unSAULicited

Poster of the September 19 event. The evening of September 19, 2024, promises to be a night of elegance and musical mastery at the MiraNila Heritage House & Library. As the historic walls of MiraNila prepare to echo with the melodious strains of classical music, the send-off concert of the acclaimed cellist Damodar Das Castillo, aptly titled "Strings of Gold," is set to captivate audiences in an event that marries history with the sublime artistry of music. A Venue Steeped in History MiraNila, now a heritage house and library, was built in 1929 by U.S.-trained architect-prndionado Gregorio Paredes and in 2007 deemed as an important cultural site by the National Historical Commission of the Philippines. The Main Hall of the MiraNila Heritage House & Library, a space steeped in cultural heritage, will serve as the perfect backdrop for this special event. The evening will also mark the unveiling of MiraNila’s meticulously renovated 1904 Steinway grand piano, a rare gem i...

Photo by Dulcinea Zulueta Walking into the Doreen Black Box, I admit my knowledge of Marie Curie's personal life was limited. But with Missy Maramara and Caisa Borromeo headlining, I knew I was in for something powerful. And I was right. This particular run of The Half-Life of Marie Curie marks its Philippine debut, presented by MusicArtes, Inc., and co-presented by the Philippine Theater Actors Guild, Inc., and the Ateneo Fine Arts Department. The play, written by Lauren Gunderson, delves into the lesser-known aspects of Marie Curie’s life, particularly her friendship with engineer and suffragist Hertha Ayrton. Set in the aftermath of a public scandal involving Curie's affair with a married man, the narrative explores themes of resilience, sisterhood, and the often-overlooked personal struggles behind Curie's groundbreaking scientific achievements. The material itself is already compelling, but in the hands of Missy and Caisa, it transcended into something extraordinary. T...