Sining Sorpresa: A Cultural Extravaganza Unfolding at SM Mall of Asia - Blending Tradition and Modernity in a Flash Mob Fiesta

 

The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) while its main building in Pasay City being renovated extends its reach to the masses through a Kanto Kultura (corner culture) flash mob performance with the Ramon Obusan Folklore Group, Madz et al, and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra last February 18, 2024 for 20 minutes from 2:00 PM at SM Mall of Asia. The event is entitled Sining Sorpresa (Arts Surprise) to blend with the local modern culture of the masses in strolling around the shopping malls. Philippine mall giant, SM, graciously offered their space to entertain mall goers in February, also known as the love month. Songs featured were traditional love songs from historically known composers and a modern serenade from a famous 1980s local alternative rock band. The atrium of the SM Mall of Asia was designed with modern washout tile finishes surrounded by retail stores in dark lines and frames enveloping the performers at the center.

Unknown to mall passersby, orchestra instruments were left unattended for a while at the atrium, although there were curious citizens who got a hint of a special occasion to launch. By 2:00 PM citizens in casual clothing from all sides of the atriums approached the center to pick up the instruments while a maestro stood at the small square raised platform positioning to conduct an orchestra. Immediately a voice from the background announced to introduce the performers, and the music began to catch the attention of mall passersby who stopped to take photos and observe as an audience.

After one song, the first five minutes, another set of citizens approached the center from the other end of the atrium to demonstrate synchronized movements forming dance choreographies. The dancers were in casual clothing, which was joined by more performers wearing Filipiniana traditional attire in signature alampay (lifted shawl) for ladies. The latter was a slow social dance number for ladies in Filipino attire with male escorts, dressed for the occasion.

The crowd was few surrounding the atrium, and performers easily approached each side of the audience to offer a long necklace made of sampaguita to a lucky observer to extend the warmth and grace of the occasion. The orchestra rendition of an alternative rock song with vocals of Madrigal Singers from the University of the Philippines brought the surprise grounded to familiarity with some of the crowd singing along to engage in the moment. It was a quick and short surprise, as the performance ended with everyone casually leaving the atrium - leaving audiences a moment of pause before realizing to respond with the last applause.

It was a candid moment for our cultural leaders to bridge traditional arts and the hustles of modern culture. Such moments are a touch of the hearts of those who may be longing for our heritage. CCP plans to expand its reach with a similar approach.

By next time, we can anticipate developments in the rendering of entry in the mall culture, perhaps adding cues that make passersby turn heads from a larger distance and giggle more than a curious mind in surprise. Think party poppers and fireworks effects (without the fire) through sound, lighting, and curtain drops. Congratulations to the performers for a candid surprise in the challenges of modern culture.

SM Mall of Asia is among the top five largest mall in the Philippines.

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STAR POWERHOUSE ORIGINALS

Review and words by : Abigail Ko

Photographs by : Axl Guinto