Arts&Culture (10/25/23)

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Philippine PEN Congress at the CCP

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with the Philippine Center of International PEN (Poets, Essayists, Novelists), is holding the organization’s annual Congress on Oct. 25 at the Tanghalang Ignacio B. Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater). Following the theme “Ang Manunulat sa Mundo” (The Writer in the World), the Congress aims to challenge the borders and explore the horizons of the Filipino writers in the present and the future. A series of forums will discuss the rights and roles of Filipino writers in the context of artificial intelligence (AI) in the creative community, and in global publishing. The Rizal Lecture will be delivered by former PEN Philippines board member Karina Africa Bolasco, whose four decades of work in Philippine publishing have informed the identity and direction of the Filipino as a writer. Two forums will follow: “The Filipino Writer and AI” with Doc Ligot, Clarissa Militante, Joselito D. de los Reyes, and Aimee “Ime” Morales, and “The Filipino in the World: Global Publishing,” with Almira Manduriao, Honey de Peralta, and Joel Donato Ching Jacob. PEN Philippines members are invited to attend the Congress. Filipino writers can apply for PEN membership through https://thephilippinepen.wordpress.com/membership/.

FEU presents Ballet Manila’s La Traviata

A BALLET and opera production, La Traviata by Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi, premiered at the La Fenice Opera House in Venice in 1853. La Traviata means the fallen woman, or one who goes astray, referring to the main character, Violetta Valéry, a courtesan. This opera was made into a full ballet by prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde of Ballet Manila. On Oct. 26, at the Far Eastern University (FEU), three opera singers — Anna Migallos, Mher U. Nival, and Roby Malubay — will perform it live. The show is free for the FEU Community, including FEU alumni with a valid alumni card, and it costs P300 for guests. Register attendance at this link: https://forms.office.com/r/2f3L1hcgtn

Yuchengco Museum holds guitar concert

IN honor of International Mental Health Month, the Yuchengco Museum presents Mind and Soul, a concert featuring the Guitar Friends and their special guest performers. The concert’s beneficiary will be the Family Wellness Center Foundation, Inc. It will take place on Oct. 26, 7 p.m., at the Y Space at the Yuchengco Museum, RCBC Plaza, Makati City. To purchase tickets, which cost P700 for the general public, visit https://bit.ly/3F0GPAa. Students, senior citizens, PWDs, teachers, and Yuchengco employees pay P500, and can register via https://bit.ly/3RGtjJu. Tickets will also include access to the museum’s exhibit on the event day.

Three Filipina artists join Vietnam exhibit

Filipina Artists Mylene Quito, Raeche Dacanay, and Valerie Teng have been invited to be part of the exhibit “Infinite Expressions,” which will be held from Oct. 28 to Nov. 20 in Palm Artspace, 188A Thao Nguyen Ecopark, Van Giang-Hung Yen, Vietnam. They will be joined by Vietnamese artists Trang Thanh Hien, Nguyen Thu Thuy, Nguyen My Nhoc, Ly Tran, Phan Thi Hong Sam. Ms. Quito and Ms. Teng both held their first solo art shows in ArtAblado, Robinsons Galleria. A joint collaborative art show, “Infinite Horizons” will showcase the unique blends of colors, strokes and artistry of eight female artists from the Philippines and Vietnam whose individual talents show the diverse and dynamic perspectives of women, uniting their voices to break barriers and redefine the limits of creativity, self-expression and strength.

PPO family concert celebrates Halloween

THE annual Halloween event of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO), slated on Oct. 29, 4 p.m., at the Samsung Performing Art Theater, will be a cowboy-themed musical adventure. The annual Tricks and Musical Treats: A PPO Family Concert, now dubbed Giddy-UP to Our Rodeorchestral Ride!, is directed and hosted by theater actress-director Liesl Batucan-del Rosario. It will also feature pre-event activities starting at 2:30 p.m., including a musical instrument petting zoo where children can touch and experience the different musical instruments often used in an orchestra such as violin, flute, oboe, trumpet, and percussion, among others. There will be a trick or treat booth at the lobby. The PPO, under the baton of Herminigildo Ranera, will teach children how to “conduct” an orchestra. Tickets to the PPO concert are P500. Get tickets at the CCP TIG Box Office and at TicketWorld.

Jerico de Leon tackles faith, sacrifice in ARTablado

ARTABLADO in Robinson Antipolo presents Jerico de Leon’s third solo show, “Apo.” As a member of Apo’s Family, a group of cross bearers who do “penance for the sins of mankind and stop calamities such as typhoons, floods, volcanic eruptions and wars,” Mr. De Leon’s faith extends to his profession as an artist. In his paintings, tales of sacrifice and wonder center on dramatic figures — cross makers, woodcarvers, flower vendors, and children. His latest exhibit is unlike any of his previous shows, as it delves deep into the fusion of art and spirituality. “Apo” is on view until Nov. 2.

