Filipinos love fiestas! This festive celebration, characterized by a grand rocession, street party, games and banquets, is also a unique forum for cultural expression.
It is an important coming together involving community cooperation, collaboration and growth.
This October, everyone is invited to take part in “Fiesta: Spanish Festival for Culture and the Arts,” organized annually by the Instituto Cervantes, the implementing arm of the Spanish Embassy.
To give us a preview of the events lined-up for the month-long festival, Spanish Ambassador Ignacio Sagaz and his wife, Aurora hosted an intimate dinner for members of the press in their Forbes Park residence.
Gaudi Restaurant was the bar host that night. Owner Sandra Cacho personally prepared the banquet — ensalada Gaudi, paella valenciana, paella de mariscos, lapu-lapu en salsa verde, lomo de cerdo malaga —which went well with wine, courtesy of Torres Wines.
Guitar player Joseph Mirandilla of the University of Sto. Tomas set the mood with his rendition of “Granada” by Isaac Albeniz.
Enjoying the food and music were Instituto Cervantes director Javier Galvan, cultural affairs deputy Jose Maria Fons, Spanish Embassy Charge d’ Affaires Javier Gonzalez, Spanish Chamber of Commerce commercial counsellor Jose Miguel Cortes and Agencia Espańola de Cooperacion International general coordinator Jose Maria Taberne.
Now on its 4th year, “Fiesta” has gained a remarkable significance among the culturatti of Manila.
“Every year, we try to give the Filipinos a wide array of Spanish cultural elements be it in poetry, dance, music, theater and the arts,” enthused Javier Galvan, Instituto Cervantes director.
The festival kicks off on Sept. 28 with a romantic night of poetry and music in tribute to the great Chilean poet Pablo Neruda.
Poets Marjorie Evasco, Jose Lacaba, Alfred Yuson, Marra Lanot, Benilda Santos, Joi Barrios and Spanish poets Ana Rossetti and Benjamin Prado will each read their own poems and one of Pablo Neruda.
On this occasion, the Embassy of Chile awards National Artist Frankie Sionil Jose with the Pablo Neruda Medal.
“It is a special distinction created by the Chilean Government to commemorate the centennial of Neruda’s birth. Sionil will be one of the 100 awardees worldwide to receive this honor,” explained Javier.
Greenbelt goes Spanish with a “Fiesta!” launch party on Oct. 3, 5 p.m., at the Greenbelt fountain area.
The “Fiesta” will feature flamenco dances, guitar music, video previews of “Fiesta” activities and a grand fireworks display.
Well, for those who think that puppetry is just for kids, think again! Bambalina, the legendary Spanish puppet troupe, will entertain kids and adults alike with their version of Miguel de Cervantes classic “Don Quixote” on Oct. 2, at RCBC Plaza.
Bambalina was born in Albaida, Valencia in 1981. Dedicating themselves to the unconventional disclipine of puppetry, the group started to draw on the great works of literature for inspiration.
The dramatic power of their imagery, the elaborate staging and intricate puppetry are what set their productions apart.
For “Quijote,” the Bambalinas garnered three important awards: two as the Best Theatrical Performance in Romania and Poland, and a honorable mention for the Festival in La Habana, Cuba.
The magic of Spanish contemporary dance comes alive on Oct. 9, 8 p.m., at the CCP Main Theater.
Aukeran, a Spanish modern dance group from the Basque region, will prove that flamenco is not the only dance genre existing in Spain.
According to Javier, a general trend to deviate from this cliche proves that the Spaniards are capable of creating choreographies beyond flamenco.
“This year, we feel that we should break away from the stereotype that’s why we are bringing Aukeran to Manila,” adds Javier.
Formed in 1997, Aukeran specializes in traditional dances and blends in a “modern twist.”
For their Manila performance, Aukeran will present “Todo lo que tiene nombre existe (Everything that has a name exists).”
It is a rhythmic modern dance inspired by ancestral mythologies. Aside from 10 dancers, the musicians and their varied instruments will also be on stage.
“Another highlight is the amazing light display that perfectly captures the body movements and intense footwork of the dancers,” Javier notes.
For moviegoers, Instituto Cervantes will hold its 3rd Spanish Film Festival from Oct. 1 to 17, at Artfilm, Greenbelt 1.
The three-week film fest will feature Spanish and Latin American movies with English subtitles. Plus, moviegoers will have the chance to vote for the best film and win two plane tickets to Bangkok.
On Oct. 5, Spanish photographer Marc Llimargas will mount his “Gaudi” photo exhibit at Ayala Museum, Greenbelt 4.
The exhibit will mount images of Gaudi’s most symbolic works as seen through the camera of Llimargas.
Enjoy a night of Spanish guitar featuring Spanish guitarist Joseph Henriquez and Vietnamese Hang Nguyen on Oct. 14, 7:30 p.m., at C.P. Romulo auditorium, RCBC Plaza.
“We are very excited to present a meatier line-up of activities that Filipinios will surely enjoy. Join us as we celebrate ‘Fiesta,’ the Spanish way!” enthused Javier Galvan, Instituto Cervantes director.
