I’ve never felt the true meaning of the expression “The show must go on” until I saw SB19, Bayanihan, The National Dance Company of the Philippines (or simply called Bayanihan), the Nightingales, and the Male Ensemble of the Philippines (MEP) continued their performances despite being drenched by the heavy rains during the CCP holiday concert and facade lighting held recently.
Dubbed Binurda, the CCP Christmas offering centered on the Philippine embroidery heritage, highlighting the warp of cultural traditions interwoven with the weft of the Filipino people’s stories.
Director Dexter Santos sewed a concert like no other, with different suites – from Tanglaw ng Hiraya to Pagmamapa sa Padron at Pinagmulan, Pagtatahi ng Ugnayan, Pagbubuhol at Pagbibigkis to Paglaladlad at Pagdiriwang – that bound the audience in one festive tapestry.
Each suite featured varying music genres that encompass different periods and milieus. The first suite brings audiences on a journey to the land of the dream weavers in the Southern Philippines; stitching the second suite, focusing on Muslim Filipino culture, music, and dance.
The third suite highlights the universality of faith, highlighting ecumenical elements; while the fourth suite puts the spotlight on familial ties and relationships. The concert culminates with communal celebrations.
The show kicked off with Bayanihan performing “Intertwining Dreams,” a dance suite focusing on the Mindanoan cultures. It was followed by vocal treats from the Nightingales and MEP, with beautiful renditions of Jocelynang Baliuag and Isang Dugo, Isang Lahi at Musika, respectively. The two amazing groups did a duet of “Noypi” and “Bagong Umaga” medley.
And boy, did we hear loud screams from the A’Tin (the collective name of SB19 fans) when the intro of “What,” one of the most popular songs by the Pinoy pop sensation.
Bayanihan showed us why they were the grand prize winner at the Cheonan World Dance Festival held in South Korea with their inspired Mindanaoan Mosaic, featuring the folk dance by the Maranao people called Singkil.
I’ve seen their Alitaptap Dance before. But during the Binurda, they danced to the live singing of “Sa Ugoy ng Duyan” and “Ili Ili Tulog Anay” by MEP and Nightingales, giving it a more magical and dreamy vibe.
SB19 returned on the stage with their song “MAPA,” accompanied by MEP and Nightingales. I particularly liked the dynamics of the three groups when they sang the pop-rock ballad, with the Bayanihan dancers and their alitaptap in the background.
The finale featured the facade lighting, which is on view until January 2023.
Conceptualized by CCP Production Design and Technical Division chief Ricardo Eric Cruz and his team, the Christmas façade décor features callado, the intricate embroidery, and needlework detailing on piña jusi textile.
Through creative metalwork characterizing the pulling and tying of the warp and weft, the CCP travertine façade turns into a fabric embroidered with a distinct Sampaguita motif, complemented with other Philippine flora and fauna patterns and indigenous geometry designs.
Indigenous to the Philippines, and considered one of its national flowers, sampaguita is often offered to welcome, send off, and show appreciation to family, friends, and guests. For CCP, it is a fitting “grand facade” gesture of appreciation to our audiences who have supported the premiere arts institution for the past 53 years.
The tone-on-tone design of the CCP holiday decoration provides an understated elegance to the façade during the day, and seamlessly transitions to a dazzling light spectacle at night.
At that point, the rain got heavier. But the Bayanihan continued with their “Mga Parol ng Pasko,” followed by “Payapang Daigdig” and “Munting Sanggol” by MEP and Nightingales. SB19 returned to the stage with “Ligaya.”
Despite the heavy rains, the performers rocked the finale of a Christmas medley, “Pasko Na Naman/ Noche Buena.” Truly, the night was “Kumukutikutitap” with such wonderful performances from the country’s biggest and most talented artists.
The five-member group, composed of Pablo, Josh, Justin, Ken, and Stell, definitely lived up to their P-pop royalty status with their amazing performance. I’m no A’Tin, but I definitely enjoyed SB19’s performance at Binurda. This was the second time I saw them perform live; the first was at the Acer Day 2022 last August.
And watching them perform despite the heavy rains during the finale of the show for the crowd, for their A’Tin, was truly a gift worth receiving.
As the CCP Main Building undergoes its much-needed renovation and rehabilitation, Binurda symbolizes the people’s anticipation and the artistic promise of the blossoming of a new culture and arts institution.
As the intro spiel enthused: “The CCP Main Building will undergo rehabilitation starting 2023. But it doesn’t mean the Cultural Center of the Philippines will cease operations. We will continue to be the leading art institution in the country.
In 2023 and beyond, we will continue to soldier on. We have curated an artistic program for 2023 that corresponds to the needs of the times. We will continue to make arts and culture relevant, and still bring quality productions and performances even with our Main Building going through renovations.
Tuloy pa rin ang paglikha. Tuloy na tuloy ang sining. Buhay na buhay ang CCP.” (Photos by Kiko Cabuena)