Stars in Ballet Manila's New Season

Lisa Macuja's singer sister stars in Ballet Manila's new season

By Ma. Glaiza Lee (philstar.com)

 1  5 googleplus1  0 

Ballet Manila proudly announces the stellar line up of ballet productions for its 22nd ballet season set to open this August at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.

MANILA, Philippines — Ballet Manila (BM) proudly announces the stellar line up of ballet productions for its 22nd ballet season set to open this August at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.

Dubbed “Flights of Fantasy,” this year's season will debut two all-original productions, which BM artistic director and prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde has been working on with internationally-known dancers, musicians and production designers.

“Ibong Adarna,” one of the two original productions, will open its ballet season. It will premiere on August 26, at 6 p.m., with regular show on September 2, at 6 p.m., and matinee shows on August 27 and September 3, at 3 p.m.

Choreographed by Gerardo Francisco, one of the company's principal dancers, this production brings to life Balagtas' classic tale about a mystical bird who can heal in a modern re-telling. Through production techniques, flying sequences and impressive routines, the ballet company will take its audience to the Kingdom of Berbanya, where they will weave timeless themes of family, loyalty, love and courage.

Gia Macuja Atchison, a West End actress and sister of Lisa Macuja, lends her soulful voice as the singing Ibong Adarna to showcase the wonderful music by Diwa de Leon. Angela Blardony Ureta created the script for the production, while make It Happen Workshop takes care of the set and costume design.

After the Ibong Adarna has taken flight, Odette and Odile from "Swan Lake" will give us some dose of romance. One of the world's most enduring classical ballets, "Swan Lake" will go on stage on October 7 and 14, at 6 p.m., and on October 8 and 15, at 3 p.m.

Lifestyle Feature ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

"Swan Lake" tells the story of an enchanted princess who is cursed to spend her days as a swan unless someone - a prince - who has never loved before swears to love her forever. An evil spirit throws an obstacle in her way through her daughter who, by magic, resembles the cursed princess.

“'Swan Lake' is the ultimate test for a classical ballerina. To dance the dual roles of Odette and Odile is one of the most difficult roles to do because you need to be vulnerable and lyrical as the white swan, and sharp and steely as the black swan,” enthused Lisa.

When planning for the company's upcoming seasons, Lisa is committed to have at least one classical ballet in their repertoire to uphold its Vaganova Academy roots. 

“Ballet Manila has always been known as a company that strictly adheres to the Vaganova technique and Russian style of dancing. That's something that we've always stressed out by staging classical ballets that highlight our technique's strength,” shared the country's prima ballerina. 

BM's "Swan Lake" production will follow the original Lev Ivanov choreography for the white acts. It will feature the music from master composer Peter Tchaikovsky, which will be performed by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, under the baton of Maestro Alexander Vikulov of the Russia's Marinsky Theater. Miguel Faustmann will design set, while fashion designer Michael Miguel will create the new costume.

Hoping to make the holiday season more magical and fantastical, Ballet Manila will stage "Snow White" on November 25, at 6 p.m. Other show dates are December 2, at 6 p.m., and on November 26 and December 3, at 3 p.m.

This holiday offering will be the second full-length production that Lisa will choreograph. The first one was "Cinderella," which was shown at last year's season.

“We are making 'Snow White' a more magical experience for everybody. We are working hard to make sure that our version leaves a mark that will make the holidays more memorable and spectacular,” said Lisa, who did not want to reveal much except that this production will be loosely based on the Grimm tale, with elements from the Disney version of the fairy tale.

Closing the ballet season will be another installment of the popular "Ballets & Ballads." While the ballet company continues to stick to its classical ballet roots, Lisa understands the need to up their game by combining classical and contemporary.

Featuring an expertly curated repertoire of classics and modern music to be performed by balladeer Christian Bautista and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, "Ballets & Ballads" will be the ultimate romantic treat for the love month.

This culminating production will also premiere British choreographer Martin Lawrance's "Aria," which will feature five of his personal favorite arias from the operas by Bizet, Puccini and Verdi.

Catch "Ballets & Ballads" on February 10 and 17, 2018, at 6 p.m., and February 11 and 18, 2018, at 3 p.m.

