What better way to reward oneself after a week of hard work than to spend the weekend chilling with friends and loved ones. Solaire has come up with the ideal entertainment for the working crowd. It is launching “Solaire Gigs,” an intimate concert series featuring today’s hottest music acts with drinks galore and favorite bar chow thrown into the mix.

“Solaire Gigs” kicks-off with “KWERDAS” an evening with two of the country’s best acoustic artists – ICE SEGUERRA and NOEL CABANGON who will be performing their hit songs along with current ones and other crowd favorites. Ice and Noel will have something for everyone when they perform this November 23 at The Tent at Solaire.

Totally spontaneous and unstructured, braver audience members will be invited to join the performers up onstage to jam with Ice, Noel, and a six-piece band while the rest can sing-along to their hearts’ content from wherever they are.

Chill out this November at Kwerdas. Buy your tickets now at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 8891-9999

For reference and inquiries, please contact:

Krizia Cortez
Public Relations and Communications Manager
Solaire Resort & Casino
Telephone Number: + 63 2 8883 8784
Mobile Number: +63 998 586 1327
E-mail: kriziacortez@solaireresort.com

Sony Music Philippines, in partnership with Offshore Music, honors the lasting impact of The Eraserheads on Pinoy pop culture by hosting the official vinyl launch of Ultraelectromagneticpop! —the game-changing debut album released in 1993 under BMG Records.

Be the first to own the 25th edition remastered vinyl, which will be exclusively available on November 24, Sunday at Eastwood Central Plaza in Quezon City from 11am onwards.

A tribute party wouldn’t be complete without performances and tribute covers from the country’s finest music acts including The Itchyworms, Barbie Almalbis, Cheats, Nathan & Mercury, Pinkmen, We Got!, and Nobody’s Home.

Limited-edition merchandise such as shirts, pins, stickers and caps will also be up for sale courtesy of Offshore Music.

Groundbreaking debut

Ultraelectromagneticpop! made waves in the summer of 1993 with songs such as “Tindahan ni Aling Nena,” “Pare Ko,” “Ligaya,” and “Toyang” becoming seminal hits. The Eraserheads’ first major label record not only catapulted the band into the canon of OPM greats, but also ushered into the Pinoy rock explosion of the ‘90s.

“It was also the album that proved that anyone can make music,” shares The Eraserheads’ Ely Buendia. Initially recorded on a shoestring budget, the record is currently being archived by the University of the Philippines Center for Ethnomusicology for its massive cultural importance.

Remastered vinyl release

25 years after its groundbreaking release, the debut album from the alt rock legends is finally out in vinyl format for the very first time with limited pressing of 2,500 copies only.

During its pre-order period last month, the first batch of 25th anniversary vinyl reissue of Ultraelectromagneticpop! immediately sold out in less than four minutes, setting another unprecedented record in local music history.

The Eraserheads Ultraelectromagneticpop! 25th Anniversary Numbered Limited Edition vinyl are pressed at Record Technology Incorporated (RTI) Camarillo, California, and packaged using premium quality Old Style Tip-On Gatefold Jackets by Stoughton Printing Company.

Music fans and vinyl junkies will surely enjoy this audiophile-grade release, which was exceptionally remastered by Bernie Grundman. The renowned audio engineer, who was responsible for giving the album a more pristine makeover, has worked on several critically acclaimed recordings including Michael Jackson’s Thriller, Prince’s Dirty Mind, and Dr. Dre’s The Chronic.

Ely Buendia also personally handpicked the Grammy Award-winning maestro after collaborating with him on Apartel’s sophomore album, Full Flood. “You don’t give Bernie Grundman instructions, you just trust his ears,” shares the Offshore Music head honcho and The Eraserheads’ frontman. “The remaster sounds bigger and clearer to me.”

The Eraserheads Ultraelectromagneticpop! 25th Anniversary Numbered Limited Edition vinyl is out on November 24 via Sony Music Philippines.

