Bravo Baliwag at My City, My SM launch
MANILA, Philippines - With two great movers of our contemporary cultural scene as honorees — National Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario and multi-awarded dancer and dance director Shirley Halili-Cruz — the recent launch of My City, My SM at SM City Baliwag was a big bravo for Bulakeño talent.
Held in time for the province’s Singkaban Festival, which celebrates the arts and culture in honor of Our Lady of Victory, the event showcased how dance and literature can transform us as a people.
The Ibong Adarna, the mythical bird that has become part of our literary tradition was the event’s main design element. Symbolizing the magical power of the arts, Ibong Adarna images on kites were touchstones of panels of the two honorees.
Guests had a glimpse of the dazzling world of dance through a ballet studio replica with paintings and trophies of Shirley-Halili Cruz. A library showcase, on the other hand, highlighted Virgilio Almario’s books and awards. Lovely ballerinas gracefully ushered Shirley Halili-Cruz to the unveiling ceremony.
The program featured the world of dance and literature with a very Bulakeño feel. The multi-awarded Halili Cruz Ballet Company awed the audience with their colorful costumes and exuberant performances.
Likewise, prominent Bulakeños dramatized excerpts from Almario’s selected works in different genres — Vice Governor Daniel Fernando read Si Rizal: Nobelista, Professor Vim Nadera Jr. delighted the audience with a rap version of Kung Bakit Kailangan ng Himala, historian Jaime Veneracion narrated the Noli Me Tangere translation of Rio Alma, and Professor Michael Coroza delighted the audience when he made textbooks excerpts so interesting. Adarna House storyteller Lyn Danao made the audience feel like children again with her storytelling session on the book Si Hinlalaki.
The Balagtasan, a poetic joust very much associated with Bulacan, served as the introduction to honoree Virgilio Almario. Award-winning poets Michael Coroza and Vim Nadera Jr. debated on whether UE or UST influenced the National Artist most, while junior mambibigkas Jay Marc Dacuba provided the middle ground.
Guests, including Bulacan provincial administrator Jim Valerio, provincial board member and committee chair on tourism, culture, and the arts Michael Fermin, Baliwag Toursim officer Rosie Decasa, and the Bulacan Heritage Conservation Society’s Rheeza Hernandez were seen enjoying the program. SM officials were led by SM vice president for marketing Millie Dizon, SM City Baliwag assistant mall managers architect Andrew Cristobal and Ardee Tolentino, and SM City Marilao’s architect Dang Estrella.
They were also seen enjoying the spread of Bulakan specialties like Pancit Marilao, sapin-sapin, chicharon, okoy na kalabasa, puto, biko bibingka, and pastillas.
The My City, My SM launch at SM City Baliwag is the seventh in the second year of this tourism-oriented campaign that features the many cities in the Philippines where SM malls and stores are located.
Last year’s My City, My SM roadshow brought readers to 15 cities in the Philippines with prominent personalities in each area acting as tourist guides. It began in time for the Giant Lantern Festival in December 2009 with I Left My Heart in San Fernando with internationally acclaimed film director Brillante Mendoza and Mutya ng Kapampagan Nicolette Henson and had a grand finale with The Genteel Charm of Bacolod marking the opening day of the 31st Masskara Festival with honorees Raymund Javellana and the dynamic Association of Negros Producers board members Mary Anne Colmenares, Cristina Gaston, Mary Anne Sicangco Hagad, and Josephine Locsin.
This year’s My City, My SM campaign began in January with The Lakeside Charm of San Pablo with Don Ado Escudero and Ramon Magsaysay awardee Dr. Jaime Alip as awardees. In March, former Prime Minister Cesar Virata and Island Cove and Leisure Park managing director Gilbert Remulla were honored in Celebrating Cavite. My Marikina honored former Marikina Mayor Marides Fernando along with the city’s shoe makers and retailers — Nelson Valentino of Valentino Shoes, Erlinda Salonga Pastoral of Ohrelle, Anito Puzon Salonga of Milani, and Gilda Salonga Cruz of Le Donne.
“Tayo na sa Antipolo” highlighted the city’s Maytime festivities at SM City Masinag with honorees Chiqui Roa-Puno and Florence Sassig; and last June, Come Home to Calamba was in time for Jose Rizal’s 150th birth anniversary, depicting him as a global hero with honorees Barbara Gonzales, who is a descendant, and artist Marc Cosico. Just last month, I Love Lipa honored National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and the young members of the prominent Katigbak family — Paulo, Cayo, Andre, and Keena.
My City, My SM is a joint project of SM and the Department of Toursim with support from The Philippine Star.
