MANILA, Philippines - Our city is blooming with life! From music concerts to stage musicals to painting exhibits, the arts scene is more and more vibrant. Even a partial tour of our art-filled city includes so many highlights.

Following the sensational concert of RnB diva Alicia Keys, MTV Philippines dazzles yet again with George Benson and Al Jarreau. Despite a heavy downpour, Araneta Coliseum was packed with the ?mid-40s? fans of the smashing jazz duo strolling down memory lane as the pair rendered songs that young fans would only recognize today remixed into hip-hop versions.

I sneaked into the Big Dome late, due to taping for my upcoming new QTV show, ?House Life.? I was right in time to catch Jarreau?s ?Take Five,? our generation?s rap song! It didn?t take long to get me dancing on my feet, what with Benson, truly one of the greatest jazz guitarists, getting into ?On Broadway? and other legendary songs.

For the iPod gen, who are probably clueless about George Benson and Al Jarreau, your own multi-Grammy winner is coming?Curtis Jackson aka 50 Cent is set to blast some rap on Oct. 3 at the Ultra, thanks to Fearless Promotions and Twilight Productions. Tickets are available at TicketWorld at 8919999.

?West Side Story?

Theater is thriving too! Have you seen ?West Side Story? at the Meralco Theater yet? The Stages Production of this Broadway hit stars Christian Bautista and Karylle, reprising the Romeo-and-Juliet story of American ?50s gangs. Director Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo has done a fantastic job showing off the singing and acting prowess of her young cast.

My kids and I caught the Sunday afternoon matinee benefiting the Center of Excellence in Public Elementary School (Centex), a project of the Ayala Foundation that provides free education to underprivileged kids. Also on the beneficiary list was Steps Dance Studio Scholarship Fund, which provides grants to deserving dancers. West Side Story runs until mid-October and tickets are at TicketWorld.

Dreamy ?Fili?

If you lean toward Filipino originals, catch the musical ?Isang Panaginip Na Fili,? a play about national hero Jose Rizal. Dulaang UP?s production of Floy Quintos has a list of talented cast led by Franco Laurel. The music team includes composer CJ Javier and musical arranger Jason Quitane, while JC Buendia, now contending on ?Celebrity Duets? Season 2, designed the costumes of Franco.

Playdates are this Wednesday the 17th and the next two weekends. Tickets at P250 are available at the entrance of Wilfrido Ma. Guerrero Theater, 2/F Palma Hall, UP Diliman.

For youthful musical energy, catch the Philippine Youth Symphonic Band (PYSB) in ?Laro! ? Child?s Play,? a performance with powerful diva May Bayot at the Rockwell Tent in Power Plant Mall on Oct. 17 at 6:30 p.m. Tickets, as always, via TicketWorld or by calling Marissa at 0927-3910762.

Young artist

Our tour goes on the painting side of the art world, where talented young painter Risa Recio recently launched her second solo exhibit, ?My Albion Muse.? Abstract expressionist Risa?s confident brushstrokes create pieces with a balance of dull and bright colors.

Risa?s exposure to art was through her father, Bong, a recognized architect. Only 22, Risa says she is at a good place and painting for herself. Never tentative in her work, she is happy to fully express her passion onto the canvas.

Photography, culinary

On the photography side of art, let me mention once again ?Visions for Red,? Camera Club of the Philippines? photo exhibit for the benefit of the Makati Red Cross. You can still catch it at the Makati Shang?s lower lobby.

If artists have their palette, then culinary artists have their palate. Chefs Fernando Pulido and Albert Pech are in town to do ?Sabor Mexicana: The Mexican Food Festival? at Paseo Uno, Mandarin Oriental Hotel. Both Fernando and Albert were flown in from the Mandarin Oriental Riviera Maya in Mexico, so this culinary feast is bound to be authentic. The festival starts tomorrow, so call now for reservations at 7508888.

There are many ways to express artistry. Indeed, it is an artist?s individualism that separates the truly unique from the ordinary.

Bazaars

Keep this in mind as the bazaar season starts. The best finds will be from the up-and-coming artists renting the small stalls as they start off their careers. As an example, check out the unique pieces of Jean Fernando and clothes of Mich Araullo, two who have broken through to name recognizability. They can be found today at Rockwell Urban Bazaar at the Rockwell Tent.

The annual Assumption Bazaar kicks off on Sept. 28 and Nov. 23 at the Hotel InterContinental Hotel. For stall info, please call the Alumnae Office at 8943580. And on more Assumption news, HS Batch ?84 will party at Strumm?s tomorrow as part of their fundraising for the Assumption Mission Schools.

Art and fashion

Meanwhile, in a dynamic combination of art and fashion, Emily SyCip Cheng and Silk Cocoon collaborated on wearable art pieces at the Renaissance Makati City Hotel. New York-based Emily met Jeannie Goulbourn of Silk Cocoon two years ago.

Impressed with Emily?s pieces, creative Jeannie thought of integrating Silk Cocoon fabrics with her art. The synergy of the two artists produced invaluable limited-edition pieces that can be worn. And indeed, the one-of-a-kind fashion pieces sold quickly.

Emily has had many exhibitions of her paintings in the US and Asia. She is the niece of the legendary Wash SyCip, who I ran into at the Mabuhay Lounge just a few days ago. Wash was so gracious, promising to get me an Emily-Jeannie artwork in red, my favorite shade. Limited-edition pieces in various designs and colors are still available at Silk Cocoon.

Wash was working as hard as ever whilst I was flying off to Singapore for a family birthday weekend, celebrating Tyrone?s on Friday and Bryan?s today. Today is also the birthday of my best friend?s mom, Cory Alindogan. Kisses to all!

While in Singapore, I?ll have to compare their art world to ours, but I already know that our art world rocks!

E-mail the author at seaprincess@inquirer.com.ph