#VisitPhilippines2015

Tree Top Adventure Extreme in Subic and Baguio

Press Update:
On February 21, 2015, from 11:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Tree Top Adventure will hold its very 1st press conference and media tour in which over twenty participants from the TV, online, radio and print industries will attend.

The program will be graced by Tree Top Adventure’s CEO Ms. Ma. Camille O. Montejo. A short program will be presented with a question and answer portion will take place first before proceeding with the tour in which the participants will try all the rides. They would also be trying the only motorized team building facilities in the Philippines.

Tree Top Adventure features six activities: two slow paced and four fast paced activities. One slow paced activity is the Trekking adventure in which you’ll be toured within the area. The tour guide will be introducing local plants and trees and share interesting facts about them. If one wants to see the forest and appreciate nature from the top of the trees, they could try the Canopy ride. The entire ride has a hanging bridge and five stations which can carry three persons at a time in which you’ll be transferring from one tree to another. For heart pounding activities, one might want to try the Superman Ride, a horizontal motorized zipline in which you’ll be soaring back and forth in less than a minute. Another activity you could try is the parachute fall in which you’ll be going upwards, slowly, and when you’re 75 feet above the ground, you’ll suddenly fall. If you literally want to surf in the air, you could try the Silver Surfer, an inclined zipline that swings you back and forth between two trees. If you want to experience the extreme, we recommend you the Tree Drop in which you’ll be suspended 60 feet above the ground, mission impossible style and you’ll be dropped in a matter of seconds only.

Tree Top Adventure also offers the only motorized Team Building facilities in the Philippines in which participants would be challenged physically, mentally and even emotionally.

Tree Top Adventure’s another branch, located at the Camp John Hay Baguio City, will also hold its press conference and media tour on March 14, 2015.

For more information, you could contact 09166299381. You could also visit our website www.treetopadventureph.com. To be more updated, you could like our Facebook page www.facebook.com/treetopadventurecamp and follow us on Instagram @tree_top_adventure and Twitter @TreeTopPH.

Pasinaya Festival of CCP Highlights ASEAN Diversity

Press Update:

Pasinaya, the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ annual open house festival, celebrated the integration of ASEAN countries with the theme PASINAYA GROWS ASEAN WINGS last February 15.

The event also included the ASEAN Performance Arts Market held from Feb. 13 to 15. It offered opportunities for networking, showcasing of performance samplers and business matching of ASEAN performances within the ASEAN region and with the world. Contemporary, traditional, as well as innovative works by emerging and seasoned ASEAN artists in music, dance and theatre were featured.

 

Pasinaya opened at the CCP with an early morning pre-show at 7:30 a.m. featuring the Marcelo H. Del Pilar Performing Arts Group, Marikina Dance Guild and the La Salle Dance Company-Street, followed by the official opening ceremonies and street parade featuring the Citizens’ Brigade Band of Dasmariñas, Cavite and the Sindaw Philippines Performing Arts Guild. 

Different areas and venues of the CCP were zoned and dedicated to the various art forms such as dance, music, theater, film and the visual arts as well as zones devoted to workshops and children.

More than 3,000 artists from community-based and school-based artistic groups participated in the 2015 CCP Pasinaya.  In addition to the performances, there were workshops, film screenings, lecture-demonstrations, exhibits and storytelling activities.

Partner institutions, namely, Metropolitan Museum of Manila and Museo Pambata on Roxas Boulevard, National Museum on P. Burgos Drive, Rizal Park, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Casa Manila and Bahay Tsinoy in Intramuros and 1335 Mabini Gallery in Ermita, Manila opened their doors to the public for Pasinaya on Feb. 15. New to Pasinaya this year were the Museo Marino and College of St. Benilde Museum of Contemporary Art and Design. 

Pasinaya was presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and headlined by the CCP’s own resident companies, namely, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST Symphony Orchestra, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theater, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan Philippine National Folk Dance Company, NAMCYA, Philippine Madrigal Singers and Tanghalang Pilipino.

Pasinaya is the biggest multi arts festival in the Philippines featuring the participation of thousands of artists and hundreds of artistic and cultural groups. It offers to the public on a unique “Pay what you can, See all you can” donation scheme the opportunity to enjoy a sneak preview of the CCP Performance season.  (Photos by Kiko Cabuena)

Acclaimed Pianist Christopher McKiggan Performs Evocative "Three Minds" at CCP Feb 10

Press Announcement:

Acclaimed classical pianist Christopher Janwong McKiggan performs on February 10, 2015, 7:30pm at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Little Theater. The concert is presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and KMP Artists and is part of a World Tour celebrating Christopher's debut solo CD released FEB 1st on Albany Records.

