A raging controversy/September events at CCP

Among many others, the article “Dagdag Bawas” by the highly admired and respected Lito Zulueta, and the guidelines on the selection of National Artists which Tintin Bersola read over DZMM point to the virtual nullification of these guidelines by Palace arbiters. They dropped composer Ramon Santos from the original list of National Artists approved jointly by the NCCA and the CCP — which agencies had set up the selection process — and added four persons, including Cecile Guidote Alvarez, to it. That Santos is now suffering from a heart ailment (possibly caused by his disappointment) aggravates the matter.

As a performing arts reviewer, I have been covering the activities of Cecile for over 30 years. I am herewith reprinting a piece I wrote on her way before her appointment as NCCA executive director and presidential adviser on culture and the arts.

Cecile Guidote Alvarez is a towering theater figure. A magnificent actress, she infuses passion and poignancy into her every portrayal.

Founder-director of the Philippine Educational Theater Association (PETA), she was instrumental in the building of the Rayah Sulayman Theater in Intramuros, and served as inspiration and impetus in the writing of countless dramas encapsulating the Filipino soul — a most significant and crucial factor in forming a national theater.

As an exile in NY fighting the dictatorship, Cecile organized PETAL to create a Filipino theater tradition, quickly garnering Off-Broadway’s “outstanding political theater” award. Her “Balintataw” radio series and her Dream Ensemble of handicapped youngsters which has been widely acclaimed abroad — particularly by the International Theater Institute (ITI) and by UNESCO which has declared the members of her Dream Ensemble “artists of the world” — add still other impressive highlights to her incredible theater career.

To the above, I shall add the following: At 28, Cecile became the youngest recipient of the Magsaysay Award. Last year, Cecile staged “Something to Crow About”, a musical based on the stories of Alejandro R. Roces on cock-fighting. It reaped resounding success in New York, Off-Broadway, and in other US cities.

This year, from Aug. 12 to 15 in Baler, Cecile co-presented with Sen. Edgardo Angara Baler ng Puso Ko, a zarzuela composed by Gardy Labad to the libretto of Isagani R. Cruz. It featured leading singers headed by Rachelle Gerodias and Ramon Aycomo and was directed by Frank Rivera. The stage set was by the eminent Sansó. It also featured the UST Liturgikon Choir under Eugene de los Santos and Cecile’s ITI Earthsavers Dream Ensemble.

Indeed, there is no end to Cecile’s theatrical achievements as a dynamo of energy, creativity and innovativeness.

I shall await with considerable interest the resolution of the raging controversy between those who fiercely oppose, with valid reason, the change in the original list of National Artists, and the Palace arbiters (forming the Honors Committee) who have acquiesced to other recommendations.

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On September 3, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra will mark its 27th concert season with works by Dvorak, Galindo, Debussy and Tchaikovsky to be conducted by eminent American Anthony Quartuccio.

On September 8, the CCP 40th anniversary gala will be a musical extravaganza under the baton of Conductor Laureate Oscar Yatco and Ryan Cayabyab.

On September 11, a special tribute titled “Seven Arts, One Imelda” will be paid former First Lady Imelda R. Marcos, CCP Founding Chair, under the direction of Alex Cortez, with concept/script by Floy Quintos, music direction by Conductor Josefino Toledo and Ryan Cayabyab.

Pianist Cecile Licad and German cellist Alban Gerhardt will perform in two special concerts, with a duo performance in two special concerts, with a duo performance on Sept. 15, and with the PPO under Oscar Yatco on Sept. 16.

Meanwhile, the CCP management is due to announce its next president and PPO’s new conductor, music-director. The cultural community is eager to welcome them soonest!