SWING BACK INTO DISCO FEVER WITH BALLET PHILIPPINES IN “AWITIN MO AT ISASAYAW KO”

Press release

From December 2 to 11 at the CCP Main Theater, celebrate the holidays with “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Ballet Philippines’ new dance musical featuring the songs of popular Filipino disco group, VST & Co. The show is an exciting collaboration with ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gerard Salonga.          

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” tells the story of the forbidden love between Teresa, a high-class kolehiyala and Victor, a construction worker. They are brought together and torn apart amidst the backdrop of the Philippines in the late ‘70s – brimming with disco fever but within the confines of Martial Law.

The show features Filipino disco favorites such as “Rock Baby Rock”, “Magsayawan”, and “Ipagpatawad Mo”, along with Bert de Leon’s “Hindi Ko Akalain, Roger Rigor’s “Ikaw ang Aking Pasko”, and Celso Llarina & Roger Rigor’s “Puwede Ba?”, all woven together by a libretto by Bibeth Orteza and transformed into dance by choreographers Carissa Adea, James Laforteza, and PJ Rebullida. It will be directed by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales.

Taking the lead roles of Victor and Teresa are two of Ballet Philippines’ legendary principal dancers: Nonoy Froilan and Edna Vida Froilan. Their younger selves will be portrayed by Jean Marc Cordero, Rita Angela Winder, Denise Parungao, and Garry Corpuz.

Joining them are two casts of singers culled from the ABS-CBN talent pool and distinguished actors from the Philippine theater scene. The gala cast from ABS-CBN is comprised of Michael Pangilinan, Karylle, Markki Stroem, and Kyle Echarri. They will be alternating with Sandino Martin, Cooky Chua, Jef Flores, and Noel Comia.

“This has been a rather fortuitous undertaking,” shares Morales. “Jed Balsamo had the idea to do a show with the music of VST and Co., then ABS-CBN approached us to do a project together... We’re very lucky that all of these pieces came together so easily.”

A Filipino disco group prominent in the late 1970s, VST & Co. is one of the pioneering groups of the music genre known as the Manila Sound. The group is composed of Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Tito Sotto, Val Sotto, Celso Llavina, Monet Gaskell, Male Rigor, Roger Rigor, Jun Medina, Joey de Leon, Homer Flores, Chito Ilagan, Ben Escasa, Fred Concepcion, Boy Alcaide, and Clod Baria. Their impressive collection of hits has left a legacy that endures to this day.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” will be staged at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) from December 2 to 11, 2016. Ticket prices range from Php 500 to Php 3500, with discounts for students, senior citizens, and government employees.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletph

To join in the Ballet Philippines conversation, use our official hashtags: #balletph, #awitinmoatisasayawko

Insights from Ebe Dancel

Previously, I was able to see the launch of Pioneer Insurance’s Campus Caravan. This time, the target is the aspiring songwriters.  Last year, it was for playwrights and the year before that was for short movies. For this Caravan, I was able to attend at University of the Philippines- Los Banos campus.

I was only going to document the event but I never thought I will get insights from Ebe Dancel. I was never a fan but I got to appreciate his music that he wrote for mainstream artists and he also does workshops just like this caravan.

For Ebe Dancel, songwriters are also storytellers. This I agree. We Filipinos have a heritage of minstrels especially in harana (serenade) which is not far from Ebe’s songs.  He shared that in his younger years, there was no internet yet and he is in the province, airwaves are limited and his only source of songs is the songs that his mother sang. Then he sang a couple of lines of Moon River. This was the first time I heard him sang in English because most of his original works are in Tagalog.

Back to his talks, one of the tips that he points out was that a song writer should be an observer. He shared that most of his songs gets content from his immediate surroundings. His base of residency, Los Banos, is an ideal place for observation especially the campus setting. This is also true for a blogger like me, I also like to observe.

There are lots of interactions from the audience which are mostly students. They were eager and asked the right questions. The organizers said that this was one of their best caravans that produced results. Even a high school student aged as young as 16 participated in the discussion. It was a mutual and informal workshop. There were 140 participants.

