PH Philharmonic Orchestra belongs to the people: CCP head

BACOLOD CITY — The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) reaches out to the Filipino audience by bringing music across the country through the outreach concerts of the Philippine PhilHarmonic Orchestra (PPO).

“It’s a two-way zone. We bring people to the center and since we know not all of them can go to the center, we bring the center to the people. That’s why we’re here,” CCP president Arsenio “Nick” Lizaso said.

Lizaso introduced the country’s leading symphony orchestra, a resident company of the CCP, during their two-night concert in the city on Thursday and Friday.

Cultural Center of the Philippines president Arsenio ‘Nick’ Lizaso speaks before the crowd at at the Bacolod Government Center grounds, where the Philippine PhilHarmonic Orchestra performed during the opening of the 2019 Bacolaodiat Festival on Friday night (Feb.1, 2019) *Photo courtesy of Bacolod City PIO*

On Thursday, the PPO performed at the SMX Convention Center and on Friday, the orchestra was featured during the opening night of the 2019 Bacolaodiat Festival at the Bacolod Government Center (BGC) grounds.

“The mandate of the CCP is to preserve and promote art in all regions of the country, and this is the reason why we are here tonight. The orchestra belongs to you. We are only the caretaker. We take care of them for you. This is why we bring the music of the PPO to you and to every city and region that we go to,” Lizaso said in his message before the crowd at the BGC on Friday.

“This is our mandate — to bring our music to the people,” he added.

The PPO’s outreach program primarily aims to “promote music appreciation in underserved communities in the different regions in the country.”

The PPO, under the baton of conductors Yoshikazu Fukumura and Herminigildo Ranera, is celebrating its 45th anniversary, which coincides with the orchestra’s 36th Concert Season.

Lizaso said that during the PPO’s concert in Iloilo City last year, Mayor Evelio Leonardia approached him and asked if the CCP can also bring the orchestra to Bacolod.

“Swiftly, I said yes. From thereon, we had a series of meetings and here we are in Bacolod,” he added. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060838

Bacolaodiat Fest ‘makes us prouder’ of Bacolod City: mayor

BACOLOD CITY — Mayor Evelio Leonardia said the staging of the Bacoloadiat Festival, the city’s celebration of the Chinese New Year, makes the people of Bacolod prouder of the city.

“It is a morale booster for all of us. It makes us prouder of our city and makes us involved,” said Leonardia, who led the ceremonial lighting of the Bacolod Government Center on Friday night to officially open the festival’s 14th edition.

Bacolaodiat was coined from the words “Baco” for Bacolod and “Lao Diat,” a Fookien word for celebration. This year’s celebration is set from February 1 to 5.

. Bacolod City Mayor Evelio Leonardia (2^nd from right), with Councilor Em Ang (2^nd from left), and 2019 Bacolaodiat Festival chair Oddette Ong-Gomez (right), leads the ceremonial lighting of the Bacolod Government Center to officially open the 14th edition of the Bacolaodiat Festival on Friday night (Feb. 1, 2019).
*Photo by Nanette L. Guadalquiver*

The Lunar New Year will be celebrated on February 5, based on the traditional Chinese calendar, and 2019 will be the year of the Earth Pig.

The Bacolaodiat Festival, a brainchild of Leonardia himself, is being held at the Bacolod Government Center for the first time, and on opening night, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) performed before thousands of Bacolodnons.

“Probably, this is the grandest opening ever. Just the mere presence of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra is something that makes this a cut above the rest,” the mayor said.

Leonardia said the presence of the PPO in Bacolaodiat is most symbolic for the city. “Having the Philharmonic Orchestra here reminds our people that if you look at the orchestra, it is a group of different musicians, different instruments, with different sounds and tempos, and yet because they are united, they have only one purpose. They play beautiful music together,” he said.

The mayor noted that what he wants to see in Bacolod is that while each resident is a different individual with different agenda, interest, and characteristics, still there is harmony and peace among them.

“If we can only join our hands together, if we can be like the Philharmonic, this city will move and accelerate to its highest heights,” he said.

Oddette Ong-Gomez, chair of the 2019 Bacolaodiat Festival, enjoined the people of Bacolod to take part in the festivity.

“The Bacolaodiat, Inc. is happy and proud to present to you the 14th Bacolaodiat Festival. We are equally happy for the strong support of the local government, as well as the cooperation of the Filipino-Chinese community,” she said during the opening program that followed the motorcade on Friday afternoon.

“We wish that this Year of the Pig brings good fortune and good health to everyone,” Ong-Gomez added.

The festival also features the Imperial Village, which is hosting various food stalls serving some Chinese cuisine, inasal, and lechon, as well as cooking demos and Asian arts and crafts.

On Saturday, the annual cultural show will be held at 6 p.m. to be followed by the performance of Manila-based Hokkien-style Chinese opera, Kao Ka, and the Lantern Dance Competition.

On Sunday, the Bacolaodiat Street Dance Competition will start at 3 p.m., while the Parade of Mascots, at 4 p.m.

At 4:30 p.m., the Lantern Dance Competition will move to the Goldenfield Commercial Complex. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1060832

Bacolod to host Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra for 2-night concert

BACOLOD CITY — The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra (PPO) will hold a free two-night concert in this city on January 31 and February 1 to boost the people’s interest in the performing arts.

The PPO, a resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is considered as the country’s leading orchestra and is widely regarded as one of the top musical ensembles in the Asia-Pacific region.

On the first night, the group will perform at the SMX Convention Center Bacolod, and the next night, they will hold an open-air concert at the Bacolod City Government Center grounds.

Mayor Evelio Leonardia said he initiated the visit of the musical ensemble because he believes Bacolod has to grow in all aspects, including culture.

The Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra performing in ‘A Christmas Festival’ at the Cultural Center of the Philippines last December.
*Photo from the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Facebook page*

He invited barangay residents to watch the concert.

Councilor Em Ang, who has been designated as project manager, said they started meeting with CCP president Arsenio Lizaso and other CCP officials last year for the inclusion of the Bacolod event in the PPO’s 2019 concert calendar.

“This is part of the PPO’s outreach program, which aims to promote music appreciation in underserved communities in the different regions in the country. We are fortunate that it has chosen Bacolod to promote their music,” she added.

Ang also said that bringing the PPO performances to Bacolod will boost the city’s efforts to revive the people’s interest in the performing arts.

In December 2016, the PPO also held a Christmas concert in Silay City, Negros Occidental.

Its previous performances in Western Visayas were held in Iloilo City and Antique last year. (PNA)

Source: http://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1058646