Ambassador G. Chesnel on French Spring 2006 / Cockfighting as theme

Herewith is an overview of French Spring in Manila 2006 given by Ambassador Gerard Chesnel at the Mandarin Oriental Hotel last March 28:

We are gathered here again for the press launch of one of the most awaited cultural events in the country. But before anything else, thank you all for your presence.

The "French Spring in Manila", now on its eighth year, carries the slogan Sama-Sama, meaning all together. If promotion of cultural diversity is a key element of French cultural diplomacy, a cultural season provides the perfect venue for artists of different cultures to create together. The play "Waiting for Godot" by S. Beckett will be staged in Pilipino by a French director with a Filipino cast.

Indeed, there is now a flourishing of French Springs all over Asia, and we are proud to be pioneers in organizing this multi-faceted event in Manila since 1999. Thanks to the support of media, our partners and sponsors, it has become one of the most awaited and most popular cultural events in the capital.

You inspire us to continue bringing performances and creations, extraordinary talents and musicians, artists, to the prestigious stages, exhibition and concert halls in Manila and Cebu.

Why unity in diversity? Because French Spring is not merely a showcase of contemporary French art, but rather a collaboration of artists of different nationalities or origins. Four main events will be held, starting with an exhibit by French designer Christian Lacroix at the Ayala Museum (set for this afternoon), and ending with a circus in Iloilo in July. In between will be dance and classic music concerts at the CCP, a film festival, a jazz festival and several other exhibits.

Finally, we always end French Spring, as we welcome Summer, in an all night street party, the Fete de la Musique.

On the whole, the French Spring in Manila has indeed evolved from an arts festival into a cultural season that gathers more than the usual arts enthusiasts, film buffs, music lovers and theater-goers. Through French Spring, indeed, we are "sama-sama", united in diversity. Tara na sa French Spring!

Present at the press launch were Alliance Francaise Director Olivier Dintinger, Cultural Counsellor Francois Blamont and Press Attaché Carolle Lucas. Martin Macalintal was emcee. (More details on French Spring are forthcoming).

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"Something to Crow About", a zarzuela based on the award-winning collection of short stories by National Artist for Literature Dr. Alejandro R. Roces, had a sneak preview at the E. Aguinaldo College Auditorium, the use of the venue through the courtesy of music patron Danny Dolor.

Cecile G. Alvarez, PETA-founder and herself a terrific actress, conceptualized and directed the zarzuela whose cast of hundreds consists of the UST Liturgikon Vocal Ensemble, with Eugene de los Santos as choral director, and the Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble.

The greatest drawing power of the zarzuela is its unique theme: cockfighting. Other major attractions are the melodious music and songs, and the spirited lyrics both by Ferdinand Dimadura, as orchestrated by Nonoy Diestro and played by the UST Symphony Orchestra under Hermie Ranera. The featured soloists render the songs wonderfully.

The cockfighting scenes on film – startling and arresting – capture the excitement and pandemonium inside the cockpit. The fight between a rooster and a henie, choreographed by Gigi Velarde David and Enrico Labayen, tickles the risibilities. The other fight between two roosters drew inspiration from National Artist for Dance Leonor Orosa Goquinco. The two court scenes bristle and sparkle.

Another major attraction of the zarzuela is that, picturesquely Philippine, it gives glimpses of a fiesta, a procession and daily rural life.

Cecile informed the audience that the presentation was a work-in progress, and obviously still in the process of refinement and polishing, the crowd scenes, particularly. She had agreed to conduct a workshop for the UST Vocal Ensemble only last December to build their dance-acting capacities. She rehearsed them with orchestra for exactly one night and one day, together with the Earthsavers Creative team, before the sneak preview.

What the audience was seeing were excerpts but to my mind, the present length of the musical is just right. We look forward to the finished production in May. Associate director is Frank Rivera; production manager is Angie Ferro. Set and costumes are by Len Santos.

The zarzuela is being staged by the NCCA jointly with the UST Conservatory of Music whose dean Dr. Raul Sunico said before the show: "I hope Something to Crow About will be something to talk about." His hope has been fulfilled.

In closing remarks, Dr. Roces explained how it all began. His father had enjoined him to take up mining in the U. of Arizona. Anding failed in all his subjects, math not being his forte. Facing expulsion, he would lose the chance to enter any other American university. Summoned by the dean’s office, he braced himself for the worst. He was asked, "Where did you learn English? Have you read Erskine Caldwell? Ernest Hemingway?" Anding wondered at the nature of the questions, not realizing Caldwell himself was asking them. Forthwith, he was informed that his short story My Brother’s Peculiar Chicken which he had entered in a national competition, had won first prize.

Followed his award-winning book of short stories Something to Crow About and the zarzuela Cecile has innovatively and imaginatively conceptualized and directed.

At the sneak preview were Indian Ambassador Navrekha Sharma, Fr. James Reuter who had introduced Cecile to Anding decades ago as "an outstanding student", National Artist Nap Abueva, Sen. Heherson Alvarez. Prof. Isagani Cruz and Peachy Prieto, among many others.