A very special department store

SUN, AUGUST 13, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

I am sure, my dear readers, you’re expecting now a write-up about a famous shopping mall in the Philippines. Far from it!

Once upon a time, I drifted back on my lifetime’s way. That’s not bad. That’s sometimes really helpful. During my journey back, suddenly I saw a name-plate: Heavenly Department Store.

I came closer. The door opened itself wider and wider. A swarm of angels gathered together. One of them presented a shopping basket to me. “Enjoy your shopping, but do it carefully!” Everything what a Christian needs, could be bought in this department store. If one couldn’t carry every-thing home, one could be back next day, get the last bit and buy even more.

At first, I bought PATIENCE, the quality of enduring with calmness. LOVE, the human affection, was in the same shelve. A little bit deeper, I found SYMPATHY, the sharing of emotion, interest, and desire, and COMPREHENSION, the capacity of the mind to perceive and understand together with APPRECIATION, the setting of a valued one.

I added packages of WISDOM, the knowledge and the capacity to make use of it and additional bags of FAITH, the belief especially in a revealed religion. I relaxed a couple of minutes and then, I looked for STRENGTH, the important power or vigor and bravery and fearlessness. They should help me to continue my forward to future. I thought myself, that I shouldn’t forget MERCY, the leniency shown to a guilty person, and REDEMPTION, the deliverance from sin.

My basket was already stuffed. I started looking for the cashier. One the way there, I found the PRAYER. I needed it to avoid running dead straight into a sin. An angel advised me also never to forget PEACE AND JOY, hymn of praise and chant.

Now it was really time to pay all those things. But the angel smiled and told me, “Take everything with you, where ever you may go.” I asked, “What do I owe you?” The angel answered, “Nothing, somebody paid already your bills long time ago. His name was Jesus!”

I found this fabulous and wonderful fantastic story in my published documents from September 1988, during my time in Abra while writing a column for the mission oriented TINIG NG BAYAN – a magazine for Filipinos abroad.

This here is a revised version, because in my opinion, no matter where we are living on this globe, we should try to project this timeless legend on to our very personal daily life. You’ll find out, that it helps to survive in our life struggles especially in times right now.

It’s important to realize that we must be able to administer wise our valuable treasure of vital life energy, instead of fritter away with it such as knicks-knacks.

Hot Temperature in Cebu City

Blame high pressure area, weak habagat - PAGASA

By May B. Miasco (The Freeman)

 1  3 googleplus0  0 

Weather Specialist Jhomer Eclarino of the Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division for Visayas said the HPA and the weakening of the rain-producing habagat or southwest monsoon caused temperatures to soar. Philstar.com/File

CEBU, Philippines - Are you wondering why the weather in Metro Cebu is hot when it is supposed to be rainy season? Blame a High Pressure Area that is currently prevailing in the region.

Weather Specialist Jhomer Eclarino of the Mactan-based Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration (PAGASA) Regional Services Division for Visayas said the HPA and the weakening of the rain-producing habagat or southwest monsoon caused temperatures to soar.

In fact, Cebu actually registered last August 6 an air temperature of 33.9 degrees Celsius, which was the highest recorded so far this month.

–– ADVERTISEMENT ––

Eclarino said the temperature’s equivalent heat index, or how it is apparently felt by the human body, was at 39 degrees Celsius, which exceeds the average normal body temperature of 37 degrees Celsius.

He said that based on their recent weather monitoring, the “ridge of a High Pressure Area,”  or an extension of a high pressure area characterized by very light winds and clear skies, is over the Visayas region, including Cebu.

An HPA, which is commonly associated as good weather, is the opposite of a Low Pressure Area, which is characterized by cloudiness and rain showers. It is considered as “breaks” from the monsoon events.

Freeman ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch:

He said the southwest monsoon has weakened as it enhances its strength only when there is the presence of a weather disturbance like LPAs or tropical cyclones, not HPAs.

With people experiencing warm weather, he warned against heat allergies or illnesses such as heat cramps, heat exhaustion, or heat stroke that is possible on prolonged sun exposure or continuing outdoor activity.

Eclarino advised the public to stay indoors as much as possible, especially if it is not necessary for them to go outdoors. They are also asked to wear light-colored clothing since light colors reflect the sun's energy.

