Ballet Philippines stages 'Neo-Filipino'

MANILA, Philippines - As a fitting end to its 40th anniversary season, Ballet Philippines offers Filipinos a contemporary ballet masterpiece with Neo-Filipino 2010: Dance in a Time of Change. The show, directed by Paul Alexander Morales, graces the CCP Little Theater from March 5 to 7.

A series that laid down its roots in Denisa Reyes’ New York concert and made its way to the Philippines in 1991, Neo-Filipino features the stunning works of some of the best and leading choreographers, even including collaborations from across other art disciplines — making the final product an avant-garde and sensational performance that will surely shape Philippine dance in the years to come.

This year’s Neo-Filipino features Ballet Philippines ballerinas Carissa Adea and Ea Torrado in the thought-provoking Rey-Sing and Two of You and marks the return of Ballet Philippines alumni Dwight Rodrigazo (now artistic director of his own company) and Novy Bereber, who will present his very own To Whom It May Concern, a piece dedicated to the Filipino artist in the midst of globalization. Meanwhile, resident choreographer Alden Lugnasin premieres Words and Phrases, a masterpiece inspired by the paintings of Bienvenido Benitez — a collaboration with award-winning filmmaker Emerson Reyes.

Neo-Filipino 2010 also marks the re-launching of Ballet Philippines II, which celebrates its 20th anniversary season since Agnes Locsin introduced Bagong Sayaw to the country. Noted choreographer Elena Laniog (of the UP Dance Company) and Ballet Philippines II alumni Tinnie Crame-Santillan (now artistic director of the Saint Benilde Romancon Company) are some of the creative talents who contributed their own works to the show.

For ticket and show information, contact Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 and 551-0221.