Category: Concerts

Harana sa Dapithapon at the CCP

UPDATE: Featured performing artists on June 10 are Miguel Castro, Sweet Sisa Samaniego and Los Lipeños.

 

At this time when we are inundated with too much foreign pop music, a show like this is a welcome respite. It’s only when my husband and I rehearse some Filipino art songs at home that my daughter gets to hear them. Better than none.

Last April 8, I took my daughter and my mom to the Cultural Center of the Philippines for an afternoon of Filipino music, something we rarely hear nowadays.

We were in for a treat. The show featured Lisa Cabahug and Lemuel dela Cruz, accompanied by Augusto Espino on the piano for the first part.

 

The second part featured a guitar ensemble, called the Kabataang Gitarista (click the link for related story). This is one of the projects I have handled when I was working for the CCP. Proud of these young guitarists who played quite challenging and interesting pieces! 

Missed this show? Don’t fret, because another one’s coming our way!

Harana sa Dapit Hapon is an afternoon musicale featuring immortal kundimans, harana, balitaw, danza and unforgettable love songs by great Filipino composers. Featured performers on June 10 are performing artists Miguel Castro, Sweet Sisa Samaniego, and Los Lipeños. Succeeding performances will be held on July 8, September 9, October 7, and December 9 this year. Noted classical singers and performers have been invited for the succeeding shows.

The event is free to the public. Senior citizens, students and the general public are cordially invited.

The project is by the CCP and the Tribung Pilipino Foundation.

Source: CCP Website

 

See you at the CCP!

~ Touringkitty

Upstart Productions takes us Into the Woods

For its fifth production year, Upstart Productions takes us into the woods, literally.

Into the Woods takes us in a journey ever after... in the woods!
Into the Woods takes us in a journey ever after… in the woods!

Why so? Because the venue of their next production will be on the lush greens of Kasalikasan Garden in Bonifacion Global City. This would be the second time the production is using this venue, following its successful run of “Forbidden Broadway” last year. PCDA Board of Director, Upstart Managing Director and the production’s Vocal Coach Onyl Torres shares, “We’ve always loved the musical, so why not do it in the actual woods?”

Written by James Lapine (Sunday In The Park With George, Falsettos) and living legend Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story, Gypsy, Sweeney Todd), Into The Woods intertwines the stories of Cinderella, Rapunzel, Little Red Riding Hood, and a host of other fairy tale characters into a lush, extravagant musical that, according to Time Magazine, “affords non-stop pleasure.”

Onyl also mentioned that while this is a fairy tale-based work, kids who will watch should be guided by the grown-ups.

The cast: From L-R:  The full cast of Upstart Production Inc.’s “Into the Woods” - Chino Veguillas (Wolf), Kay Balajadia-Liggayu (Cinderella's Stepmother), Jill Peña (Florinda), Justine Peña (Lucinda), Reb Atadero (Jack), Jillian Ita-as (Little Red Riding Hood), Rachel Alejandro (Witch), Teenee Chan (Jack's Mother), Noel Rayos (Baker [at certain performances]), Noel Trinidad (Narrator), Mica Pineda (Cinderella), Robie Zialcita (Cinderella's Father), Charley Magalit (Rapunzel), Nicky Triviño (Ghost of Cinderella's Mother/ Red's Grandmother).  Not in the picture: Rachel Alejandro (Witch), Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (Baker's Wife), Lorenz Martinez (Baker), Gemini Quintos (Baker's Wife [at certain performances]), Juliene Mendoza (Cinderella's Prince), George Schulze (Rapunzel's Prince), and Onyl Torres (Steward).
The cast: From L-R: The full cast of Upstart Production Inc.’s “Into the Woods” – Chino Veguillas (Wolf), Kay Balajadia-Liggayu (Cinderella’s Stepmother), Jill Peña (Florinda), Justine Peña (Lucinda), Reb Atadero (Jack), Jillian Ita-as (Little Red Riding Hood), Rachel Alejandro (Witch), Teenee Chan (Jack’s Mother), Noel Rayos (Baker [at certain performances]), Noel Trinidad (Narrator), Mica Pineda (Cinderella), Robie Zialcita (Cinderella’s Father), Charley Magalit (Rapunzel), Nicky Triviño (Ghost of Cinderella’s Mother/ Red’s Grandmother). Not in photo: Shiela Valderrama-Martinez (Baker’s Wife), Lorenz Martinez (Baker), Gemini Quintos (Baker’s Wife [at certain performances]), Juliene Mendoza (Cinderella’s Prince), George Schulze (Rapunzel’s Prince), and Onyl Torres (Steward).
During the Press Conference held at Picasso Boutique Residences.
During the intimate Press Conference held at Picasso Boutique Serviced Residences.