He also advised drinking plenty of water at a regular basis, as the body needs it to keep itself cool. Alcohol, he said, should be avoided as it may dehydrate the body.

Eclarino also advised that the people should regularly monitor weather advisories as significant changes may abruptly occur. (FREEMAN)

Jam For Peace

'Jam For Peace' Series in Philippines to Raise Funds for Marawi Survivors

8/10/2017 by Billboard Philippines

•  FACEBOOK
•  TWITTER
•  EMAIL ME

Courtesy of Billboard Philippines

In August and September, more than 30 local artists in the Philippines will come together for "Jam for Peace" to raise funds for Marawi, including The Itchyworms, Silent Sanctuary, Sud, Save Me Hollywood and Barbie Almalbis.

This August and September, more than 30 local artists in the Philippines will come together to Jam for Peace to raise funds for Marawi survivors.

The ISIS-linked Maute group has been terrorizing the Islamic City of Marawi since May, affecting hundreds of soldiers and civilians. With Mindanao currently under martial law, several efforts to help the survivors have been kickstarted by groups in other regions in the Philippines, including the organization Jampack Music.

A series of benefit shows will take place at four different venues across Metro Manila, featuring acts from Barbie Almalbis, The Itchyworms, Sponge Cola, Hale, Save Me Hollywood, Ben&Ben, Kitchie Nadal, Sud and April Morning Skies.

"It's high time for musicians to take a stand and call for unity and peace in Mindanao," Jampack Music spokesperson Tommy Tanchanco says in a statement. "We want to affirm solidarity with Marawi in any way we could -- be it performing for a cause, driving more funds for rehabilitation of homes and rescue, and spreading awareness about the plight of our countrymen in the South. We hope to foster a tight community through tumultuous times. We want to be there for everyone."

Check out the poster below for details:

Courtesy of Jampack Music

Jam for Peace

Happy Kadayawan 2017!

Ex-Miss Universe Urges HIV testing in Philippines

Pia Wurtzbach, the Philippines' former Miss Universe and UNAIDS goodwill ambassador for Asia, takes an HIV test in Manila to raise awareness of the issue. - AFP

 

Manila (AFP) - The Philippines' former Miss Universe conducted a public HIV test in Manila on Wednesday a week after the United Nations said her country had the fastest-growing number of infections in Asia.

Pia Wurtzbach, UNAIDS goodwill ambassador for Asia and the Pacific, took the test in front of reporters as part of her efforts to raise awareness of HIV and remove the stigma surrounding the virus in the conservative nation.

The United Nations and the government said last week the Philippines saw a 140 percent increase in new cases from 2010 to 2016, bucking a regional trend that saw infections decline by 13 percent over the same period.

"It is very tricky in the Philippines because we're a predominantly Catholic country and we are conservative. That's why it can be quite a challenge to spread awareness on this issue," Wurtzbach said.

"This is a problem that's really happening right now and if we don't do anything about it, we're gonna be number one in the world."

The nation of 100 million people, of whom 80 percent are Catholic, is heavily influenced by the church which frowns on contraceptive use. Testing for HIV is also considered taboo.

Wurtzbach has been campaigning for HIV awareness since winning the 2015 beauty pageant. She secured the crown following a major blunder in which host Steve Harvey initially gave it to Miss Colombia in error.

On Wednesday Wurtzbach launched an HIV information campaign for young people as she expressed support for proposed laws which would allow 15-year-olds to get an HIV test without parental consent. The minimum age is now 18.

The health department had said most reported HIV cases were among men having sex with men. This group on average started having sex at 16 before they had begun using condoms or taken tests, increasing the risk of infection.

"We hope to see an increase in the rates of regular HIV testing among Filipinos to normalise the procedure as a regular medical exam," Wurtzbach said. 

Clark as new NCR?

DEMAND AND SUPPLY By Boo Chanco (The Philippine Star) | Updated August 9, 2017 

 1  29 googleplus0  3 

It took us over two hours to check out the new developments in Clark and we didn’t even get to see the proposed site of the new Clark City because it was way further off. Even with light traffic, it takes time to go around Clark because it is just too expansive. It is easy for a space oppressed Metro Manila resident to be overwhelmed.

