Mayon legend ballet at CCP

MANILA, Philippines - The mere mention of Bicol evokes the image of Mayon Volcano with its perfect cone. Bicolandia’s tourism icon sits in the soil of Albay province and is perhaps the most-photographed mountain in the world.

But behind the peak lies a tragic love story which according to folklore, gave birth to the majestic volcano.

The legend comes to life into modern form as the Provincial Government of Albay mounts Daragang Magayon: An Istorya ni Mayon, a ballet featuring e-Dance Theater, which will be presented at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) Main Theater on Feb. 8 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m.

Three major Filipino artists led a pool of filmmakers, writers, poets, musicians, stage performers, animators and dancers in recreating Albay’s immortal legend with a contemporary rendition.

The poetry of National Artist Virgilio Almario, the music of Dr. Ramon Pagayon Santos and the creative writing of Albayano writer Abdon Balde Jr. were pooled to present a fresh yet enchanting version of Daragang Magayon.

“It is a master work of art with higher level of creativity,” says Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, who took the lead in the ballet production of the legend.

He said that the provincial government’s revival of Daragang Magayon is part of a revitalized tourism development program to give viewers a chance to take a fresher look into the province’s enthralling mythical past, its culture, people, teeming natural beauty, and magic and mystery.

The production was inspired by the common aspiration for creating a masterpiece out of the talents of different Filipino artists, and their unique approach to their art.

Composer Santos’ works have been elaborated from concepts and aesthetic frameworks of Philippine and Southeast Asian traditions and have been featured in major festivals around the world.

Almario blends the magic of his poetry with the lyrics of Santos’ music. He is also engaged in translating and editing literary classics.

Much of the magical realism of the legend, involving ancient rituals and mythological characters, is a product of the research woven by Balde, a multi-awarded Bikolano writer who specializes in mythopoeia and the region’s folk stories.

Recently appointed as the province’s poet laureate, he concentrated on writing creative short stories, poems and novels after retiring. He received his first literary award in 2003.

The Daragang Magayon myth is a love-against-all-odds story between Magayon (beautiful) and Ulap (cloud). Their tragic death in the hands of an envious suitor, Pagtuga (eruption), earned for them favor from gods to make their love last forever and part no more by turning the lovers’ grave to mountain and the sky.

The ballet’s choreography and stage direction were entrusted to the husband-and-wife team of Gerald Mercado and Katrina Santos-Mercado, director of e-Dance Theater and veteran ballerina, respectively.

Filmmaker Chuck Escasa and animators Benjie Marasigan and Niko Salazar contributed their expertise to the production’s film and visual arts aspect.