Get ready for a night of beautiful artistry and music

Y Space at the Yuchengco Museum, The Guitar Friends & Gitara Manila present

ENCORE!

Iconic Pieces of the
Classical Guitar

Performances by:
DUO MANILA

(Monching Carpio & Dr. Ivar Fojas)

featuring:
The beneficiaries of the

Maestro Jose Valdez Guitar Scholarship Fund,
Aaron Aguila, Edel Mark Bitao, Bea Rose Cena,
Leandro Ong, Iqui Vinculado, PWU Guitar Ensemble
andSt. Scholastica’s College Guitar Ensemble

Thursday, November 21, 2019

6:30pm

Tickets:
Php 700 (Regular)
Php 500 (Seniors & PWDs)
Php 300 (Students, YGC Employees &
Embassy Employees in RCBC Plaza)
For tickets and reservations contact:
yspace@yuchengcomuseum.org
OR (02) 8-889-1234

THE Cultural Center of the Philippines in cooperation with the Embassy of the Republic of Poland presents leading Polish jazz pianist and composer Artur Dutkiewicz in a solo concert on Tuesday, November 12, 2019 at 7:30 PM and Piano Improvisation Workshop on Wednesday, November 13, 2019 from 10:00 AM – 12 noon. Both events will be held at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (CCP Little Theater).

Called the “Ambassador of Polish jazz” by the Jazz Forum Magazine in 2012, Dutkiewicz has appeared in more than 60 countries around the world from the USA through Europe, Africa, Asia and Australia.

Artur Dutkiewicz studied composition and arrangement where he graduated from the Jazz Department at the Academy of Music in Katowice (Poland), receiving a diploma with distinction. He was a finalist of the Thelonious Monk Competition in Washington, USA.

Artur Dutkiewicz has taken part in dozens of renowned jazz and music festivals around the world. These include the Hague’s Northsea Jazz Festival, Warsaw’s Jamboree, Hamburg’s Campnagel Theater, Bern’s Festival Kleiner Bunchen, Nuremberg’s Jazz Ost West, Cannes’ MIDEM, Milan’s Music Oggi, Paris’ Festival D`Europe Centrale, Budapest’s Sziget Festival, Havana’s Jazz Plaza Festival, Tel Aviv Jazz Festival, Glasgow Jazz Festival, Duesseldorf’s Jazz Rally, Berlin’s World Culture Festival, Milan’s Notturni in Palestro Festival, Beijing’s BJ Ninegates Jazz Festival, Helsinki’s Kontu Festival, and Melbourne’s International Jazz Festival.

In 2011 Arthur Dutkiewicz performed at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin during the World Culture Festival, arranging and playing a piece for 30 pianos with pianists from around the world, gathering an audience of 35,000 from around the world.

Besides playing in solo recitals, he is leader of the Artur Dutkiewicz Trio which plays modern jazz. His last albums “Mazurki”/solo, “Prana”, “Traveller”/trio, have been superbly received by audiences and critics alike.

His CCP program entitled ImproMazurka is as follows: Antonin Dvorak’s Theme from the 2nd part of New World Symphony; Dutkiewicz’s Africa Mazurka, Polish Mazurka, Chased Mazurka, Morning Mazurka, Mazurka Oberka; the Polish Christian song The Lord is my Shepherd; Ignacy Paderewski’s Nocturne in C Major, Op. 16 No. 4 and Minuet in G Major, Op. 14 No.1; and Alexander Tansman’s Les Iles Philippines.

Ticket prices for the concert are at P1,000 and P800 with 50% discount for students and 20% discount for senior citizens.

