Filipino performing artists get together on one stage

CEBU, Philippines - The Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) main theater was set on fire last February 27 with unforgettable performances from a rare assemblage of some of our best performing artists, which launched a seven-month-long celebration of CCP’s 40 years.

Exceptional performances from premier soprano Rachelle Gerodias, soprano Camile Lopez Molina, phenomenal ballerina Liza Macuja-Elizalde, Steetboys, Ryan Cayabyab Singers (Poppert Bernadas, Irra Cenina, Jaime Barcelon, Katherine Tiuseco, Vincent Evangelista and Anezka Alvarez), Ayen Munji-Laurel, Jed Madela, Bo Cerrudo, Bituin Escalante, Leo Valdez and Celeste Legaspi were some of the delightful highlights of the gala concert billed “Rubies: Gems in Philippine Performing Arts.”

Gerodias’ interpretation of “Awit ng Gabi Ni Sisa” (music by National Artist Felipe Padilla de Leon and lyrics by Guillermo Tolentino) was technically difficult yet pulled off masterfully. OPM icon Legaspi treated everyone with her rare solo performances of “Tuliro,” (music and lyrics by Nonoy Gallardo) and “Minsan Ang Minahal Ay Ako,” from the landmark musical “Katy,” (music by Ryan Cayabyab). Escalante earned loud applause for her show stopping number “Aba, ‘ba, ‘ba, Boogie,” also from the musical “Katy.”

While these esteemed vocalists performed with The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and the UST Symphony Orchestra, the dancers in the 3rd Act performed their numbers with canned accompaniment, which was glaringly uneven.

Stage director Felix Monino Duque, musical directors and arrangers Josefino Chino Toledo and Ryan Cayabyab, multi-awarded playwright and writer Floy Quintos, choreographer Edna Vida-Froilan and production manager Chinggay Bernardo were some of the people behind such a rare treat for CCP’s keen supporters and dedicated employees in the past 40 years.

The CCP has been the stage for many groundbreaking and original Filipino works in music, theater and dance since 1969. Some of these were songs and dance suites from “Rama Hari,” “Walang Sugat,” “Dalagang Bukid,” “Magsimula Ka,” “Himala the Musical,” “Larawan the Musical,” “Zsa Zsa Zaturnnah Ze Musical,” among many others. The gala performance was a tribute to honor these homegrown classics.

“In ‘Rubies…,’ we hail the outstanding achievements of Filipino artists in the field of music, theater and dance. The show glitters as rubies do – deeply and richly – as leading Filipino artists perform works that are iconic and reflective of the CCP’s contribution to the development of Philippine performing arts,” said Nestor Jardin, CCP’s president and artistic director.

Other special performances and workshops in music, dance and theater; visual art exhibitions; and film festivals will be staged at the CCP until September 8, its official inaugural date.