Program includes Brahms’ Piano Sonata No.2 in F sharp major, Op.2; Narong Prangcharoen’s Three Minds, Beethoven’s Piano Sonata No.31 in A flat major, Op.110;

Robert Beaser’s Pag Rag, Karim AI-Zand’s Paganini Reverie and Stravinsky’s Firebird Suite.

Born in Christchurch, England, Christopher began his piano studies at age six with his father. He moved to Thailand at age seven, residing with his British father and mother, a Thai citizen of Chinese heritage. He graduated Magna Cum Laude from the University of Missouri-Kansas City as a Bachelor of Music studying under Dr. Robert Weirich, a Master’s Degree from Rice University is currently there as a Doctoral of Musical Arts Piano Performance under Prof. Jon Kimura Parker.

Hailed as a pianist with “astounding technique… startling poise and control” (Kansas City Star) and “astonishing virtuosity and piano coloration” (The Citizen), Christopher won a top prize as a laureate and finalist at the prestigious 12th UNISA International Piano Competition (WFIMC) 2012. He has won numerous other awards including the Gold medal in the Seattle International Piano Competition, second prize in the solo division and third prize in the senior concerto division at the Kingsville International Music Competition, first prize in the Bradshaw and Buono International Piano Competition, Finalist in the World International Piano Competition, among many others. He is also the recipient of the Presser Award in which he was awarded a grant to create an upcoming international relations project titled “Resonance of Hope.” His upcoming solo CD titled “Paganimania” will be published by Albany Records and released in fall 2014.

Christopher’s playing of “Three Minds” by Thai composer Narong Prangcharoen has been hailed as “Evocative” (The Daily Sound), and he recorded the piece for Albany records in the album “Phenomenon” and recorded “Between Heaven and Earth” in the album “Matras”.

Tickets are P800 (Center) and P600 (Sides).

For details, contact the CCP Performance and Exhibition Department at 832-1125 loc. 1606-1607.

AIM presents World-class Pianist Sunico in Three Tchaicovsky Conciertos

Press Announcement:

The Asian Institute of Management presents internationally renowned pianist Raul Sunico in a rare performance that will put on spotlight the three piano concertos of Russian composer Peter Ilyich Tchaikovsky happening at the Old Senate Hall of the National Museum of the Philippines, February 22, 4 p.m.

“Raul Sunico Performs Tchaikovsky: The Premiere Concert”is poised to set a world record as Sunico will perform the three concertos of the Russian master for the first time in one evening.

Sharing the stage with Sunico is the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera. These world-class musicians will perform the three Tchaikovsky masterpieces, including Concerto no.1 in B-flat minor, op. 23; Concerto no.2 in G major, op.44; and Concerto no. 3 in E-flat major, op. 75.

Sunico earlier achieved worldwide recognition when he performed the four piano concertos of the Russian composer Sergei Rachmaninoff also in one evening. He has garnered acclaim around the world where he had performed in solo recitals as well as with the best orchestras throughout Europe, North America, Australia, Middle East, and Asia.

The evening is a celebration not only of Sunico’s brilliance as a musician but also of AIM’s excellence as an international graduate business school. Nearing its 50^th anniversary, AIM sets its eyes on a vigorous future where it continues to enjoy a leadership status in the ASEAN region by mobilizing resources for its exciting campus development plans.

Witness an exciting celebration of excellence unfold yet again as AIM presents this world-class concert that features the best musicians of the country. Like Sunico, this pioneering graduate business school proudly stands on its rich heritage amid an ASEAN backdrop that rises on the global economic landscape.

This event is co-presented by the National Museum of the Philippines and Lyric Piano.

Concert inquiries may be coursed through Irene Donohue at (02) 892-4011 ext. 7101 and idonohue@aim.edu.

“Seasons of Desire”, One Night Opera Concert on Feb 7

 Press Release:

