On turning 75

The program "FEU . . . Forever!" celebrated the institution’s 75th anniversary with a grand stage spectacle that traced its history, development and progress, ending with a look to its bright future.

Against fast-changing film clips, one of which showed the handsome and noble visage of founder Nicanor Reyes, students in uniform entered and exited at a rapid pace to convey the throbbing pulse of present-day school life. The swiftly changing background blurred the focus somewhat, and this was to happen rather often in the obvious attempt to portray in mixed media as many scenes as possible, and to involve a large student population within a limited time frame.

The FEU auditorium was the best venue for performing arts presentations before the Philamlife and CCP theaters were inaugurated. At the height of the absurd ballet ban imposed by the nuns in the 50s, Alexandra Danilova of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlos danced a pas de deux from Swan Lake with the tiny Benny Villanueva as her partner. The last of the ballerinas to dance in the grand manner, Danilova generated tremendous excitement as she performed, falling into the arms of Benny with total and incomparable abandon, while leaving viewers with a catch in the throat.

Fredric Franklin, Mia Slavenska and Jocelyn Larkin, also of the Ballet Russe, violinist Isaac Stern, as well as other world class artists too many to mention appeared likewise at the FEU auditorium, thus pointing up the significant role it played in Manila’s cultural history of the 50s and 60s.

An attempt to recreate an aspect of this role was seen in the performance of the same pas de deux from Swan Lake by students of Vella Damian who, appearing onstage in a Carmen costume, mentioned the names of certain visiting artists. The dancing of Kristel Lyris Guevara and Benjamin Ella, although technically and stylistically correct, seemed wanting in spirit and sparkle, in elan and brio.

From the stage, a young student in native costume interrupted Prof. Carpio to observe, with evident logic, that thus far, the program had reflected only foreign influences – specifically the European and the American. Wasn’t it time to show the audience something truly our own? Forthwith, the FEU Folk Dance Troupe, which had fulfilled European engagements years ago, performed several colorful and spirited numbers.

Having gone full circle, the offering ended with participants, augmented by the cheering squad, pep leaders and the drum and bugle corps, spilling out from the stage to occupy the orchestra pit and the area surrounding the entire auditorium. The throng then sang to the rousing beat of the FEU hymn, the full house joining in the thunderous rhythmic applause. Stage director of the innovative and original spectacle was Floy Quintos; Ton-Ton Africa was musical director.

Lourdes R. Montinola, board chairman; Aurelio R. Montinola III, vice chairman; and Dr. Lydia B. Echauz, president; welcomed Justices Sedrey Ordoñez and Art Panganiban, Ambassador and Mrs. Bienvenido Tan, Jr., banker Wilfrido C. Tecson, National Artist Alejandro R. Roces, international concertist Raul Sunico, painter Alfredo and "Baby" Roces, fictionist Greg and hispanista Lulu Brillantes, music lovers Mary Prieto, Josie Lichauco, Helen C. del Rosario, Luz M. Santos, Angelica Mendoza and Maritess R. Pineda, among others.

Outstanding Talents In UST Concert

Tonight at 8 at the CCP theater, an auspicious first concert will start a series of UST Conservatory presentations jointly with the CCP.

Renato Lucas, PPO principal cellist, will conduct the UST Symphony Orchestra in Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 1, in Prokofieff’s Piano Concerto No. 3 with Marites Fernandez as soloist, and in the Aruntunjan Trumpet Concerto with Taiwanese Yeh Shu-han as soloist. Marites, an MA degree holder from Baltimore’s Peabody Conservatory, has performed extensively in the US, Europe and Asia. Yeh, a highly seasoned conductor-trumpet player, is a Paris Conservatory graduate.