Series of Christmas shows aim to inspire

CEBU, Philippines - A Christmas concert last December 3, featuring ABS-CBN stars Sam Milby and Yeng Constantino together with the Steps Dance Project dancers, kicked off Ayala Center Cebu’s month-long inspiration-filled holiday celebration. Up next for mall-goers is a series of Christmas chorale performances from some of Cebu’s most awarded groups. The culmination of all these lined-up shows and activities will be a pre-New Year party on December 29 at the Terraces grounds.

In a lunch press conference with Steps Dance Studio director Sofia Zobel-Elizalde and the dance company’s veteran choreographers (or whom Elizalde refers to as the formidable “3 J’s”) James Laforteza, Jun Saagundo and Jeffrey Espejo, they explained the concept behind this year’s “Inspire!” Christmas theme of Ayala Malls.

“Ayala Malls always takes the time to teach lessons and leave nice thoughts. This year, we wanted to inspire mall-goers and encourage people to be everyday heroes in their own lives through a series of activities that uplifts the spirit. One doesn’t have to go to war to be one,” says Elizalde. “Thus, we made a lot of effort to bring together the best of the best. We wanted to present dances that are dynamic, fun and inspiring to the public.”

True enough, last Saturday’s show was a memorable showcase of classic Filipino songs and melodies, street dance, modern, jazz and ballet --- choreographed in a way that “made the audience reflect on the possibility of defining heroism in their lives.” Serving as stage background were the 16 handcrafted mesh paintings of Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala.

Fresh from their Grand Prix victory last month in the 2011 Busan International Choral festival and Competition in South Korea, the multi-awarded Cebu Chamber Singers is set to perform at the Ayala Activity Center this Friday, Dec. 9. The Mandaue Children’s Choir is scheduled to regale shoppers on the same venue on Dec.11, while the CNU Children’s Choir will get their turn on Dec. 16.

On Dec. 17 and 23, the 120-Voice Bradford Urgello Choir will also perform at the Terraces.

Meanwhile, Ayala Center Cebu’s “Everyday Heroes” volunteer sign-up booth for foundations such as the Ninoy and Cory Aquino Foundation, Children’s Hour, WWF, and Ayala Foundation is still ongoing at the exhibit area between Celine and Kamiseta, Level II. (FREEMAN)