Flat lands, rolling hills and even mountains can be found at Clark. In the area known as Clark Sun Valley, a well maintained and challenging golf course has been attracting Koreans for some time now. A new Hilton Hotel is being constructed as you drive up the clubhouse. And the panoramic view is simply fantastic.

Feverish construction activities are all over the Clark Freeport as they rush facilities for the ASEAN summit conference late this year. A master planned 177-hectare development known as the Clark Global Gateway City is fast rising to rival Metro Manila’s central business districts with its extra wide avenues and underground utility connections.

The first building to be completed is the now functioning Medical City’s Clark hospital which was built from scratch. The buildings intended to house various business offices are interconnected and reveal a close attention to the interrelationship of buildings, people and the environment. There are wide sidewalks and bicycle paths. A solar energy installation is providing half of Clark’s needs.

They are finally serious about modernizing and expanding Clark’s airport. The BCDA, not DOTr, is bidding out the construction of the new French designed terminal that is good for up to eight million passengers. After construction has been awarded, BCDA will also award the operations and management to a qualified private sector entity. It should be able to start operations by 2020.

As far as I know, BCDA was ready to bid out and complete the Clark airport as early as 2012 until Mar Roxas transferred it to DOTC without consulting BCDA. That was a few months after I last visited Clark to get a briefing from then airport head Chichos Luciano.

Business ( Article MRec ), pagematch: 1, sectionmatch: 1

Indeed I recall BCDA’s energetic former president, Arnel Casanova, fighting hard to have it returned. The worst part is that Mar and P-Noy did not appoint members to the airport’s board of directors for about two years so that absolutely nothing moved. Mar wasted the time and talent of Chichos who had great plans that is only now being realized.

Then again, even after P-Noy appointed a cousin to head Clark airport, it didn’t help. He and former DOTC sec. Abaya ignored him for the most part. That’s why nothing happened until now.

Art Tugade knew this sad situation as CDC head at that time. I am sure it is Art who worked to return the Clark airport project to BCDA in this administration. Art knows BCDA, a corporate entity, can do the project faster and better. Art, unlike most bureaucrats and politicians, is not after turf protection… he just wants the project done.

BCDA and CDC also recently received an unsolicited proposal to build a government center from the group that helped build Malaysia’s Putrajaya.  If the proposal is taken seriously by BCDA and CDC, six government departments will be the first tenants of the new buildings. Best of all, there are no front end costs for the taxpayers. The proponents will be compensated as the facilities are used.

It seems it is all systems go to develop Clark as a new National Capital Region. Of course that will take time, but the attraction of the proposal is to move government offices out of Metro Manila and into Clark. 

Unbearable describes the feeling that comes from the severe congestion being felt in an expanded metro area of over 25 million souls. We all suffer daily traffic jams. And living conditions for the poor are so inhuman something has to give.

Just before he took over the transportation department, Sec. Art Tugade said he wants to decongest Metro Manila. It isn’t a cure all but it should help.

Tugade said he would, among others, propose to stop giving tax incentives for BPOs and other industries locating within Metro Manila to alleviate transport congestion problems. Indeed, they should just reject all pending applications for PEZA BPO incentives to property developers who insist on building within Metro Manila.

Ordinary Metro Manilans can only agree with Tugade. Many of us view Metro Manila as increasingly dysfunctional or even unlivable. Many of us see the need to decongest it by relocating major urban functions or building new cities outside the existing metropolitan area.

Urban planner Dr. Art Corpuz, in a recent paper, agrees that Metro Manila’s problems are indeed unacceptable, especially based on international benchmarks, but he is not convinced moving out of Metro Manila by itself is the right response. In other words, he asks, if something is broken, do you discard it (by moving to another location) or do you fix it in its place?

Dr. Corpuz warned of unintended consequences. “If the relatively low density government activities in the Malacañang, Batasan and other affected areas are replaced by high density, large scale commercial and residential uses (following the prevailing practice of maximizing government revenues from the disposition of public land), then it is likely that congestion, at least in those parts of Metro Manila, will worsen.”

Dr. Corpuz pointed out that “in the case of the 240-hectare portion of Fort Bonifacio that government auctioned off in 1995, total gross floor area has increased more than 10 times since it was initially redeveloped. It has been transformed into the second largest business district and one of the largest traffic generators in the country.”

