MAY has just started and most of us are probably thinking how we can make this month interesting. republicasia lists down some art-related activities that you could try to make most out of May. Some of them are free.
Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) events
The Met: Live in HD George Bizet’s “Carmen”
This is part of CCP’s program to bring The Metropolitan Opera of New York to Filipinos. “Carmen” is a tragic opera that follows Carmen’s story as she seduces an army corporal guarding her prison cell. This will be showing on May 7, 2024 at Greenbelt 3 Cinema 1.
Ticket prices are P350 for regular audiences and P100 for students.
“Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang Sayaw”
This event will showcase the vibrant heartbeat of the Philippines and celebrate unity through dance. The event will feature Filipino artists and dance groups that include Aljana “Cheenee” Alicia Rose Marie Limuaco (1st place winner, WifiBody.Ph 2020), Philippine Dancesport Team, Ballet Manila, Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, Ballet Philippines, UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe, Philippine Dancesport Team, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, and The Crew.
Photo Courtesy: CCP Facebook Page
This will be held on May 23-24, 2024, 7:30 p.m. at the Metropolitan Theater. Ticket prices are at P1,000, P800, P500.
Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Outreach Concert
This will be on May 23, 2024, at CCP Biñan, Laguna, at 7 p.m.
Photo Courtesy: CCP Facebook Page
CCP National Theatre Live: William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”
This is part of CCP’s program to bring the London National Theatre to the Philippines. This will be on May 28, 2024, 6 p.m. at Greenbelt 3, Cinema 1.
Photo Courtesy: CCP Facebook Page
Ticket prices for regular audiences is P250 while P150 for students, while there’s a 20% discount for senior citizens who are non-Makati residents & PWD. All senior citizens with Makati resident IDs shall be allowed free entry as mandated by local government regulations.
“Mebuyan’s Colony” by Leeroy New
This is part of the Earth Day installation in 2024. Mebuyan is a goddess residing in the underworld whose body is engulfed with seemingly infinite breasts based on the Bagobo mythology.
Photo Courtesy: CCP Facebook Page
The installation opened on April 25 and will last until May 25, 2024 every 6 p.m. in CCP front lawn. Admission to the art installation is free.
Dagitab/Digital (Banaag: An Earth Day Installation)
Photo Courtesy: CCP Facebook Page
Dagitab/Digital’s “Banaag: An Earth Day Installation” is a 6-minute interactive music and light show which started on April 25 and will continue until May 18, 2024, with nightly performances starting 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. at the Likhang Kalikhasan’s Bamboo and Cogon pavilion, CCP Complex. This is also a free admission event.
Activities for artists
The Museum of Contemporary Art and Design will hold a Summer Arts Festival. Its series of workshops have the theme of artmaking as a creative and accessible avenue to promote green and sustainable practices.
Photo Courtesy: Museum of Contemporary Art and Design Facebook page
“Inking Threads”: a textile spray and silkscreen printing workshop
The event, which will be facilitated by Olive Lopez and Ferdinand Escora, is open to people aged 11-16 years, on May 11, 2024 in MCAD at 3 p.m.
“From Scraps to Straps: Making Bracelets from Recycled Fabrics”
This workshop on May 18, 2024 in MCAD at 3 p.m., will be facilitated by Samantha Martin. It is open to people aged 6-10 years.
Meanwhile, “Consciously Wrapped: A Green Design in Packaging Seminar-Workshop” will be facilitated by Ana Maria Veronica Solano. It is open to people ages 17 years old and above. The workshop will be held on May 25, 2024 in MCAD at 3 p.m.
Shows to watch for theater fans
“One More Chance” musical
Photo Courtesy: PETA Theater Facebook Page
It is still a good thing to watch the iconic lines in the theater. You can still watch the musical adaptation of Popoy and Basha’s love story which will features the music of Ben&Ben. It started showing on April 12 and will run until June 30, 2024.
“Bar Boys” musical: A New Musical
Photo Courtesy: Barefoot Theatre Collective
“Bar Boys” musical is the theatrical adaptation of Kip Oebanda’s 2017 film of the same title. The musical follows the story of four young men who wanted to be professional lawyers. The musical will be staged for only three weeks from May 3 – 19, 2024 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati.
“Miss Saigon”
Photo Courtesy: GMG Productions
You still have a chance to watch the retelling of the classic opera “Madame Butterfly” by Giacomo Puccini. It started showing on March 23 and will run until May 12, 2024 at The Theatre at Solaire.
“Buruguduystunstugudunstuy: Ang Parokya ni Edgar Musical”
Photo Courtesy: NWR Musicals
Music from your childhood turns into theater. With “Buruguduystunstugudunstuy,” you can relive memories from your childhood and still learn a new story from it. This will make your month of May memorable. The musical started on April 26 and will run until May 19, 2024.
“Rent”
You don’t need 525,600 minutes to witness “Seasons of Love” live because “Rent” is still showing. It started last April 19, and will run until June 1, 2024 at the RCBC Theater Plaza.
“Tatlong kuwento ni Lola Basyang” by Ballet Manila
Photo from: Ballet Manila Facebook Page
We all grew up watching Lola Basyang on television. But watching it in a ballet dance adaptation will be a new experience. “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang” is comprised of three stories—Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon, Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya and Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin—which combine elements of romance, fantasy and adventure. The show will run only on May 11, 12, and 18, 2024 at the Aliw Theater, CCP Complex.
“Grace”
Photo from: GRACE in spotlight Facebook page
“Grace” is a new play by Floy Quintos about the religious controversy in 1948. The play is based on the true story of Sister Teresita “Teresing” Castillo, then a novice nun, who claimed that after many encounters with the devil, the Virgin Mother appeared to her in the convent of the Discalced Carmelites in Lipa Carmel, Batangas, as Mary, Mediatrix of all Grace. It will run every Saturday and Sunday from May 25 – June 16 at Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater.
These are just some events that will help you have a memorable month.
With reports from Rizza Mae Escio
