala Museum. Aside from the Four Seasons, the MSJO and Mr. Benvenuti will perform other Vivaldi compositions that evening. Tickets are available at the Ayala Museum Ticket Counter or through Ticketworld. Tickets range in price from P700 regular tickets (with discounts for Atala Museum Members, AGC employees, ARC Members, senior citizens and students) up to P1,000 for limited premiere tickets.

BP’s Tales of The Manuvu

IN celebration of its 40th Anniversary, the Maryknoll/Miriam College Alumni Association (MMCAA) is sponsoring a special matinee show of the restaging of one of Ballet Philippines’ (BP) most celebrated productions, the original rock opera, Tales of the Manuvu, on March 24. Choreographed and directed by National Artist for Dance and one of Miriam College’s Amazing Alumni Achiever Awardees, Alice Reyes, Tales of the Manuvu is based on the retelling of the origin myths of the Manuvu Tribe. The ballet will be staged at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. In this 2019 production, Francis de Veyra provides new musical arrangements while Loy Arcenas does the production design. Singing in the show are Ding Mercado, Shiela Valderrama, Lorenz Martinez, Poppert Bernadas, Aicelle Santos, Lara Maigue, Nar Cabico, and Reuben Laurente, along with the UP Concert Chorus and the Radioactive Sago Project. Proceeds from this benefit show will go to the Lumad Bakwit School Manobos and other Lumads, and the MMCAA’s Project MMaria (Quick Response to Emergencies) Initiative. Ticket prices range from P300 to P3,000 and are available via TicketWorld and the MMCAA office, where an exclusive 4+1 (Buy 4 get 1) 40th anniversary promo on P3,000, P2,500 and P1,500 tickets is available. For details, e-mail alumni@mc.edu.ph or call the MMCAA office at 930-6272 loc. 1187.

Women’s Month at CCP

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) celebrates the Women’s Month this March with film screenings, theatrical readings, and a publication fair. The Arthouse Cinema, a project under the CCP Film, Broadcast and New Media Division, will feature cinematic works by women filmmakers, and films tackling women and gender issues. To be screened is Kip Oebanda’s Liway on March 14, 2 p.m., at Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Liway, which received the Audience Choice Award and Special Jury Commendation in the Cinemalaya 2018, is based on a true story about a young boy who lives with his parents inside Camp Delgado, a makeshift prison inside a military camp for both rebels and criminals. The screening of Liway will be followed at 5 p.m. by Women in Shorts, featuring Cinemalaya’s best short films including Mater by Annemikami Pablo (2015), Pusong Bato by Martika Escobar (2015); Wawa by Anj Macalanda (2015); Pektus by Isabel Quesada (2016); Manong ng Pa-Aling by E del Mundo (2017); Lola Loleng by Che Tagyamon (2017); and Yakap by Mika Fabella and Rafael Froilan (2018). On March 28, there will be a back-to-back screenings of Anna Francesca Espiritu’s Pan de Salawal (2018) and Inna Miren Salazar Acuña and Dos Ocampo’s Ang Bagong Pamilya ni Ponching (2016). The screenings will be 2 and 5 p.m., respectively, at Tanghalang Manuel Conde. Meanwhile, in partnership with the Women Playwrights International Philippines, there will be a Readathon of Women Plays on March 15 and 16, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the CCP’s Silangan Hall. On March 16, there will be a whole day fair featuring books, zines, and artworks created by women artists and authors called the Gandang Ganda Sa Sariling Gawa (GGSSG) Zine Fair, co-organized by the Gantala Press. All events are free and open to the public. For inquiries on film screenings, call the FBNMD at 832-1125 local 1702/1704. For the Readathon on Women Plays, call the Intertextual Division at 832-1125 local 1707.

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