Dr. Corpuz also observed that bigness by itself is not the problem. “It is also difficult to equate density, which is one of the most easily perceived characteristics of an urban area, to levels and perceptions of quality of life.

“Services and environmental conditions in some higher density urban areas are much better than in Metro Manila. In Hong Kong, where quality of life is arguably much better, Kowloon has a density of over 45,100 persons/sqkm; the density of the Kwun Tong district is even higher at 56,300 persons/sqkm. (An area of Hong Kong even reaches 400,000 persons/sqkm.) These are higher than Metro Manila’s 20,300 persons/sqkm or even the 40,400 persons/sqkm of the city of Manila, which approximates the scale of Kowloon…”

Dr. Corpuz is of the opinion that “there is no basis for saying that Metro Manila or any other city is too big and over-concentrated…” He correctly pointed out that we just failed to deliver primary government responsibilities to the extent similar to other cities…

Ultimately, Dr. Corpuz concludes, “city size and density thresholds are products of history, governance and technology, and none may be considered as empirical absolute limits.” But the reality is that it is doubtful our government (national and LGUs) will ever be able to put greed and vested interest aside and do what is right for Metro Manila.

This is why the points of Dr. Corpuz considered, I still think we ought to work to make Clark bloom if only to show our people we are capable of having a well – planned and well – managed city. Seeing it happen in Clark should hopefully make us realize that the mayors have been sleeping on their jobs and should be kicked out.

I hope the enthusiasm of Clark officials won’t fade until they are able to deliver on the promises. They have everything they need to have a model major city… from an international airport to hotels, resorts and the factories and businesses that are the envy of other areas. The only thing I didn’t see them doing or planning to do is a good public transport system.

Still, it is morale boosting to see the current heads of BCDA and CDC actually moving projects forward. No more excuses… let’s get going now.

Boo Chanco’s e-mail address is bchanco@gmail.com. Follow him on Twitter @boochanco.

Asean Landmark Lighting in Davao City.

Of festival and environment

TUE, AUGUST 8, 2017 BY THE MINDANAO DAILY MIRROR LEAVE A COMMENT

IN MY OPINIONKlaus Doring

While writing this piece, the Kadayawan Festival 2017 in Davao City is just around the corner. Since every year, the celebration offers an incredible array of activities full of fun and joy: dance group competitions, street parties and yes, a food trip at the strip. Sure, Kadayawan is also everything about indulgence in the best cuisines that Davao has to offer. Kadayawan is indeed always a feast of sorts.

Living in Davao City for good since 1999 now, I observed the Kadayawan Festival becoming more and more attractive and enjoyable. I spoke with many tourists during last years and -of course! – expatriates, who kept on praising this festival and its incredible atmosphere. The friendliness and the warm hospitality of Davao people have been mentioned and experienced many times. What a sign for this wonderful city.

Kadayawan means also environment – in other words – thanking and protecting Mother Nature!  This is actually what my heart touches most, because I am an advocate of environment protection! Sometimes, believe me, in the Philippines a tough job!

After several publications about this topic, also in this publication, I did receive several messages and mails telling me, what nonsense I would write about Mother Earth and how to protect her/it. One Anonymous even wrote me, that the nature knows how to help herself. I just thanked this fellow guy for his very own opinion. During that time, I wasn’t really in the mood to start a (useless?) discussion.

Yes, our earth is still slowly (?) but surely dying – but, uninhibited innumerable people are still on stage as enviroNment destroyers – free from worries and drive away eventually existing moral conflicts. Don’t worry – I am not the one who is planning to destroy the Kadayawan Festival joy and party feelings. I just still like to recall former Davao City’s mayor  and now President of this country, Rodrigo R. Duterte’s Kadayawan message from 2009: “With global warming and climate change,  a very real phenomenon in our lives now, we need to look to our indigenous people for wisdom and guidance as they have always been respected toward their relationship with the earth!”

This was 2009. How about now in 2017?

Yes, all of us need to do more  in protecting and promoting our environment. As I mentioned it many times before: I hope and pray that plenty of us participate ACTIVELY if possible in a multi sector campaign of having a shared environmental responsibility. Start already during school education! It’s never too late.

For the sake of our following generations! Happy Kadayawan 2017 in Davao City!