The cast did a sampling of the musical’s Act I Finale, Ever After. Almost everyone remarked that the music was difficult to learn, but I’m pretty sure it will sound great given that it is a Sondheim masterpiece. One more notable thing on this production is that the music will only be provided by a piano. Dingdong Fiel, the production’s musical director, will carry out the arduous task of accompanying the ensemble on piano.

Have you seen the movie yet that’s showing on theaters now? Because I haven’t. Looking forward to see this as National Arts Month comes to a close. If you had a fairy tale-filled childhood, you should watch this.

 

INTO THE WOODS. February 21, 22, 28, March 1, 7, 8, 14, 15. All shows start 6:00 PM. Tickets available at Ticketworld (891-9999).

Presented by Bonifacio Global City, AVIVA Global Marine Corporation, and OLX Philippines. In cooperation with The Picasso Boutique Residences and Plana Forma. Also brought to you by Interaksyon.com, Image Nation Photography, Mac Cosmetics, Lulu Swing Shoes, Citrusnap, Chalk, Metro Magazine, and Stanley Ong Photography.

 

~ Touringkitty

CCP PASINAYA: A One-day Arts Fiesta

CCP Pasinaya goes ASEAN!
CCP Pasinaya goes ASEAN!

For the past eleven years, the Cultural Center of the Philippines opened its doors for one whole day in this annual festival of arts.

I have been in all sides of this festival — first as performer with the Philippine Madrigal Singers, as a production staff for two festivals when I was working for the center, and now as spectator and supporter of this wonderful activity.

For arts enthusiasts, we can only wish this would not just be one day. With so many things to watch and so many activities happening simultaneously, one cannot watch everything in one day! For families, this has been a great bonding activity for them to celebrate the arts. For the performers, I am sure they are as excited as us to present their craft. And for its production, my friends in the field of cultural work, they have tirelessly prepared for this. Logistically impossible as it may seem, they have successfully carried out this gargantuan task of bringing together this once-a-year remarkable event.

Some information are made available here. Tune in the CCP’s website, Facebook, and Twitter for more details in the coming days.

Pasinaya: CCP Open House Festival. Biggest multi-arts festival in the country. Pay what you can, see all you can. Dance, theater, music, literature, film, visual arts.

Performances, workshops, arts market, museum visits, food booths, arts and crafts market, photo competition, discounted tickets to selected CCP shows for the whole year, international and local performers. Makes the CCP the happiest place on earth on that day.

February 15. 7am to 7pm. SAVE THE DATE! Pre-register online by visiting this link: http://pasinaya.culturalcenter.gov.ph/.

Details will soon be out at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Facebook page, Twitter @ccp_gov and CCP website, www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

‪#‎Pasinaya2015‬ ‪#‎PasinayaGoesASEAN‬

Date Night: Wafu and Kilyawan@20

Last Saturday, my husband and I celebrated six years of marriage. And he started the day with these lovelies:

Flowers to start our sixth wedding anniversary! #love #schatzi @tonalcantara

For months, we’ve been talking about how to celebrate. Should we eat out? Watch a movie, a concert? Do we bring our daughter with us? Do we leave her with my mom and sister?

So, we finally decided on having lunch together with our little girl and brought her back home where my mom and sister will take care of her. The Schatzis were off to another date night: at Music Museum!

We rarely had official date nights. The last probably was this one, which I also blogged about. And it was last January! And we watched a concert as well, featuring my colleagues from the UP College of Music, and our Ninong Mark Carpio, who was also part of the Kilyawan@20 concert.

It’s safe to say that my husband and I bond well all these years because of food and music.