As a pre-Valentine treat, come and watch Featuring Elaine Lee (soprano), Ivan Nery (tenor), Lawrence Jatayna (baritone) and Dingdong Fiel (piano). Directed by Nazer Salcedo. " SEASONS OF DESIRE " is a tribute to the Filipino Asianovela craze, as well as an attempt to extend the love for opera to a broader audience. Using selected opera pieces from Mozart and Verdi, " Seasons of Love " features tropes from local and international dramas - the sudden tragedy, a betrayal of trust, a plot of revenge, a redemption --- and incorporates these tropes to songs from famous operas such as Le Nozze de Figaro, Magic Flute, La Traviata and Rigoletto.Repertoire:
1. Mozart: Marriage of Figaro Overture
2. Mozart: Cinque, dieci, venti... (Marriage of Figaro) - duet
3. Mozart: Ein Madchen oder Weibchen (Magic Flute)-solo
4. Mozart: In Uomini (Cosi fan tutte)- solo
5. Mozart: Deh vieni alla finestra (Don Giovanni)- solo
6. Mozart: Papageno/Papagena duet (Magic Flute) - duet
7. Verdi: Mini Overture from Rigoletto
8. Verdi: Questo o Quella (Rigoletto) - solo
9. Verdi: Signor ne principe (Rigoletto) - duet
10. Verdi: Caro nome (Rigoletto) - solo
11. Verdi: Cortigiani (Rigoletto) - solo
12. Verdi: Mio Padre...Tutte le feste (Rigoletto) - duet
13. Verdi: Si vendetta (Rigoletto) - duet
14. Verdi: La donna e mobile (Rigoletto) - solo
15. Verdi: V'ho ingannato (Rigoletto) - duet
16. Verdi: Addio del passato (La Traviata) - solo" SEASONS OF DESIRE " – a story of  love, treachery and vengeance in an opera concert set on FEBRUARY 7, 2015 – SATURDAY -  8 p.m. at the Abelardo Hall, College of Music in U.P. Diliman, Q.C.

Featuring topnotch artists Elaine Lee (soprano), Ivan Nery (tenor), Lawrence Jatayna (baritone) and Dingdong Fiel (piano), "SEASONS OF DESIRE" written by Vladimir Gonzales and Directed by Nazer D. Salcedo, is a tribute to the Filipino Asian novela craze, as well as an attempt to extend the love for opera to a broader audience. Using selected opera pieces from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart and Giuseppe Verdi, the one-night only opera concert shall feature tropes from local and international dramas - the sudden tragedy, a betrayal of trust, a plot of revenge, a redemption --- and incorporates these tropes to songs from famous operas such as Le Nozze de Figaro, Magic Flute, La Traviata and Rigoletto.

“Seasons of Desire” is a story of a couple excited to start their lives together as a family. While they prepare their wedding festivities (Cinque dieci, venti – Le Nozze di Figaro), there was a reminiscence of the man searching for a maiden to be his wife (Ein Madchen oder Weibchen – Magic Flute). A call of fate happened that one rainy afternoon, he saw this lady doing her chores singing to herself (In uomini, in soldati – Cosi fan tutte). Their eyes met and the man serenades her (Deh vieni alla finestra – Don Giovanni). This encounter blossomed into a romantic entanglement. Nothing is sweeter than love. They finally got married and started their lives together they did planning on having children (Papageno/Papagena duet –Magic Flute). Soon, season of love bears fruit to a lovely daughter.

The mother died during childbirth. The season of treachery and vengeance loomed. The used to be strong man is now an old weak father. He raised the daughter on his own. She grew into a beautiful maiden. Every morning she goes to work at the Hopia de Leche Factory. The infamous owner of the factory is known for using his charm to lure women. For him, women are nothing but a bunch of toys for pleasure (Questo o quella – Rigoletto). With her innocence, she never thought that this man has an evil agenda on her. He did his sweet talks and she immediately fell for them (Signor ne principe – Rigoletto). She felt like floating in love, enchanted by his charms, his handsome physique (Caro Nome – Rigoletto).

The owner asks permission from the maiden’s father, with the intent of bribe to take her out for a day. The father, enraged by the man’s seemingly immoral character, turns him down, sends him away. His refusal pushed the owner to do something drastic.

As the day is about to end, the father went to fetch his daughter from the factory just to find out that his daughter was no longer there. Desperately he searches for his daughter fears for her safety and time is running out (Cortigiani). Suddenly the father hears a cry, calling his name. He sees a helpless maiden apparently torn of her dignity (Mio Padre…tutte le feste). The father vows vengeance as soon as he finds the mystery criminal (Si vendetta, tremenda vendetta).

         

The mystery man wore a mask man revealed his identity at the bar as he brags to his drinking buddies that women are easily replaceable (La donna e mobile). The father recognizes the boss of her daughter in the Hopia de Leche Factory is the mastermind. He found an opportunity to plot his revenge by knocking the man unconscious. When the man gained consciousness, he was tied up and shouts for help. The innocent maiden freed him in return he killed her. This is treachery. The father saw a dead body in the room where he locked the man never to expect it is his daughter. She apologizes to her father as she bids farewell. Her spirit will rest together with her mom. She pleaded her father to forget vengeance and just forgive (V’ho ingannato). She pleads to forgive and let go of all the anger (Addio del passato – La Traviata).

For ticket inquiries, please call 0919-4722340 or send email to productions.bellanotte@gmail.com.