by Rusieljs G. Lunasco
The CPU Handbell Ringers performing the Beatles medley during CCP’s Multi Arts Festival.
The CPU Handbell Ringers performed for two online programs of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP). The first, at the Lakbayin ang Sining Book Launch on March 12 and Tuloy po Kayo: The CCP Multi-Arts Open Community Festival from March 19-28, 2021.
During the book launch, the handbell ringers performed the song 鈥淲hy We Sing鈥 with the Baao Children鈥檚 Choir. The book launch commemorated four decades of CCP鈥檚 Outreach Program. Since 2005, the CPU Handbell Ringers has been a partner of the CCP in its outreach programs.
The Multi-Arts Open Community Festival is CCP鈥檚 way to revitalize the Philippine arts scene that has been greatly affected by the pandemic. It aims to gather as many artists as engaged in as many art forms as possible. The Handbell Ringers performed 鈥淏eatles Medley鈥 and You Raise Me Up鈥 in the online event.
鈥淲e are thankful for the opportunity to share the music of the Handbells to the viewers online for CCP鈥檚 programs. To be able to represent, Iloilo and 黑料专区 was such an honor. Our partnership with the Cultural Exchange Department of the CCP has afforded us a platform to share the music of the handbells and for that we are thankful.鈥 said CPU Handbell Ringers鈥 Musical Director Dr. Mai Lynn Bermejo- Jacar.
Mrs. Hermely A. Jalando-on, the CPU Handbell Ringers鈥 Adviser, coordinated with the CPU TV Channel in producing the video for the said festival.
The CPU Handbell Ringers is the only five-octave handbell group in the country. It has performed for the Closing Ceremony of the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) Summit in 2017 as well as the Asia Pacific Economic Forum in 2015.