Presented by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and The
Lyric Opera of the Philippines in cooperation with E. Zobel Foundation Inc.,
the biggest names in Philippine Opera and Fashion will gather in one night for
the much awaited-collaboration in MARAWING SALAMAT, happening at the CCP Main
Theater on April 6, 2018 at 8pm. Duyog Marawi project of the Prelature of St.
Mary was unanimously chosen as the sole beneficiary of this fundraising event.
THE BEST OF OPERA will feature an all-Filipino cast from the Lyric Opera of the
Philippines, chaired by celebrated Filipino soprano, Maestra Irma Ponce
Enrile-Potenciano. Featuring best-loved arias from Tosca, Carmen, La Traviata,
Rigoletto, I Pagliacci, Romeo & Juliet, La Boheme, and Turandot, among
others, will be accompanied by the 70-piece UST Symphony Orchestra with Maestro
William Barkhymer and to be directed by internationally acclaimed filmmaker
Carlitos Siguion Reyna. It will pay a special tribute in recognition of talent
and achievements by Irma Potenciano, Fides Cuyugan-Asensio, couple Jose and
Teresita Agana-Santos, Armida Siguion Reyna, Nomer Son and Noel Velasco to name
some.
THE BEST OF FASHION will be a gathering of the biggest ever
fashion for a cause project showcasing over 100 fashion and jewelry designers,
fashion directors and choreographers, hairstylists and make-up artists, fashion
models and muses and beauty queens and celebrity performers. Directed by
Raymond Villanueva and conceptualized by Zardo A. Austria, the cultural fashion
show will reminisce and relive " The Pomp and Pageantry of Philippine
Carnival Queens " as it highlights the Filipino beauty and talent in a
breathtaking parade of modern Filipina creations inspired from the glorious,
bygone era of the Carnival Queens circa 1908 - 1939, undoubtedly became the
precursor of modern day beauty pageants pre and post the war. It will be a
grandeur display aura of Filipino ingenuity, music and cultural heritage as
Maestro Herminigildo Ranera conducts the UST Symphony Orchestra as classic
kundiman, folk songs and pop tunes are immortalize. This will pay homage to the
pillars of Philippine fashion such as National Artist Ramon Valera, Jose '
Pitoy ' Moreno, Ben Farrales, Aureo Alonzo, Christian Espiritu, Joe Salazar and
Salvacion Lim-Higgins of Slims.
Opera Performers: Tenors, Sherwin Sozon, Randy Gilongo and
John Glenn Gaerlan, baritone Noel Azcona, sopranos Ana Feleo, Rica Nepomuceno,
Mary Patrice Pacis, Ton Ton Pascual and Naomi Sison. The country's top and
talented couturiers participating are Edgar Allan, Albert Andrada, Ronaldo
Arnaldo, Eddie Baddeo, Delby Bragais, Tony Cajucom, Jing Chua, Steve de Leon,
Peri Diaz, Toni Galang, Rocky Gathercole, Nolie Hans, Roland Lirio, Ricci
Lizaso, Jojie Lloren, Edgar Madamba, Jontie Martinez, Ole Morabe, Richard Papa,
Oskar Peralta, Lito Perez, Nardie Presa, Barge Ramos, Rholand Roxas, Renee
Salud, Ditta Sandico, Edgar San Diego and Fanny Serrano. To highlight this
remarkable cooperation and collaboration effort and to promote to the Filipino
public specifically the millennials in appreciation of the art of opera
performance and the recognition and understanding of a cultural tradition and
lifestyle that is truly and inherently Filipino, a landmark coffee-table book,
entitled, "The Golden Age Of Opera And Carnival Queens In The
Philippines," written by Zardo A. Austria and designed by Marawi born creative
director Dopy Doplon will be launched on July 4, 2018, the Filipino-American
Friendship Day.
"The book in its true essence, shall be a lasting
testament, or a tribute, to the compassionate nature of the Filipinos,"
and to their innate spirit of Bayanihan, " Austria said. For ticket
inquiries of MARAWING SALAMAT: The Best Of Opera And Fashion For Marawi, please
call Ticketworld at 891-999 or 0917-860-7560.
Text and photos by Gilbert Kim Sancha.
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