An RP fest at last! / Cecile’s latest coup / Rey’s unique recital

To make us Filipinos fully aware of our cultural heritage, to lead us to a realization of its infinite variety and richness, the private sector, with the cooperation of the NCCA, will hold a National Heritage Festival, the very first of its kind, breadth, and scope in the country.

Every conceivable aspect of native art and culture will be projected through music-dance-theater performances, exhibitions of heritage sites, ethnic and indigenous crafts as well as contemporary artists’ masterpieces (e.g., by Amorsolo, Botong Francisco, Manansala, Abueva, Legaspi, Luz, Ang KiuKok).

There will be something to appeal to everybody: A Valera retrospective fashion show; kite-flying at Rizal Park, with kites inspired by images of UNESCO-preserved heritage sites and Philippine churches; a Tianggehan sa Plaza Miranda under the auspices of the Congressional Spouses Foundation; the Lakaran Quiapo Walking Tour of the Basilica of the Black Nazarene, the Golden Mosque, San Sebastian Church and the Miraculous Shrine of the Holy Face. An exciting vinta regatta will start from Zamboanga to Manila Bay!

The Festival opens with an ecclesiastical Mass on September 7 at the Manila Cathedral. The Misa Adonay, Misa Sto. Niño, Misa San Pedro and Misa Ryan Cayabyab will be played by the San Miguel Philharmonic and sung by the San Miguel Master Cathedral under the direction of Anton Juan.

Rustan’s Makati will be the venue for the Living Artist Exhibit from September 15 to 21. Here, the Gawad sa Manlilikha ng Bayan or Gamaba awardees – men and women who excel in, preserve and promote distinctive folk and traditional arts in their community – will demonstrate their craft to prove the amazing creativity and inventiveness of indigenous artists.

A lecture series will cover the following subjects: The Life and Music of Julio Nakpil by Antonio C. Hila, Ph.D.; Herbal Medicine by Michael Tan, Ph.D.; Filipino-Muslim Culture and Arts by Datu ZamZamin Ampatuan.

Carmina Burana, featuring the Philippine Ballet Theater and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, will be presented September 27 in Intramuros.

At the press conference arranged by Bonjin Bolinao last Friday at the Inter-Con which played luncheon host, former NCCA chairman Jimmy Laya and NCCA Chairperson Evelyn Pantig summed up the Festival as the showcasing of the tangibles (e.g., the Banawe Rice Terraces, Vigan Plaza, Tubataha Reef and the Underground River in Palawan) and the Intangibles (e.g., the Filipino artists’ tremendous creativity). Mr. Laya, among others, said it was historian Bambi Harper who had initiated the idea of the festival.

Indeed, after five highly successful "French Spring" festivals and last year’s Spanish "Fiesta", with another in October, nothing can be more logical, more conducive to bolstering our national pride and feeling of unity in these days of frighteningly pervasive disunity than the unpre-cedented Filipino Heritage Festival in September. A calendar of events is available at the NCCA office.

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At the July 1st tribute given by fellow artists to Cecile Alvarez Guidote, excerpts from past theater productions were staged in recognition of Cecile’s monumental pioneering contribution to Philippine theater.

Cecile climaxed the evening’s program at the James Reuter Theater by stealing the show with her stirring dramatic thank-you speech and vibrant, propulsive Kathakali (Indian) dance to prove that the touching tribute had led to her instant recovery from the cancer afflicting her.

Returning just the other day from a medical check-up in New York, Cecile brought back her latest coup. Members of her Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble, consisting of handicapped youngsters, have been declared "Unesco Artists for Peace".

Last Monday, August 11, Cecile presented to President Arroyo the certificate given by Unesco Director Matsura to the deaf, dumb and maimed youngsters the certificate naming them as such. The recognition, a great honor, is reserved only for world celebrities, e.g., Celine Dion and Shirley Bassey. I quote: "This is the first in the region and a global historic paradigm shift to acknowledging the contribution of vulnerable groups especially those with disabilities in promoting a culture of peace, hope and tolerance while celebrating their achievement."

It will be recalled that the Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble has repeatedly performed abroad, particularly in the US, while reaping glowing praise each time.

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Pianist-pedagogue Reynaldo Reyes, who has been playing duo concerts with Ingrid Santamaria throughout the archipelago, will give a solo recital today (7 p.m.) at the UST Museum and tomorrow (6 p.m.) at the UP Abelardo Hall.

The eminent Reyes, who has concertized in Europe and America through the years, has distinguished himself and carved a niche in the musical world with his unique programming. For each recital, he interprets only one composer or several composers from a single country. (I have attended an all-Bach and an all-Spanish recital of his.)

This type of programming, which Mr. Reyes has learned as a scholar at the Paris Conservatory, doubtless proves his incredibly wide repertoire. He will give an all-song recital today and tomorrow – presumably a most lyrical one – consisting of exquisite melodies.

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Briefly noted: Patron of the arts and richly talented cellist Vicente "Tiking" Lopez, Jr. presented soprano Lilac Caña and bass-baritone Emmanuel Gregorio in a private recital at his residence the other Sunday.