Nick Lizaso brings PPO to Greenhills Shopping Center

MANILA, Philippines - The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) under the baton of Maestro Olivier Ochanine and in cooperation with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) will  give a free public concert at the Greenhills Shopping Center on June 11 at 6:30 p.m.

This was announced recently by Nick Lizaso, stage, film and TV director and teleserye actor as well as educator and Greenhills resident. The event will be hosted by Jong Cuenco, and will have husband-and-wife duo Isay Alvarez and Robert Sena as guest artists to do the opening number. Special feature will be Dr. Raul Sunico, well-known concert pianist, concurrently  president of the CCP and Dean of the UST College of Music.

The occasion is meant to launch a cultural advocacy project called “ Sining Sigla” spearheaded by Nick Lizaso as project director.  “Sining Sigla,” says Lizaso,  aims to “make arts, culture and community come alive” in  communities all over the Philippines.  

”We will start with Greenhills, “explains Lizaso, “since this is where I reside, and I believe the residents in this neighborhood are highly receptive to this idea.”

As a board member of CCP, Lizaso strongly advocates that artistic productions and performances be brought to where the people are. He adds:” Let’s make art more accessible to as many Filipinos as possible, regardless of social class. Let’s bring it to where people are—right in their communities and then let the people take the lead. That’s what we hope to achieve with Sining Sigla”.

Speaking of community, the staging of the PPO concert appears to be driven by a strong community spirit. In a some kind of “bayanihan for art’s sake,“ various organizations, groups, and individuals in Greenhills are pitching in.  Cathy Co, general manager of the Greenhills Shopping Center, has given the thumbs-up to stage it at the parking space in front of the Promenade waiving considerable income from parking rentals for that day.  Greenhills Shopping Center has also committed to take care of the stage and security.

Another enthusiastic supporter is Precy Florentino,  head honcho of the Music Museum Group of Companies, who has allowed the Teatrino to serve as  the waiting lounge and changing area for the PPO members. the Music Museum Group will also provide the snacks and light dinner for the performers as well as selected VIPs who will be attending.

Lisazo approached the office of Mayor Guia Gomez who immediately offered her support. Security for the event venue will be beefed up by Barangay Greenhills tanods, courtesy of chairman Lorenzo Tanada Yam through the request of Kagawad Rannie Raymundo, national president of Agila Pilipino and one those assisting Lizaso on a voluntary capacity.

Meanwhile, Greenhills Shopping Center outlets and individual benefactors are chipping in to cover other attendant expenses such as transportation for the PPO members, chairs for the performers and audience, giant screens to display the PPO performance live. Friends and students are volunteering their time and effort as stage hands and usherettes.

Companies that have readily and immediately given their commitment of support as major sponsors are Flying V Oil Company through Chito Villavicencio and Prudential Guarantee & Assurance, Inc, one of the companies under the helm of Robert Coyiuto, Jr. and Del Monte Land Transport and Bus Company (DLTBCO ) which will be providing the transport for the PPO members from the CCP to Greenhills and back.

Invited to attend the occasion are prominent residents and luminaries of Greenhills and San Juan, led by Mayor Guia Gomez, Senator-elect JV Ejercito, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, Sen. Franklin Drilon and wife Mila, and others. Susan Roces and Senator-elect Grace Poe Llamanzares, both Greenhills residents are aslo special guests. In honor of Fernando Poe, Jr., the only National Artist to come from Greenhills, Raul Sunico will be playing a special rendition of one of FPJ’s favorite songs, Doon lang.

Hopefully, the PPO concert will give be the spark that will lead to the realization of the vision of “Sining Sigla,” which is make Greenhills the focal point of the performing arts and promote theatre and film, visual and literary arts as enriching elements in the cultural lives of those residing in Greenhills, San Juan, Wack-Wack,  Quezon City, Mandaluyong and neighboring areas.