THOMASIAN musicians and dancers joined artists from all over Luzon on the third day of the 15th Pasinaya: Open House Festival, a three-day arts festival at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from Feb. 1-3.
The UST Symphony Orchestra (USTSO), one of CCP’s resident orchestras, opened the lineup of performances in the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main Theater) with a well-received performance of the “Avengers” theme, and songs by 70’s rock band Queen, with professors Herminigildo Ranera and Dondon Ressurecion taking turns at the baton.
“This is our gift to the Filipinos who usually don’t get to watch our concerts,” violinist Ram Sajota of USTSO told the Varsitarian.
The orchestra also held the “Instrument Petting Zoo,” a workshop and interactive lecture where members explained musical instruments’ different functions and purposes in an orchestra.
The Salinggawi Dance Troupe, the University’s cultural dance organization, performed folk and contemporary dances. The folk dances included “Tarektek” from Benguet province, “Tob-ay,” a courtship dance from the Bontoc tribe, “Banga-Banga” of the Kalinga women and “Bumayah,” a festive dance from the Ifugao.
In their second performance, Salinggawi danced to choreographies by their members such as “Duwa” by freshman Zahreen Sadia and “Splatter” by senior members Ferrena Enriquez and Kamille Mendoza.
“Performing in Pasinaya is important to us since UST doesn’t have any celebration of art during February, and I think that’s what we really wait for as [performing] artists,” said Ferrena Enriquez, president of Salinggawi.
Ensembles from the Conservatory of Music, namely the UST Guitar Octet and the UST Brass Octet, performed at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino (Little Theater) with their “Ernani Cuenco Medley” arranged by Thomasian conductor Jedrick Itugot, folk-pop song “Maybe the Night” and the “Beauty and the Beast” theme.
The USTSO then joined forces with the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra and other resident performing arts companies of CCP for the “People’s Gala,” Pasinaya’s closing performance.
More than 50,000 people watched Pasinaya 2019, said Ariel Llonzon, department manager for the Production and Exhibition Department of the CCP.
