Bicol folk song relived at CCP

MANILA, Philippines - Rediscover local musical treasures in a new ballet about the Filipino family as Ballet Philippines relives Bicol’s immortal folk song — Sarong Banggi —  starting tomorrow until Oct. 18 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Arranged and orchestrated by Ryan Cayabyab, the show opens with a Filipiniana Gala featuring the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra, directed by Cayabyab himself.

Co-presented by the Province of Albay from where the love ballad originated, it features choreography by Carissa Adea, Ronelson Yadao, Cyril Aran Fallar, Paul Alexander Morales, Nonoy Froilan and Carlo Pacis.

Each choreographer brings to the stage his/her unique impression of the Filipino family in a new contemporary ballet with the cast led by Jean Marc Cordero, Earl John Arisola, Rita Angela Winder and Monica Amanda Gana.

Libretto is penned by Dennis Marasigan, with lighting design by Meliton Roxas Jr., sets by Ohm David and costume by famed designer Rajo Laurel.

“Sarong Banggi will tug at the audience’s heartstrings with its nostalgic music and earnest look at traditional Filipino values,” says BP artistic director Morales.

“It will be interesting to see these choreographers’ different takes on familiar themes — love, loss and reconciliation that cement the Filipino family,” he added.

The ballet is inspired by the 1910 love ballad written by Potenciano Gregorio, who later became a Constabulary band master, who hails from Libog town (now Sto. Domingo) in Albay.

Literally meaning “one night” in the Bikol language, the song tells of an enchanted evening encounter between a love-struck man and a lovely rural lass.

Because of the song’s growing popularity, it was later arranged for brass band in 1918 and for symphony orchestra in 1930 by Gregorio himself.

To immortalize Gregorio’s musical legacy, the Sto. Domingo municipal government institutionalized the Sarung Banggi Festival held every May to mark the composer’s birthday.

According to Albay Gov. Joey Salceda, the ballet is a good avenue to showcase the rich art and culture of the Bicol region.

He said that in 2013, the legend of the iconic Mayon Volcano was set into stage in a trailblazing dance concert titled Daragang Mayon, which was also a collaborative effort of the CCP and Albay Province.

The music of the show was recently created by the CCP in the special Collector’s Edition CD titled Serenata: Well-loved Philippine Folk Songs and Melodies.

For details, visit www.ballet.ph or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003.