Year in Review - the Philippine Arts in 2011

The year end is always a time to look back on the year past - as reflection, as learning, as an inspiration in facing the future.  Here, we review the biggest news and achievements in the Philippine arts scene, culled from direct information, news and the social media, focusing on Filipinos around the world.

Dance

• Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero, principal dancers of Ballet Philippines, garnered Special Awards in the Boston International Ballet Competition, winning the lead roles for a Russian ballet performance and in addition for Candice, the Maris Liepa Prize for Outstanding Artistry.
• in Edmonton, choreographer/director Jojo Lucila was one of the City’s Awardees for the Cultural Diversity in the Arts Award.

Film

Matthew Labatique, cinematographer for "Black Swan"

• Nino, a film portrait on the decline of a wealthy family by director Loy Arcenas, was awarded the $30,000 top prize New Currents at the Busan Film Festival in South Korea.  This festival is one of Asia’s most important showcases.
• Auraeus Solito’s Busong won the FIPRESCI (International Federation of Film Critics) International Critics Prize at the Eurasia International Film Festival, Kazakhstan.  Busong is a native Palawanon’s term for fate or instant karma. The film tackles the environmental degradation in Palawan and stars acclaimed actress Alessandra da Rosi.
• Matthew Libatique, Filipino cinematographer of “Black Swan” won the Best Cinematography prize in the Independent Spirit Awards in California.  He was also nominated in the Academy Awards for his work on the same film, and in the same category.
• the documentary program Storyline created by writer Patricia Evangelista and filmmaker Paolo Villaluna bagged two medals in the New York Festivals International TV and Film Awards
• 18 year old Paulo Reyes won the top prize for his film First Steps to Recovery in a global film competition by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation.  The judging panel included Hugh Jackman, Jet Li, Wendi Murdoch, and former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair, among others.
• Bisperas (Trespassers) won the Best Asian-Middle Eastern Film Award at the 24th Tokyo International Film Festival.  Directed by Jeffrey Jeturian, the film is about a family whose house is burglarized on Christmas Eve and amid the tension brought about by the burglary, the members of the family realize how treasured sentiments have been lost and relationships have evolved. 
• Cannes 2009 best director Brillante Mendoza’s independent film Lola got the Best Film award, and actors Anita Linda and Rustica Carpio tied for the Best Actress award, at the Tehran International Film Festival in Iran. This same film was also recognized at the 8th Asian Film Festival in Rome, won the Best Film at the Dubai International Filmfest, Grand Knight Award, the Miami International Filmfest and was also featured in the Tribeca International Film Fest in New York last April. 

Literature

• political prisoner Ericson Acosta was named a finalist in the prestigious 2011 Imprisoned Artist Prize in the Freedom to Create Award Festival in Cape Town, South Africa.  The award is given to artists who are incarcerated because of their courage and creativity in pursuing their art, and the role of their work in highlighting injustice.  He bested more than 2,000 nominees from 145 countries by a jury consisting of Hollywood actress Daryl Hannah, novelist Salman Rushdie and ballet icon Mikhail Baryshnikov.
• Jose Antonio Vargas, a former reporter for The Washington Post who shared a Pulitzer Prize for his coverage of the Virginia Tech massacre, revealed in The New York Times magazine that he is an illegal immigrant and has been hiding it for nearly 20 years.

Music

Maria Aragon with Lady Gaga

• rise to fame of YouTube sensation Maria Aragon for her cover of Lady Gaga’s song, and Thia Meguia for her entry in American Idol
• Karla Maye Carreon was declared grand champion in the vocalist category in the K-pop World Festival in South Korea.  

