The Philippine Online Chronicles

MUSIC & DANCE

UPLB choir bags multiple wins in China choral festival

The University of the Philippines-Los Baños (UPLB) Choral Ensemble went home victorious with the title Grand Prix Winner at “A Voyage of Songs” International Choral Festival in Zhungai, China. The group also bagged the best Chamber Choir, Open-Mixed Choir, and Folk Choir awards.

The group beat 10 other choral groups from other countries with their versions of “Glongongo Ko”, “Water Night” and “Gapas” for the Chamber Choir Category, “De Rommel Pot”, “O Naraniag a Bulan” and “Riverder Le Stelle” for the Open-Mixed Choir Categoru and “Koya No Tebulul” and “Ilay Gandangan” for the Folk Choir Category.

Tunog Natin OPM concert all set

The 2nd Tunog Natin free Original Pilipino Music (OPM) concert will be held at the Avida Centera grounds along EDSA cor. Reliance St. on July 23 7 p.m.

An all-OPM repertoire will be performed by The Dawn, Tanya Markova, Kiss Jane, Myrus, Davey Langit, Mitch Valdes and Faith Cuneta. Other performers gracing the event are Aiza Seguerra, True Faith with their new “wave-pop fusion” and a back-to-back performance by Kitchie Nadal and Barbie Almalbis.

We want each leg of Tunog Natin to offer something different each time to highlight the richness of OPM. For the second concert, we again exhibit the many genres within OPM — we have a varied, exciting line-up of artists for the show,” said project head Myrus.

Sponsored by Avida Land Corp. for the launch of their second tower of Avida Centera, Avida Land marketing manager Tess Tatco said, “The success of the first Tunog Natin concert proves that Filipino audiences have not abandoned OPM. We need to focus our efforts into putting more OPM ‘out there’ where audiences are able to hear and enjoy it.”

Ballet Manila in Ireland

Meanwhile, the Department of Foreign Affairs boasted that Ballet Manila had a successful maiden tour in Ireland and even received a standing ovation.

The group, which includes first Philippine ballerina Liza Macuja-Elizalde, was praised for their show “Philippine Ballet Gala Concert – East meets West” in Dublin.

“Eight performances, eight standing ovations!” said Macuja-Elizalde

Philippine Ambassador Ariel Abadilla said he was very pleased with the reviews and reactions of the predominantly Irish audience. Among them are two Irish cabinet ministers, other officials and businessmen.

Filipinos were also touched by the nationalistic elements of the repertoire. The two-week tour ended last July 10.

FILM

Filipinos in Swiss Film Fest

Filipino filmmakers continue to impress in the international scene with three Pinoy-made films making it to the 64^th Locarno International Film Festival in Switzerland.

Raya Martin’s “Buenos Noches, España” and “Boxing in the Philippine Islands” and Vincent Sandoval’s ”Señorita” will be shown in the Out of Competition section and Filmmakers of the Present in August.

Martin is also a juror for the Filmmakers of the Present.

Cinemalaya to watch for

Now on its seventh year, the Cinemalaya Independent Film Festival is back with the theme “See the Unseen.”

It will be presenting nine films for the “New Breed full length feature,” ten for the “Short Feature category” and four for the “Directors Showcase category.

The films will be shown from July 15 to 24 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines and July 16 to 24 at Greenbelt 3 Cinemas 3 and 5.

Included in the new breed category are: Amok by Lawrence Fajardo; Ang Babae sa Septic Tank (The Woman in the Septic Tank) by Marlon Rivera and Chris Martinez; Ang Sayaw ng Dalawang Kaliwang Paa (The Dance of Two Left Feet) by Alemberg Ang and Alvin Yapan; Bahay Bata (Baby Factory) by Eduardo W. Roy Jr. and Jerome Zamora; Cucheraby Joseph Israel M. Laban; I-Libings: Your Loss, Our Luck (E-funerals) by Rommel Andreo Sales;Ligo Na U, Lapit Na Me (Star-Crossed Love) by Noel Ferrer, Jerry Gracio, and Erick Salud; Niño by Loy Arcenas; and Teoriya (Father’s Way) by Alistaire Christian E. Chan.

Each received a P500,000 seed grant from the Cinemalaya Foundation. The winner will receive a prize of P200,000 and the Balanghai Trophy. Contenders are filmmakers who have not directed more than three full feature films.

Contenders for the Short Feature are: Debut by Pamela Llanes Reyes; Every Other Time by Gino M. Santos; Hanapbuhay (Source of Income) by Henry Frejas; Hazard by Mikhail Red; Immanuel by Gabriel “Gio” Puyat; Niño Bonito by Rommel “Milo” Tolentino; Oliver’s Apartment by Misha Balangue; Samarito (Samaritan) by Rafael Santos; Un Diutay Mundo (One Small World) by Ana Carlyn V. Lim; and Walang Katapusang Kwarto (An Endless Room) by Emerson Reyes.

The winner will receive a trophy and a prize of P100,000.

While Jeffrey Jeturian forBisperas (Eve); Auraeus Solito for Busong (Palawan Fate); Adolfo Alix Jr. for Isda (Fable of the Fish); and Joel C. Lamangan for Patikul compete in the Directors Showcase category.

Like New Breed filmmakers, the directors received a seed grant of P500,000. The winner will get a Balanghai Trophy and P300,000.

VISUAL ARTS

Production designer honored abroad

GMA Network’s production designer Rolando “Rollie” de Leon has recently been given the Rainbow Cormorant Award at the 2011 Prague Quadrennial of Performance Space and Design for a pavilion representing the bahay kubo and inspired by the three major regions – Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

De Leon’s pavilion was the only Asian contender.

He accepted the award at the Czech National Gallery in Veletrzni Palace last month.