Carmen: Enthralling!

The enticement of Sylvia Lichauco de Leon, secretary of the Philippine Ballet Theater headed by chairperson Tricia C. Sison, vice chairperson Marilou Magsaysay, president Marichu H. Nepomuceno and vice president Chacha Camacho  led me to the matinee of Carmen at the CCP main theater. The Bizet opera was transformed into a ballet (the plot is too familiar to repeat) through the creative, imaginative choreography of artistic director Ranilo Jaynario.  His craft manifested the keenest musicianship, with every dance movement matching every musical note.

The soldiers’ arrestingly brisk, virile, sharp, staccato style generated excitement.  The cigarette girls, engagingly pert and feminine, enhanced the festive ambiance.

Over-all precision, cohesiveness and technical skill reflected the admirable authority and rigorous discipline Bolshoi’s Russian ballet master Anatoly Panasyukov wielded over the entire company, e.g. in the fish dives, multiple turns, lifts, with the ballerinas “floating” ethereally, soaring jetés, etc.  The dancers, attired in colorful, attractive costumes designed by Julie Borromeo, performed amidst the marvelously descriptive sets of Miguel Faustmann.

In the physically demanding and emotionally draining role of Carmen, Joanna Galeste was a sensuous, seductive flirt, her technique secure.  Peter San Juan eloquently portrayed Don Jose, Carmen’s ardent lover.  Their pas de deux, as well as that of San Juan and Lobreza Pimentel as Micaela, Don Juan’s sweetheart, were exquisitely lyrical, with Lobreza displaying strikingly extended arabesques.  Tall and well-proportioned, Adrian Ocampo as the bullfighter Escamillo, established a grand, magisterial presence, his majestic manner proving himself the lord of all he surveyed.

Regine Magbitang and Lea de Guzman as Carmen’s friends, Frasquita and Mercedes, respectively, were refreshingly spirited.

I could not distinguish who was who of the pair but the shorter ballerina in pink tutu was brilliant.  Davo as El Dancairo and Crimson Guirjem as El Remendado were distinctly assertive.

The flamenco inserted into the ballet featured Angel Gomez whose strikingly rapid taconeos, zapateados and clever manipulation of his cape almost equaled those of Spanish dancers.  His partner was the statuesque, attractive Rofel Artaiz.

The intimate bedroom scene between Carmen and Don Juan, a poetic-licensed-addition by the ballet production, was tender and moving, in contrast to the emotion-filled final scene wherein Carmen succumbs to the knife wounds inflicted by Don Juan, the scene throbbing with drama and passion.

A minor qualification: many scenes had inadequate lighting, the characters performing almost in semi-darkness. During the curtain call, the stage was brightly illumined as it should have been in the aforementioned scenes.

The standing ovation was testimony to an enthralled audience throughout.

The gala night had Bianca Trocio as Carmen; Lemuel Capa as Don Jose.

Noli Me Tangere preview An unmatched celebration

Loida Nicolas Lewis presented at Luna Gardens a preview of the Noli Me Tangere opera, with soprano Myra Mae Meneses as Maria Clara and tenor Ivan Nery as Crisostomo Ibarra.  Each excellently rendered an aria and both sang in a duet.  Eminent soprano Camile Lopez assisted on the piano.  The opera has already been shown in New York and Washington D.C. to considerable success. 

With music by Felipe de Leon and libretto by Guillermo Tolentino, the opera will be staged at the Resorts World under the direction of Freddie Santos from Sept 11 to 23, again under Loida’s auspices, to inspire Filipinos to subscribe to Rizal’s patriotic ideals and great love of country.

In New York baritone Andrew Fernando was praised by NY Times critic Vivien Selweitzer as “one of the stronger soloists.”  She also wrote: “Jovy Sibal created the attractive costumes and sets, featuring digital images that changed to reflect the different scenes.”

Organizers behind Noli, “a showcase of brilliant Filipino ingenuity” are sure the compelling opera based on the novel that sparked the Philippine revolution will draw crowds for 18 consecutive nights.  Those interested in block-buying  for “Noli” should contact marketing manager Dennis M. Villaluz at tel. no. (+632) 7889103 or telefax (+632) 7476189.

 Prior to the preview at Luna Gardens was the unmatched, incomparable celebration of the birthday of George Sison, the country’s leading spiritual guru. About a hundred fifty of Manila’s elite, who relished a gourmet dinner catered by Via Mare, were regaled by George’s witticisms.  The son of Carlos Moran Sison, the wittiest man I knew and admired, George is like his father.  It would take a book to record George’s clever sallies which were climaxed by his singing to prove still another of his multi-talents. 

Guests were called upon to give brief remarks among them Gemma Cruz Araneta, this writer, Frannie Jacinto, newlyweds Boots Anson Roa and “King” Rodrigo.

George’s brother Luis uncovered episodes in George’s life so incredible they would be included in the Guinness Book of World Records.

Klaus and Pinky Zeller, Lorna Laurel, DJ Lopez, Anna Sobrepena, Pepe Rodriguez, Rupert and Tina Jacinto, Nes Jardin,  and Irina Bukova were among those present.  

Nuncio honors Pope Francis

In the second year of his pontificate, His Holiness Pope Francis was honored by His Excellency Apostolic Nuncio Archbishop Giuseppe Pinto with a reception on the feast of Saints Peter and Paul at the Apostolic Nunciature.

The first South American pontiff, Pope Francis is admired and loved by millions of the world’s Catholics for his profound, unwavering concern for the lowly, the dispossessed, the oppressed, the abandoned and his seemingly practical approach to the ancient religion. His stirring clarion call to Iraq, Venezuela, south Sudan and Central Africa was for them to end violence.  He brought together to the Vatican the leaders of Israel and Palestine to seek peace through dialogue.  How fearlessly he excommunicated the Mafia!

Filipinos, the only predominant Catholic Christians in Asia, avidly await Pope Francis’ visit on January 2015.  He will bless the victims devastated by super typhoon Yolanda in Leyte and by the earthquakes in Bohol and Cebu.