Unfazed by President Duterte’s threat that the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) complex maybe sold to fund post-Covid19 government expenses, the CCP said it is prioritizing arts and culture programs to bring the “inspirational and healing properties of arts and culture” to ordinary Filipinos.

For example, the CCP said the Arts for Therapy Program will develop and implement modules on arts for mental wellness and hold arts for healing activities.

The CCP said it is “realigning its artistic programs with the goal of protecting lives and livelihoods while continuing to deliver educational and inspiring content to Filipinos on alternative platforms.”

Also, the CCP will offer its online resources to supplement home schooling.

“The CCP is located at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City, with a total land area of 608,569 square meters. It was created in 1966 through Executive Order No. 30 and formally inaugurated on Sept. 8, 1969, as a trust for the benefit of the people for the purpose of preserving and promoting Philippine culture in all its varied aspects’” according to the center’s background materials .

To achieve this goal, the CCP said it is pursuing the following strategies:

1. Use alternative modes of engagement so that Filipinos continue to benefit from the educational, inspirational, and healing properties of arts and culture;

2. Protect livelihoods in the arts and culture sector by continuing to employ artists in the alternative production and distribution platforms;

3. Invest in capabilities that equip artists and cultural workers to innovate on methods of production and distribution during the enhanced community quarantine and the post-Covid19 pandemic period; and

4. Collaborate with artists and companies to digitize content in order to create new markets and new job opportunities in the arts.

The following programs to be prioritized consist of Arts and Culture Online, Live Arts on Lockdown, and Arts for Therapy and Capacity-building program.

Under Arts and Culture Online, the video streaming of archival recordings, HD, and edited recordings were rolled out in early April.

In the works are the Time Capsule to Document the Arts in the Time of Covid19 and Virtual Reality (VR) galleries and museum.

The CCP will seek partnerships and collaboration in the areas of education, fundraising, and communication.

The Live Arts on Lockdown program is going to test the waters in June with the Virgin Labfest as a pilot activity for re-tooling and upskilling artists and production staff for online production and delivery.

An example of activities under the Arts for Therapy Program is a pocket concert of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra.

Under the Capacity-building program, CCP will provide training modules for upskilling of artists and cultural workers in art therapy and online technology.

With enforced mass quarantine, physical distancing, and community lockdowns, the arts and culture sector has suffered from cancellation of shows and events and closure of venues.

As a result, arts and culture workers have displaced and investments in productions lost.

“With the realignment of its programs, the CCP hopes to build on its strengths and keep true to its mission of making arts matter to the lives of Filipinos,” the CCP said.

For updates about the CCP, follow CCP on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter and visit http://www.culturalcenter.gov.ph.

#CCP #Covid19PH #MentalWellness #ArtsTherapy #CCPOnline

The Virgin LabFest 2020 meets head-on the stark realities of the Covid19 pandemic, which is wreaking havoc globally, infecting at least 2 million people, and killing about 150,000 worldwide.

The Covid19 pandemic is not stopping the VLF 2020, now on its 16^th year, from happening.

The annual festival of “untried, untested, and unstaged work” goes on a “virtual stage” from June 10 to 28, 2020.

Organizers call it the “lockdown edition,” but its official title is “VLF 2020 Kapit: Lab in the Time of Covid (A Virtual Labfest Lockdown Edition).” It features nine new works, three revisited works, and six staged readings.

The nine main performances are: “Doggy” by Dustin Celestino, directed by Roobak Valle; “Pilot Episode” by Floyd Scott Tiogangco, directed by Giancarlo Abrahan; “Dapithapon” by Jay Crisostomo IV, directed by Sigmund Roy Pecho; “Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril” by Daryl Pasion, directed by Erika Estacio; “BlackPink” by Tyron Casumpang, directed by Jethro Tenorio; “Multiverse” by Juliene Mendoza, directed by Fitz Edward Bitana; “Titser Kit” by Jobert Grey Landeza, directed by Adrienne Vergara; “Mayang Bubot sa Tag-araw” by Mark Norma Boquiren, directed by Mark Mirando; and “Gin Bilog” by Luisito Nario, directed by James Harvey Estrada.

