RP Independence Day concert draws raves in Maryland

MANILA, Philippines — A concert by various Filipino performers to mark the Philippines' 111th Independence Day earned raves in Maryland in the United States, the Department of Foreign Affairs said. The DFA said "Simbuyo 2009" featured Philippine culture and arts before a diverse audience of Filipinos, Filipino-Americans and Americans. "The interplay of excellent live performances and the technical support that provided visual, stage and auditory support gave a complete cultural experience that showed the diversity of our heritage while harnessing the power of technology," Philippine Ambassador to the United States Willy Gaa said on the DFA website (www.dfa.gov.ph). Also featuring volunteer performers from the Greater Metro DC area and Manila, the concert was held at the 500-seat Grand Theater of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Visitors’ Center in Kensington, Maryland. The Philippine American Foundation for Charities, Inc. and the Embassy of the Philippines sponsored the concert. “We felt Filipino musicality, saw Filipino artistry, heard Filipino lyricism. The images of historic and modern Philippines showed during the concert underscored how far we have come and how far we will continue to go as a democratic nation," Gaa said. The Ateneo Alumni Choir, led by artistic director and conductor Paul Hontiveros, gave stirring renditions of the national anthems of the Philippines and the United States as animated flags of the two countries were projected onscreen. National artist Lucio San Pedro arranged the renditions of the national anthems. The Ateneo Alumni Choir, in its first public performance, performed “I will Sing Forever" and “Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi, Isang Musika." "The first song underscored the important role played by faith in everyday Filipino life while the second song stressed the continuing challenge for Filipinos to continue contributing to the greater growth and development of the Philippines," the DFA said. Northern Virginia Rondalla, headed by musical director Timothy Paredes, took the audience on a musical trip to the Philippines through the song, “Doon Po Sa Amin" at the beginning of the program. Popular Filipino folk songs were performed in the Philippine Suite Air No. 2 towards the end of the concert performance, ending in the playing of “Mabuhay." Pianist Genevieve Llames played Kundiman ng Luha while photos of pre-war Manila were projected onscreen. She also delivered an honest and heartfelt rendition of Variations. Filipino folk dances were given a modern twist by the visiting Effie Nanas Ballet School dancers, who performed Tinikling, Itik-itik, Malong Dance and a specially choreographed dance to the popular Dahil Sa Iyo. Nanas, the school’s founder, was present at the performance. The well-loved Tinikling was performed energetically by the Pilipino American Cultural Arts Society under the direction of Belen dela Peňa. Throughout the performance, the logo of Simbuyo 2009, created by Emmy nominee Zaldy Serrano from the Bay Area, was projected onscreen. - GMANews.TV