For more information regarding the concert please contact the CCP Box Office at 8832-3704. For information regarding the Piano Improvisation Workshop please contact 8832-1125 loc. 1604/1605 or email ccp.artist.training@gmail.com

On the occasion of the 500th anniversary of Italian artist Leonardo da Vinci, a theater play entitled “Being Leonardo da Vinci, an impossible interview” by renowned italian director and actor Massimiliano Finazzer Flory will be staged on November 21, 2019, 7 pm at the Little Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The event is held in cooperation with the Philippine Italian Association, Italian Embassy, and the Italian Chamber of Commerce in the Philippines, Inc. with the support of OMAN AIR, Rustan’s, Hotel Jen Manila by Shangri-La, East West Bank.

Who doesn’t know Leonardo da Vinci?

The painter, the musician, the scenographer, the machines and automation inventor, the anatomist, the philosopher, the civil and war engineer, the scientist… and even a master cook!

Leonardo excelled in an extraordinary number of different fields, often envisioning prototypes centuries ahead of their actual invention.

His legacy is vast but still seems freshly inspiring for the trust Leonardo endlessly placed in the power of Reason and his sensitivity to Beauty.

500 years have passed from the death of Leonardo da Vinci and on this important anniversary, cultural events in Italy and throughout the world are remembering and celebrating the multi-faceted genius and icon of the Renaissance.

Alessandro Milani, President of Philippine-Italian Association, PIA (Photographed by Erickson dela Cruz)
Massimiliano Finazzer Flory’s latest project, with the special collaboration of Filipino actor, director and screen/play writer Carlito (Lito) Casaje brings the immensely multi-talented Leonardo da Vinci to life on the stage. Being Leonardo da Vinci is a one-act play, which uses theater to present the Italian genius’ true life, art history and science. Through the format of an impossible interview, Finazzer Flory “physically” becomes Leonardo. Dressed in period costumes and wearing make-up which reconstructs da Vinci’s face, he performs in Renaissance language original texts written by Leonardo himself, among which the famous “Trattato di pittura” (Painting Treaties). Finazzer Flory’s Leonardo answers questions about his childhood, his civil and military activities, and how to become a “good painter” (bono pittore), and about the relationship between Painting and Science, Painting and Sculpture, Painting and Music. He comments on “The Last Supper” and the figures of the apostles, replies to his enemies’ attacks, prophecies man’s flying, and finally offers maxims and aphorisms to live by in our times. The theatre play has been toured in USA, Russia, Japan, France, Italy and Switzerland, among other countries.

Likewise, a masterclass and short film screening of “Being Leonardo da Vinci, an impossible interview” will be held on November 20, 2019 at the CCP Dream Theater at 2 pm. The masterclass will deal with the topic of interdisciplinary through the conjugation of: Art and Science, Memory and Imagination, Tradition and Technology, Theater and Cinema.

 

Other events in celebration of Leonardo da Vinci’s 500th anniversary include the following:

1. Introduction on the secrets of Leonardo’s “The Last Supper” by Mr. James Freney – November 13, 2019 at the Italian restaurant Caruso, in Bel Air, Makati.
2. Cook-Off with Leonardo – November 5,-6, 14, 2019 at the LPU (Lyceum of the Philippines University Manila) Culinary Institute.
3. Film Presentation – November 19, 2019  at Cinematheque Center Manila.
4. Dinner and lecture on “Leonardo da Vinci, wine and cuisine” by Chef Salvatore Arria, and Mr. Luca Galli, sommelier – November 20, 2019 at the Italian restaurant Pnte di Rialto, in Venice Piazza mall, Taguig.

Alessandro Milani with Ms. Irene Rada (CCP Public Relation) 

The above mentioned events are part of a series of cultural and artistic activities in Metro Manila aimed at remembering and spreading knowledge of Leonardo da Vinci and the relevance of his achievements in our contemporary world to be held from November 5 until November 21.

For more information, Like/Follow:  www.facebook.com/leonardoinmanila

Throughout its 53-year illustrious history, Repertory Philippines has allowed audiences to see the world with new eyes. By transporting them back in time or putting them in the shoes of another, REP has always reflected humanity in all its great diversity. For its 83rd season, REP is holding up a mirror to different experiences, highlighting stories that are both unique and familiar.

