Philippine Showbiz Today
May 22 - June 7, 2016
9
Philippine Opera Company
on a cultural mission
tour of Canada
Philippine Opera Company
celebrates its 15th year anniver-
sary and will set out on a cultural
mission tour in the US and Ca-
nada in commemoration of the
118th Philippine Independence
Day.
Philippine Opera Company
(POC) is the only local opera com-
pany that produces regular pro-
ductions as the leading classical
music agency for over 12 years
and a member of The Philippine
Legitimate Stage Artists Group
(PHILSTAGE), the country’s only
organization of pro performing
arts companies.
Founded in 1999, it is man-
aged by classical performing ar-
tists whose thrust is to sustain
and develop more audiences
for classical music theatre in the
Philippines. It is committed to ex-
tending opera beyond its elitist
pedestal by performing in malls,
churches, community centers,
parks, and schools, so as to make
it more accessible to the public.
To celebrate the fusion of mu-
sic and drama, to share this pas-
sion for opera and help nurture
this medium in our country – to
this goal the POC is committed
to, in developing a new genera-
tion of classical singers and au-
diences, and to develop our own
Filipino style of presenting opera.
POC also helps develop opera
appreciation among Filipinos by
performing outreach programs
for schools, government agencies
and private corporate organiza-
tions throughout the country.
Over the years, the Philippine
Opera Company also witnessed
the sudden uptrend in the aware-
ness and appreciation of opera
and classical related performanc-
es by Filipinos particularly the
young, educated segment of so-
ciety. This favorable development
has led POC to launch its very first
annual opera season in the coun-
try.
After the successful launch-
ing of the 2006 Opera Season
with Terence McNally’s Tony
Award Winning piece “Master
Class” with award-winning ac-
tress Cherie Gil playing the lead
role, “Operanow 2: An Evening
of Puccini”, “Opera-lite … the
first opera bar tour”, and Mozart’s
“Magic Flute”. In 2008, Philippine
Opera Company embarked on its
full-length opera production of
Puccini’s most loved opera, “La
Boheme” at the Cultural Center
of the Philippines.
Philippine Opera Company is
committed to promote and pre-
serve Philippine’s music heritage
through its cultural arm, “HA-
RANA” which performed in Am-
sterdam and garnered 3 standing
ovations from the foreign com-
munity.
Philippine Opera Company
received the “Maria Carpena Me-
morial Award for the Arts” for
POC’s contribution in the promo-
tion and appreciation of the tradi-
tional Filipino music.
This coming June, Philippine
Opera Company’s “HARANA” will
perform in Canada to showcase
the evolution of Philippine music
through song, movement and dra-
ma. The repertoire is composed
of six suites. Each suite is theatri-
cally presented with authenticity,
originality and visual excitement.
The creation of each Harana suite
is a product of thorough research
with the commitment to preserve
indigenous Philippine music and
its appropriate dance and folklore.
It aims to promote international
goodwill through performances
at home and abroad.•