A little night of ballet at Ayala Center Cebu
The mere mention of ballet in Cebu immediately brings to mind one prominent name — Fe Sala Villarica. Many years ago, Madame Villarica as she is fondly called, undertook vigorous training and practice in the US and Russia and overcame all obstacles to emerge as a graceful dancer. She impressed the audience with her gracefulness and talent. Through the years, she founded the Balletcenter, which has become one of the most renowned ballet schools in the Philippines.
In celebration of it’s 60th anniversary, Balletcenter, together with the Arts Council of Cebu headed by president Petite Garcia, recently presented Sleeping Beauty, one of the most well-known of all classical ballets. It is performed worldwide by almost all major ballet companies and was the basis for the famous 1959 film version the Sleeping Beauty by Walt Disney.
The immortal, full-length fairy-tale ballet in a prologue and three acts was staged at the Theater of the Performing Arts at the Ayala Center Cebu. The music was composed by Tchaikovsky. The choreographer of the original production was Marius Petipa. Well known for her musicality and technical ability, Villarica once again took up the challenge and assisted in the production and additional choreography.
The ballet begins with the christening of Princess Aurora, portrayed by guest artist Candice Adea, a silver medalist at the 2010 International Competition women’s division in Jackson, Mississippi, USA.
All the fairies in the kingdom have been invited except for the evil fairy Carabosse, who inflicts a curse. Benjie Diola, the multi-talented theater persona and stage director alternating with Mayen Tan, a stage and television personality, acted as the evil fairy.
Sheila Lendio Manlunas, a true-blue product of Balletcenter, as Lilac Fairy, modifies the curse so that Aurora will merely sleep for 100 years.
Enter Prince Florimund in the person of Nicolas Pacaña, co-artistic director of Balletcenter and the Atlanta Festival Ballet in Atlanta USA. As principal dancer, Pacaña dramatically exuded strength and charisma, which made his dancing truly extraordinary while his polished skill was flawless.
As expected in fairy tales, a happy ending ensues when Princess Aurora awakens after a passionate kiss from Prince Florimund.
One of the highlights of the ballet was the pas de deux of Chris Manlunas as Blue Bird with his partner and wife Sheila Manlunas as Lilac Fairy.
Undoubtedly the most anticipated was the grand pas de deux of Candice Adea and Nicolas Pacaña as they executed different jumps, leaping into the air, and doing a midair turn.
Other highlights included the individual performances of the lovely fairies such as Monica Villarica, Rey Allen Espinosa, Thea Pala, Valerie Ypil, Christine Morden, Cecille Nolasco and Sabrina Bogard.
The months of preparations and endless practices simply paid off as Sleeping Beauty enthralled and captivated the entire audience. It was a memorable evening and special thanks must be given to all 100 participants, to event chair Vivina Chiu Yrastorza, who was ably assisted by trustee Elena Chiongbian and Marylou Neri, to Benjie Diola for acting as technical director, Gregory Aaron as production manager, and once again Fe Sala Villarica for directing this timeless tale of a sleeping princess,a handsome prince and the triumph of good over evil with spectacular props and costume designs.
