A spectacle of glamor

Author: Alwin M. Ignacio, Contributor
Column: Life

GMA Network recently celebrated its 59 years with a glittering party billed: “One Glamorous Night: Greater and Grateful at 59.”

The two-hour special was dubbed as an evening of high style and glamor, wherein 10 of the most important TV elements — color, moves, style, image, heart, sound, numbers, power, soul and reach — were presented and interpreted through song, dance and catwalk moments.

An impressive assemblage of more than 100 Kapuso stars, professional ramp models, beauty queens and air dancers had their specific moments on stage as the anniversary special heralded the network’s almost six decades of “superior broadcasting leadership and excellence.”

The ‘greatness’ factor

Glamor truly was the be-all and end-all of the celebration. In this aspect, the show was a runway hit. The men and women of the network wore fantastic creations by the country’s leading designers. They dazzled like “stars” descending from heaven.

Reigning on the ramp were Dingdong Dantes, Paolo Contis, Geoff Eigenman, Paolo Avelino, Arthur Solinap, Akihiro Sato and Eddie Garcia; and among the women were Iza Calzado, Angelu de Leon, Ruby Rodriguez, Carla Abellana, Marian Rivera, Sherilyn Reyes and Ms. Celia Rodriguez.

When it came to “greatness,” however, a glaring lack of research was sadly evident, effectively robbing the audiences of the experience of “greatness.”

To begin with, the set design came up short of “grand” or “majestic.” The creative team should have “you-tubed,” “googled” and searched for sets specially created for, let’s say, the Independence Day celebrations at the CCP, the operas of the Philippine Opera Company, the zarzuelas of yesteryears to evoke the look befitting the anniversary.

The orchestra was but a handful when they should have hired a full orchestra to perform. Most of the Philippine orchestras now are off season and, for sure, their respective conductors or artistic directors would have been more than willing to participate in the GMA 7 spectacle.

Why the creative team preferred “imported” musical materials is also incomprehensible. We have kundimans, musical theater openings and finales, original Filipino pop songs, traditional chants and cultural community creations that can be made and developed into “musical show stoppers.” The American pop music numbers were “dazzlers” all right, but they did not muster enough “greatness” to be considered spellbinding.

As for the dances, what was with the “Jai-Ho” and rumba fascination? There are so many spectacular dances from the extensive repertoire of various contemporary dance, folkloric and ballet companies that not only have the “wow” factor, but would also pose as an artistic challenge to their young dance performers.

Lastly, why was GMA 7’s biggest “G” — Gutierrez, Richard — conspicuously absent? He could not have been taping because some of his show’s minor players traipsed the catwalk.

The glamorous night fulfilled its promise and this writer is indeed “grateful” for it. Stars should really appear as stars. But considering the network’s 59 years of experience, it is natural for people to expect “greatness” in its anniversary celebration rather than an expanded version of their Sunday noontime variety show.

When the network turns 60 next year, we hope its promise of “greatness” is truly fulfilled.

Source: The Daily Tribune

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