|
“AN EVENING OF POETRY AND MUSIC”: Further possibilities of showcasing Filipino talent
“An Evening of Poetry and Music” is a program that grew from the “Huntahan” series.
It was intended to serve as a venue or forum for writers to perform their works before a public. It was expanded to include
poetic works with music or melody. Originally it was held mostly within the CCP premises in connection with a celebration
like the Chinese New Year or Valentine’s Day or the Arts Month in February, Women’s Month in March, Independence
Day in June, Bonifacio Day on November 30 or the CCP Anniversary in September. Hence, its subtitle would vary: “Love
and Art in the Year of the Dragon” (February 18, 2000), “ Sarisaring Kasarian, Iba’t Ibang Pagmamahal”
(March 23, 2001), “Carino y Amor para sa Kapayapaan” (February 26, 2001), “Buklod-Talinghaga: Tula at Musika
sa Bahay ni Kapitan Moy” (Marikina, February 25, 1999), “Talinghaga ng Puso” (U.P. Molave Residence Hall,
February 24, 2004).
On May 26, 2002, the program was brought for the first time outside of Metro Manila. It was intended to
be fused with the final showcase and closing ceremony of “Batang-Sining” in Cagayan de Oro city. The idea was
to feature a professional singer or band singing songs for children during the showcase that would highlight the talents of
children after a creative expression workshop. The featured vocalist Cookie Chua and her group Color It Red ended up doing
a concert at the Cagayan Capitol College gym for delegates in a community women’s festival because the parents of the
children deemed that a program in the evening was too much for the exhausted workshoppers.
The idea of fusing in a program the popular appeal of celebrity performers and newly-discovered talents,
be they children or adults fresh from a “Batang-Sining” or “Tanghal-Tula” workshop, was aimed at demystifying
media gods and placing confidence in performance and creativity within the reach of ordinary individuals who have become uncritical
audiences for a long time. This, too, would not only enhance the feeling of empowerment but also generate wider attention
to the programs and more support from the community.
|