Dinner stop: Wafu in Greenhills

As we arrived Greenhills really early, we decided to look for something to eat. A light meal would do. The few minutes of walking around brought us to Wafu for some Japanese cuisine. We had these:

Wafu Salmon Sashimi. Fresh and yummy.
Wafu Salmon Sashimi. Fresh and yummy.
California Roll. Just enough to fill our tummy.
California Roll. Just enough to fill our tummy.
What's Japanese without Ramen? We split into two so we both got just enough.
What’s Japanese without Ramen? We split into two so we both got just enough.

And for these three, our bill was only less than P800! Pretty good deal. Must note, though, that prices do not include service charge and local tax. The less than P800 included them both already. The first two dishes were smaller servings, thus, priced less.

My view. The restaurant has high ceiling. I heard there's Teppanyaki. Must try soon!
My view. The restaurant has a high ceiling (which I really like). I heard there’s Teppanyaki. Must try soon!

Now, off to the main event: Kilyawan’s 20th Anniversary Concert!

Kilyawan poster

My husband and I were in for a treat–pure a cappella goodness, not just a cappella, but popular music, beat boxing, microphones, sung by seven fine gentlemen with amazing voices and a great repertoire. You’d be thinking if they do this regularly. Well, they used to, but now, unfortunately, not anymore.

These seven were originally part of the Kilyawan Boys Choir, which started 20 years ago as Claret Boys Choir. These used-to-be boy sopranos have staged concerts and won important competitions both here and abroad.

Their conductor, Mark Carpio (yes, the choirmaster of the Madz, no less!) actually SANG in the concert (save for one song he conducted with the Kilyawan Male Choir). And for those who missed it, his solo of “Time Will Reveal” brought the house down!

Their repertoire included mostly pop songs. Older songs include Nearness of you, Shout, Change the world, Moondance (Buble fan here, and Sir Mark sang the solo!), as well as newer songs like This Love, the Madagascar theme song Move it, and OPM hits Kapag Tumibok and Puso and Bakit Ngayon ka lang and Christmas songs, too. The other choirs of the Consortium of Voices–Kilyawan Male Choir and Voces Aurorae also performed that night.

To think they’ve not sung as a group for quite some time, they did an amazing job. This same group won the Category Prize back in 2008, for the Popcappella Category of the World Choir Games in Austria. And who would have thought, these used to be boy sopranos are now successful professionals and family men.

Definitely the star of the show, Ninong Mark! We've been telling him to sing more. Looking forward to the next!
Definitely the star of the show, Ninong Mark! We’ve been telling him to sing more. Looking forward to the next!
Some Madz members watched as well, supporting our Choirmaster.
Some Madz members watched as well, supporting our Choirmaster.

More photos can be found in this link, story and snippets by Nicco Valenzuela.

To the Kilyawan core group (ER, Rhett, Rem, Jaymee–who definitely brought most of the comic relief!, Dado, Punky, and Sir Mark), and to the Consortium of Voices, congratulations for 20 years of wonderful music. You are an inspiration to many, including our own choir, who is always in awe when we get to sing together during Madz et al performances. Big congratulations also to Teacher Hazel Copiaco, the group’s manager, who’ve been the group’s second mother all those 20 years! We wish you many more years of music (and hopefully, a repeat of this concert!).

And to the love of my life, thank you for saying yes to watch this! Thank you for the love, thoughtfulness, kindness, and respect you always show and selflessly give all these years. Ariadne and I treasure you so much! Looking forward to many more blissful years together with our little one (and the future little ones God will give us).

 

~ Touringkitty

From Boys to Men: Kilyawan celebrates 20 years of music

Kilyawan Concert

The boys are now grown men, with grown voices.

The Kilyawan Boys Choir (Kilyawan Core Group) reunites in this special one-night only concert this Saturday, November 8, 2014, 8:00 PM at the Music Museum.

The Kilyawan Boys Choir celebrates their 20th anniversary this year with a series of concerts and performances. Early this year, the Kilyawan Male Ensemble traveled to Japan to compete in the 7th Fukushima Vocal Ensemble Competition where they bagged a Silver Prize for Category III. Last September, they presented a concert, entitled Beyond the Score, featuring the Consortium of Voices, the umbrella organization of choirs formed under the leadership of the Kilyawan Boys Choir, Inc. Founder and Artistic Director, Mark Anthony Carpio.

The group traces back its roots as the Claret Boys Choir formed in 1994 by Mark Carpio, current choirmaster of the Philippine Madrigal Singers. The Kilyawan Boys Choir derives its name from the songbird Kilyawan, or the Golden Oriole, whose male counterpart is said to be a better warbler or singer. An award-winning and sought-after group, the Kilyawan Boys Choir has performed and competed extensively in prestigious halls in the Philippines and abroad. They bagged the Vocal Ensemble A Cappella Category Championship trophy in the 5th World Choir Games in Austria in 2008. Aside from the boys choir, the Consortium of Voices has expanded and formed the Kilyawan Male Choir and the Voces Aurorae Girls Choir.

Singing for this concert are pioneer members of the Kilyawan Boys Choir. Rem Valenzuela recalls, “This is the group where I learned how to sing. It has been 20 years and we share not only our music but our friendship with you. Before joining the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Kilyawan exposed me to beautiful music making.” Rem, an alumnus of the Kilyawan and the Philippine Madrigal Singers, is a Registered Nurse who is currently taking up medicine.

The boys are indeed grown men now, who are professionals, among them a lawyer, corporate managers of multinational companies, entrepreneurs, and a sound engineer.

Something to watch out for in this concert is a singing choirmaster. Mark will be singing with the ensemble the whole time, and not conducting.

“The Guys are very excited in this reunion concert. They have stopped singing together since 2009 because of studies and career opportunities here and abroad,” said Hazel Copiaco, manager of the Consortium of Voices.

Be prepared for a concert of pure a cappella music—from pop, dance, classical, alternative to the mushiest of love songs.

Tickets for the concert are at P500 and P300. For ticket reservations contact 0917-8169349.

Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir hosts Children’s Choir Festival

A gathering of the best children’s choral groups in the metro will happen this Sunday at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

In its desire to showcase the talents and musical excellence of Distinguished Children’s Choirs from all over the Philippines, the Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir (HMTQCC) conceived of an avenue to bring together these exceptional choirs. As such, in 2009, the Halina’t Umawit – a Philippine Children’s Choir Festival was born. The festival also gave the opportunity for other choirs, conductors, music teachers, music lovers and students the occasion to listen and learn the different styles, and performances that make each choir unique in a way that defines them.

The Festival derives its name from Psalm 95 and Psalm 98 of the Bible. It is an invitation to come and sing praises to the Lord for His wondrous deeds. The festival song, “Halina’t Umawit,” composed by Jude Roldan completes the event with all choirs singing on stage interspersed with hand clapping and feet thumping.

This year’s festival will be held on October 26, 2014 – Sunday at 7:00pm at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines and will feature top choral groups from all over Metro Manila:

Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir, host choir
Maria Theresa Vizconde-Roldan, Conductor
Jude B. Roldan, Music Director

Himig Bulilit of St. Paul College of Paranaque
Losaida Gonzales, conductor

Miriam College High School Glee Club
Nancy Roman, conductor

St. Scholastica’s College High School Glee Club
Danny Monte, Conductor

Tiples de Santo Domingo
Eugene delos Santos, conductor

The Festival will also feature “We Are All God’s Children,” the official theme song for the Papal Visit in January 2015, with music by Noel Espenida, lyrics by Jamie Rivera, and arranged for treble choir by Jude B. Roldan.

The Festival has featured in the past years these outstanding children’s choirs from all over the Philippines:
Ateneo Boys Choir
Baao Children’s Choir from Baao Camarines Sur
Calasiao Children’s Choir from Pangasinan
Colegio de Sta Rosa – Makati Himig Roseña
Hiyas ng Pilipinas Children’s Choir
Immaculate Conception Academy High School Glee Club
Kilyawan Boys Choir and the Voces Aurorae
Las Pinas Boys Choir
Mandaluyong Children’s Choir
Samiweng Singers from Ilocos Norte
St. Paul Pasig High School Chorale
St. Scholastica’s Academy Marikina High School Glee Club
Vox Angeli Children’s Choir

The organizing choir, Hail Mary the Queen Children’s Choir is one of the most awarded Filipino children’s choir internationally. It is the 1st ever Children’s Choir of the World at the Llangollen International Musical Eisteddfod, July 2013 in United Kingdom. They have extensively toured and competed in US and Europe, and recently, recorded the Official Theme Song, We Are All God’s Children for the 2015 Papal Visit with Ms. Jamie Rivera.