With Liesl Batucan on her first season as REP’s Artistic Director, audiences can expect a new creative spirit that remains faithful to REP’s legacy while bringing it forward, as she assembles a brilliant and diverse core of creatives who will be making their debut in the REP director’s chair; celebrated thespians who will be treading the REP boards for the first time; and REP veterans who will be making their much-awaited theater comeback.

The 2020 season opens with The New York Times’ Critic’s Pick of 2014, Stage Kiss by American playwright Sarah Ruhl, which runs from February 7 to March 1, 2020. This romantic comedy takes audiences backstage and introduces them to She and He, two stage actors who find themselves cast as lovers in a 1930s melodrama. But She and He have a romantic history together, and after sharing several stage kisses as their characters, they unintentionally rekindle their love. A deliciously witty and insightful play about life imitating art and art imitating life, Stage Kiss stars Missy Maramara, Tarek El Tayech, Andres Borromeo, Justine Narciso and Mica Pineda, among others, and is directed by Carlos Siguion-Reyna, renowned and multi-awarded filmmaker of critically-acclaimed movies Hihintayin Kita sa Langit, Ligaya ang Itawag Mo sa Akin, and Azucena.

From March 13 to April 5, 2020, the Pulitzer Prize-winning Anna in the Tropics by Cuban-American playwright Nilo Cruz comes to the REP stage. When Juan Julian arrives in Tampa, Florida in 1929, he unwittingly heralds change in the Cuban cigar factory where he has been employed as a lector. As he reads aloud from Leo Tolstoy’s passionate Anna Karenina, the workers soon find the story creeping into their lives and informing their decisions. Marriages collapse, affairs are pursued, and tensions run high as the workers are confronted with the threat of automation. To be directed by New York-based noted production designer Joey Mendoza and starring Ana Abad Santos, Jake Macapagal, Paolo O’ Hara, Brian Sy, Gab Pangilinan, Gie Onida and Madeleine Nicolas, Anna in the Tropics paints a sympathetic portrait of oppressed laborers and lovers who flout tradition, as it shows the transformative power of literature.

The universally-loved and enduring favorite Rodgers and Hammerstein Broadway musical Carousel caps off the season and runs from May 1 to 24, 2020. Helmed by much lauded young director Toff de Venecia, the production showcases a star-studded cast led by the luminous pairing of Nikki Gil and Gian Magdangal, who will both be making their REP debut. The musical follows a poor young couple, millhouse worker Julie Jordan and carousel barker Billy Bigelow. When they both lose their jobs because of their whirlwind love affair, Billy is pressured into committing theft to provide for their unborn child. After everything goes tragically wrong, he is given a chance to make things right. Hailed as TIME Magazine’s Best Musical of the 20th Century, Carousel explores the heartbreak and complexities that make its characters so tragically and wonderfully human.

REP 2020 ends with REP Theater for Young Audiences’ (RTYA’s) children’s musical Snow White and the Prince by Janet Yates Vogt and Mark Friedman. From the same writers of REP’s mega hit 2018 production Rapunzel, Rapunzel, A Very Hairy Fairytale comes this witty new take on a beloved classic. Running from September 12, 2020 to January 31, 2021, this play is directed by none other than the legendary Joy Virata. When Snow White meets her prince at the ball, they fall in love. But when the magic mirror tells the Evil Queen that Snow White is the fairest in all the land, she burns with jealousy. She vows to vanquish Snow White, but the young girl flees into the forest and befriends seven unusual miners. Children of all ages will delight in this fun re-telling of this beloved fairytale that reminds us that people united in goodness are more powerful than the forces of evil.