Theater

• the passing away of National Artist Salvador Bernal

Visual Arts

• Mideo Cruz’s controversial installation Poleteismo, which mixed Catholic icons with pop culture and sexual imagery, caused a public uproar and debate on artistic freedom and resulted in the shutting down of the exhibit at the Cultural Center of the Philippines.
• Rodel Tapaya was awarded the Signature Arts Grand Prize 2011, at the Singapore Arts Museum.  The winning entry selected from 15 artworks shortlisted from 130 nominations from 24 countries was Baston ni Kabunian, Bilang Pero di Mabilang (Cane of Kabunian, numbered but cannot be counted), an acrylic on canvas.
• the entries of photographers Reynaldo C. Mondez and Romeo B. Doneza, Solar Energy Panels and World Wide respectively, won top prizes in an Asia-Pacific Economic Competition, besting 204 photos from 95 other photographers.
• George Tapan won the National Geographic Photo Contest - Places Category.  The most prestigious international photo contest, 20,000 photographs from 130 countries were submitted.  George is the first Filipino to ever win, and on his first submission too.  The winning photo showcased the beaches of Palawan.
• winning entry in the International International Children’s Painting Competition on the Environment was 13-year old Trisha Co Reyes’ work showing a young girl pulling back a large grey curtain covered in images of dying trees in a polluted landscape, to reveal a colorful forest filled with abundant life.  She was formally presented the award in Indonesia by the United Nations Environment Programme.
• Ifugao native Gilbert Bergano Alberto won the Silver Award and the Prix du Public (Audience Choice Award) at the 10th International Sculpture Symposium in Geneva for his sculpture A sitting old Igorot Man playing a Gong.

George Tapan's photo for National Geographic

* This article was written for the January 2012 issue of Pinoy Times.

The Santo Niño Festivals

January is marked in the Philippines with several festivals honoring the Sto. Niño or the Holy Child. The most famous is the Sinulog Festival in Cebu City, but in other parts of the country, there are: the Ati-Atihan Festival in Kalibo, Aklan; Dinagyang Festival in Iloilo City; Binanog Festival in Lambonao, Iloilo; Biniray in Romblon; Binirayan and Handugan in Antique; Pachada Senor in Cagayan de Oro City; Kahimunan in Butuan City; Zambulawan in Pagadian City;

Sinulog (Kabangkalan) Festival in Kabankalan City, Negros Occidental; the Makato Sto. Niño Festival in Poblacion Makato, Aklan; the Kahimunan Festival in Libertad, Butuan City; Batan Ati-Ati Malakara Festival in Poblacion Batan, Aklan; the Bansudani Festival in Bansud, Oriental Mindoro; the Altavas Sto. Niño Festival in Poblacion Altavas, Aklan ; the Ibajay Ati-Ati Municipal and Devotional Fiesta in Ibajay, Aklan; the Dinagsa Ati-Atihan Festival in Cadiz City, Negros Occidental; the Hinirugyaw Festival in Calinog, Iloilo; the Sto. Niño Festival in Malolos, Bulacan; and the Tondo Fiesta, in Manila.

These celebrations are usually marked by nine-day novenas or masses in honor of the Sto.

Niño, grand processions of folk, antique and new images of the Holy Child, street dancing,

beauty pageants, flea markets and fireworks. Images of the Sto. Niño are varied, reflecting an

individualʼs occupation or preference - as a sleeping child, a keeper of the world, a shepherd

boy, a student, etc. It has been observed that this image is the most dressed among all images.

The Filipinosʼ devotion to the Santo Niño reflects a love for children, who are usually a familyʼs

source of inspiration and joy. The Catholic Church in the Philippines sets the Holy Child as an example of humility, and as a celebration of the Incarnation. The Child Jesus is also a powerful

gospel statement that in becoming like little children will we be able to enter Godʼs kingdom.

The origin of this following is said to have started from the arrival of Ferdinand Magellan in

1521. He presented the image of the child Jesus, the Sto. Niño, as a baptismal gift to Hara

Amihan, wife of Rajah Humabon. Hara Amihan was later named Queen Juana, in honor of

Juana, mother of Carlos I. Along with the rulers of the island, some 800 natives were also

baptized to the Roman Catholic Church. At the moment of receiving the holy image, it was said

that Queen Juana danced with joy bearing this image of the child Jesus. With the other natives

following her example, this moment was regarded as the first Sinulog.

It is interesting to note that while some festivals find their origin from this incident in Cebu, the

Ati-atihan was the original street celebration centuries before the Sinulog and Dinagyang

festivals. It was first celebrated as a pagan festival in honor of anitos or pagan gods of the

native people before the Spanish arrived, commemorating the arrival of the Bornean datus.

