MANILA, Philippines - "RUBIES: Gems in Philippine Performing Arts,? the 40th-anniversary presentation of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, was noteworthy for bringing together major talents in music and dance in a seamless, swift-moving, large-scale production directed by Monino Duque.

The dance numbers were spectacular, awesome. But the award for Most Outstanding Solo Performer goes to? soprano Rachelle Gerodias, for her spellbinding interpretation of ?Ang Awit ng Gabi ni Sisa? from the opera ?Noli Me Tangere? by National Artist Felipe P. de Leon.

Another stellar event was the month-long Sarsuwela Festival at the University of the Philippines in Diliman, Quezon City.

?Walang Sugat? (1902) is arguably our greatest musical play (along with?objectively now?Jerry A. Dadap?s ?Andres Bonifacio: Ang Dakilang Anak Pawis?).

The libretto is by Severino Reyes, who later wrote the Lola Basyang tales. And the music by Fulgencio Tolentino captivates, with its love duets (lyrical as well as comic), intense arias, and festive marches.

But ?Bayan Ko? by Constancio C. de Guzman should not be included in the revivals of ?Walang Sugat? for the simple reason that it was composed in the late 1920s.

The latest production (by the Barasoain Kalinangan Foundation of Bulacan, at the UP Theater) was again cause for celebration, for the charismatic actors (led by Karen Vaje and Rey Clement Maaliao) sang engagingly, and direction by Armando Santa Ana was crisp and fast-paced.

?Sa Bunganga ng Pating? (1921, by Leon Ignacio and Julian Cruz, presented by the Far Eastern University Art Theater Clinique) was notable for its social consciousness. Young soprano Jet Barrun shone as Nati, the landlord?s daughter who helps the peasants in their struggle for land to call their own.

?Ang Kiri?

?Ang Kiri? (1926, by Leon Ignacio and Servando de los Angeles, presented by Dulaang UP) was a penetrating (no pun intended) study of a courtesan, played with flair by soprano Natasha Garrucha.

As her provincial lover Jacinto, multitalented Joaqui Valdes, a Jericho Rosales look-alike (at least from a distance), elicited screams from the many coeds in the SRO audience.

The awesome Coronation Mass of Mozart was given a brisk rendering during the sixth ?Colors of Worship? concert at Philamlife Theater, a 10th-anniversary presentation of the Manila Chamber Singers.

Bernabe Palabay conducted the MCS Singers, Mapua Institute of Technology Singers and the University of Santo Tomas Symphony Orchestra.

The power of Nick Joaquin?s classic ?A Portrait of the Artist as Filipino? was again evident in the latest version, this time by Repertory Philippines (at OnStage, Greenbelt 1).

Felt performances were given by two of our finest actresses, Irma Adlawan and Liesl Batucan, as Candida and Paula, respectively, along with Dido de la Paz as Don Perico, the poet-turned-senator (based on Claro M. Recto).

I understand the character of the painter Don Lorenzo (who is not supposed to appear in the play) was based on my great-grandfather Lorenzo Guerrero, the teacher of Luna and Hidalgo.

?Portrait,? directed by José Mari Avellana, is the first Filipino play by Rep since ?Miong? (1999), the musical about Emilio Aguinaldo. More Filipino plays, please.

Conductor Ruggero Barbieri of Italy enjoyed great rapport with his former orchestra, the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, as he led the PPO to a stirring rendition of Dvorak?s New World Symphony (?Glimpses of Europe? at the CCP).

Oboist Reynato Resurrecion shone in the famous slow movement, and was the first to be asked by Barbieri to take a bow.

Earlier, pianist Jovianney Emmanuel Cruz impressed the audience with his interpretation of Franz Liszt?s pulse-pounding Piano Concerto No. 1.

The brilliant Mindanao-based Sining Kambayoka, founded by poet-playwright Frank G. Rivera, celebrated its 35th anniversary with ?Arkat a Lawanen? (at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino of the CCP), a romantic tale about a kidnapped princess and the resulting conflicts between kingdoms, which showcased the members? skill in singing, dancing, music-making, acting, even bravura dancing.

?Lola Basyang?

Ballet Manila struck it big with the long-running ?Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang? (at Aliw Theater), a theater spectacle which drew crowds and thrilled the kids with its special effects, big cast, large-scale sets and props, colorful costumes and martial arts.

And the good news is, there will be three new stories next season. Kudos to prima ballerina Lisa Macuja (who chose to stay in this country after honing her art in Russia) and Ballet Manila.