In “Doggy,” a fiancee’s sexual desires becomes his source of repressed anger. Frustrations surface after a game of “Never Ever Have I Ever,” when he learns that his fiancee was more sexually adventurous with her previous lovers.

“Pilot Episode” shows a young gay man who just quit his job through a text message, and how his parents attempt to de-escalate his extreme manic-depressive episode.

“Dapithapon” follows the story of three boys in their senior high school years who have to confront their greatest fears in a single day: flunking out of school, impossible parental expectations, and an unhealthy infatuation with a teacher. They fervently cling to one another and try to preserve their friendship before circumstance separates them forever.

Returning home after a gun battle with the New People’s Army, a man reunites with his pregnant wife in “Papaano Turuan ang Babae Humawak ng Baril.” The homecoming is complicated by the husband’s impossible request to his wife.

In “BlackPink,” a father discovers that his youngest son, a staunch fan of Blackpink, was prohibited by his school principal to dance “Kill This Love” in their Family Day talent contest. The only way for the son to join the competition is if he finds other male students to dance with him. Will he be successful?

“Multiverse” reunites two estranged brothers – a writer and a recovering alcoholic. The two reconnect through their mutual love of comic books. As they discuss the concept of alternate realities and dimensions common in most comic book stories, they imagine a better relationship in a different reality. What if the different reality slowly reveals itself to the two estranged siblings?

When a young student gets into trouble in his new school, he hides inside a dilapidated storage room. He feels safe until “Titser Kit” finds him there.

“Mayang Bubot sa Tag-araw” is a painful tale of two Ayta children whose friendship is tested as they choose different paths. One follows her mother as she seeks the American dream, never mind who gets hurt along the way. The other stays in their barrio, laboring against oppression.

In “Gin Bilog,” old issues are rehashed in a drinking session with family and friends.

Revisited Plays, Staged Readings

The Revisited Plays are: “Fangirl” by Herlyn Alegre, directed by Charles Yee; “Anak Ka Ng” by U Z Eliserio, directed by Maynard Manansala; and “Wanted: Male Boarders” by Rick Patriarca, directed by George De Jesus III.

Catch the Staged Readings featuring “Jenny Li” by Buch Dacanay, directed by Nour Hooshmand; “Dominador Gonzales – National Artist” by Dingdong Novenario, directed by Joel Bunny Cadag; “LadyMasters” by Rouchelle Dinglasan, directed by Joy Cerro; “Matira ang Matibay” by Bernice Dacara, directed by Alon Segara; “Bagahe” by Nicko de Guzman, directed by Joel Saracho; “Mongoloida’s Casa de Pun” by Claro delos Reyes, directed by Guelan Luarca.

The VLF Playwright’s Fair, one of the sections of the annual VLF and a collaboration among the CCP Intertextual Division, the VLF Team, and The Writers’ Bloc, is also pushing though. It features Filipino writers and their works. 

The VLF Playwrights Fair is free and open to public. It will be held online every 7 p.m. during the VLF 2020 run.

Check the FB page of VLF 2020 for the complete line up of speakers and activities.

“The Virgin Labfest is here, and it remains strong and able to adjust to new realities. The festival has a firm fan base which has filled the CCP theaters year in and year out. Let’s continue to tell our stories on the virtual stage,” VLF 2020 Festival Director JK Anicoche said.

Established in 2005, the Virgin Labfest is co-presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, its resident theater company Tanghalang Pilipino, and The Writer’s Bloc.

For more details, visit the CCP website and its official social media accounts, and the VLF Facebook account.

