As the world faces the “new normal” with the COVID-19 pandemic, Far Eastern University’s President’s Committee on Culture (PCC), which was recently rebranded as the FEU Center of the Arts (FCA), adapted and evolved to keep arts and culture alive.
Drawing inspiration from live-streamed readings, mini-concerts, and even access to recorded musicals and shows online for the culturally-starved, the FCA cultural groups also played their part in providing encouragement and support to the community by virtually showcasing their own pieces.
Members of the FEU Chorale came together via Zoom to do a rendition of “In His Presence” by Dick and Melody Tunney in early April. The group dedicated the performance to the frontliners who are bravely risking their lives to ensure the safety of the public.
Producing the virtual performances involved a complicated process, according to FEU Chorale President, Hector Daniel Rebadavia. “First we had to make sure that everyone was in sync because each member had to record their own track which corresponded to their vocal sections. This was then checked by the artistic director for sound quality, he then gauges if the recording meets the standard, then instructs the members to either upload the video for editing, or re-shoot their sections.
Meanwhile, members of the FEU Dance Company have been releasing individual dance performances called FDC during COVID lockdown on its Facebook page. FDC member Carlo Padoga choreographed a dance for the song Beyond the Window.
“In these hard timeas, we can’t deny that we miss being outside. Although we want to go out, we cannot. The internet is only our connection to the outside world,” said Padoga.
Alumni of the FEU Theater Guild recently produced ‘Tseter Feed’, an online channel that features wildly hilarious variety showcasing the guild’s acting chops with improvisational comedy and short sketches. The channel aims to not only highlight the talented students but to simultaneously provide comedic relief for their viewers.
FEU Guides, the official campus ambassadors, shared a virtual art tour which provided an in-depth look at the artistic history of FEU through the different paintings and sculptures that decorate the campus. The video featured prominent works such as the Relief Panels from Italian sculptor Francesco Monte which depicted different eras of Philippine History, a collection of paintings from the first National Artist Fernando Amorsolo, and other works of art from past faculty and other national artists.
More performances can be found from other members of the FEU community in the FCA online channel which has been posting both new and previously filmed content from other student organizations, such as choreographed performances of the FEU Dance Company inspired by their time in quarantine. Other notable shows are the musical performances of the FEU Chorale singing their versions of popular tunes which were filmed individually.