There are critics who have lambasted these festivals for their show business and tourism related commercialism and lamented the loss of authentic prayer and worship.  It is, however,

undoubtedly a cultural expression and a part of Philippine history. According to National Artist

Nick Joaquin, It is such a symbol of Philippine history because it came with Magellan, became

Arts and Culture a native pagan idol, was reestablished as a Christian icon by Legazpi, and has become so Filipino that native legends annul its European origin by declaring it to have arisen in this land and to have been of this land since time immemorial. During that strange interlude when the Spaniards left after Magellanʼs death, the wondrous miracle happened: we accepted the Santo Niño as part of our land, part of our culture, part of our history.  During those 44 years when the Cross had vanished from our land, the Santo Niño kept us faithful to him. The Santo Niño, Joaquin further stresses, connected, linked and joined together our pagan and Christian culture;

he belonging to both.

Today, the image of the Santo Niño can be seen almost anywhere, and even in the most

unlikely places. But the most important place for one to express his/her devotion to the Child

Jesus is no less in the heart.

* This article was written for January 2012 issue of Pinoy Living Today.

From Songs of Worship to Mania: “One” and the “Coco/Maja/Angeline show” in Edmonton

Nov. 13 - Fourteen groups and artists gathered together in one big concert aptly titled “One” at the Gateway Alliance Church.  An evening of worship in music, dance and drama, it brought together groups of varying faith denominations and cultural background from different parts of Edmonton, with the desire to share their talent, and spiritual messages and experiences.  Worship, after all, is a community experience.

Participating groups were the: Christ Centred Mission Church, Church of the Holy Trinity Levites,  Filipino International Baptist Church, Gateway Worship Team, Gateway Youth,  Journey Youth Ministries of Journey with Christ Church, Pacific Island Dance Troupe, PureBride of Jesus is Lord, St. Dominique’s Couples for Christ, Soul 2 Soul; and crowd favorites, The Philippine Choral, Indonesian Christian Fellowships and artists Bernard Quilala and Wency Calderon.

Conceptualized by Dr. Leonila Mateo, despite just a month spent for planning, it produced an impressive amount of performers and audience.  Notwithstanding technical difficulties and programming gaps, the concert served its purpose of celebration, unity, forgiveness, redemption and faith.  The night ended with the song “God of this City”, with the words “For greater things have yet to come, and greater things are still to be done in this City” ringing in our heads, providing all the belief and strength needed to accomplish whatever we have set for ourselves in life.

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Nov. 27 -  On a 3-day whirlwind concert tour in Canada (Nov. 25 in Saskatoon, Nov. 26 in Calgary), Coco Martin, Maja Salvador and Angeline Quinto performed to a jam packed audience at the River Cree Casino, Edmonton.  The three artists arrived at a luncheon straight from a road trip from Calgary for a “Meet and Greet” with the Edmonton guests, making their engagement at least a 5-hour performance (taking into account both the main concert and pre & post concert reception).  

The evening concert was like a reunion of sorts for us, with people greeting friends almost every 5 meters on their way to their seats.  It must have been the biggest gathering of Filipinos that I have witnessed.  Front act performers were Macky (who hails from Australia) and Darren Espanto (from Calgary and Pinoy Singing Sensation 2011 Champion).  And as expected, as soon as the house lights dimmed and spotlights descended on main feature opener Maja Salvador onstage, the mania started.

Coco Martin and Maja Salvador are both more known for their acting credits, with independent films and soap operas respectively, than for their live performance skills.  The duo, in fact, have no qualms hinting about their ‘pretensions of being a singer’ and capitalizing on their charms and physical attributes rather than their vocal prowess.  Nevertheless, entertain they did and much to the delight of their screaming and titillated fans.  Coco also related his experience of being a foreign worker in Alberta - endearing himself further to the already smitten crowd.  

The true talent of the concert was Angeline Quinto, who was impressive with her full voice, crystal clear pitch and unbelievable range.  The three stars, true stalwarts of their mother company, also did strong pitches for ABS-CBN’s flagship charity project, Bantay Bata.  

