In celebration of the 119th year of independence of the Philippines from Spanish rule, the Bonifacio Art Foundation, Inc. (BAFI) presents the Ultimate Indie Weekend in Bonifacio Global City on June 10-11.
BGC trains the spotlight on homegrown talents on Independence Day weekend to show that they can bridge the arts and science “to serve our lives,” with the Philippines’s first Manila Maker Faire and the second BGC Arts Center Festival entitled “BGC Loves Local.”
“This is the kind of weekend that has engineers, artists, and performers to give us fascinating technologies and uplifting performances that could improve the quality of our days,” says Maria Isabel Garcia, curator of The Mind Museum and head of Content of the BGC Arts Program.
As The Mind Museum celebrates its fifth year and with the recent opening of BGC Arts center, Garcia says, “We are even more inspired to rally this science-and-arts bridge to help in nation-building and culture-making.”
The Manila Maker Faire, the first in the country, is a free two-day event that gathers 50 innovators, hobbyists, and technologist from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. There will be robots, drones, 3D printers, virtual reality, and eco-friendly technologies, such as portable desalinators for fishermen, to be presented to the public at The Mind Museum.
This science event is licensed by the Maker Media of the US, and was first held in San Francisco, New York, Chicago, other parts of the globe, and now in the Philippines.
Meanwhile contemporary artists will come together at BGC Loves Local, which serves as a mainstream venue for Filipino artists to showcase their works and talents. Shows range from classical music performances by past winners of the National Music Competition for Young Artists (NAMCYA) to improvisational theater by Third World Improv.
On June 10, the Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall will feature original performances such as the one-act play on siblinghood by Theater 2108, an Ilokano One-Act Tale called Naameng Ak Gamin by Dulaang ELYU, and the improv show called Indi’sarswela by SPIT. The Globe Auditorium, will be the stage for the local adaption of I am Asher Lev by Twin Bill Productions, Cinderella by KidsAct, and Harana by The Philippine Opera Company.
On June 11, a ballet duet Passages created by Jean Marc Cordero, an orchestra performance by the NAMCYA, and a mini music festival by Stages Sessions—featuring Keiko Necesario and Bullet Dumas, among others—will be performed at the Globe Auditorium. The Zobel de Ayala Recital Hall will show a one-act play called Biyahe.
Several other indoor and outdoor performances will happen in several venues in BGC.
Both events are open for everyone, from all ages and genders. “It’s for those curious how arts and sciences are connected. It’s for open-minded people,” says Garcia.
Go to www.bgcartscenter.org for the complete list of events.