EDITORYAL  — Amoy ‘Garci’?

In observance of Independence and Rizal Day, the UNESCO International Theater Institute (ITI) Philippine Center, the UST Conservatory, The Dialect-Earthsavers Dreams Academy and the RP Consulate General in NY will present Dr. Alejandro R. Roces’ zarzuela based on his book “Something to Crow About” at La Mama Theater Off-Broadway on June 21-24 at 7:30 p.m.

The zarzuela won the 2006 Aliw Award (Tony’s local equivalent) for Best Musical (zarzuela) and Best Musical Direction, with adaptation and supervision by NCCA executive director and Presidential Adviser on Culture Cecile Guidote-Alvarez.

Fascinating scenes from Dr. Roces’ book of short stories are marked with wit, humor and satire highlighting the traditional sport of cockfighting in the colorful panorama of customs, heritage, religion and even relationships in the social, political and economic life in a typical Filipino town.

The zarzuela was applauded by 80 countries in its world premiere at the 31st UNESCO World Congress in Manila which Alvarez organized. Observed UNESCO Dir.-Gen. Koichiro Martsuura: “I recall with pleasure the zarzuela which was so admirably directed, precious reminders of the warm hospitality of the Filipinos.” Commented Jennifer Walpole, UNESCO Sec.-Gen.: “The lively zarzuela was directly relevant to the UN Millennium Development Goals which introduced delegates to several important aspects of Philippine cultural life and character and the importance of music, singing and cockfighting.”

US theater doyenne Ellen Stewart supervised the final preparation of the modern zarzuela. Philippine consulates and communities will be partners in sending to Off-Broadway a Filipino zarzuela by a National Artist, they will participate both as audience and talents for cameo roles in the fiesta finale and Santacruzan.

Direction is by Cecile Guidote-Alvarez; music and lyrics, Ferdinand Dimadura; orchestration, Nonoy Diestro; music supervision, Raul Sunico. Benjamin Goquingco Jr. has mounted the cockfight based on the choreography of Leonor Orosa Goquingco for her program “Filipinescas: Philippine Life, Legend and Lore in Dance.” There will be performances before and after the La Mama engagement.

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The Polytechnic U. of the Philippines (PUP) conferred the Doctor of Humanities degree on Cecile Guidote-Alvarez last May 7 for her “devotion and wisdom in public service through the arts honed by experience and time.”

“PUP’s 55,000 students all over Luzon, 1,600 faculty members and 1,000 academic staff always support and believe in the culture and art projects initiated by Guidote-Alvarez,” said Dr. Dante Guevarra, PUP’s acting president.

Cecile graduated valedictorian at St. Theresa’s College, QC, summa cum laude at St. Paul’s College, Manila, for AB and BS in Education degrees. She took special theater studies at N.Y.U. and M.A. in Theater and Communication Arts at Trinity U., San Antonio, Texas.

Cecile is the youngest recipient of the Magsaysay Award for Public Service through the Arts (1972), and Manila’s “Patnubay ng Kalinangan Award” for her National Theater Movement under the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA) which she founded.

Her EarthSavers DREAMS Ensemble was named “UNESCO Artists for Peace” in 2003 by UNESCO Director General Matsuura. Cecile was named one of 27 Filipino women nominees for the 2005 Nobel Peace Prize, among 1,000 women from 150 countries nominated by a Swiss group.

Her award-winning “Balintataw” was selected by the Catholic Mass Media Committee “Best TV Drama Series,” capped by citations and countless awards: Dangal ng Pilipino, Benigno Aquino, C.P. Romulo, Towns, Emmy, Aliw, Gawad CCP, Congressional Medal, etc. Her tri-media “Balintataw” approach was selected by CNN as “Soap Opera for Social Change,” and shown globally as part of its “People Count Series” hosted by Jane Fonda and produced by Barbara Pyle. Her “Sining Gising” was named by the Guillermo Mendoza Foundation “Most Outstanding TV Program for Culture and the Arts.”

For over 45 years, Cecile has served as exemplary artist, teacher, TV-radio producer-director-host, writer, actress, founder of national and international cultural movements, speaker-panelists-chair of RP delegations in international conferences. She was named “Outstanding Manilan” of 2005.