All in all, I was an audience for both the performances onstage and of the crowd, who just completely amused me with their uninhibited adulation and humorous heckling of audience participants.  It was that side of the Filipino seldom seen and rarely experienced, in all our preoccupation and seriousness in living the daily grind.  The stars did sizzle, and the crowd responded with equal fervor, raising the emotional temperature of the evening and turning it into a welcome respite from the freezing temperature of Alberta. (Concert photos courtesy of Earl Golveo.)

* This article was written for the December issue of Pinoy Times.

The Aura of Maura - a Filipina makes her mark in the Opera

Maura Sharkey-Pryma is an established lyric coloratura mezzo soprano based in Edmonton.  The first time I heard her sing in a church concert, I was in awe with her vocal prowess and equally proud upon learning that she was also of Filipino heritage, tracing her maternal roots to Lipa, Batangas.  

So when we were organizing the Philippine Arts Festival in 2010, we knew that it was essential to have her as one of the featured artists.  That production served as her “debut” to the Filipino community and events, and a shining example of the Filipino artist excelling in the global stage.

The span of Maura’s professional operatic career includes appearances with the  Vancouver Opera Touring Ensemble, Edmonton Opera, Manitoba Opera, The Opera Project, Opera NUOVO, Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, the Edmonton Chamber Orchestra, Edmonton Composers’ Society and a collaboration with Juno award winner Malcolm Forsythe and the University of Alberta Orchestra in Elgar’s The Music Makers.  Described by a critic as “an exuberant Canadian mezzo soprano... shows herself comfortable in all the registers, bursting precision and engraves resonance”, she has essayed roles like Cinderella in La Cenerentola, Mercedes in Carmen, Dorabella in Cosi Fan Tutte, and the Mother in Amahl and the Night Visitors.

As a young girl, Maura initially wanted to go into musical theatre but a penchant for classical music and a flute-like voice quality opened up opportunities for her in opera.  A holder of a Bachelor’s and Master’s degree in Music at the University of Alberta, she is one of those people who was constantly at the right place, at the right time - with offers and opportunities smoothly tossed her way.  This does not imply, however, that she never worked for or deserved those opportunities.  Lucky as she was, she impressed me as a very hard and determined worker, fully grounded and recognizant of her true place in her art.  As attestation, she has won the Western Canadian Metropolitan Opera Council Auditions in Vancouver in 1998; was a two-time awardee of the Johann Strauss Scholarship, and again, a two-time recipient of the Anne Burrows Foundation Scholarship.  She was also the Canadian representative in the Queen Elisabeth Music Competition in Brussels, Belgium in 2004.

In addition to her personal achievements, Maura has generously been sharing her musical skills since high school, starting out as a piano teacher and eventually a voice teacher, coach and adjudicator.  “My purpose is to help each student build a solid musical foundation that will provide him/her a lifetime of enjoyment.  My job as a voice teacher and mentor is to inspire and uncover each student’s potential, and to be a guide-helping to develop and strengthen these gifts.  I am devoted to helping singers discover their voice, and present them in successful performances.”   From her private home studio and her studio at the MacEwan Alberta College Conservatory of Music in Edmonton, she trains ambitious young singers in classical, musical theatre, song interpretation, and extensive breathing and vocal techniques in the Bel Canto method.  She is also a proud member of the National Association of Teachers of Music (NATS), the Canadian Music Festival Adjudicators’ Association (CMFAA) and serves on the Board of Directors of the Alberta Music Education Foundation (AMEF).

In an interview I had with Maura, she reminisced about her musical journey and how her mentors have ingrained their distinct characteristics on her; the balancing act between her love for music and her family; the excitement of learning new roles and materials; her anecdotes as a teacher; and her aspirations.  She shared her dreams of having her own music centre, of portraying the roles of Carmen, Suzuki in “Madame Butterfly” and more Rossini operas, and of doing some recordings, especially the Filipino songs.  She proved that she knows her stuff -- what she needs to work on, what she excels at, and acknowledges the realities of her industry.  Her advice to young singers is to find a good teacher & learn as much as they can, ensure always that the voice is technically sound before pursuing a career, persevere, and pay their dues.