VLF Images

#VLF2020 #CCP #TP #WritersBloc #VLFLockdownEdition #VLFKapit #LabInTheTimeOfCovid #AVirtualLabfestLockdownEdition

27th day of Luzon Lockdown. Let us see the Risen One in the person of the aged homeless, the most vulnerable among the displaced population due to Covid19. I spent 15 minutes talking to his man who said all his “belongings and properties” are contained in this trolley.

27th day of Luzon Lockdown. Let us see the Risen One in the person of the aged homeless, the most vulnerable among the displaced population due to Covid19. I spent 15 minutes talking to his man who said all his “belongings and properties” are contained in this trolley.

He has been using the disposable mask for days. Unfortunately, I do not have an extra one.

I asked him where does he sleep. He said: wherever nightfall embraces him. The cardboard box is his “bed”.

What about food? He depends on the mercy and compassion of strangers who he meets along the way.

His smiles were infectious. There was no hint of rancor nor hopelessness while we conversed.

He did not ask for anything. For being gracious, I gave him half of what I bought from the hopia factory. He rewarded me with the sweetest and biggest smile I’ve seen since the start of the Luzon Lockdown.

Count your blessings. Check your privilege.

#Covid19PH #Covid_19 #Easter2020 #HeIsRisen #MaligayangPaskoNgPagkabuhay #CheckYourPrivilege

It is a cliché to say that mobile phones have become indispensable tools in accomplishing many activities of daily living.

But to add further to the long list of mobile technology’s importance, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), PLDT wireless unit, Smart Communications, and Huawei Technologies Philippines (Huawei) signed an agreement to use mobile phones to assist in saving and protecting endangered Philippine rainforests.

In a landmark initiative, the DENR, PLDT wireless unit, Smart, and Huawei agreed last February to collaborate in pilot testing an Internet of Things (IoT) solution that taps mobile technology to detect and record rainforest sounds that can help prevent illegal logging and poaching activities in the country’s rainforests.

The IoT solution has been deployed to five DENR-designated areas in Palawan, which is recognized as the “last ecological frontier” of the country. Designated pilot sites are Cadlao Island, Maranlao and Pasadena in El Nido, and New Guinlo and Pancol in Taytay.

Developed by US-based NGO, Rainforest Connection (RFCx), the innovation makes use of old cell phones to monitor and record ambient sounds of priority forest areas identified by the DENR.

The bio-acoustics are then uploaded to a cloud service using Smart connectivity. The information can be accessed via the Rainforest Connection mobile application.

Information on the mobile app may be used by key community stakeholders to interpret patterns of forest activity and take corresponding action in affected areas.

Real-time listening post for the country’s forests

The solution makes use of old cellphones that are installed in strategic areas of the rainforest.

Powered by solar panels and wireless connectivity, the mobile devices are repurposed as “Rainforest Guardians” or listening posts for sounds of the forest.

Audio recordings of the Rainforest Guardians are accessible to DENR forest rangers, who also receive real-time alerts on sounds of chainsaws, trucks, and other sounds of forest destruction.

“The DENR welcomes this collaboration between the government and the private sector to help protect the country’s forest cover. This supports Environment Secretary Roy Cimatu’s resolve to level up the enforcement mandate and capability of DENR by employing technology to complement our current systems,” Nilo Tamoria, executive Director of the DENR Environmental Protection and Enforcement Task Force.

“This initiative highlights the important role of technology in nation-building. As the country’s leading digital services providers, PLDT and Smart are in a unique position to leverage on our platforms and technical expertise to aid in the protection of the environment,” Manuel V. Pangilinan, PLDT Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said.

“It is our hope that this significant step will not only benefit policymakers and forest workers, but also surrounding communities who rely on rainforests for food, shelter, and livelihood,” Pangilinan said.

“At Smart, an integral part of our services are initiatives that help improve the well-being of the communities we serve. By being at the forefront of technology and environmental initiatives such as this, and by leveraging on our vast network coverage, Smart aims to help curb the impact of global warming and climate change,” Alfredo S. Panlilio, president and CEO of Smart Communications and executive vice president and chief revenue officer of PLDT, said.

