CCP Presents Suite Espanola on June 7

Press Release: 

The Embassy of Spain in the Philippines and the Cultural Center of the Philippines present SUITE ESPAÑOLA (SPANISH SUITE), an original performance which combines classical music and flamenco singing in search of a common ground, on June 7 at 7:30 p.m. at Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater), Cultural Center of the Philippines, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City. Admission is free.

In SUITE ESPAÑOLA, a classical pianist and a flamenco singer mix piano scores with flamenco songs in search of a better understanding of that evolution, exploring both worlds, looking for their roots and freely interpreting the compositions of Granados, Albéniz and Falla.                     

SUITE ESPAÑOLA is performed by flamenco singer Rocío Márquez Limón and classical pianist Rosa Torres-Pardo, two Spanish artists who have successfully performed the show in Spain and for the very first time in Asia, from Tokyo to Manila.

Rosa Torres-Pardo was born in Madrid (Spain). She received the Masterplayers Award in Lugano (Switzerland) in 1986 and she successfully debuted at the Teatro Real de Madrid in 1987, performing Prokofiev´s Piano Concerto Nº 3 with the Hungarian National Philharmonic Orchestra.

She has worked with several orchestras such as the Los Angeles Philharmonic and the London Royal Philharmonic Orchestra with conductors such us Spivakov, Dutoit, Fournet, Vasary and Termikanov in auditoriums like Carnegie Hall and Alice Tully Hall in New York, the Kennedy Center in Washington, the Wigmore Hall and Sadlers Wells in London, the St. Petersburg Philharmonia and the Konzerthaus in Berlin and Knopf Music Halle in Hamburg.

Rocío Márquez Limón was born in Huelva (Spain) in 1985. She began singing since she was a child but started receiving formal training at the age of 9.

She has performed at the Olympia in Paris, the International Auditorium in Brussels, the Dusseldorf Opera House, the Sete Sóis Sete Luas Festival in Oeiras (Portugal), Mohammed V National Theater in Rabat and the Silk Road Festival in Damascus.

One of her latest projects is the recording of “La Vida Breve” (Short Life) of Manuel de Falla with the Spanish National Orchestra.

For more information, kindly contact the Embassy of Spain in the Philippines’ Cultural Department at 817-9997 / 817-6676 or via email (emb.manila.ofc@maec.es / emb.manila@maec.es).

Ballet Philippines 45th Season Line Up

Press Update: 

Ballet Philippines, the country’s premier classical and contemporary dance company proudly announces its 45^th Anniversary – The Sapphire Season as it celebrates 45 years of sharing the gift of dance.

The exciting line-up of productions is as follows:

Agnes Locsin’s LA REVOLUCION FILIPINA

CCP Main Theater | July 25-27, 2014

Hailed by critics as “poignant and powerful,” Agnes Locsin’s modern dance masterpiece returns to celebrate the 150^th birth anniversary of its lead character - Apolinario Mabini, the paraplegic, ‘brains of the Katipunan’.

Winner of Outstanding Dance Production and Outstanding Choreography for Agnes Locsin at the 2008 Gawad Buhay! Awards

THE BLUE MOON SERIES

CCP Main Theater | September 19- 28, 2014

This two-week celebration and fundraising series features 3 programs in a festival celebrating the company and its works.

THE BLUE MOON GALA

CCP Main Theater | September 26-27, 2014

Favorite masterworks including Redha’s Je tu Elle, Bam Damian’s Minamahal Sinasamba and other acclaimed award-winning works and special guests celebrate the company’s sapphire milestone.

GISELLE

CCP Main Theater | September 19-21, 2014

Hailed as “the show that brought sexy back to ballet”, this sublime re-staging by premier danseur Nonoy Froilan returns in this special repeat performance of the show.

THE HOMECOMING GALA

CCP Main Theater | September 28, 2014

Ballet Philippines shares the stage with the companies, dance schools and artists who have sprung from its rich tradition of excellence.

