'Ang Bagong Harana' official poster.
ORTIGAS CENTER, Pasig City, Philippines –
In an intimate press conference, Philippine Opera Company hosted a
sit-down lunch for their upcoming show titled ‘Ang Bagong Harana’ at
Ballroom C of Crowne Plaza Galleria Hotel. The show is slated on
September 29 till October 1 at Carlos P. Romulo Theater, RCBC Plaza,
Ayala Avenue corner Sen. Gil J. Puyat Avenue, Makati City.
To most, the word ‘Harana’ is slowly losing its glory and its meaning.
It is just treated as part of the past and was even included in one of
the hit songs popularized by a modern, all-male Filipino band named
‘Parokya ng Edgar’ back in the 90s. Florante Aguilar, a Fil-Am, who
traced his roots and revisited the history of this courtship songs based
on the habanera rhythm of Mexican-Spanish tradition, which also
inspired Philippine Opera Company to stage this show to help re-educate
the Filipino youth in particular.
“Ang Bagong Harana’ is more than just a love song, this show is a love
letter to all the best things that the Filipino can be,” Floy Quintos,
the director said.
The film is by Florante Aguilar, a Fil-Am who
travels to remote provinces in search of master haranistas -
practitioners of the vanished art of serenading in the Philippines. It
is directed by Benito Bautista and produced by Fides Enriquez.
The works of the country’s best Filipino composers, the likes of
Nicanor Abelardo, Ryan Cayabyab, Will Cruz, Francisco Santiago, Antonio
Molina, Resti Umali, George Canseco, Ernani Cuenco, Levi Celerio, Jose
Estrella, Constancio De Guzman, and Felipe de Leon are featured in this
show.
Another thing that makes this production truly different and
worth-watching is the cast. It comprises the country’s foremost
classically-trained singers and artists: Al Gatmaitan, Marvin Gayramon,
Karla Gutierrez, Lawrence Jatayna, Charlie Magalit, Aizel Prietos,
Nazer Salcedo, Jack Salud, Marian Santiago, Janine Santos, Floyd Tena
and Jurgen Untenberg.
From left to right: Jurgen Unterberg, Karla Gutierrez, Jack Salud, Nazer Salcedo, Marian Santiago, and Lawrence Jatayna.
From left to right: Marvin Gaymaron, Aizel Prietos, Al Gatmaitan, Charley Magalit, Floyd Tena, and Janine Santos.
As a group, it is their advocacy to reach out more youth to be
re-oriented about the Philippine Harana. In 2008, they produced
critically-acclaimed hit ‘Harana’ as a tool to showcase the evolution of
Philippine music through song and movement. It also toured covering
Cebu, Roxas, Antique, Bohol, Dumagueta, and Palawan.
When asked about Philippine Opera Company’s future plans, Karla
Gutierrez, Philippine Opera Company’s artistic director said, “It is
our vision to let the youth not just appreciate our music, but to let
them know ‘who we are’ and ‘where we have been’. It is our legacy, our
heritage for the youth. In fact, we started doing outreaches and
hopefully with our efforts we are able to contribute in reviving opera
and providing fresh takes on immortal and classic Filipino songs.”
Its board of members and friends of the said foundation include Karla Gutierrez, Joselito Tecson, Nolyn Cabahug, Joselito Tolentino, Frankie Aseniero, Antonio Gutierrez and Honorary Chairman - Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco.
Shows are scheduled at 330pm for matinees and 8pm for evening shows. For
ticket sales, please contact
Philippine Opera Company at (632)
881-7168; or
+639175272880 or TicketWorld at (632)
891-9999 or like
Harana on facebook.
