APO Hiking Society, Raul Sunico added as extra musical treat to ‘Ibalon’ show

Apo Hiking Society and world-renowned concert pianists Raul Sunico and Rene Dalandan will perform at a cultural event featuring Philippine Ballet Theater’s “Ibalon” show on Oct. 27  at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts. CONTRIBUTED

CERRITOS, Calif. – The beloved APO Hiking Society and world-renowned concert pianists Raul Sunico and Rene Dalandan have been added as extra musical treat to a show that’s shaping up to be the biggest Filipino American event this fall season.

This cultural event will mark Filipino American History Month on Oct. 27 at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts in Cerritos, California.

Jim Paredes and Boboy Garrovillo of the APO Hiking Society, Sunico and Dalandan are the featured guest artists who will perform numbers in addition to “Ibalon,” a grand full ballet production of the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT), the Philippines’ national performing arts company for dance.

The show will start at 5:00 p.m. Preceding the show will be an exhibit, free and open to the public, titled “Prelude to Pinagmulan,” to be held from 1 to 5 p.m.

The pre-show exhibit will highlight works by fashion designers Len Cabili and Ditta Sandico and will feature designs created from indigenous materials, accompanied by ethnic music. Complimentary refreshments will be served.

A pre-show exhibit, titled “Prelude to Pinagmulan,” will be held from 1 to 5 p.m. CONTRIBUTED

The performances of the APO Hiking Society, whose hits have been cherished by several generations of Filipinos, Raul Sunico and Rene Dalandan, two internationally acclaimed pianists, will make the Oct. 27 show even more memorable and a night not to be missed.

Raul Sunico / CONTRIBUTED

Paredes and Garrovillo, who are carrying on the much loved APO Hiking Society reputation of treasured songs, Sunico and Dalandan, who recorded an album together, “Duo-Piano Concert,” will richly supplement “Ibalon,” a brand new, full-length Filipino ballet extravaganza.

Rene Dalandan / CONTRIBUTED

“Ibalon,” based on the beloved Bicolano legend and the love story between a warrior and a cursed princess, will be an epic evening staged by PBT, which is also the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) resident dance company.

In its American premiere, “Ibalon” celebrates the country’s colorful mythology, set to original music blending contemporary and traditional Filipino elements and entrancing dances inspired by Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao, with spectacular sets and costumes especially flown in from the Philippines.

“Ibalon,” presented in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), is co-presented by Philippine Airlines, Arko Foods Market (Glendale) and American Seafood Ranch Market (Cerritos).

Philippine Ballet Theatre, designated as the national performing arts company for dance by the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts, brings “Ibalon” to the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts on Oct. 27.

Ted Benito is producing the show for LXV Enterprises, LLC. Emmy and Telly Award winner Lisa Lew’s P & L Media provides the creative video marketing concept and campaign production.

“Ibalon” show-goers will have another exciting extra treat. Philippine Airlines will distribute discount promo codes on the day of the show to “Ibalon” ticket holders present at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts.

Purchase PAL tickets for flights to the Philippines on the event day and use the promo code to avail of the discount. PAL representatives will be at the Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts to distribute flyers and discuss the discount promo codes with the show-goers.

Tickets at $250, $200, $150, $100 and $75 are available from Rosie (818) 859-3108; Gilbert (213) 458-0582; and Gerald (909) 851-6406. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts is at 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos, California 90703.