Alice Reyes’ CINDERELLA

CCP Main Theater | November 28-30, December 5-7, 2014

This highly celebrated retelling of the quintessential rags to riches fairy tale by Ballet Philippines’ Founder and Artistic Director Emeritus, Alice Reyes, brings laughter, merriment, and romance to the holiday season.

MANHID The Pinoy Superhero Musical

by Auraeus Solito, Vincent de Jesus, Carina Evangelista, and the Eraserheads

Choreographed by Paul Alexander Morales and Alden Lugnasin

CCP Main Theater | February 20-28, March 1-8, 2015

The season ends with the return of the legendary dance rock musical MANHID, co-presented by Tanghalang Pilipino. Set in an alternate present day Philippines where the EDSA revolution failed, this musical features heroes and villains with superpowers, and a people sick with Kamanhiran (Apathy).  Celebrating a nation of heroes on the 29^th Anniversary of EDSA revolution, MANHID promises to be a must-watch event for 2015.

As a special treat, enjoy 25% savings by subscribing today to the 4-Series including La Revolucion Filipina, Blue Moon Gala, Cinderella and Manhid for Orchestra Center, Orchestra Side, Balcony 1 Center, Parterre box, Lower box and Upper box. 3-series and 2-series subscriptions are also available.

Junior subscribers (ages 4-21 years old) may avail of a 50% discount.

Founded in 1969 by Alice Reyes with the support of Eddie Elejar and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Ballet Philippines is the country’s premier dance company and is known worldwide for its repertoire of classical and modern pieces. Its school, the CCP Dance School, continues to produce dancers of international caliber.

For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003.  For tickets and reservations, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

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

Facebook:      www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter:          @balletph

Instagram:      @balletphilippines

YouTube:       https://www.youtube.com/user/balletph

Ballet Philippines - The 45^th Anniversary Sapphire Season. Rare scenes of power and grace. Love, valour and redemption. A toast to 45 years of dance excellence!  

After Cocks, Closer, Rabbit Hole Opens Second Season of Red Turnip Theater

After seeing Cocks, Closer, now Rabbit Hole Opens for more intriguing and thought-provoking plays by Red Turnip. In the span of a year, Red Turnip Theater has made its mark in the Philippine theater scene with a band of five actors, Ana Abad Santos, Topper Fabregas, Jenny Jamora, Cris Villonco and Rem Zamora. Their first production, “Closer”, was a bruising and honest take on modern day relationships and their follow-up, “Cock”, was a biting comedy about sexual identity. Both productions went on to acclaim with critics and audiences alike.

The five are back with their second season and are excited to kickstart it with the 2007 Pulitzer Prize winner, “Rabbit Hole”. Written by David Lindsay-Abaire, “Rabbit Hole” was a Broadway hit that garnered several Tony nominations and a win for its lead actress, Cynthia Nixon. It was then adapted into a critically-acclaimed film with Nicole Kidman in 2010 and earned her an Oscar nomination for Best Actress.

The story revolves around Becca and Howie, a couple who lose their four year old son to a car accident, and the grief that slowly threatens to tear them apart. Shifting between humour and heartbreak, “Rabbit Hole” explores the way people deal with loss and how this affects those closest to them; their families. Variety calls it “an intensely emotional examination of grief, laced with wit, insightfulness, compassion, and searing honesty”.

The Manila premier has film and television star Agot Isidro in the role of Becca, with theater veteran Michael Williams as her husband Howie. This production marks Agot’s return to theater after notable turns in Tanghalang Pilipino's "Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah", Atlantis Productions' "Baby" and Trumpets' "Honk!". Williams' long list of credits include starring roles in "Jekyll and Hyde", "Les Miserables" and "Man of La Mancha" for Repertory Philippines.

Joining Isidro and Williams are Che Ramos-Cosio (Tatlong Maria, Dogeaters) as Becca’s sister Izzy and Sheila Francisco (South Pacific, August Osage County) as their mother Nat.  Dulaang UP's Ross Pesigan (Ang Nawalang Kapatid, Titus Andronicus) rounds off the eclectic cast as Jason, the young boy responsible for the tragic loss of their son.

