Harana unravels our past / Locos por el cine!

The Philippine Opera Com-pany’s “Ang Bagong Harana”, delving deeply into the past, revealed our history and culture and through these our identity. Melding music, song and dance, five sopranos and seven male singers showed versatility as they danced to the choreography of Raul Nepomuceno their songs in the popular genre proving the Filipino composers’ lyrical gifts comparable with those of their foreign peers.

Uniquely imaginative and creative, the concert began with a medley of children’s songs, the singers charmingly portraying themselves as youngsters rendering familiar tunes — Penpen De Serapen, Sitsiritsit, Leron Leron Sinta, etc. A little boy entered the scene, heightening the ambiance of innocence and nostalgia.

Brilliant dance interludes ethnic Ifugao, Cordillera and Maranao - starred the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group. A fiesta was enlivened by Sayaw sa Bangko, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, and traditional folk songs, e.g. the well-loved Bahay Kubo, (My Nipa Hut), Magtanim ay Di Biro (Planting Rice Is Never Fun).

After “Jota Manila” which harked back to the Spanish era, a most stirring Suite ensued: “Indio/Ilustrado/Revolusyonaryo” enacted with profoundly moving kundimans. Few of the voices were operatic, but the redeeming feature was that all performed with passion each singing his/her heart out while expressing deep love of country.

All government officials, most especially the corrupt ones, should be imbued with the patriotism relayed so robustly, and thereby cease to rob the country clean and disrupt its progress.

The Tribute to Sylvia La Torre gave a striking view of Western influence, particularly American (Colonial Filipinos were shy and inhibited.) The sopranos in glamorous long gowns (designed by Zenaida Gutierrez) wiggled, swayed their hips and traipsed around the stage in sheer abandon, the male singers following suit. Sung were Waray waray (L. Celerio), One, Two, Three (Silos-Celerio) No Touch, Filipino Kostum (F. Buencamino Jr.-Celerio), Peksman (J. Silos-L. Celerio). In Ernani Cuenco’s Kalesa, the energetic swains, riding on mini to horses, galloped in the best Broadway fashion.

“Contemporary Filipino” interpreted the greatest hits of George Canseco, Willy Cruz and Ryan Cayabyab - the hits matching Tin Pan Alley tunes; in fact, they are far more melodious and lyrical.

The finale, Suite 7, was as exhilarating and inspiring as Suite 4 (Rebolusyonaryo) wherein the little boy raised his right hand in an oath to love his country and to carry on the fight for freedom from foreign intervention.

Freddie Aguilar’s Anak, Canseco’s Paano Kita Mapapasalamatan, F. Santiago’s Pilipinas Kong Mahal and G. Canseco’s Ako Ay Pilipino imbued the audience once more with such patriotic fervor that if the crooks in government were to be imbued with it, likewise, this country would fulfill its highest potential.

The singers who conveyed enviable unity of spirit were Marvin Gayramon (baritone), Lawrence Jatayna (baritone), Jack Salud (baritone), Nazer Salcedo (tenor), Jurgen Unterberg (tenor), Floyd Tena (tenor) and Al Gatmaitan (baritone), sopranos Karla P. Gutierrez, Marian Santiago, Janine Santos, Twinkle Prietos and Charley Magalit.

Director Floy Quintos in his foreword comments: “More than just a love song, this show is a love letter to all the best things that the Filipino can be.” How true! Observes Karla P. Gutierrez, executive producer - artistic director: “Ang Bagong Harana is a picture of an Age of Innocence that we Filipinos so badly need to return to.” How true!

At the open forum conducted by Toots Tolentino, a singer remarked: “We are like warriors preserving our traditional culture.” How true! Who else will preserve it but the Filipinos themselves?

“We are crazy about movies” reads in Spanish the cover of the pamphlet announcing the Tenth Spanish Film Festival. The pamphlet was sent to media by the new director of Instituto Cervante Eduardo Calvo while calling a press conference, with him, Spanish Ambassador Jorge Domecq and cultural assistant Jose Ma. Font Guardiola presiding.

Top award-winning films, some produced in collaboration with Argentina, Mexico, Uruguay, UK, France and Ph will be shown Oct. 5 to 16 at Greenbelt 3 cinemas. The films, with English subtitles, are a “must” see!