Our conversation was relaxed, an exchange of thoughts between two artists.  As we talked about art and other mundane things, she presented herself as a regular human being, yet somehow provided the sense that one has chanced upon someone special - a person cut above the rest.  She spoke with passion and at the same time, with logic.  That she is blessed in talent, wisdom, generosity and humility is palpable, and she possesses this luminosity that I call the “aura of Maura”.  Witness her live in her next performance as the title role in Carmen with the Calgary Concert Opera Company in their 2012 season.

* This article was written for the November 2011 issue of Pinoy Times.

First Filipino-Canadian Gala

The First Filipino-Canadian Gala was held last September 17 at the Northlands Edmonton Expo Centre.  A night of dinner, entertainment and dancing, it was a celebration of Filipino-Canadian achievements and a way of giving back to the community.  The net proceeds from ticket sales and auctions were earmarked to the Edmonton’s Food Bank.

On hand to deliver special greetings for the event were: Minister of Public Works and Government and Minister for Status of Women Rona Ambrose; Executive Director of Edmonton’s Food Bank Marjorie Bencz; Chair of Edmonton’s Food Bank Board Anne Smith; Ward 12 Councillor Amarjeet Sohi; and President and CEO of Northlands Richard Anderson.

Along with the Philippine cuisine-inspired dinner, guests were treated to a night of Filipino talent: Philippine Choral Group, who sang the Philippine & Canadian national anthems; The Lucila Project, a neo-ethnic dance company; singers Wency Calderon, Jo-Ann Aguilar and Shwag choral group ; Alyssa & Monica Tungul, pianist & violinist, respectively; hiphop groups ILLustration and Hot Sauce; Saranay Kwerdas, an ensemble using traditional Filipino instruments; and bands The Sour Patch Kids and GERIS Project.  The Philippine Outreach Program was also honored and Filipino Canadians who passed away recently were remembered.

Guests may have come to enjoy themselves for the evening but generously participated in the “giving back” portion of the night through the silent auction items and live auction of a Lexus CT200 Hybrid car and some dinner and hotel packages, conducted by Kastner Auctions.

It was a highly successful event with about 800 people in attendance, a third of which were non-Filipinos who came out to support this Filipino fundraiser.  And with this success came pledges of support and participation for next year’s Filipino-Canadian Gala, which is slated for September 2012.  Credit goes to organizer Lixmila Serrano and partner producer Ramon Cifra for their boldness in conceptualizing and hurdling the various obstacles that come in organizing such a massive but elegant event, and for securing major sponsorships from Lexus of Edmonton, Dolce Vita Homes, Wild West Shooting Range and Sun Life Financial.    

The Filipinos are the fourth largest group of immigrants to Canada and many have established their niches in their adopted country.  They are great contributors to not only the Canadian economy but the Philippines as well, supporting family back home and actively participating in various fundraisers and causes in the Philippines.  This event was another manifestation of the Filipinos’ “balikbayan” spirit - that spirit of community and giving.  

* This article was written for and published in the Pinoy Times, October 2011 issue.

The Lucila Project at the Alberta Arts Days - A. Blair McPherson School, Edmonton

All across Alberta, from Sept. 30 - Oct. 2 were events marking Alberta Arts Days.  Alberta Arts Days began in 2008 as a one-day event to recognize the value of Alberta’s arts and cultural communities.  Since then, it has expanded into a vibrant, three day province-wide celebration that has helped inspire the creation of Culture Days, showcasing the province’s artists, arts organizations and cultural identities, while encouraging Albertans to discover the important role the arts plays in developing a prosperous, vibrant society.  This year, a total of 64 host celebration sites were chosen by the Govt. of Alberta Culture and Community Spirit.

This is a brainchild of Minister of Culture and Community Spirit Lindsay Blackett, who says “We’ve got so many great artists of all different types and genres in all different places, we have to come together as a province to celebrate it.”  He fondly refers this as the “Pied Piper” project, “We’re just going to keep adding people until every Albertan joins in, like the Pied Piper.”

In Edmonton, the three day event was marked in various ways: free admission to provincially owned historic sites, attractions and museums; Film & Writing workshops, and a Storytelling Festival at the Edmonton Public Library; tours of the Winspear and Citadel Theatres; Edmonton Symphony Orchestra open rehearsals and special performances; InFuse, by the National Black Coalition of Canada, Edmonton chapter; and workshops and exhibits from the artists at the Nina Haggerty Centre for the Arts.  Two schools were also chosen to participate in this Alberta Arts Days Initiative: the Bishop Greschuk Elementary School and the A. Blair McPherson School.

