IN celebration of the golden year of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), the timeless tales of many of Philippine history’s interesting characters from national hero Jose Rizal’s classic novel about love, betrayal and nationalism will be restaged in early March.
Noli Me Tangere, The Opera, an original creation of National Artists Guillermo Tolentino and Felipe de Leon, will be given a totally modern look and feel by an esteemed team of artists and collaborators headed by New York-based Jerry Sibal and actor-director Jeffrey Camañag, who are codirecting this grand production.
A 53-piece symphony orchestra will provide the musical backdrop for this historical opera spectacle, under the baton of Maestro Herminigildo Ranera. To be presented in three acts, the show will follow the story of its lead character Crisostomo Ibarra, fresh from his studies in Europe who journeys back to the country where conflicts both personal and national await him. The age-old rift between the church and the government will also be clearly depicted in the opera.
“We are all excited to showcase and share this production to the art patrons of the new generation. We will be using LED walls of mapping projections that will blend with contemporary set design, to give the show a premium production value,” volunteered Sibal, who is a well-respected event stylist and floral design expert in the United States.
After the shows, Jerry Sibal will also run a workshop in floristry and events design on the third week of March at Dusit Thani Manila. “It’s my way of giving back to my mother country,” he shared, adding, “There are so many talents just waiting to be discovered and given the breaks. I am just happy to be able to share whatever I have learned through my many years of working in New York.”
For his role as codirector, Camañag, who has been doing excellent work for the Gantimpala Theater Co. for the past few years, is excited about this collaboration with Sibal. “I am just happy that we are usually on the same page, sharing the same visions for the show, and we are privileged to work with some of the best minds and creators in theater and the performing arts,” he enthused.
“We have well-loved fashion designer Albert Figueras coming in to help Jerry in creating the many wonderful costumes for the characters. Jospeh Matheu will serve as our lighting designer and Ronan Ferrer will be our vocal coach. Then there’s Raul Sunico who will sit as the project artistic director,” Camañag added. The opera will have an illustrious roster of classical artists playing pivotal roles: Ivan Niccolo Nery, Bianca Camille Lopez, Nerissa de Juan, Nomher Rival, Allison Cervantes, Nazer Salcedo, Greg de Leon, Ronnie Abarquez, Mia Bolañoas, Micah Galang, Nils Flores, Lawrence Roxas, Santino Santiago and award-winning child actor Noel Comia Jr.
Comia reprises the same role he played a few years ago. He has certainly evolved into a fine young man who takes his craft very seriously. The teen rose to fame when he played the lead role in the Cinemalaya entry Kiko Boksingero, the film which gave him a lot of accolades.
His 2019 looks more than colorful. He has just wrapped up work for the movie Ang Huling Gitarista, by new filmmaker Jason Orfalas. And he gets to stand toe to toe as an actor with Sunshine Dizon and Gabby Eigenmann in a new movie project, titled Versus.
“I like to widen my horizons as an actor, and projects like this opera certainly will give me more knowledge which I can use for future work,”said Comia.