Telco partnership, a world first

This is the first time the innovation has been rolled out in the Philippines, and the first time that a telco has been tapped by Rainforest Connection to serve the platform’s connectivity requirements.

As the first Philippine telco partner, Smart provided wireless connectivity to all the designated pilot sites in Palawan, namely Cadlao Island, Maranlao and Pasadena in El Nido, and New Guinlo and Pancol in Taytay.

“As the pioneer connectivity partner for this initiative, we have been able to successfully demonstrate a complete and interoperable ecosystem for Rainforest Connection’s innovation — that which connects the key government unit, the primary NGO, a technology partner, and a telco, to help guard the rainforests in the Philippines,” Chaye Cabal-Revilla, PLDT SVP & Group Controller and concurrent PLDT Group Chief Sustainability Officer said.

“Our support for this initiative underscores our commitment to provide services that promote environment stewardship and sustainability,” Cabal-Revilla said.

“The dedication of the local DENR forest rangers in Palawan is known worldwide, as are the unique challenges and dangers they have faced in protecting this last frontier of Filipino wilderness from logging and environmental threats,” Topher White, CEO, Rainforest Connection (RFCx).

“Huawei and Smart teamed up to give RFCx an opportunity to help these brave men, and now, with their new technical advantage, the forest is always connected to its protectors, 24/7, thanks to the reliable and extensive Smart network covering the island,” White said.

Mobile telephony helps curb deforestation

The solution has been successfully rolled out in Brazil, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Indonesia, Peru, Romania, and South Africa.

Results have also been promising since its implementation in the Philippines.  After the pilot rollout of Rainforest Connection in the country, several alerts of illegal logging in Palawan were verified and foiled by forest rangers.

“This initiative highlights our seriousness in helping create a more sustainable future for families, communities, and the country,” Cabal-Revilla said.

#Environment #IOT #MobilePhones #MobileTelephony #Smart #PLDT #DENR #RainforestConnection #Palawan #Rainforest

Results have also been promising since its implementation in the Philippines.  After the pilot rollout of Rainforest Connection in the country, several alerts of illegal logging in Palawan were verified and foiled by forest rangers.

“This initiative highlights our seriousness in helping create a more sustainable future for families, communities, and the country,” Cabal-Revilla said.

#Environment #IOT #MobilePhones #MobileTelephony #Smart #PLDT #DENR #RainforestConnection #Palawan #Rainforest

The UP-PGH Covid19 Bayanihan Na! Operations Center is expected to be launched at 7 am today / March 30, 2020.

The UP-PGH COVID-19 Bayanihan Na! Operations Center is a public service initiative of the University of the Philippines System.

The Department of Health (DOH) has designated the UP-Philippine General Hospital as a COVID19 “referral center.”

The UP-PGH, the Dr. Jose M. Rodriguez Memorial Hospital in Caloocan City, and the Lung Center of the Philippines in Quezon City are the three Covid19 referral centers in the National Capital Region (NCR), with an estimated population of at least 12 million.

The launching program features an invocation by the UP Medical Alumni Society Chorale and messages from UP President Atty. Danilo L. Concepcion, UP Manila Chancellor Dr. Carmencita D. Padilla, PLDT President and CEO Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, and PGH Medical Foundation President Dr. Telesforo E. Gana Jr.

UP-PGH Director Dr. Gerardo Legaspi delivers the closing remarks.

The ceremonies will be livestreamed via http://livestream.upm.edu.ph

#Covid19PH #UPSystem #UP #ServeThePeople #UPPadayon #Covid_19

While doing my 8 am to 10 am Sunday morning (March 15, 2020) walk around Welcome Rotonda, I spotted two groups of riders specializing in food delivery.

I asked them if there was a noticeable decline in food orders this morning. They chorused a resounding yes. They explained that Metro Manila residents went out of the region since Friday morning.