Amongst the artists showcased at the A. Blair McPherson (ABM) School Alberta Arts Days Celebration is The Lucila Project. This is a dance company specializing in modern ballet pieces infused with Philippine traditional customs and images.  Under the artistic direction of Jojo Lucila and Ida Beltran-Lucila, they held a dance photo exhibit, conducted a lecture-demonstration dance class and presented dances ranging from the contemporary, lyrical, athletic and tribal styles.  Their participation introduced the community to Philippine ethnic dances and traditions, music and modern ballet technique.

Other performers/artists at the ABM were: West African Dance Troupe (interactive workshop); French, German and Italian opera; traditional Indian dance; Prince Charles School Fiddlers and Dancers; Rosslyn School Chinese and Lion Dancers; 3rd Street Beat; Beaumont Society School of Dance; Bobby Boogaloo; Cindy Clarke The Clay Teacher; City Arts Centre Director’s Cut Program; Gail de Vos (Storyteller); Gail Sobat (Author); Jeff Hendrick (Saxophonist, Soul-singer, Songwriter & Canadian Producer); Shelley’s Dance Company; and Les Bucheron French Canadian Display.

It was a great couple of days for participating in art, dance and improvisation workshops, viewing exhibits, watching performances and shopping in the International Market.  The general feedback is enthusiasm for next year’s celebration, proving the concept of the Alberta Arts Days as a “Pied Piper” project.

* This article was written for and published in Pinoy Times, October 2011 issue.

Lifting the People’s Spirits through the Arts – Bacolod’s Masskara Festival

October marks the celebration of the Masskara Festival, which occurs from October 1-20 and celebrates Bacolod’s charter day anniversary, which is on October 19. The festival name is a morpheme of the word “mass” for crowd and the Spanish word “cara” for face. “Maskara” is also the Filipino word for masks, providing then the double meaning of “many faces” for the festival. This name was conceived by Ely Santiago – a painter, cartoonist, cultural artist and then President of the Arts Association of Bacolod.

A smiling mask is the symbol of the fiesta to reflect the happy spirit despite difficult times, and the locals’ nature of being strong willed yet warm hearted. The city is also known as the City of Smiles, so it is just fitting to hold a festival of smiles. The Masskara Festival was envisioned in 1980 when the people were suffering from an economic downturn of the sugar industry, the city’s main revenue. They were also grieving for hundreds of relatives and friends who perished in 1979 when a ship sailing from Bacolod collided with a tanker. The city’s leaders thought that a festival was an optimal way of rallying the people and lifting them from dejection.

The festival since then has evolved into a 20-day celebration with food fairs, mask-making contests, brass band competitions, musical concerts, beauty and talent pageants, a windsurfing regatta, competitions (pig catching, pole climbing, drinking, eating), trade fairs and exhibits. The climax is a mardi gras parade where revelers don elaborate masks and costumes, and dance in the streets. Everyone in the community participates – the civic associations, businesses, schools and government organizations. It has become one of the popular attractions in Negros, drawing thousands of people within and outside the country.

The Masskara Festival has also been judged the most beautiful and colorful festival among various contingents from other countries - notably in the Chinggay Festival in Singapore in 1988, the Lunar Festival of Hong Kong in 2001, in the International Tourism Festival of Shanghai in 2004 and in the Midosuji Festival Parade of Osaka, Japan, emerging as champion in the foreign category and first runner up in the local category – the first award to be given to a foreign participant in the 10-year history of that Japanese festival.

What was borne from a difficult time has propelled into a force that brings the community together, draws people from within and outside of the country, turns the economy around as one of the tourist destinations, and lifts the spirits of the people. The Masskara Festival is not based on any historical, religious or cultural premise but is definitely a creative undertaking. It is a manifestation of the people’s sentiments, their ingenuity and passion. And most importantly, it is a shining example of how one instinctively turns to art for expression, for escape, for hope and for celebration.

* this article was written for the October maiden issue of Pinoy Living, published in Calgary, Alberta, Canada