Yael Yuson also shared his insights and hosted the caravan. I will not publish all what Ebe pointed out because you might also want to attend his workshops and my blog post will get long. Pioneer Insurance has a songwriting contest with the theme, #MoveOnLang. This was made possible by Pioneer Insurance and FILSCAP. The contest is extended until November 15. For more events from Pioneer Insurance, follow this blog and like https://www.facebook.com/LENSblogs/ . I got to check out Entablado next time I get back in Los Banos.

CHANGING PARTNERS THE MUSICAL review

A musical usually makes you feel good but with PETA’s Changing Partners the musical, it is the other way around. The musical shows why relationships fail in general and it has two characters. But what makes it unique was it was played by a cast of four and it all happened in one straight act and no intermission. How is it possible, you might ask? Watch it again when it reruns.

With Ms. Agot Isidro

The composer Vince de Jesus provided the songs and also accompanied during the show run. Even though there is always a trademark of Vince’s music, he is the only one who could create songs for this kind of musical.

The musical is so heartbreaking that I also joked that PETA should provide tissues after the show for those who can relate. Even I am not exempted because I feel the pain of the characters. The set is simple with just blocks that formed walls and dividers in a condominium it only requires a smaller stage because they don’t need to change set. 

The cast of Changing Partner are Agot Isidro, Jojit Lorenzo, Anna Luna and Sandino Martin. Directed by Rem Zamora. For more musical productions, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

BERLIN-BASED VIOLIN VIRTUOSO ISKANDAR WIDJAJA AND WORLD-RENOWNED PIANIST ITAMAR GOLAN COMES TO MANILA

Press release

The Philippine Suzuki Association (PSA) proudly presents the one-night-only first Philippine concert titled " PASSION FLIGHT” featuring ISKANDAR WIDJAJA, Berlin-based violin virtuoso and ITAMAR GOLAN, world-renowned collaborating pianist on November 30 at 4 pm - Fleur de Lis Theater, St. Paul  University Manila, Pedro Gil, Malate.

" PASSION FLIGHT " is a Fundraising Concert of the benefit of PSA Teacher Development Program, Scholarships, and the forthcoming 2018 Asia Region Suzuki Conference in Manila.

Born in Berlin, Iskandar Widjaja began playing violin at the age of four, at first with the Suzuki method under Susan Mann. At eleven, he was accepted as an extraordinary student at the College of Music in Berlin, where he studied with Ursula Scholz and Joachim Hantzschk. Furthermore, he studied at the Julius Stern Institute Berlin– the pre-college division for the highly musically gifted. After completing secondary school, he studied violin at the University of the Arts in Berlin with Prof. Uwe-Martin Haiberg and Prof. Ilan Gronich, which he completed in 2010.

Iskandar’s debut CD “Bach ‘n’ Blues” was released worldwide by OehmsClassics in 2011 to great critical acclaim by press and recommendation by Bavarian, Hesse, and Northgerman broadcast.

His second album ,"Precious Refuge-Works by J.S.Bach", recorded with the Berliner Camerata, was released in April 2014 with notable reviews and recommendations by FonoForum, NDR, BR Klassik, Deutschlandradio Kultur, the Strad, Pizzicato magazine and was named "CD of the month" by Rondo magazine.

Additionally, Iskandar plays Tango with his Trio "CAYAO". Their debut album was released in October 2014 and reached the Classical Bestseller Charts Top 30 after a TV appearance on arte with star tenor Rolando Villazon.

Furthermore, Iskandar has been the face for Indonesia’s high-end coffee brand “JJ Royal“ as a brand ambassador and TV commercial model for three years. He has been on the cover of indonesia’s “High End“ magazine, Fashion-TV magazine, the Jakarta Post, to name a few.  Recently he collaborated closely with the VOLKSWAGEN group. His concert wardrobes are officially sponsored by Tommy Hilfiger.  Photoshoots for Cosmopolitan, InStyle, Mens Folio or the Volkswagen Magazine round out his profile as a modern classical violinist.

