Rosario for Cannes, not SIFFNYC

In yesterday’s Funfare, Jorge Ballos, founder/CEO of the SoHo International Film Festival New York City (SIFFNYC) denied an earlier report, also in this corner, that Rosario, the landmark movie directorial debut of Albert Martinez, was participating in this year’s SIFFNYC.

Funfare’s first story, based on a report by STAR correspondent Carlo Orosa, recalled the communication between Ballos and Roselle Lorenzo, manager for international screening of Rosario, who confirmed that Bibsy Carballo informed her and Albert about Ballos’ interest in inviting Rosario (together with two other Filipino films, Tarima and Presa…not Ganap na Babae as mentioned in yesterday’s Funfare) to SIFFNYC since the new festival “celebrates the cutting-edge of digital technology while honoring traditional forms of storytelling and encourages new and seasoned filmmakers from New York and around the world…”

Roselle told Ballos in a letter that Rosario cannot participate in this year’s SIFFNYC because it has already been committed to another filmfest — Cannes, that is.

“In fact,” said Albert, “we have already submitted our application to the Cannes Filmfest which doesn’t accept entries already shown in other filmfests.”

Other points (in italics) raised by Ballos in his disclaimer are answered by Albert (enclosed in quotation marks) in the spirit of fair play, to wit:

• Martin Scorsese’s name should not be mentioned.

“In fact, one e-mail said that Martin Scorsese will attend the opening night.”

• Actor Frank Vincent is the SIFFNYC Icon Award recipient, but not the host.

“In fact, one e-mail said that Frank Vincent (www.frankvincent.com) will receive the first SIFFNYC Award.”

• Director John Gallagher is a member of the Advisory Board, NOT A HOST.

“In fact, one e-mail said that Director John Gallagher will host closing night; the festival will run for 7 days at Quad www.quadcinema.com.”

• Mayor Bloomberg’s name should not be mentioned.

“In fact, one e-mail said that (New York City) Mayor Bloomberg will attend the opening night and Red Carpet presented by Heineken.”

The SIFFNYC, being held for the first time, is reported to start on April 15 (Red Carpet opening night) and end on April 21, with the awards night set for April 22.

Pasinaya 2011 set  at CCP Feb. 6

Some of the Philippines’ most outstanding performing arts groups will gather on Sunday (Feb. 6) at the Cultural Center of the Philippines for the biggest one day performance arts festival of the country called Pasinaya 2011.

Among those taking part are the world-renowned CCP resident companies — the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, the UST Symphony Orchestra, the Philippine Madrigal Singers, Tanghalang Pilipino, Bayanihan Philippines National Folk Dance Company, the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theater and the winners of the National Music Competitions for Young Artists.

From 6 a.m. to 6 p.m., the public has the chance to see a plethora of over 120 performances from the nation’s different performing arts groups — all for the price of nearly nothing.

Highlight will be a tribute to Dr. Jose P. Rizal, himself a great artist, at the People’s Gala in the evening. A 1,000-voice choir will perform Rizal’s Mi Ultimo Adios which was set to music by Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. Among the featured choirs are award winners Imusicapella, Tarlac State University, Our Lady of Fatima University Chorale, Hiyas ng Pilipinas Children’s Choir, Sta. Teresita Parish Chorale, Woodrose Chorale and the Quezon City Performing Arts Development Foundation, Inc. (QCPADFI) Choir.

Teo Antonio, Mike Coroza, Vim Nadera, and the Batutes will separately do Balagtasan in the Literature Zone.

Every single venue at the CCP will be used — the theaters, the lobbies, the hallways and even the little street beside the Production Design Center will be filled with over 2000 artists. Each venue will have a particular form as its theme. Thus the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) will be the Resident Company Zone, the Main Theater Lobby and Bulwagang Francisca Reyes Aquino (rehearsal hall) are the Dance Zones, Tanghalang Huseng Batute and Bulwagang Amado Hernandez are the Theater Zones, Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino is the Music Zone, the Bulwagang Pambansang Alagad ng Sining is the Kid’s Zone, the Dream Theater is the Film Zone, the Bulwagang Juan Luna is the Literature Zone, while the Eskinita and North Promenade are the Variety Zones and all the galleries and the CCP Library will be open on this very special date.

 (Note: Tickets for various performances will be sold at special discounted rates. In addition, there will be a tiangge and food stalls for those who want to sit down, relax and perhaps do a little shopping.)

For more information, check out the CCP website at www.culturalcenter.gov.ph or call the Performing Arts Department at 832-1125 local 1600 to 1607.

iValentine U set for Feb. 12 at Crowne Plaza

Ryan Cayabyab (top left) is the musical director of iValentine U which is set for Feb. 12 (dinner 7:30 and show at 9) at the grand ballroom of Crowne Plaza Hotel, topbilled by Ogie Alcasid (top right) and Pops Fernandez (above left) with Regine Velasquez (above right) as special guest along with Bea Tantoco and Solenn Heussaff, with iCandy and G-Force. Producer is Royale Artists Management. For tickets, call 727-2534 or 727-2536.

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