More on French Spring / Mga Lihim ng Baul show / New UN role for Cecile

The French Spring press conference at the Captain’s Bar of the Mandarin Oriental – presided over by Ambassador Renée Veyret, Counsellor for Cultural Affairs Franck Hebert and Alliance Francaise Director Philippe Normand – was preceded by a rousing performance of the Pinik-Pikan Band which fused ethnic with modern music. The number immediately suggested Phil-French interaction, one of the percussionists being a Frenchman who was as energetic as his peers.

Emceed by Martin Macalintal, the conference formally opened with Mme. Veyret pointing out the performing and visual arts presentations in French Spring. Mr. Hebert, who is in-charge of the thousand-and-one details, thanked the sponsors – among them La Farge, Ayala Center, Rustan’s, Jeanne Goulborn – and gave credit to assistants, e.g., Press Attaché Benedicte Meysson.

A brief screening of the comic Duel, due on June 1 at the RCBC Theater, demonstrated how the piano and the cello should not be played. Featuring Paul Staicu and Laurent Cirade, the riotous scenes were followed by a partial performance of the phenomenal violinist Nemanja Radulovic who appears on June 8 at the Philamlife Theater with the Manila Philharmonic under Rodel Colmenar.

The program on June 9 (same venue) by the Jerome Thomas Company showcases an entirely new entertainment that makes the performer a musician, a comedian, a circus juggler, a mime and a ballet dancer all-in-one.

For the very first time, French Spring includes a scientific rice exhibition at the Ayala Center which should draw the interest of Agriculture Secretary Cito Lorenzo and other officials concerned with rice production. "Rice is life and is a central part of many cultures: it is used in festivals, paintings, songs and religious ceremonies as a symbol of fertility and abundance."

Fete de la Musique, which started in France in 1982, is now an international music festival. Its main idea was to celebrate summer by having musicians play for free in public places. In Manila, Fete de la Musique began in 1994. Last year at El Pueblo, 63 bands performed simultaneously on five stages. This year, Fete will be in Eastwood, QC, on June 19. Some 50 bands will play simultaneously in eight public places.

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The NCCA and the Filipino Heritage Festival dramatically turned back the clock at the Lihim ng Baul exhibit in SM Megamall. The treasure chests contained precious documents, old pictures, letters, medals won by soldiers in historic battles. Copies of Luna’s Spoliarium and other famous vintage paintings were on the walls.

Australian Ambassador Ruth Pearce greatly admired the period furniture and a clock. A bridal bed with a delicately embroidered coverlet could be seen with elegant ternos that must have belonged to the great grandmothers of Ramon Villegas, Baby Girl Fricke, Via Antila, Kit Roxas, Cora Alvina, Gerry and Lisa Espojo, Jose Escaño, Silvana Diaz and Susan Calo Medina.

The event included the launching of Tubod: The Heart of Bohol by Ma. Alexandra Iñigo Chua. The book covers the history, art and culture of the turtle-shaped island.

Brief remarks were given by Mita Rufino, Festival president; Emilie Tiongco and Araceli Salas, both of NCCA. Among the working committee members present were Bambi Harper, Marichu Tellano and GMA’s Rodrigo Cornejo, son of famed pianist-composer Rodolfo Cornejo. Among the guests was Consul Tony Rufino, as always supportive of cultural projects involving his wife Mita.

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Rafaello Tarroni, resident coordinator, a.i., of the UN Systems Operational Activities for Development in the Philippines, sends the following letter to Cecile Guidote Alvarez whose Earthshavers Dreams Ensemble, consisting of disabled singers and dancers, has drawn high praise around the world.

First, on behalf of the UN System in the Philippines, I want to extend our deepest gratitude to you for your contribution to the UN goals through a more active cultural diplomacy of cooperation among countries. Your contribution to the ideals of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) and the UNESCO has been a very effective way to advocate UN goals.

We are also happy to know that you were assigned to be the chair of a special planning task force to design a global theatre program agenda related to UN development concerns – in particular issues on poverty, environment, health, women, children and indigenous peoples, water problems and food, security, social integration and other human concerns. Truly, UN in the Philippines will try its best to support or seek ways to support this initiative.

The UN family in the Philippines believes in the Earthsavers Creative Theatre Strategy to serve as the demonstration showcase through an interactive workshop with marginalized and indigenous from Mexico collaborating with the Dreams Ensemble. This is a great tool which can be adopted in the ITI Congress in Mexico.

Also I would like to congratulate you and your Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble for the UNESCO Peace Artists Awards to the Philippine Centre of ITI for its effort to provide cultural services to the poor as evidenced in the highly-acclaimed performances of your group.

Having intensive knowledge in the use of the arts to further the cause of UN goals, you are also invited to the Millennium Development Goals advisory group monthly meetings held to popularize the MDG. Your personal insights, advice and ideals on our advocacy strategy will be very useful in the MDG campaign in the Philippines.

We look forward to further discussions with you on how best to support the noble initiatives of your unique group of talented children and deliver the UN messages on poverty alleviation and the promotion of human rights.

Incidentally, Cecile’s Earthsavers Dreams Ensemble was borne out of the vision of her own husband, Heherson Alvarez (our No. 1 environmentalist). His vision, now being fulfilled, serves as a model for the world.