He plays a Franciscus Geissenhof from 1793 and a Stradivarius from 1734, on loan by Florian Leonhard.

On the other hand, Itamar Golan for more than two decades, has been partnering the most outstanding instrumentalists of our time.  His work has brought him great critical acclaim, and he is one of the most sought-after pianists of his generation, playing on the most prestigious stages around the world.

Born in Vilnius, Lithuania, Itamar’s family emigrated to Israel when he was a year old.  He started his musical studies there, and at the age of seven, he gave his first concerts in Tel-Aviv. 

He was repeatedly awarded scholarships from the American-Israel Cultural Foundation which enabled him to study with Emmanuel Krasovsky and Chaim Taub, his chamber music mentor.  Later, under a full scholarship from the New England Conservatory in Boston, he was chosen to study with Leonard Shure.

Since his early years, Itamar Golan’s passion has been chamber music, but he also has appeared as soloist with some of the major orchestras, including the Israel Philharmonic and Berlin Philharmonic under the direction of Zubin Mehta, Royal Philharmonic under the direction of Riccardo Muti, and Philarmonia Orchestra under the direction of Lorin Maazel.

Over the years, Itamar has collaborated with Vadim Repin, Maxim Vengerov, Julian Rachlin, Mischa Maisky, Shlomo Mintz, Ivry Gitlis, Ida Haendel, Kyung Wha Chung, Sharon Kam, Janine Jansen, Martin Frost, and Torleif Thedeen, among many others.  He is a frequent participant in many prestigious international music festivals, such as Salzburg, Verbier, Lucerne, Tanglewood, Ravinia, and has made numerous recordings for  Deutsche Grammophon, Warner Classics, Decca, Teldec, EMI and Sony Classical labels.

In 1991, Itamar Golan was nominated to the faculty of the Manhattan School of Music, making him one of their youngest teachers ever.  Since 1994, he has been teaching chamber music at the Paris Conservatory.  He resides in Paris, where he is involved in many different artistic projects.

            The Philippine Suzuki Association, Inc. is a non-profit organization of Suzuki teachers, parents, and students. It aims to foster, promote and advance the understanding of Dr. Shinichi Suzuki’s philosophy and methodology.  Through the Mother Tongue Approach, it provides students the opportunity to learn music at an early age.  PSA's current president is Prof. Carolyn Kleiner-Cheng and its founding president is Prof. Carmencita Guanzon-Arambulo.

PSA Inc. promotes fellowship and interaction among its members as well as with other Suzuki organizations all over the world.  Its goal is to reach out to the people; to uplift their lives and to bring happiness to all children through music.

PSA Inc. is duly accredited by the Asia Region Suzuki Association (ARSA) and the International Suzuki Association (ISA).  By affiliation, all members of PSA Inc. are automatically members of the Asia Region Suzuki Association (ARSA) and the International Suzuki Association (ISA).

Ticket prices at P3000, 2000, and 1,000.

For reservations, please call PSA Office/ Greenhills Music Studio at 7240705, 7242543, 0922-828-0377, 0922- 837-5454.

JANELLA 'S MUSIC VIDEO OF “MOANA” SONG “HOW FAR I'LL GO”

Press release

Walt Disney Studios Southeast Asia has chosen fast-rising, multi-talented star Janella Salvador to sing and appear in the music video of “How Far I'll Go,” the lead song from Walt Disney Animation Studios' 56th animated feature “Moana.”

“How Far I'll Go” is one of seven original songs from the “Moana” soundtrack and is written by the Tony Award-winning “Hamilton” composer Lin-Manuel Miranda.

The inspirational song boasts a soaring chorus and lyrics that echo the film’s plot of a young woman who leaves her South Pacific island to restore her people’s ancient role as master voyagers.

The Philippines localized music video aims to deliver the inspirational and positive message of “Moana”, which is to have courage, determination and compassion, while keeping a sense of adventure and a never-say-die attitude.

