FilFest, other concerts

FilFest, headed by the indefatigable Vicky F. Zubiri as president, presents March through November concerts consistent with its aim to make Alabang the cultural center of the South. Martin Lopez conceptualized the concerts, including their catchy, provocative titles, with the board’s approval.

Principal sponsor of FilFest is Vicente Ayllon who is also its board chairman and president of Insular Life, Inc.

The concerts at the Insular Life Theater follow:

On March 27, 8 p.m., Japanese virtuoso guitarist Minoru Inagaki will interpret J. Viñas, Villa-Lobos, Piazolla, Nunez, Moreno Torroba, Carlevaro, Orbon, Albeniz, and three Mexican popular songs.

On April 24, 8 p.m., Israeli pianist Yaron Kohlberg and Palestinian pianist Harouny Bishara will bring two warring countries together in “Piano Peace.”

On May 30, at 4 p.m. “Tutti Flutti” will feature flutist Tony Maigue and friends in baroque, classical, romantic and 20th century works for flute and guitar, flute and piano and a flute octet with Maigue, Dan Alvarez, Rodil Bautista, Jezer Michelina, Geraldine Padilla, John Parungao, Hercules Santiago and Raymond Sarreal.

Special participants: flutist Caitlin Coyiuto, pianist Cristine Coyiuto, guitarist Lester Demetillo and pianist Mai Maigue.

In “Tutti Guitarri” for June 27 at 4 p.m. guitarists Stephen Alvarez, Anthony Naval, Benchita Carino, Carlo Juan, Cris Slough, Edgardo de Dios, Jennifer de Vera and Phil Valdez will play Bach, Geronimo Gutierrez, Ernani Cuenco, Angel Peña. The Kasilag Guitar Trio will play Telemann, Wilfredo Cruz, Fabian Obispo, Morten Lauridsen, Andrew York and Boccherini.

“Tutti Celli” – “At the Bach of Our Minds” on Aug. 28 at 8 p.m. will feature cellists Renato Lucas, Gian Gonzales, Gerry Gonzales, Anjo Inacay, Herrick Isleta, Arnold Josue, Pocholo Gutierrez and Nehemiah Lipana in Bach, Rachmaninoff, E. Toppinen, Villa-Lobos and Handel.

The concert will honor cellist Vicente Lopez Jr.

On October 23, 8 p.m., “Tutti Tango” will highlight the music of Piazolla, the choreography of Myra Beltran and the performance of the Pundaquit Chamber Players.

Dancers will be Beltran, Reagan Cornelio, Christine Santillan and Jun Saagundo; musicians violinist Alfonso Bolipata, pianist Jourdann Petalyer, accordionist Jonathan Coo and clarinetist Jayson Rivera.

On Nov. 14, 3 p.m., “Tutti Opera”: Hades Ladies: A Decomposed Opera will consist of arias from Tosca, Madame Butterfly, Lakme, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen to be sung by Camille Lopez, Rachelle Gerodias, Jennifer Uy, Mar Jeanele Roldan, Joel Alinsunturin, Jon Joven, Maricris Joaquin, Ana Feleo, Joy Tamayo, Meliza Reyes and Lena McKenzie.

The MCO Foundation Chamber Music Festival at the Insular Life Theater in Makati follows:

On March 12, 7:30 p.m., guitarist Ruben Reyes in classic music by Alexandre Tansman and jazz by Claude Bolling, with pianist Heliodoro Fiel, bassist Gerald Flores and drummer Joey Valenciano.

On March 19, 7:30 p.m., Leoncavallo’s Prologue from Pagliacci, Mozart’s Mi Tradi from Don Giovanni, Lady Macbeth’s aria from Verdi’s Macbeth, Rienzi from Wagner’s Rienzi, and Offenbach’s Tales of Hoffman Quartet will star Camille Lopez, Jennifer Uy, Randy Gilongo and Noel Azcona.

On March 27, 7:30 p.m., songs by Kern and Rodgers will be rendered by Nenen Espina and Ronan Ferrer, with pianist Jed Balsamo assisting.

Dana Ciocarlie will perform on March 19, Raul Sunico on March 24, Cecile Licad on March 27, and on March 29 with the MSO under Arturo Molina and Cristine Coyiuto on April 8 at the Philamlife Theater as part of Chopin’s Bicentenary celebration.

Nene Q. Lichauco invites guests to the Salcedo Village auditorium to hear Andrew Fernando and Clarissa Ocampo, on March 13, 8 p.m.; the former, in Broadway hits; the latter, in kundimans and contemporary songs.