Topper Fabregas makes his directorial debut with “Rabbit Hole" as it opens on August 1, 2014 and runs all weekends of August. Log on to https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater for complete show schedules.

Tickets are available through TicketWorld (891-9999 or www.ticketworld.com.ph) or Red Turnip Theater (redturniptheater@gmail.com or https://www.facebook.com/RedTurnipTheater)

CREATIVE STAFF

Direction: Topper Fabregas

Technical Direction & Lighting Design: John Batalla

Set Design: Faust Peneyra

Sound Design: Jethro Joaquin

Venue: Whitespace is located at 2314 Chino Roces Ave. Extension (formerly Pasong Tamo Extension), Makati.

Yahoo Helps To Uplift Filipino Music In Collaboration With FILSCAP

Thanks to Yahoo for giving a helping hand to the under appreciated Filipino composers especially in light of the  unstoppable music piracy still going strong.  Let's all save and support OPM.

 

Press Release:

Yahoo Philippines collaborates with the Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers, Inc. (FILSCAP), to feature original Filipino music, videos and songs through a dedicated channel on their site (http://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/music). 

"Yahoo Philippines honors the hard work and dedication of Filipino musicians. This partnership helps us in our goal of showcasing world-class Filipino talent around the world through our site.” says Kate Delos Reyes, Yahoo Philippines Country Manager and Country Editor.

"The Filipino Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (FILSCAP) applauds Yahoo for honouring the rights of music creators.  Yahoo's partnership with FILSCAP creates a strengthened alliance in helping music creators bring their music much closer to the audience through the legal and ethical use of copyrighted music thereby providing us added visibility and revenue stream," says Noel G. Cabangon, FILSCAP President. Cabangon, himself a composer, is thrilled about the partnership, adding, “It is a fitting way to celebrate original Filipino music and it provides local talent with a platform to present their work globally.”

Catch the latest Filipino music videos, songs, news and events at http://ph.celebrity.yahoo.com/music.

ICON Manila 2014: First Entertainment and Design Conference in the Philippines

Disney Animations, Universal Studios, and Warner Brothers top design artists are coming to Manila in July 3 to share information about the design process for students and professionals working in the entertainment design industry.

ICON Manila, the first event of its kind in Asia, features top professionals in animation and concept design for feature film, television and games.  All speakers at the conference have relevant experience working with industry giants such as Walt Disney, Universal Studios, Nickelodeon, Warner Brothers, Sony Animation Pictures, and Marvel Productions among the others.

“With our impressive line-up of top industry leaders, our objective is to present a progressive view of the entertainment design process and impart new ideas that will ultimately strengthen Asia’s impact on the industry,” shares Armand Serrano, Entertainment and Design Conference organizer, who has worked on animations like Lilo and Stich, Brother Bear and Mulan.

ICON Manila is a paid conference under ICON for Missions, a newly formed non-profit organization based in Eastvale, California. “By hosting various conferences all over the world, its purpose is to raise money to fund their Christian mission and humanitarian aid in needy communities,” says Sam Tanner, Executive Director of ICON for Missions.

The Entertainment and Design Conference will be held on July 3, 2014 at the SMX Convention Center. For more details on the conference speakers, schedule, and tickets, visit www.iconmanila.com. 

ICON's ENTERTAINMENT DESIGN CONFERENCE 2014 is a conference for professionals and students in the entertainment design industry. This conference details the design process for those working in animation, film, games, advertising, fine arts and other forms of visual media. Conference speakers have decades of proven experience in their fields of expertise. Their combined knowledge in this one event will help further Asia's impact on the entertainment design industry.

Al Gatmaitan Pursues His Dream on May 23

Press Announcement:

 

AL GATMAITAN, one of the country’s topnotch tenors will take his summer studies at the New York University Steinhardt School for Music and Performing Arts Professions this coming June. 

But before he takes a bite of the Big Apple, catch AL GATMAITAN: IN PURSUIT OF A DREAM – a special fund raising concert presented by The Philippine Opera Company and Grupo Reposo, in collaboration with LRI Design Plaza. With Karl Estudillo, collaborative pianist, directed by Will Fredo.