This local adaptation is in line with the studio’s approach to dream, create and celebrate the most magical stories and adventures, each woven around a relatable, empowered local idol who delights everyone and especially inspires girls to realize their full potential.

Janella is one of five singers from Southeast Asia, namely Maudy Ayunda from Indonesia, AydaJebat from Malaysia, Myra Molloy from Thailand and MinhNhu from Vietnam, who were selected to cover the song in each of their local languages.

About Disney’s Moana

For centuries, the greatest sailors in the world masterfully navigated the vast Pacific, discovering the many islands of Oceania. But then, 3,000 years ago, their voyages stopped for a millennium – and no one knows exactly why. From Walt Disney Animation Studios comes “Moana,” a sweeping, CG-animated feature film about an adventurous teenager who is inspired to leave the safety and security of her island on a daring journey to save her people. Inexplicably drawn to the ocean, Moana (voice of AuliʻiCravalho) convinces the mighty demigod Maui (voice of Dwayne Johnson) to join her mission, and he reluctantly helps her become a wayfinder like her ancestors who sailed before her. Together, they voyage across the open ocean on an action-packed adventure, encountering enormous monsters and impossible odds, and along the way, Moana fulfills her quest and discovers the one thing she’s always sought: her own identity. Directed by the renowned filmmaking team of Ron Clements and John Musker (“The Little Mermaid,” “Aladdin,” “The Princess & the Frog”), produced by OsnatShurer (“Lifted,” “One Man Band”), and featuring music by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina and OpetaiaFoa‘i, “Moana” sails into theaters in the Philippines on Nov. 30, 2016. For more information, visit http://www.disney.ph/, like us on Facebook, WaltDisneyStudiosPH; follow us on Twitter, @disney_phil; follow us on Instagram, @disney.ph and use the hashtag #MoanaPH.

Tiendesitas celebrates 11th year with month-long OPM festival

Press release

Festival to feature Sandwich, 6cyclemind, Kitchie Nadal, Itchyworms,
and Up Dharma Down

MANILA, PHILIPPINES - This year, Tiendesitas fetes its 11th anniversary with a month-long celebration featuring top-charting Pinoy music artists. Every Saturday for the month of October, visitors of Tiendesitas can enjoy the music of Sandwich, 6cyclemind, Kitchie Nadal, Itchyworms, and Up Dharma in Tiendesitas’ OPM Festival.

Tiendesitas, one of the metro’s top shopping and family entertainment destinations, is bringing some of OPM’s big names in partnership with the Organisasyon ng mga Pilipinong Mang-aawit (OPM) and Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA). Fans of Filipino music can troop to the 2^nd Floor of the Food Village and jam with these artists on the following dates:

• October 8 – 6cyclemind
• October 15 – Kitchie Nadal
• October 22 – Itchyworms
• October 29 – Up Dharma Down

Admission is free, as attendees get to sing along to the artists’ hits while enjoying the array of food and retail finds at Tiendesitas. Indeed, it’s time to get on an #OPMHigh for all Saturdays of October only at Tiendesitas.

SAN PEDRO CALUNGSOD THE MUSICAL SET TO OPEN OCTOBER 15

Press release

Propagate the Sainthood of a Visayan and the Second Saint of the Philippines, SAN PEDRO CALUNGSOD, through a Beautiful and Inspiring Musical Play about His Life and Faith !

This is the First English and Original Version of the Musical written by LUIGI NACARIO with Original Music by EUGENE BELBIS.

We are inviting all Devotees and Believers to Watch and Be Inspired of His Holiness!

Date: October 15, Saturday at 2PM and 6PM

Venue: St. Cecilia's Hall, St. Scholastica's College Manila

BUY YOUR TICKETS NOW!

call TicketWorld Manila at 891.9999

www.ticketworld.com.ph

For Sponsorship and Showbuying call 507.3396 / 0915.4478959

kidsactsphilippines@yahoo.com.ph