For the first time in REP history, audiences will get to experience REP Unplugged, an edgy and exciting new staging concept that is independent—or “unplugged”—from the rest of the season. Directed by theater wunderkind Ed Lacson Jr., REP Unplugged is alternative theater and will be performed in unconventional performance spaces. It will be launched in June 2020 during the interim between REP’s first three plays and its children’s production. Featuring an out-of-the-box approach and a fresh take on theater, REP Unplugged is ready to shake things up.

For the full experience of REP’s 2020 seas0n, purchase season passes now. Season subscribers can get access to REP’s 2020 plays at up to 30% off. The Gold Year Pass (includes 3 season shows + RTYA) costs Php 4,900, the Silver Year Pass (includes 3 season shows + RTYA) is only Php3,700, the Gold Season Pass (includes 3 season shows) is Php 4,200, and the Silver Season Pass (includes 3 season shows) is Php 3,150.

For show-buying and ticket inquiries, contact REP at 8451-1474 or 0966-905-4013. You may also purchase your season passes by calling Ticketworld at 891-9999, or through www.ticketworld.com.ph.

For updates and show schedules, log on to www.repertoryphilippines.ph, or like and follow repertoryphilippines on Facebook and Instagram.

For its final musical offering for their 20th Anniversary season, Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group presents SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET this month of October that will run until 27th, 2019 at the Theatre at Solaire. It was previously announced that Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga and rock icon Jett Pangan lead the cast as Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd, respectively. Joined by Ima Castro as the Beggar Woman, Andrew Fernando as Judge Turpin, Gerald Santos as Anthony Hope, and Nyoy Volante as Adolfo Pirelli. Also joining them are Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante as Johanna, Luigi Quesada as Tobias, Arman Ferrer as Beadle, and Dean Rosen as Jonas Fogg. Completing the ensemble are Steven Conde, Sarah Facuri, Christine Flores, Jep Go, Kevin Guiman, and Emeline Celis Guinid.

Here are some Performance Photos, courtesy of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) :

SWEENEY TODD is directed by Mr. Bobby Garcia. Set design by Tony Award winner David Gallo, Musical direction by Gerard Salonga along with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, Costume design by Rajo Laurel. Choreography by Cecile Marinez, Lighting design by Aaron Porter, Hair and Make-up design by Leslie Espinosa, Vocal direction by Manman Angsico, and Sound design by Justin Stasiw.

For Tickets, Go to www.ticketworld.com.ph or contact 891-9999.

“Tricks and Musical Treats, a PPO Family Concert“, an orchestra appreciation concert for children and families will be held on Sunday, October 27, 2019 at 4:00 PM at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. The concert will feature the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra in a program subtitled “A Voyage to the Fantasy Isle of Harmony”. The program will feature young talented instrumentalists in a fantasy island setting with main actor Liesl Batucan and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Nikki Junia will have an inter-active segment with the children who will play percussion instruments. Herminigildo Ranera conducts the orchestra.

The concert introduces the symphony orchestra and its music to children and families in a fun-filled way. The show will be directed by award-winning actor Liesl Batucan.

Pre-concert activities will start at 2:00 PM with a musical instruments petting zoo wherein children can experience playing different orchestral instruments assisted by the members of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra. Trick or treat and activities will take place at the Main Theater Lobby at 2:00 PM. The children are encouraged to come in their best fantasy or island setting-inspired costumes.

For more information, please call the CCP Marketing Department at 832-3704 or TicketWorld at 891-9999.

Due to overwhelming popular demand, producers have just announced that 2 more weeks have been added to the Manila season. The sold-out international production of CATS The Musical will be playing in Manila for a strictly limited season, from 6th of November to December 1st at The Theatre at Solaire.

World-renowned theatre star and the Philippines’ very own Joanna Ampil reprises her role as Grizabella. Joanna Ampil has performed in several West End musicals, including Miss Saigon, Jesus Christ Superstar and Avenue Q, and she played the role of Fantine in Les Misérables in London.

