Music and movies—no other art forms perhaps capture our emotions and fascination quite like these two.
Combine them, and the result is nothing short of magical.
This is why the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Society, Inc. (PPOSI) have come together to deliver a show aptly called Music Movies Magic on November 22, 2024, 7:30 P.M., at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Makati City.
The music event promises to be a feast for the senses, blending classical masterpieces with iconic film scores from Cinema Paradiso, Titanic, West Side Story, Chariots of Fire, and Filipino classics Aguila and Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan.
Some of the highlights that await the audience include the PPOSI playing Strauss’s Die Fledermaus Overture and Tchaikovsky’s Swan Lake, and performances by opera singer Camille Lopez-Molina, soprano Lara Maigue, and concert violinist Diomedes Saraza Jr.
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The evening will also feature celebrated acts like the Philippine Madrigal Singers and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, with Gerard Salonga conducting and Alexander Cortez directing.
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"For most of us growing up, the movies were probably the first medium that has probably entertained us, movies, TV, and it's what we call like a gateway to more classical music,” said CCP President Kaye Tinga at a press conference in Makati City.
She continued, “Actually, surprisingly, we think we don't know classical music, but a lot of the best movies, Fantasia, we talked about Home Alone, and even the most basic childish movies had elements of classical music.
“So it's really a great way to entertain as well as introduce music to our audiences.
"And with Music Movies Magic, people will be listening, watching the concert, and they'll tell themselves, ‘Oh, that's classical!’ and you realize that 'I do like classical music.'
“I think that's what makes this show very special for our audiences.”
REIGNITING INTEREST IN THEATER SHOWS
Margie Moran-Floirendo, president of the PPOSI, believes the show’s concept is crafted to captivate a wider audience, aiming to draw them to the performance and inspire a lifelong appreciation for stage productions.
While the younger audience seems particularly receptive to stage shows featuring the catalogs of local music acts, the overall attendance at theater performances remains a concern.
It could still be a lingering effect of the COVID-19 pandemic, but the days when school field trips included theater shows in their itineraries seem to be a thing of the past.
“Because we’re losing the young generation to watch theater. One, because in the past, I remember that the Department of Education would send students and pay for their tickets and fill up our theaters,” recalled the 1973 Miss Universe titleholder.
FOR A GOOD CAUSE
Another great reason to catch Music Movies Magic? It’s all for a good cause.
Proceeds from the show will help provide additional funding for the PPOSI and CCP, supporting both their ongoing projects and those they plan to undertake in the future.
“It’s always funding,” Margie remarked candidly, referring to the biggest challenge facing their organizations.
Continued Margie, “In the case of the CCP, our building is not yet finished. It’s still under construction and we need more funding to finish it. And so, we need help, of course, from the government and the private sector to finish it.
“And then also, I speak about other theaters in the country that are funded by LGUs [local government units].
"They also need more funding to maintain [them] and to have content so that performers can perform in those theaters as well.”
Kaye, meanwhile, commented, “As a lot of you might know, PPO is actually the resident orchestra of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and like Margie was saying, the problem is funding. And as a government institution, we’re always lacking funds."
Kaye pointed out that the PPOSI is aiming to strengthen its roster of musicians, a goal that requires significant funding and resources to achieve.
“Presently, we have 40 regular players. We would like to grow it to 70, and this production will go a long way in helping us raise funds and provide instruments to make sure that we have the PPO that the Philippines deserves," Kaye mentioned.
By addressing immediate funding needs and nurturing a deeper appreciation for the arts, the Philippine performing arts scene has the potential to regain its vibrancy.
However, as Margie and Kaye stressed, this revival requires a collective effort to tackle key challenges, including improving infrastructure, supporting artist development, and enhancing audience engagement.
Tickets to Music Movies Magic are available at TicketWorld via ticketworld.com.ph or 0917-5506997, the CCP TIG Box Office at 0931-0330880, or through Lulu Casas at 0917-5708301.