With a selection of Folkloric Filipiniana, a Chinese novelty and a few classical numbers, Filipino performing artists thrilled a huge crowd that gathered at the Central hall of the Shanghai World Expo Wednesday for the Philippine National Day celebrations marking the 35th anniversary of RP-China diplomatic ties.
The event, according to observers, gave them a glimpse of the Philippines’ rich and diverse culture as reflected in the songs and dances performed in the program watched by no less than the visiting President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo.
Philippine Pavilion at the Shanghai Expo. Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/hawbone/
Each number performed by the Gilas performing artists merged into the next — solos coming first, moving into duets and culminating in a grand finale.
The medley or Kawing Kawing included Philippine folksongs such as Bahay Kubo, Sitsiritsit, and Polka sa Nayon which all described the very energetic life of Filipino townsfolk from different walks of life. The medley was done by the Philippine Madrigal Singers and the Philippine Follk Dance Ensemble.
Soprano Joanna Go, along with the Philippine Madrigal Singers,gave a rendition of Mo Li Hua (Jasmine Flower), a popular Chinese song made famous when Glacomo Puccini adapted it for the opera.
With Cecile Licad on the piano, Francisco Buencamino’s Mayon Fantasy paid tribute to Mayon, reputed to be the most perfectly-coned volcano in the world. There was also Juan Yee Benasa and Manuel Velez’s Sa Kabukiran, a playful art song that evokes images of rice fields and farm folks as interpreted by soprano Rachelle Gerodias and pianist Rudolf Golez.
A musical based on Dr. Jose Rizal’s classic novel, “Noli Me Tangere,” Canto Patriotico de Maria Clara was performed by Gerodias and guitarist Butch Roxas. It was followed by Recuerdos de la Alhambra and Maalala Mo Kaya, a well known Filipino song interpreted by Roxas on the classic guitar, and the Ballet Philippine dancers.
A victory chant of the Itneg-ethno linguistic group of the high mountains of the Philippines, the Iddemdem Malida, done by the Madrigal Singers and the entire cast, capped the show to the wild applause of the appreciative crowd.
Source: Philippine Information Agency
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