Without the lockdown, the riders said Sunday mornings are busy periods for them.

They said they are “nagbabakasakali na may oorder kasi po wala kaming kakainin at ipapakain sa asawa at anak.”

Bike riders are also prohibited from picking up passengers due to “social distance” policy being implemented.

Tens of thousands are out of work suddenly.

#MMLockdown #MMQuarantine #Covid19 #NoSafetyNet #InformalSectorHardestHit

(Note: I am posting this for posterity. A group of friends was scheduled to join today / March 14, 2020 National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, the Ballet Philippines dancers, and featured singers during their rehearsals at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Due to health concerns posed by Covid-19, several shows at the CCP, including Rama, Hari were canceled.)

Five national artists come together for the upcoming re-staging of Ballet Philippines’ “Rama, Hari.”

The production is a collaboration among Ballet Philippines Founder and Artistic Director Alice Reyes (National Artist for Dance); Ryan Cayabyab (National Artist for Music); Bienvenido Lumbera (National Artist for Literature); the late Salvador Bernal (National Artist for Theater Design); and the late Rolando Tinio (National Artist for Theater and Literature).

Rama, Hari is based on the ancient Sanskrit epic that follows Rama from his marriage to Sita, their 14-year banishment, and their encounters with Ravana and Soorphanaka.

Rama, Hari is Ballet Philippine’s 5^th and final production for its 50^th Golden Season.

“This rock opera interpretation translates Rama, Hari into very human and contemporary terms,” Reyes said.

Inspired by the Ramayana, the production premiered in February 1980 for the company’s 10^th season.

The original cast consisted of Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, and Leo Valdez as Rama, Sita, and Ravana, respectively. Adding movement to their incomparable vocal performances were Nonoy Froilan and Robert Medina, alternating the role of Rama; Effie Nañas and Ester Rimpos alternating Sita; and Mario Esperanza and Nonoy Froilan alternating as Ravana.

It was later staged the same year for BP’s 11^th Season, again in 1983 for its 30^th season, and in 2012 for its 43^rd season. The 2012 staging featured Christian Bautista alternating with OJ Mariano as Rama, and Karylle alternating with Kalila Aguilos as Sita.

Rama, Hari was toured extensively around Asia since its premiere, and was received by audiences with glowing reviews.

This year, a star-studded cast of musical theater stars performs together with Ballet Philippines’ company of dancers.

This year’s cast features Gian Magdangal alternating with David Ezra as Rama; Aicelle Santos alternating with Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Sita; Poppert Bernadas alternating with Nar Cabico as Ravana; Jimmy Marquez alternating with Kakki Teodoro as Soorpanakha/ Kooni; Sweet Plantado-Tiongson alternating with Celine Fabie as Kaikeyi; Audie Gemora as King Dasaratha/ Lakshmana; and singer, dancer, and choreographer Brezhnev Larlar as Hanuman alternating the role with Ian Ocampo.

They will be joined by the Ryan Cayabyan Singers, the PWU Indayog Gong Ensemble, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra conducted by Antonio Maria P. Cayabyab.

Rama, Hari runs on March 20 (8 pm), 21 (2 pm and 7 pm), 22 (2 pm), 27 (8 pm), 28 (2 pm and 7 pm), and 29 (2 pm).

Photos by Jojo Mamangun

#BP #Ramayana #RamaHari #AliceReyes #Rama #Sita #Ballet

By Ibarra C. Mateo

Created by UP College of Fine Arts alumnus Rizaldy Zuno during his stint with the Philippine Collegian in 1979, Tibo or Primitivo Collegiano was born on Sept. 27, 1979.

Tibo’s maiden appearance was initially planned to be a one-time form of protest when then President Marcos banned Voltes V and other Japanese animation shows in April 1979 because they contained “excessive violence” and were “harmful” to children.