Joining her in the cast are Luke Fraser Yates, George Hinson, Gavin Eden, Kirsty Ingram, Elizabeth Futter, Sally Frith, Erica-Jayne Alden, Amy Whittle, Ellie Young, Holly Willock, Danielle Cato, Gabrielle Coca, Cian Hughes, Rhys Batten, Thomas Inge, Mukeni Nel, Lloyd Davies, Abigail Dever, Alexandra Wright, Elly Shaw, Liam Buckland, Lee Nicholson, and Brian O’Muiri. Resident director is Dane Quixall. Further casting to follow.

Based on T.S. Elliot‘s Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, Cats first returned to the West End in December 2014 reuniting the original creative team – Director Trevor Nunn, Associate Director and Choreographer Gillian Lynne, Designer John Napier and Composer Andrew Lloyd Webber. Following a second season at the London Palladium in 2015 and a UK Tour in 2016, the production embarked on an international tour in 2017 and now continues to tour the world throughout 2018 and 2019.

On just one special night of the year, all Jellicle cats meet at the Jellicle Ball where Old Deuteronomy, their wise and benevolent leader, makes the Jellicle choice and announces which of them will go up to The Heaviside Layer and be reborn into a whole new Jellicle life.

Cats, one of the longest-running shows in West End and on Broadway, received its world premiere at the New London Theatre in 1981 where it played for 21 record-breaking years and almost 9,000 performances. The production was the winner of the Olivier and Evening Standard Awards for Best Musical. In 1983 the Broadway production became the recipient of seven Tony Awards including Best Musical, and ran for eighteen years. Since its world premiere, Cats has been presented in over 30 countries, has been translated into 15 languages and has been seen by over 73 million people worldwide. Both the original London and Broadway cast recordings won Grammy Awards for Best Cast Album. The classic Lloyd Webber score includes Memory which has been recorded by over 150 artists from Barbra Streisand and Johnny Mathis to Liberace and Barry Manilow.

The international tour of the Cameron Mackintosh and The Really Useful Theatre production of CATS is again presented by David Ian Productions. RCBC Bankard is a proud sponsor of the 2019 Manila season of CATS.

For more information Please Visit:

www.catsthemusical.com

 

 

Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group (ATEG) is thrilled to be staging SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET this October, its final musical offering for its 20th Anniversary season. It was previously announced that Tony and Olivier Award winner Lea Salonga and rock icon Jett Pangan would lead the cast as Mrs. Lovett and Sweeney Todd, respectively. They will be joined by Ima Castro as the Beggar Woman, Andrew Fernando as Judge Turpin, Gerald Santos as Anthony Hope, and Nyoy Volante as Adolfo Pirelli.
Also joining them are Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante, fresh off her critically acclaimed performance as Cynthia Weil in BEAUTIFUL, as Johanna, Luigi Quesada (DANI GIRL, WAITRESS) as Tobias, Arman Ferrer (MABINING MANDIRIGMA, BEAUTIFUL) as Beadle, and Dean Rosen (BEAUTIFUL, WAITRESS) as Jonas Fogg. Completing the ensemble are Steven Conde, Sarah Facuri, Christine Flores, Jep Go, Kevin Guiman, and Emeline Celis Guinid.

Photos from the Press Conference

© Photographs by Erickson Dela Cruz

SWEENEY TODD will be directed by Bobby Garcia and will have set design by Tony Award winner David Gallo, musical direction by Gerard Salonga along with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, costume design by  Rajo Laurel. choreography by Cecile Marinez, lighting design by Aaron Porter, hair and make-up design by Leslie Espinosa, vocal direction by Manman Angsico, and sound design by Justin Stasiw.

Bobby Garcia says, “We have gathered quite the cast for this retelling of Stephen Sondheim’s classic musical thriller. I think we will be bringing to the stage a unique version of SWEENEY TODD, as told by some of the best musical theatre storytellers in the country, led by Lea Salonga and Jett Pangan. I am also so excited to be collaborating wit a creative team full of geniuses in their craft. I can’t wait to begin.”

Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s musical masterpiece SWEENEY TODD has become a bloody, worldwide success since being awarded eight Tony Awards (including Best Musical), for its Broadway premiere, as well as the Oliver Award for Best New Musical. Stephen Sondheim’s and Hugh Wheeler’s (A Little Night Music, Pacific Overtures) tasty, thrilling, theatrical treat has simultaneously shocked, awed, and delighted audiences across the world. The Broadway revival went on to win two more Tony Awards taking its total up to 10 Tony Awards. This year also marks the 40th caps Atlantis’ 20th Anniversary season which has included acclaimed runs of Angels in America: Millennium Approaches, Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, and the launch of its new division ATLANTIS IMAGINARIUM YOUNG THEATRE (AIYT) with its premiere production Madagascar – A Musical Adventure.

SWEENEY TODD runs from October 11 to 27, 2019 at the Theatre at Solaire. Tickets are now available at www.ticketworld.com.ph or through 891-9999.

PhilPop, Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), National Commission on Culture and the Arts (NCCA) have teamed up for Taga-Alog Mini Bootcamp—a two-day songwriting workshop that aims to promote Ilog Pasig as a center of cultural narrative and heritage, as well as raise awareness for the rehabilitation efforts of the river through creative advocacy in music.

Songwriting for Advocacy 

Headed by acclaimed and award-winning music industry professionals Noel Cabangon, Trina Belamide, and Jungee Marcelo, the music camp gathered upcoming composers and songwriters who have shown immense promise in writing the next big anthem for the environment. 

With the success of last year’s TampisAwit and its initiative to foster a culture of sustainability and utmost care for Ilog Pasig, PETA and NCCA have expanded the mentorship program for budding songwriters and composers by tapping PhilPop to come up with a more comprehensive syllabus that put emphasis on Songwriting for Advocacy.

 

Camp Activities

Fellows were in for a treat as mentors provided their expertise on songwriting basics with emphasis on both form and content. The sessions included consultation with the coaches, as well as presentation and evaluation of their work. 

“This time, we’re not only imparting techniques to improve their craft,” Taga-Alog Mini Bootcamp 2019 Chairman Noel Cabangon said. “It is also our responsibility to prepare them in the real world, and help them pitch advocacy concepts that are geared toward creative ways to build awareness on various environmental causes. As musicians, we are more than just entertainers; we can change the world with our art.”

The two-day songwriting workshop and competition culminated with the performance of the top 5 finalists and the announcement of the top 3 songs. The first place winner will be given a grant for official recording and promotions during the entire Taga-Alog campaign for 2019.

 

Day 1 Photos:

 

Day 2 Photos:

 For more information, visit the Taga-alog official Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/TagaAlog/) or email nccatagaalog@gmail.com

After 22 years, seven studio albums, three EPs, and two decades of iconic hits, rap icon Gloc-9 is shifting gears and going independent. The song “Dungaw” featuring Keiko Necesario is the best song to do it with.

Known to work with different voices and perspectives in his songs, this time around Gloc-9 speaks in the voice of an unnamed man, confused about the visits he was receiving, wondering about the moment the song captures. As the song unravels, so does the story of this man’s life, the choices he had made, the ones that led him to this point.

But the final punch is in the the song’s culmination, when a final visitor allows him to ask a battery of painful questions. Why does suffering continue for many? Why are certain
sins not forgiven? Why do the wealthy get away with anything? Why is there privilege, and why is there poverty? The answers are in the mere fact that these questions are being asked.

Here, Gloc-9 reveals yet again that his power lies in his storytelling. That it is his songwriting that is his constant, and that it can only get better with age as he continues
to insist not just on creative growth, but also and more importantly on speaking about the lives that we refuse to see, taking on the voices we refuse to hear.

And just as the narrative in “Dungaw” unfolds, so does Gloc-9’s new chapter as an independent rapper and songwriter.

Take a peak at Dungaw: