When elections destroy nation building; Filipino opera in casinos

PRRD, our maverick president got it right again: why should he vote in barangay election that favor some of the worst sources of drugs and the fruits of their evil to finance their election? Unlike a dictator he did not impose not voting for the rest of Filipinos. He voted with his conscience.

He just did not show up in his polling center in Davao City for the barangay elections without fanfare or dramatic reasons on why he did not vote. That was interpreted by some of his enemies as a sign that he was undemocratic.

Instead there were various excuses being made for his not voting. On his behalf his own daughter Sara reportedly said he would vote. 

While she did not reveal a specific time, Sara said her father would vote. Special Assistant to the President Christopher “Bong” Go said there was “no reason” why the President did not vote.

Duterte spent the weekend in Davao City, but was expected to return to Manila Monday evening for an event in Malacañang.

For Rappler, the usual killjoy reported Comelec spokesperson James Jimenez simply dismissed the issue by quoting the Comelec official “they have no information why Duterte did not show up, but rules would still be followed.

“The rule simply is that voting closes at 3 p.m., if you’re not in the polling place by 3 p.m., and you’re not in the list of people who are allowed to finish the voting process until even after 3 p.m., then that might cause a problem for anyone who hasn’t been able to vote yet,” he said.

“I guess we’ll find out how the local Comelec deals with this particular issue considering the personalities involved,” Jimenez added.

The more eloquent fact came from a chair, the old wooden chair that Duterte used when he cast his vote in the 2016 presidential elections. It has been displayed as “historical” by the school and has been placed inside a glass case.

The answer came the day after when PDEA announced that they will still go after barangay officials who are well known in their communities as drug dealers and have plenty of money to buy votes. Even before the PDEA announcement the voters were already aware of the fact but would not speak of it. They just accepted the nefarious situation of barangay officials as drug dealers who make money to win elections even if it caused so much harm to themselves and the progress of the barangays. My household help all went to vote because they said it is the closest they could get to ask financial help for their sick or the death of relatives.

It is this political situation that I would understand why PRRD did not vote. Barangay elections advance the cause of political corruption with the worst possible reason – drug dealing.

MISCELLANY: I received an invitation from the Philippine Opera Company of Karla Gutierrez as their way of thanking me for getting them into Pagcor casinos to perform. “

The all-female classical/cross-over group, THE OPERA BELLES performed at the Casino Filipino- Manila Bay yesterday, May 18.

Admission is free. This announcement may be late but there would be other occasions. Thank you also to talented AVP Bong Quintana who made it possible.

And as a postscript to Karla’s invitation: Who said casinos were good only for gambling? I understand it will also be showing at Solaire of Entertainment City. 

Another performance will show the talents of the country’s youngest soprano, Rein Pineda in CCP’s production “Ang Pagbabalik Tanaw sa Unang Hari ng Balagtasan” on May 26 at 1p.m.

Rein is currently a scholar of Philippine Opera Company studying voice under soprano Melisa Camba. She is an incoming senior high student at Sta. Isabel College in preparation for her music career.

In 2014, she joined ABS-CBN’s “The Voice Kids Season 1” were she surprised everyone with her Kundiman song during the blind auditions and became part of Team Lea Salonga.

She became a monthly finalist in GMA 7’s “Will to Win” in 2017 and also emerged as a two-time defending champion at “Tawag ng Tanghalan.” 

Rein was a grand finalist in TV5’s “Talentadong Pinoy Kids.”

In addition, Rein has also won the title “Munting Prinsesa ng Kundiman” and “Prinsesa ng Kundiman” in Valenzuela City.

Recently she was part of Philippine Opera Company’s collaboration with the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ YAS 2018-2019 season opener “Love Sings!” under the direction of Jaime del Mundo. She had several performances with Philippine Opera Company’s Young Artists Series – “Opera Playlist,” “Ole!” and “Deck the Halls.”

She has performed in “A Night of Classics” and “Once Upon a December” under Philippine Opera Company.

By the way, the 13th edition of the Untold Story of Imelda Marcos was launched in the Philippine Opera House. I thought it would be fitting to hold it there so more people would know of it instead of launching it in the usual theaters and halls. My grandchildren and myself went on center stage to sing Bayan Ko. The audience joined us with tears in their eyes.

 Karla had a promising career studying music in Italy but she decided to forego the opportunity and decided to come back home to teach young Filipinos the fine art of opera. At the same time she introduced performances of Filipino dancing in an original way. 

It was a hit. “Harana,” which is the Philippine word for “serenade,” represents the official cultural arm of the Philippine Opera Company. Per the Company, Harana is composed of eight highly celebrated singers, each an accomplished soloist in his and her own right.

To quote further from the Philippine Opera Company: This presentation is aimed at showcasing the evolution of Philippine music through song, movement and drama. The repertoire is composed of six suites, each suite to be theatrically presented replete with authenticity, originality and visual excitement.

Each suite was borne out of thorough research, with the commitment to preserve indigenous Philippine music and its appropriate dance and folklore. The entire presentation is also aimed at restructuring and enhancing such research findings to evolve repertoires suited to the demands of contemporary theater and to promote international goodwill through performances at home and abroad. The result is an absolute feast to the sense.”