Month: January 2017


Jan
2017

Noli Me Tangere the Opera marks 60th year at CCP

categories: Career, Concerts, Opera, Press Releases

Ten Days. Yes, we’re counting ten more days before the Opening Gala Night!

Mixed emotions, just like Sisa, whose character I am playing, is what I feel, now that we’re stepping in the ten-day mark of the show.

But more than that, it is the hard work and love, above all, that everyone has put in, is what and will be the driving force of this production.

Do watch Noli, if you remember this from high school. Watch it even more if you have forgotten it. Bring in your children, your families, and appreciate the poetry, the music, the set design (really excited to see this!), the teachings.

I will be playing Sisa on January 29 2pm and February 2 8pm. See full Press Release of the opera below, as well as contact details for tickets.

—
PRESS RELEASE
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and J&S Productions Inc. announce the full cast and creative team for the 60th-anniversary production of the Philippines’ first full-length opera, Noli Me Tangere, an opera by National Artists Felipe de Leon and Guillermo Tolentino, directed by Jerry Sibal, featuring the the newly formed 53-piece Noli Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera.
Renowned tenor Ronan Ferrer in the role of Crisostomo Ibarra will the lead the cast, together with Bianca Camille Lopez (Maria Clara), Stephanie Anne Aguilar (Sisa), John-Andrew Fernandez (Padre Damaso), Greg de Leon (Elias), Mari Yapjoco (Basilio), and Santino Juan Santiago (Crispin).

Based on Dr. Jose Rizal’s 1887 classic novel of the same name, Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, premiered at the Far Eastern University in 1957 and made its CCP debut in 1974. This production, which recently had critically-acclaimed engagements in New York, Washington D.C., and at the Resorts World Manila, will feature more than 200 opera singers, musicians, and crew, 16 scene changes, a brand-new staging, and new sets and costumes.

Noli Me Tangere, The Opera follows the story of Juan Crisostomo Ibarra, who returns to the Philippines after pursuing scholarly studies in Europe. He plans to open up a school and marry Maria Clara, his betrothed. However, parish priest Padre Damaso, the archenemy of the Ibarras, is out to hinder Crisostomo’s plans, which creates a dramatic storyline of forbidden love, betrayal, and revenge.

Both the novel and the opera depict the abuses suffered by the native Indios at the hands of Spanish tyrants. Both forms also paint a clear picture of the so-called “social cancer” such as the rotten system of governance, the illicit ways of the church, and the unfavorable trade of the privileged class, which is still very much relevant today.

The cast also includes Nomer Narito Nival, Aretha Angcao, Jade Rubis Riccio, Nerissa de Juan, Mary Louise Alcantara, Irene Quiso-Ednave, Charina Althea Balmores, Rachelle Jasmine Balunes, Elisanta Gregorio Cortes, Mecho Joy Manlangit, Thea Perez, Katrine Jamar Sunga, Jillbert Chua, Jan Briane Astom, Eugene de los Santos, Erwin Dimaculangan, Harold Nikko Forton, Paul Dominique Galvez, Allison Rose Cervantes, Anne Abigail Garza, Jane Florence Wee, Ruzzel Adrian Clemeno, Renz Nathaniel Cruz, Radnel Ofalsa, Octwen Jade Cabilan, Rare Jireh Columna, Ivette Vanerrie Salas, Courtney Gomley, Marianne Maxielom, Claudine Nitura, Grace Pedrocillo. Larian Villamarin, Francisco de Guzman Jr., Nestor Estoque, Thomas Julian Hollon, Matthew Vallo, Earl Cristobal, Mark Anthony Cruz, Frederick Maturan, and Inno Angelo Montellano.

 

 

Besides musical director Ranera and stage director Sibal, who is also designing the new sets and costumes, the production’s creative team also includes assistant director Jose Jeffrey Camanag, sound designer Edwin Mendiola, and lighting designer John Batalla.

For special ticket deals and discounts to the 60th-anniversary production of Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, contact J&S Productions Inc. (0926) 038 0548, (0921) 890 3816, (632) 998 2356, or the CCP Box Office (632) 832 3704/06, or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

Media partners include Business Mirror, Jamtrx Multi-Media Productions, Manila Broadcasting Company, WhenInManila.com, and ProShift Media.

For more information, visit NoliMeTangereTheOpera.com or Facebook.com/NoliOperaManila.

Date & Time: January 28 and February 1-3, 2017 at 8 p.m. | January 29 and February 3, 2017 at 2 p.m.

Venue: Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)

Tickets: P3,500 | P2,500 | P2,000 | P1,500 | P1,200 | P1,000

Ticket Outlets: J&S Productions Inc. (0926) 038 0548, (0921) 890 3816, (632) 998 2356, or the CCP Box Office (632) 832 3704/06 or visit www.ticketworld.com.ph.

#NoliOpera60th


Jan
2017

Touringkittyps: Staycationing to begin the New Year

categories: Touringkittyps

Ever since I gave birth, we made it a point to spent New Year’s Eve and Day out of home. For some, it is not good luck since there is a saying that all doors and windows should be kept open to welcome the New Year, but for us, they’re all closed.

Why so? For one, we avoid the smoke, noise, and whathaveyous amidst the celebration. What’s even worse is the first day of the year itself, where all garbage and smog remain for quite a while. Also, we wanted to sleep in late as much as possible. Lastly, we’d have less stuff to pack away, since we’re going to leave the hotel by lunchtime anyway.

So, whether you are in the city, perhaps in the province, here are tips on what you should be bringing in, as you welcome in another year:

1. If you are fascinated with fireworks, the Capital city has it. Choose a rooftop in Makati Hotels and witness the magnificent fireworks around Makati, BGC in Taguig, Paranaque, among others, sometimes even as far as nearby provinces like Rizal or Laguna.