Tickets for the 6th Halina’t Umawit are available at the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 and Ticketworld at 891-9999. Tickets are sold at P1000, P800, P500 and P300. Special Discount: Students 50%, Senior Citizens, Persons with Disability, Military and Government Officials and Member of the Philippine Choral Director Association 20%.

For more ticket inquiries please call/text: Patrick Yap 09178050079 or Dinna Sarmiento 0917-540-8787.

PRESS RELEASE: Dvorak’s Rusalka (Philippine Premiere) on September

The University of the Philippines College of Music will bring to life Antonin Dvorak’s heart-rending lyric fairy tale opera, Rusalka on September 11 and 12, 7:30 PM at the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino in Pasay City, and on September 23 and 24, 6:30 PM at the Abelardo Hall Auditorium, University of the Philippines College of Music in Quezon City. This production is directed by Alegria Ferrer with set and lighting designs by Dan Silvestre and David Ohm. The production will also feature Grupo 20/21, a chamber orchestra conducted by Josefino Chino Toledo.

In the cast are brilliant young Filipino sopranos Fame Flores and Bianca Camille Lopez, who will alternate in characterizing the difficult main role of a water sprite (serena) named Rusalka who aspires to love a human being but, in the process, was rejected and who, therefore, learnt the hazards of loving a fleshly creature that a human being is.

Rusalka’s Philippine premiere will be adapted to a Filipino setting, particularly to the time of Isabelo de los Reyes (1864-1938), whose contribution to knowledge of Philippine folklore is pioneering. An ilustrado intellectual of late 19th to early 20th centuries, de los Reyes documented narratives of living Philippine folk beliefs and practices of his time in order to build an archive of Philippine culture so as to understand the uniqueness of Philippine society in relation to universal truth and science.

The love that Rusalka learns in dealing with a human being in this fairy tale opera, though originating far from the Philippines, is one such truth and Isabelo de los Reyes would have easily understood its universal message. In homage to him as a cosmopolitan Filipino nationalist who is celebrating his 150th birth centenary this year, UP College of Music juxtaposes, without translating, the original music of this opera that will be sung in English with characters whose names are familiar to Filipinos such as the spirits of the environment.

Tickets at P600 each for the CCP shows and P500 each for UP are now on sale, with discounts offered to currently enrolled students. Tickets are available at all TICKETWORLD outlets and online at bit.ly/RusalkaPHCCP. For further details, please call UP College of Music at 926-0026 or 929-6963 or through UP trunkline at 981-8500 local 2639.

Visit http://www.facebook.com/UPCollegeofmusic or twitter.com/UPCMu2014;
Like the Rusalka Page at https://www.facebook.com/Rusalka.Opera.Philippines or tweet with #RusalkaPhil2014.

FrancoPhil 2014: a little something for all your senses

Touringkitty experienced France! You can, too.
Touringkitty experienced France! You can, too.

See, hear, taste, and experience France. Here in the Philippines.

Yes, you don’t need a ticket to Paris to do all these. The Embassy of France in Manila and the Alliance Francaise de Manille is bringing France to our country through these activities:

Brave New Worlds: My Utopia in Your Dystopia
Contemporary art exhibit
April 26 to June 12, MET Tall Galleries, Metropolitan Museum of Manila

A collection of 50 artworks by 24 European and Filipino artists, this exhibit showcases the parallelism of practice among Filipino and European artists, and how they create art in the verge of cultural breakdown. Painter Manuel Ocampo curated the exhibit. The exhibit opened April 26 and will run until June 12, as the country celebrates Independence Day.

In line with the exhibit, French artist Fabrice Hybert will be coming to Manila for a meet-and-greet session at the MET on May 21. French video and film screenings will also happen in May at the METlab. Sign up for the meet and greet here. I’ll be there so I hope to see you there, too!

