Archive - Arts & Culture

The LA-based Filipino composer Nilo B. Alcala is having a ball with selections from his choral works getting more exposure in the recent CCP concert of the Philippine Madrigal Singers.

Today's Manila is the world's most densely populated city filled with loud jeepneys, carcinogenic fumes, and filthy sidewalks — a far cry from its fame as the "Pearl of the Orient Seas" downgraded further to the inglorious title of "the gates of hell."

There is a bit of history and nostalgia as the concert series, American Songbook (A Retrospect), unfolded in Baguio City over the weekend at the University of the Cordillera and UP Baguio’s Teatro Amianan.

They used to be the main feature in fiestas and rituals. They still are but their platform is no longer limited to tables. They are now in laboratories as subject of studies on organic meat for the health-conscious.

New CCP chair Margie Moran Floirendo is thankful for her early exposure to the arts and thinks that should be encouraged by parents for their growing children.

A ticket to a typical concert of the 92-year old Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) would cost an exorbitant P5,000 if there were no corporate or individual sponsors, patrons and donors or season subscribers.

Tenor Radnel Ofalsa, 22, is this year’s top winner of the Jovita Fuentes Vocal Competition but he admits his earlier fascination for pop singing.

The title of the group show at Eskinita Gallery, “Sa Panahon ng Damuho,” sounds something lifted out of the Book of Revelations.

National Artist for Literature Cirilo F. Bautista died at 76 on Sunday.

There is a recurring image of the Filipino Maestra as one watched actor Shamaine Centenera Buencamino portray the role of Maestra Adela in The Kundiman Party by Floy Quintos.

From their photos alone, it’s obvious that the classically trained singers set to perform in the concert “The American Songbook” are all driven millennials.

The recently concluded 2018 Menuhin Competition in Geneva, Switzerland yielded two brilliant prizewinners ages 10 and 11 -- Christian Li and Chloe Chua -- in the junior competition and with an 18-year old Armenian -- Diana Adamyan -- getting the top prize in the senior division.