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Saturday, July 7, 2012

More to the Point - Filipino Ballerinas

By DR. FLORANGEL ROSARIO BRAID
July 6, 2012, 5:03pm

MANILA, Philippines – The public was so engrossed with the Pacquiao-Bradley fight and earlier, with Jessica Sanchez’s winning the No. 2 spot in the American Idol contest, that we hardly noticed another triumph – that of Candice Adea, the 25-year-old principal dancer of Ballet Philippines who won first prize in the Helsinki International Ballet competition in Finland. She is the first Filipino to be awarded the top prize in one of the four most prestigious ballet competitions in the world, and the first time ever in the history of Philippine ballet that the country had been so honored on the international scene. Her partner onstage, Jean Marc Cordero, also a Ballet Philippines principal dancer, made it to the semifinals and won a Special Jury Award .

Candice had earlier won a silver medal in Jackson in 2010 and the third prize in the 2011 Seoul International Dance competition, and two special jury prizes in the 2011 Boston International Ballet competition, thus making her the most awarded Filipina ballerina.

Two other award-winners were icon Lisa Macuja who won the silver medal in the Asia Pacific International Ballet Competition in 1987, and fifth place in another international competition in Moscow in 1992. Ballet Manila’s Christine Rocas garnered the silver medal in the New York international competition in 2007.

The calendar of activities at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), recently released by CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado, demonstrates CCP’s continuing effort to venture into activities beyond the traditional offerings of local productions and co-productions of concerts and dramatic performances, workshops and training. The impact of its outreach programs such as international exchange, interaction with artists representing a variety of genres, consultative meetings with foreign embassies and cultural organizations, and initiatives in indigenous cultural revival is now felt here and in other countries. A Management Intensives for Art Managers and Board members, a collaborative effort between CCP and the US Embassy provided guidelines in such critical areas as building healthy art boards, fund raising strategies and intellectual property rights for theater.

CCP encourages the revival of what used to be the symbol of community pride in almost every municipality – the town “brass band.” Those in my generation would remember the familiar band of some 8 to 12 men and women who played during important town celebrations. Many girls of my age would be watching admiringly wishing we would be asked to become the band’s drum majorette.

The “zarzuela” is being resurrected together with other indigenous art forms. Here are some activities planned for the months of July and August:

Now on its 8th year, Virgin Labfest brings nine new one-act plays, one full-length play, three readings, and a Writing Fellowship program. A joint project of the CCP, Writers Bloc, and Tanghalang Pilipino, it takes place July 3-8. On July 6-8, the Ballet Philippines’ “Songs” will be shown with Candice Adea and foreign guest artists, On July 11, Charisse Baldoria plays folk music of Spain, Cuba, and the Philippines, and will offer a piano masterclass on July 12.

The much celebrated comic opera “The Barber of Seville” to be presented by CCP, Rustan’s, Italian Embassy, and the Philippine-Italian Association on July 13-14, features Premier Tenor Arthur Espiritu, award-winning soprano Rachelle Gerodias, and award-winning baritones Maria Cassi and Marco Filippo, with Antonio Petris as director and Ruggero Balbieri conducting the Philharmonic Orchestra.

The Wi-Fi Body Contemporary Dance Festival, now on its 6th year, will perform at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino on July 13-14.

Ongoing exhibitions include Photographs by Rick Rocamora entitled “With Passion and Purpose; Heroes: Illustrations by Tony de Zuniga, and Recollection 1081: Clear and Present Danger, a Visual Dissent on Martial Rule, an exhibit of works created at the height of Martial law by artist of the protest movements of the period. .

On August 9-12., 16-19, and 24-27, the Cinemalaya Philippine Film Festival will be held with support from CCP and Econolink Investments. In addition to the regular “The Young Music Idols,” a concert of the 2011 National Music Competitions for Young Artists, will be held on August 2. On August 9-27, “Walang Sugat,” an original zarzuela composition by Severino Reyes and directed by Carlitos Siguion-Reyna promises to “awaken heroism and patriotism.

From August 25 to October 14, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s megamusical. “Phantom of the Opera” with a cast from the US, UK, Australia, and South Africa will be staged at the Nicanor Abelardo Hall. It is brought by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions, Francis Lumen, Smart, and Citibank.

Finally, on August 29, Soprano Katrina Saporsantos will perform at a special concert at the Tanghalang A. Tolentino. For inquiries on all these events, please e-mail florangel.braid@gmail.com

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