UST doctors’ group mount art, photo exhibit

ONGOING at the Philippine Consulate General in San Francisco, California, is an art and photo exhibition entitled “Gilas, Puso, Buhay by the Magilas Art Group,” an association of doctors from the University of Santo Tomas Medicine Class of 1981. The show is organized to raise funds for the UST Hospital Clinical Division Surgery Indigency Program. Featured in the exhibit are works by Magilas members Marie Josephine Han-Valera, Jose Leonardo V. Mejino, Angela Manansala, Angelita Andaya, Mary Paz Balanagay, Minda Marie Cabrera, Perla Deveza, Wilma Dumlao-Olson, Eileen Navarro Almario, and Robert Ang. The show runs until Nov. 3.

Imahica exhibit celebrates pop art

IN today’s ever-evolving art scene, pop art remains a powerful force. The exhibit “Popism: A Celebration of Pop Art” at Imahica Gallery offers a fresh glimpse into this dynamic movement through the works of Alyssa Bartoline, Bigboy Cheng x Christian Tamondong, Kiefer “Kiefsix” Indiongco, Kimmy Mamaril, Kris Abrigo, Mark Gil Berenguela, Megs Empinado, Rafa Labuntog, and Raymond Ty. The exhibit is done in partnership with Likhaan and will run until Nov. 10 at Imahica Art Gallery, 2A Lee Gardens, Shaw Blvd. cor. Lee St., Mandaluyong.

KaLIKHAsan art, photo exhibit returns for third year

THE annual art and photo exhibit KaLIKHAsan is set to return for its third year, organized by the Sigma Rho Fraternity of the University of the Philippines’ College of Law. The brainchild of ARTipolo Group, Inc. member Roland Tulay, his coffee paintings will be on display together with the works of Rommel Alcantara, Pio Garayblas, Jay Calucin, Limlengco, Daphne Lagunay, and the photographs of Macbeth Omega. Also among the featured artists is Anne Tulay or “Tulayan,” the Philippines’ representative for Visual Poetry to this year’s Payakumbuh Poetry Festival 2023 in West Sumatra, Indonesia. KaLIKHAsan 3 will run until Nov. 20 at the MC Bar & Resto, San Juan.

CCP showcases Mindanao artists in Davao show

THE CCP Cultural Exchange Department’s Ugnayan sa Sining, a regional collaborative productions program, will present “BUN[N]AL: Breaking New Ground for Mindanao” on Nov. 24, at the Holy Cross of Davao College (HCDC) gym. It brings together artists and performing groups from General Santos, Tacurong, Koronadal, Isulan, Sultan Kudarat, Marawi, Tawi Tawi, and Davao to collaborate and explore new directions for Mindanao’s creative expression. The performance is directed by director and curator Leonardo “Bing” Cariño of General Santos City and written by Karlo Antonio Galay David of Davao City. After its premiere in Davao City, the show plans to go on an outreach tour in other regions next year. For more information, contact the CCP CED at 8 (832-1125) local 1709.

Pastores Folk Dance tilt now accepting applications

FOR the holiday season, The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and its resident company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG), bring back the old tradition of Pastores and reintroduce it to young generations through the Vamos A Belén 2023, a festive event showcasing a variety of Philippine Christmas traditions in the forms of competition, exhibition, and performances. From Oct. 16 to Nov. 30, the CCP and ROFG will be accepting applications for the Pastores folk dance competition, dubbed Vamos A Belén: Sama-Samang Paggunita at Pagdiriwang. The cultural competition is open to school-based, community-based, and professional folk dance troupes residing in the Philippines. Each group must be composed of a minimum of eight performers and a maximum of 12 performers, aged 15 years old and above. A Competition Briefing and Orientation, as well as a Contest Piece Workshop, will happen on Nov. 4 at Bahay ni Kuya Mon in Pasay City. Registered groups are advised to attend the briefing and workshop. For additional information, visit the CCP website (www.culturalcenter.gov.ph).

PHL delegation goes to Frankfurt book fair

PUBLISHERS and fair visitors flocked to the Philippine stand and reception at the Frankfurter Buchmesse (FBM) during its participation at the fair. Acclaimed chef, author, and artist Claude Tayag introduced the six variations of the Filipino adobo on the world stage on Oct. 19, with insights based on his book, The Ultimate Filipino Adobo: Stories Through the Ages. Following this was an event titled “Happy Hour” that the National Book Development Board (NBDB) hosted, offering a taste of Filipino hospitality through servings of Mr. Tayag’s gourmet adobo and rounds of prime ube liqueur. On Oct. 20, Komiket, Inc. founder Paolo Herras pointed out the importance of Filipino representation in the world of comics as part of the panel in Comic Matinée: from Latin America to Asia. Meanwhile, the Philippine market was presented by poet and filmmaker Kristian Cordero and NBDB Director Anthony John Balisi to German publishers in an event called Books & Breakfast. Finally, fictionist and journalist Criselda Yabes joined a panel on women authors in Asia on Oct. 21. That day also marked the Philippine delegation’s meeting with FBM President Juergen Boos.