Ballet Manila stages 'Paskong Pista'
MANILA, Philippines - Ballet Manila opens its new season with a highly festive choreographic program fusing classical, contemporary and Filipino folk dance nuances set amid colorful Filipino Christmas traditions in “Paskong Pista,” which runs at the Star Theater on Tuesdays through Sundays.
Coming across as a grand dance part mix ensconced amid Filipino customs and traditions, spiced with the presence of familiar neighborhood characters, “Paskong Pista” stars Ballet Manila artistic director and premier danseuse Lisa Macuja-Elizalde along with the rest of the corps.
Street vendors, courtship vignettes, super-sized magi, and a black theater showcase of angels flying amid traditional Filipino parol are thrown into a merry hodge-podge that fully depicts the exuberance of the Pinoy Christmas celebration. Amid stylized renditions of familiar Filipino folk dances such as itik-itik and maglalatik given a balletic twist, tussles between two robust males for the heart of the barrio lass, and even a flamboyant teacher going around as a tourist, various elements of a traditional fiesta come to fore, providing color, gaiety, and humor.
Set to musical arrangements by Diwa de Leon of the Makiling Ensemble, “Paskong Pista” features the creative works of Ballet Manila’s artistic associate Osias Barroso and soloist Gerardo Francisco.
Admission is free. For inquiries, call 832-6121.
