Joanna Ampil, Aicelle Santos among star performers at CCP's 54th anniversary gala

Aicelle Santos and Joanna Ampil are among the performers at the upcoming 54th anniversary gala of the Cultural Center of the Philippines on September 9 and 10, 2023.

Dolly Dy-Zulueta - Philstar.com

MANILA, Philippines — The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) marks its 54th year, and it celebrates this milestone with an anniversary gala dubbed "Anywhere We Sing Is Home" at the Samsung Performing Arts Center on September 9, 8 p.m. and September 10, 3 p.m.

Despite the closure of its Main Building, the relocation of its offices and changes in leadership and systems, the CCP finds every reason to celebrate Filipino artistry and creativity, pay tribute to Filipino artists and bring their creativity to a greater audience. Since it was founded in 1969, CCP has served as the leading institution for arts and culture in the Philippines and is recognized globally for promoting artistic excellence.

There is no better venue to show it than in its forthcoming anniversary gala, where the CCP breaks boundaries and embraces what is uniquely Filipino. 

Directed by Floy Quintos, "Anywhere We Sing Is Home: The 54th Anniversary Gala" features artists who made their mark in both the local and international performing arts scene — Joanna Ampil, Aicelle Santos-Zambrano, Gerald Santos, Sheila Francisco, Gab Pangilinan, Reb Atadero and Arman Ferrer — performing with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of conductor Toma Cayabyab.

The concert celebrates all Filipino artists who embody grit, perseverance, adaptability and resilience that has enabled them to excel on wherever stage they perform. Highlighting the Filipino talents’ artistic journey, reflecting their triumphs and even failures, the concert highlights the fact that wherever in the world Filipino artists perform, they make that stage their own home.

As CCP president Margie Moran-Floirendo puts it: “There’s the edifice, which is a landmark and icon in itself. But there is also the CCP, the entity that forges new directions, discovers and nurtures new Filipino artists, and promotes Philippine arts and culture beyond the complex. The CCP is more than the structures where performances happen. Anywhere there are artists passionately practicing their craft, anywhere there is an audience willing to watch and experience the arts, anywhere Filipino people can engage in art-making and performing, anywhere we sing is home.”

Under the music direction of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, the artists will perform well-loved Filipino music, Broadway and classical songs such as "Iisa ang Tibok" from "Rama Hari," "American Dream" from "Miss Saigon," "I Don’t Know How to Love Him" from "Jesus Christ Superstar" and "Awit ni Isagani."

Tickets are available at Ticketworld. For group discounts and other inquiries, email salesandpromotions@culturalcenter.gov.ph.

Are you an overthinker?

Here are three tips for overthinkers

BY MANILA BULLETIN

Sep 4, 2023 07:15 PM

  

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Overthinking is both an important strength and a frustrating weakness. 
Former clinical psychologist and researcher-turned-writer Alice Boyes, Ph.D, the author of The Anxiety Toolkit and The Healthy Mind Toolkit, highlighted the significance of acknowledging the advantages of thinking deeply and being able to dial it back whenever necessary. 

“You may desire to retain the benefits of thoughtfulness while eliminating the self-defeating aspects,” she said. “This will give you maximum flexibility, lower stress, and best results.” 

Boyes, whose body of work focuses on how others can use diverse strategies from social, clinical, and positive psychology studies in their everyday lives and romantic relationships, likewise reiterated that over-scrutinizing is not the sole path to success. 

MASTER YOUR MIND Dr. Alice Boyes, the author of The Anxiety Toolkit and The Healthy Mind Toolkit

“Sometimes it is enough to recognize that you currently do not overthink every decision, and that can work out fine, and even well,” she added. “You can begin to see yourself as someone who sometimes overthinks, but not always.” 

In support of Boyes, the Benilde Well-Being Center (BWC) of De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde (DLS-CSB) encouraged the general public to apply three practical solutions to address overanalyzing:

Execute once, then optimize
When faced with a new task or situation, accomplish it with basic thinking. Only amend or develop your approach in subsequent times. This course leads to quicker judgments. It allows you to learn more through experience instead of delays. 

Put your thoughts in a suitcase
Anxiety warns you to be more cautious of potential threats. Trying to stop these thoughts will only amplify them. While your worries cannot be silenced, you can put them in a suitcase. Carry them around but do not interact with them. This creates sufficient psychological distance from apprehensions and enables you to make more skillful choices and actions.

 

Embrace both impulsive and deliberate decisions
You may have experienced engaging in meta-cognition or “thinking about thinking.” Use this for your gain. Ponder on the decisions you have resolved that resulted in affirmative outcomes. Sometimes, the best ones are the results of exhaustive research and accurate perceptions. But this is not always the case.
 

Discover the Secret to a Healthy Life: Loyalty to God

 

By Lucell Larawan

Did you know that staying loyal to God can lead to better health? It's true! Let's dive into this unexpected connection between faith and well-being.

Proverbs 3:7-8 says, "Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and shun evil. This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones."

It's not just about attending church; it's about nurturing a deep, meaningful relationship with the divine. Here's how it works:

Stress Reduction: Trusting in God can reduce stress, which is a major contributor to health problems.

Compassion and Kindness: Practicing God's teachings encourages us to be kind and compassionate, which fosters positive relationships and good mental health.

Gratitude: Recognizing God's blessings can lead to a greater sense of gratitude, associated with happiness and overall well-being.

Purpose in Life: Faith gives us a sense of purpose, helping us stay motivated and engaged in life.

So, let's embark on this surprising journey towards better health through loyalty to God. Remember, it's not just about living longer; it's about living better and more abundantly