George Yang's success story in 'Symphony of My Dreams'/Arts Festival opens Jan. 29

“Witness the story of a man who re-discovered his passion for music” reads the opening line in the printed program of “Symphony of My Dreams”, the musical that recounts the life of George Yang.

Eschewing the elements of drama, conflict and tension, the musical reveals the story through direct, candid statements in the dialogue interspersed with songs — whose lyrics are reflected onstage and further show how George succeeds as a businessman and later, as a singer, with the virtues of integrity, honesty and determination having been ingrained in him as a child by his worthy father.

George de Jesus III, playwright-lyricist directed the musical, with music composed and arranged by Roy del Valle, with Jose Mari Chan and Jimmy Antiporda as music collaborators.

The huge cast of nearly a hundred at Meralco Theater was headed by Reuben Uy as George, Sheila Valderrama-Martinez as George’s lovely wife Kristine, Carlo Orosa as Jose Mari Chan and Gab Mariano as George’s young son Kenneth.

Prior to the musical, the real Kenneth delivered remarks about how the “Symphony of My Dreams” was created.

The many songs were lively and spirited; the dances, vibrant and vigorous, were performed by groups of assorted sizes and occasional soloists in modern, classic and acrobatic techniques.

The dance by men maneuvering tennis rackets appealed to this reviewer the most. Imaginative and innovative, it was choreographed by Erwin Flores who also did the other numbers which were all interpreted with vigor, vitality and fascinating precision. The tennis number was totally different from the other dances which tended to have a uniform treatment.

Finally, the cast sang while seated at tables to suggest the chain of MacDonald eateries throughout the country.

Risking the charge of nepotism, I would single out Carlo Orosa as the evening’s best singer. In any case, the rest of the singers and all the dancers were consistently imbued with sparkling animation, their fire and passion leading to lusty applause after every song and dance.

At the end of the musical, George was summoned to the stage where he sang upon request, sounding better than at any other time I had heard him. Jestingly though justifiedly, George in his closing remarks, declared: “I am a better singer than any member of the cast. You will get old, too!” He concluded with a profuse expression of thanks to production staff, the cast and audience. He then called to mind an interview conducted by David Celdran who had asked him: “What else can you wish for in life?” George replied that he had just about everything: a wonderful family, wonderful friends, and of course, success. He singled out special guests: V-P Jejomar Binay whose glowing praise of George preceded the musical, Mayor Alfredo Lim, Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco, former CJ Artemio Panganiban and Andrew Tan.

George and the cast then took repeated bows, garnering thunderous applause.

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CCP President Raul Sunico remarked, after the musical, that George sang better than he ever did before. To this, I would like to add that tenor George, the late bloomer, is still booming.

Evelyn R. Garcia, my niece and dedicated Girl Friday, after having perceptively observed everything closely, commented: “George said he is not a taipan but just everyone’s pantay (equal). To this, I would tend to highly disagree because Vice President Binay and the Mayor of Manila would not have honored just any ‘Juan’.

“The 70s disco music kept me moving and grooving’. I specially enjoyed reading the lyrics on the screen with George sharing some of his life’s lessons passed on through three generations: his grand pa’s, his dad’s and from him to his children — all of whom attained success through Hard Work, integrity, honesty and perseverance.”

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The National Commission for Culture and the Arts announces the following:

National Arts Month (NAM) opens with the Philippine Arts Festival (PAF) on January 29 at the Rizal Park, highlighted by a kite making workshop and kite flying, and sumptuous samplings of the seven arts.

This will serve as a launch pad for a month-long fete that emphasizes the artistry of the Filipino people. PAF comprises the flagship projects of the seven committees of the NCCA’s Subcommission on the Arts, comprising architecture, cinema, dance, literature, music, theater and the visual arts.

Chairman Felipe de Leon Jr. and OIC-executive director Adelina Suemith, have taken the theme “Tradition and Innovation” for the festival, which aims to further Philippine art and the Filipino’s regard for local arts and culture. PAF will comprise workshops, exhibitions, forums, performances and many more, participated in by representatives of all the seven arts all over the country who are expected to take part in this grand gathering.

PAF will emphasize traditional art forms and genres as well as contemporary ones. There will also be tributes to Rizal. Closing the PAF is the Ani ng Dangal awarding ceremony as well as recognition of contemporary artists for their contributions.