For the benefit ball of the international committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orechestra on May 16, 2009.
In 1994, the International Committee for the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra began its tradition of honoring the Consular Corps and featuring a different country every year in a Benefit Ball. For its 58th International Benefit Ball, the Philippines was chosen as the featured country in "The Sights and Sounds of the Philippines" and the Philippine Consulate made a decision that the night’s Cultural Presentation will be excerpts from Dr. Ramon Sison Geluz’s multi awarded "Karim at Jasmin", the first ever orginal Filipino opera performed in the United States, together with the dancers of the Kultura Philippine Folk Arts. According to Consul General Mary Jo Bernardo Aragon, based on the reactions from the guests consisting of Ambassadors , their spouses, and staunch supporters of the Los Angeles Philharmonic Orchestra and the Philippine Consulate "Karim at Jasmin" proved so far to be one of the most spectacular Cultural Presentations since its inception in 1994, and the most elaborate of all the previous Cultural Programs.
As the night’s emcee, the very popular TV personality, Janelle So, introduced Dr. Ramon Sison Geluz and Kultura’s founders, Celia Defato and Dr. Nadina Jose., gongs and drums began to herald the beginning of the opera as the wedding party of Prince Karim, portrayed by Cres San Jose and Princess Rajita, Joan Cano, with the evil General, Ogie de Guzman and the High Priestess, Lorelei Palacpac, descend from the sweeping staircase towards the center of the Grand Hall of the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion amidst the dazzling massive chandeliers and bejeweled ceiling studded with glass diamond ornaments. Guests couldn’t help but peek through the massive table center pieces made of orange, rust, and red colored tropical flowers and awe at the spectacular costumes of the performers as the Kultura dancers perform the "Singkil" bamboo dance with utmost skill.
While effects of rain and thunder fill the ballroom, and Karim sings his praises to the Goddess of the Lake, portrayed by Everlita Rivera-David, the Kultura dancers perform the graceful "Kinakulangan" dance with sparkling jeweled umbrellas and flowing scarves. The audience fall in love with Karim and Jasmin, the water nymph, played by Maria Cristina Navarro as they sing their haunting duet. The power of Everlita’s voice is felt as the Goddess of the Lake bids farewell to her daughter, Jasmin, who has become a mortal to marry Prince Karim. The audience is once more intrigued in "The Battle of the Lake", an operatic Quintet performed by the opera singers while Kultura performs the "Kuntao Silat" war dance.
The majority of the audience become teary eyed and some are actually moved to tears while the dying Karim says his farewell to his wife Jasmin and their unborn child and Jasmin sings her amazing aria, "Jasmin’s Lament", for a coloratura soprano.The Finale number is an unforgettable rendition of "The Child of Peace" as Jasmin presents her newborn baby to Karim’s people and is blessed by the departed spirits of the General, Rajita, and Karim while the "Vinta" dance is performed by a skillful dancer on top of bamboo poles while the other dancers mimic the fishes in the lake as the newborn leader is presented to his people.
At the end of the performance, amidst thunderous applause, bravos, and standing ovation audience, the Cast of "Karim at Jasmin" together with the Kultura dancers are joined by Dr. Ramon Sison Geluz and Ms. Celia Defato. The evening’s performance was directed by Dr, Nadina Jose.
"Karim at Jasmin" with Kultura has planned shows scheduled in Los Angeles in September and October 2009.
A Musical Opera by Ramon Sison Geluz
© 2005 All Rights Reserved United States of America
A Juramentado (amok) disrupts the wedding of Prince Karim to Rajita in an attempt to assassinate the neighboring Heneral who is a guest at the celebration. The King, Karim's father, perishes in the struggle and festivity quickly turns into mourning.
The Heneral retaliates by poisoning the lake waters that sustain the villages. The villagers, including Karim fall sick. They seek the healing powers of the Ina ng Lawa (Mother Spirit) and the Diwatas (water spirits).
Prince Karim, a mortal, falls in love and later marries Jasmin, the water spirit assigned to care him. The jilted Rajita connives with the Heneral in a bid to slay Jasmin and claim Karim for herself. The Ina ng Lawa reveals to the Heneral their past relationship and his cruelty to her people but was not able to convince the Heneral to abort his plan. Without remorse for his past evil acts, he attacks Karim's kingdom.
It is only during the battle, where he learns that Jasmin, whom he planned to kill for his deal with Rajita is actually his own daughter, after the Ina ng Lawa reveals the truth to him. As the Heneral sought to ask forgiveness from Jasmin, Karim, thinking that his wife was in danger, engages the Heneral into a fight where they mortally wound each other. As the smoke of war clears, the Heneral and Karim lay dying.
Over their bodies, Jasmin vows to pursue peace for the future of the baby she is carrying in her womb.