2. Bring a can with coins for your noisemaker. We brought an old tin can of what used to be butter cookies and placed some coins on it, to the delight of our small one.

3. Keep that cellphone charged while waiting for midnight. You won’t want to miss the events that are happening.

4. A notebook and pen can document what photos and videos cannot. You may start doodling your plans for the next days or months while having breakfast or waiting to check out.

5. Pray. Group hug. Shout Happy New Year together! Give each of your family members or loved ones a pat on the back for another year that has passed.

So, here’s our small greeting from our small family. Enjoy, and until the next Holiday Season!


Jan
2017

#KoristaAko: Jacqui Jimenez

categories: #KoristaAko, Giveaway

Hello, 2017!

Our Korista profiles were in absentia because of the busy latter half of 2016 that was. But thank you to the 2,300+ koristas who joined the Facebook Group (do join us!) and the 130+ Facebook Page likers (like like like!).

Now, we introduce another certified korista now based in the US. Plus, she is a newbie mom and now jewelry maker. Do read up to the end of this post for a giveaway!

This month’s korista is Jacqueline Jimenez (formerly Jacqueline Grace Ramos). She used to sing with university choirs back here in the Philippines as well as the then trio, The Nightingales.

Jacqui and family now based in the US.

Name: Jacqueline Jimenez (formerly Jacqueline Grace Ramos)

Current profession: full time mom, part time musician/jewelry maker

Choirs joined: Adventist University of the Phil. Ambassadors(now Phil. Meistersingers) 2001-2007 and Philippine Madrigal Singers (2008-2013).

Why did you join the choir?:
Church choir: I belong to a family of choristers (Pressure!) But I love to sing, so I joined.
School choir in college: out of curiosity at first. My bestfriend was there so I tried auditioning when I was in my freshman year but guess what, I got rejected! So I took voice lessons, developed my voice more and auditioned again after 3 years. I got accepted finally.
Madz: i was not loving my job anymore as an English teacher so I prayed to got for guidance. He answered. A friend of mine in the Madz told me that there’s an audition. I tried out and the rest was history. I quit my job and joined the Madz fulltime. Talk about passion.
What was that something or someone that influenced you?:
The church was a big influence and of course the loooove for music. Without that passion I wont be able to stay there for years! My parents influenced me a lot also because they were choir members. But studying music gave me more confidence to join the university choir then the Madz.

What is your favourite song arranged or composed for choir and why?: I dont have just one! I have a lot! But here are some popular songs arranged by Filipino composer-arrangers that I like:
Sempurna by Ily Matthew Maniano, You Raise Me Up by Nilo Alcala, Light of a million mornings by Fr. Arnold Zamora, Suscipe by GP Eleria, Thankful by Saunder Choi, A Better World by Bojo Lijauco among others. Memorable lang ang mga ito sakin at masarap kantahin lalo na pag alto ka!

What was the hardest piece you’ve studied?:
There’s a lot too but the pieces in the Premiere concert of the Madz last 2013 was definitely one! Lalo na ung Sarasvati! (It was a concert of all-new works premiered by the Madrigal Singers. I was able to watch it and the pieces were challenging!)

Any choir/s or vocal ensembles you look up to and why?:
The Madz, Swingle Singers.

What is your most unforgettable choral moment?:

When I was just starting in the choir (college), I was a trainee and i was the only one wearing black in the concert. I felt soo bad i cried! Sabi ko sa sarili ko I will work hard for that costume! The hard work paid off.

Madz- Italy concerts! The long applause and heightened emotions! Sobrang memorable sakin when one woman came up to me and said, thank you so much for blessing me today. I needed that badly. Just inspiring them or giving them a little piece of heavenly music is enough for me.

#KoristaAko dahil:

Mahal ko ang musika at ang mga taong kasama kong bumuo nito. Kung akoy nagiisa di ako korista. Pamilya tayong kumakanta. ?

 

Tell us something about your product, Charms of Grace, how did it start?:

It started this year of April (2016). I got married here in the states 2014 and gave birth to Grace last year 2015 so I’m a full time mom. I don’t want to work because I want to really take care of my daughter. So I prayed to the Lord for his leading. And I got an answer.
My hubby Juan gave me a precious charmed locket necklace as a gift when we were still dating and I thought that was the most beautiful thing I have received! So I was inspired by that! I’ve always loved jewelry but charmed ones are the closest to my heart because it tells your story. So my hubby and I bought a couple of materials to start with, posted in Facebook until people started loving and buying them! I got more inspired and I just realized how happy I become just by making them. Lalo na pag nagustuhan nila. The hard work was worth it. The name Charms of Grace came from my daughters name and my sister thought of putting them together. As I’ve said in my blog one time, its like singing. I’ve discovered a new passion which is making charmed jewelry. I believe if you really ask God for guidance he will reveal it.

This is where the story began: Juan gave Jacqui this charmed locket which has: the word blessed, an airplane, a globe/earth, G clef, word faith, laptop, green and pink gems and the word love.

While this is mine, that Jacqui made for me after winning an earlier raffle. You can win yours, too!

And here it is! The Charms of Grace Giveaway!

Charmed keychain giveaway instructions:

1. Follow charms of grace on instagram and FB page Charms of Grace.
2. Tag 3 friends who would want to win this too. Make them follow charmsofgrace on IG and fb page.
3. Answer this question. Why would I choose you to win a charmed keychain? Give a brief detail about your life story and how colorful it is despite lifes challenges.

The winner will be chosen on January 15 (US time).

This is open, worldwide.

Join now! ?

 

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