Visit the MET at the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. Museum hours are from 10am to 5:30pm, Monday to Saturday; and closed on Sundays and holidays. For more Email info@metmuseum.ph, Facebook page: www.facebook.com/metmanila, Website: www.metmuseum.ph

Pockemon Hip Hop Dance Concert
May 28, Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier

The Pockemon Crew pays tribute to cinema and the origins of hip-hop in New York during
the 1940s through an electrifying dance performance.

Launch of “Photographing Heritage”
June 9, Alliance française de Manille

Renowned French photographer Ferrante Ferranti will be visiting the Philippines in June to photograph the UNESCO World Heritage declared Baroque Churches of the Philippines in Intramuros, Ilocos Norte, Ilocos Sur and Iloilo. To raise awareness on the issues of the preservation of heritage and climate change, he will also be visiting Bohol, Cebu and Samar, areas affected by the supertyphoon and earthquake last year. Ferrante will be leading a
series of conferences in the country about ‘Photographing Heritage’.

French Film Festival
June 9 to 15, Greenbelt 3 cinemas

Bringing the best of French cinema to Filipino audiences for almost 20 years already, this year’s much awaited French Film Festival is set on June 9-15.

Quatuor Parisii String Quartet Concert 
June 10, Samsung Hall, SM Aura Premier

Classical music lovers will be treated to a concert by Quatuor Parisii String Quartet on June
10 at the SM Aura Premier Samsung Hall. The string quartet, composed of top prizewinners in instrument and chamber music, was formed in 1981 and is extensively touring the world, bringing both classical and contemporary repertoire to many audiences. This will be their first concert in our country.

Fete de la Musique
June 21, A-Venue Open Parking Area in Makati and Plaza Maestranza, Intramuros

Fete de la Musique is a much anticipated event in France. I remember passing by one event during one of our concert tours with the Madz. This year, watch out as two venues play host for this rocking event.

Tete d’enfant Modern Circus Show
October 7,  CCP Little Theater

Finally, this will push through! I heard about this project last year when I was still working at the CCP. Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino would be an interesting venue for this circus act.

Semaine du Goût – French Gastronomy Week
October 16 to 24, Manila and Cebu

French and Filipinos speak the same language–that is, food. “Gastronomique”, the two-week Semaine du Goût, or French “Week of Taste” will be celebrated in Manila and Cebu from October 16 to 24 to promote the art of choosing, cooking and eating good food in the Philippines through a series of seminars, workshops, dinners, and food markets. Renowned experts in winemaking and gastronomy will grace the festival.

So, mark your calendars! And share this with your friends and family, too. Activities like these open doors to different cultures without the need to travel abroad.

For further information about the events:
Sabrina Durand, Cultural Coordinator
Alliance française de Manille
0917 892 8986 / 895 7585
sabrina@alliance.ph
www.alliance.ph

Touringkitty Travels: Beauty and the Beast…auf Deutsch, bitte!

Cos this article circulated the web yesterday (click the photo!). Curtains are opening January 2015 at the CCP.
Curtains are opening on January 2015 at the CCP!

Were you able to read this article? It quickly circulated through the web and social media, that’s why most of us are asking how much will the tickets be.

My daughter was quick to remark that she saw this on Movie Stars Cafe (click this link to get a 10% discount on your visit!).

I saw this musical with the Madz back in 2007 in Berlin. Only it was in Deutsch! And we understood it since we have watched the cartoons as kids.

Free days are most treasured during our Madz tours. One free day during our Berlin stop in 2007 was spent watching a Disney musical live at the Potsdamer Platz theater. We were in for a treat–the one doing Belle was a Filipina, and we had a theater tour!

Not to be a spoiler, but I want to show some photos of our backstage tour. The production was kind enough to show us what’s happening before the show.

Let's begin with Belle's dressing room. Ain't it cute?
Let’s begin with Belle’s dressing room. Ain’t it cute?
And, this, my friends, is Belle. =) She is Leah delos Santos. And she's amazing!
And, this, my friends, is Belle. =) She is Leah delos Santos. And she’s amazing!
Leah shows us their costumes!
Leah shows us their costumes! This is where they do quick changes.
Gotta. Love. The. Plates!
Gotta. Love. The. Plates!
And this book case, too!
And this book case, too!
My friend, Mavic, tried to be the drawer.
My friend, Mavic, tried to be the drawer.
While I tried to be Mrs. Potts =)
While I tried to be Mrs. Potts =)
Can you take a guess who this is?
Can you take a guess who this is?
The cast. Bravi!!
The cast. Bravi!!
Madz sopranos batch 2007 watching the show. Mavic, me, Karlene, Bianca, Liaa, Rhina.
Madz sopranos batch 2007 watching the show. Mavic, me, Karlene, Bianca, Liaa, Rhina.