Tibo was received positively by the UP Diliman students, prompting Mr. Zuno and the Collegian staff to make him a regular feature of the newspaper.

We do not know the student number of Tibo. But he eventually leaped from the pages of Collegian to a student theater stage. I am trying to find out details of his stage debut.

Happy 41st birthday, Tibo!

Tibo #PrimitivoCollegiano #Kule #PhilippineCollegian #UPD #UP #Anime #VoltesV

As part of ongoing US-Philippine cooperation to enhance maritime law enforcement capability, the US Coast Guard (USCG) instructors conducted a “Small Boat Operations” course for eight Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) participants in Manila from Feb. 24 to March 6, 2020, the US Embassy in Manila said on Monday /March 9, 2020.

“It’s a great exchange of professional knowledge between USCG and PCG. It will further enhance the Surface Support Force capabilities to respond to search and rescue cases,” PCG Commander Christie Cabuyaban said.

The event was the first in a series of “train the trainer” courses that will prepare PCG instructors to manage small boat operations training for PCG in the future.

The course covered pre-mission planning, risk management, docking, towing, and navigation.

Follow-on courses in this series will develop the technical skills of PCG instructor-candidates, while introducing PCG student-participants as trainees for the instructor development process.

Since 2014, the US has partnered with the PCG to develop its expanding workforce and establish training programs to sustain operational readiness.

“We really enjoy working with the Philippine Coast Guard. They have great small boat handling skills,” USCG Machinery Technician First Class Tony Pagador said.

In the production “Anna in the Tropics” written by Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz, a New York-based production designer and a group of veteran Filipino actors make their debuts on a Repertory Philippines’ stage.

Making his directorial debut via Anna in the Tropics is New York-based production designer Joey Mendoza, who is also Anna’s set designer.

Mendoza is joined by fellow New York-based creatives Fabian Obispo for sound design and Becky Bodurtha for costume design. They team up with Barbie Tan-Tiongco for lights design and GA Fallarme for video projection design.

Featured actors are Skyzx Labastilla as Conchita, Gab Pangilinan as Marela, Paolo O’Hara as Cheche, Gie Onida as Santiago, Madeleine Nicolas as Ofelia, Brian Sy as Palomo, and Ricardo Magno as Juan Julian.

These veteran actors, more widely known for their Filipino productions, will be treading the boards together for the first time in Anna in the Tropics, heralding their Rep debut performances.

In Anna in the Tropics, dark family dramas intermingle with dangerous intentions.

It runs from March 13 to April 5, 2020 at Onstage Theater in Greenbelt 1, Makati.

With a stylized and modern treatment, this Pulitzer Prize-winning drama promises to further Rep’s pursuit of bringing intelligent and thought-provoking material to the fore.

In sunny Tampa, Florida in the 1930s, things are not as bright as they seem. In one of the last remaining factories that still rolls cigars by hand, the Alcazar family eagerly awaits the arrival of their new lector, Juan Julian. When he starts reading from Leo Tolstoy’s Russian classic Anna Karenina, the scandalous lives of the characters start to bleed into the lives of his avid listeners as they come to terms with their torrid extramarital affairs, unresolved bitterness, and forbidden yearnings.

Each character’s destiny somehow intertwines with Anna Karenina, and they undergo a profound, undeniable transformation—a testament to the power of literature, for better or worse.

Brimming with intrigue and scandal, Anna in the Tropics is a steamy dark tale of passion that nonetheless speaks to universal themes of family, love, and misfortune.

Don’t miss this deeply engrossing and earnestly poetic lush family drama Anna in the Tropics from March 13 to April 5, 2020.

For ticket inquiries, please contact Rep at 8451-1474, Ticketworld at 8891-9999, or by visiting http://www.Repertoryphilippines.ph

Contact Rep for show updates and schedule via its FB page.

#RepPH #Rep #AnnaInTheTropics #NiloCruz #JoeyMendoza #RepertoryPhilippines