The concert is on May 23, 2014 (7:30 p.m.), at LRI Design Plaza located at 210 Nicanor Garcia St., Brgy. Bel Air II, Makati.

Special guest artists include: Soprano Gabri Panlilio, Mezzo Soprano Clarissa Ocampo, Soprano and stage actress Tricia Amper-Jimenez, Film, Tv and stage actress Liza Dino, Singer and songwriter Aiza Seguerra,
and World renowned concert pianist Raul Sunico.

Ticket price is Php 1,000.00.

For inquiries, please call telephone numbers 8229609, 0917-8072223
and 0917-5224183.

Counting 14 New Ways To Love Krazy Garlik

“Love is merely a madness . . .” Perhaps if Shakespeare were alive today writing his world-famous love story over lunch or dinner at Krazy Garlik while busily tapping on his laptop, he would have kept Romeo and Juliet alive and well, happily together in the end.  Methinks, he must have been skipping meals then so he was cranky and just wanted to end the story right away.  I mean, why would any writer want his readers to be depressed, unless he was in a bad mood too.  That’s what happens when you write on an empty stomach . . . a romantic tragedy.

A satisfying, sumptuous meal especially one with lots of garlic may just be the trick to keep you from being negative. Garlic is the elixir of life, dishes without garlic is plain boring to me.  Luckily, I had the good fortune of trying Krazy Garlic’s new dishes. Though the name of the restaurant is Krazy Garlic, overall, the dishes are for general palates so everyone can enjoy.  For garlic lovers like me, you have the option to add more garlic to your dishes as they serve roasted garlic in small platters.  And I do go strong with garlic.  “Such is my love, to thee I so belong, That for thy right myself will bear all wrong”. But that’s just me, a crazy garlic-lover.

How do I love Krazy Garlic, let me count the ways . . .

One, Creamy Garlik Hummus. This creamy appetizer will  liven up your taste buds without bloating you up.  This dish is a combination of chickpeas and sesame paste served with a soft tortilla and freshly baked sourdough bread.

Two, three, four, great tasting garlicky salads to choose from. The Asian Chicken salad with the soft tortilla chips and grilled chicken, the Kickin’ Krazy salad with romaine lettuce mixed with homemade wasabi topped with chicken fillet, and the Roasted Tomato salad with mesclun greens, roasted tomatoes, dried figs, feta cheese, and cashew nuts tossed in homemade garlic vinaigrette dressing topped with black olives and croutons.  Whoever said that salad is boring must have their heads checked or simply visit Krazy Garlic for their tasty greens.

Five, six, seven, eight, Meat Lovers Delight section. The BBQ riblets a mouthwatering plate of grilled riblets served with special barbeque sauce and garlic marble potatoes. The Garlik Oxtail and Chorizo Paella cooked to perfection in a medley of red bell peppers, black olives, and roasted garlic. The Hot Pot Pie with Puff Pastry is a hearty and creamy chicken hot pot with chorizo, white onion, and roasted bell pepper covered with golden puff pastry.

Nine, the new addition in the Finest From The Sea section. Crispy Fried Fish is deep fried to crispy brown fish sautéed with black bean sauce served with garlic mango salsa.

Ten and eleven, new pasta dishes. The Seafood spaghetti with shrimp and mussels tossed in roasted bell peppers, and the Creamy Chorizo and Sausage for hearty pasta meals.

Twelve,  Krazy Garlik’s Seoul rice. It’s simple Korean-style spicy fried rice with beef strips, bean sprouts, sesame seeds and Nori---basically everything you will look for in fried rice.

Thirteen and fourteen, desserts. The Krazy Mess is a luscious combination of layered frozen raspberry, Nata de Coco, homemade meringue, whipped cream, and strawberry ice cream. The Affogato Trifle is a bittersweet blend of coffee jelly, meringue, whipped cream, and vanilla topped with a hot espresso shot.

 “What made me love thee? let that persuade thee. there's something extraordinary in thee. I cannot: but I love thee; none but thee; and thou deservest it.”