It was purely in German, but we did have a great time watching! Here’s some after show photos:

Beauty and the Beast with Touringkitty! Yngve and Leah (they're real-life sweethearts, too!).
Beauty and the Beast with Touringkitty! Yngve Gasot-Romdal and Leah delos Santos.

And then we pretended to be like them:

Contestant number 1: Em and Jo-Honey.
Contestant number 1: Em and Jo-Honey.
Contestant number 2: Enrico and Mavic! Haha. They're the clear winners =)
Contestant number 2: Enrico and Mavic! Haha. They’re the clear winners =)

I will try to find the other photos of this series!

Dinner with the Madz gang and Leah.
Dinner with the Madz and Leah and some hosts the day after.
It was an honor meeting a truly great Filipino artist making waves abroad. Philippine performance soon, perhaps? (On photo: Melody Lalata of Summit Media, Leah delos Santos, Your Royal Kittyness, and Filipino soprano Karlene Hayworth now based in London).
On photo: Melody Lalata of Summit Media, Leah delos Santos, Your Royal Kittyness, and Filipino soprano Karlene Hayworth now based in London.

It was an honor meeting a truly great Filipino artist making waves abroad. Philippine performance soon, perhaps?

I’m really excited to see the English version in January. Are you watching, too?

 

~ Touringkitty

PPO Out of the Box: Not your usual orchestra concerts

The country’s national orchestra, Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, recently launched a new concert series apart from the regular season concerts at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

PPO’s Out of the Box features a thematic selection of orchestral music, veering away from the usual coat-and-tie repertoire they play at the CCP’s Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo. Not only that, each concert is a collaboration between the PPO and several university arts organizations. The venue for this absolutely FREE concerts is the Rizal Park Open Auditorium.

They have this at Rizal Park! Have not visited the park for quite a while.
They have this at Rizal Park! Have not visited the park for quite a while.

Their season concerts started last November, featuring Andres Bonifacio who celebrated his sesquicentennial birth anniversary. For December, they did a Christmas-themed program.

I took my mom and my daughter to their most recent offering, last January 18. We came in early, so we took her around first.

CIMG1355
We took her to a horsey ride! (a bit of a tip: make sure you only pay around P200-P250 for the trip, and NOT P150 PER person. MAKE IT CLEAR! We almost got cheated.).

 

We also chanced upon the lights and sounds show. It goes all night long (hmmm I wonder how much the local government spends on this; it can be quite expensive).
We also chanced upon the lights and sounds show. It goes all night long (hmmm I wonder how much the local government spends on this; it can be quite expensive).
The FEU Bamboo Band served as front act for the PPO. They did really well!
The FEU Bamboo Band served as front act for the PPO. They did really well!

It’s showtime! Good thing the theme for the concert was about nature. Aria was familiar with most of the music there (which come from Grieg’s Peer Gynt, Tchaikowsky’s Nutcracker Suite, Saint-Saen’s Carnival of the Animals, among others).

With the FEU Dancers.
With the FEU Dancers. They also had numbers with the FEU Chorale and the FEU Drum and Bugle Band.
With the ethusiastc and receptive audience, all 1,300+ of us!
With the receptive audience, all 1,300+ of us!
Final photo from the other side of the amphitheater with their enthusiastic conductor, Olivier Ochanine
Final photo from the other side of the amphitheater with their enthusiastic conductor, Olivier Ochanine.

What a wonderful show, especially that it was cause-oriented. The FEU, being the Tamaraw as their school mascot, supports the Tams 2 program of the WWF-Philippines, which aims to double the number of the wild tamaraws by 2020.

Congratulations to the PPO and the FEU for this wonderful collaboration!

 

Want to catch the next show? Then head to the Rizal Park Open Auditorium on FEBRUARY 27, Thursday, 6:00 PM. Check out their Facebook Page for more details.

 

~ Touringkitty