NEWSFLASH 

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SUBIC BAY ARTS CENTER HOLDS FIRST ARTS FESTIVAL

Subic Bay Freeport, April 20, 2000 - In line with the new vision of former Congressman Felicito 'Tong' Payumo, chairman of Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SMBA), to make Subic alive through arts and culture, the Subic Bay Arts Center (SUBAC) was formally opened April 16 with performances from the various theater groups under Philstage.

Launched on that day was "Shwak! Buhay na ang Subac," a two-part Arts Festival at SUBAC that will go on till November this year.The first part started April 16 with a festival motorcade and a revue of performances from the member groups of Philstage: OPM, Trumpets, PETA, Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Inc., MusikatMusical Theater Philippines, Actor’s Actors, Inc., Repertory Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc., and Ballet Manila. After the motorcade participated in by the performing artists and guests from Manila, a ribbon-cutting to officially open SUBAC followed. Cocktails preceded the program and performance of Philstage member/artists.

In his keynote address, Chairman Payumo explained the rationale behind the launching of SUBAC,which is actually the old moviehouse called Lowry Hall where movies used to be screened for the US servicemen assigned in Subic.

"Why arts and culture in Subic? Why not? It doesn’t mean that because it is an economic free zone, factory site na lamang ang SMBA. This is a community and we have guests too but the problem had always been that there is nowhere to go to after a hard day’s work, Subic is dead at night. And so we thought we might as well make Subic alive too through arts and culture; it shouldn’t be a cultural desert," Payumo explained.

He added that an economic free zone means more than capital and factories; it is a community of people who need recreation to be more productive and inspired in their work. Chairman Payumo wants to prove that business and culture could thrive together and can beautifully work hand and hand.

In his opening remarks, Freddie Santos related that the leaders of the group Philstage, the umbrella organization of various theater groups in the country, proposed an arts center and Chairman Payumo was immediately sold to the idea.

Freddie jested that on the basis of a small piece of paper where he has written the logo and salient features of the art center SUBAC came into existence.

And now, the enthusiasm and excitement of the people are reciprocal: Philstage will have a regular venue for their performances, and the people of Subic will have the opportunity to watch performances concerts, plays, ballet presentations, cultural events, etc. They will now have a night life, for SUBAC will be for everybody: from the lowly street-cleaner to the executives and expats.

There had been interesting activities prior to the opening of SUBAC, like an on-the-spot painting contest among the children. The winning pieces will be translated into murals in front of the art center.Chairman Payumo initially wanted the facade of the Lowry Hall to be changed but Freddie convinced him that it would be best if they retain the character of the place. Lowry Hall was renovated and now it has become a bonafide venue for artistic presentations, a place Subic can be proud of.

During the grand opening of SUBAC, the heads of the various guilds under Philstage were there: Celeste Legaspi (MusicatMusical Theater Philippines), Mitch Valdes (Organisasyon ng Pilipinong Mang-aawit), Tony Espejo (Gantimpala Theater Foundation, Inc.), Bart Guinggona (Actor’s Actors, Inc.), Susan Macuja and Eric Cruz (Ballet Manila), Liza Infante (Repertory Philippines), Maribel Legarda (PETA), Joven Reyes (Tanghalang Pilipino Foundation, Inc.) and Freddie Santos (Trumpets). Freddie also acted as the able and efficient host, beaming with pride and enthusiasm as always when he was a special project realized.

Each of the member groups of Philstage staged its own performance: Trumpets: "Glory, Glory/He Opens a Window" with Sheila Francisco; PETA: excerpts from "Hatol ng Guhit na Bilog/Summer Dreamin’" with the PETA Kaliningan Ensemble; Gantimpala Theater Foundation’s "Pasa-Pasa, Dahan-Dahan," excerpt from Tiktipaklong with GTF actors; Actor’s Actor’s "Hamlet" song with Michael Williams; Musicat-OPM "Minsan ang Minahal ay Ako," excerpt from "Katy" by Celeste Legaspi and Mitch Valdes; Tanghalang Pilipino’s excerpt from the zarzuela "Paglaya" with TP Actors Company; Repertory Philippines’ Shortstoppers with Rep actors; and Ballet Manila and Classical and Filipino Choreographic Jewels.

Today, Trumpets will present "Triumphant People’s Evangelistic Theater Society," and "The Sound of Trumpets: First Name," featuring songs from the country’s first pop gospel musical.

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