Ballet Philippines dances to Pinoy beat
It’s time again to don my rose-colored glasses and watch sweet romance, danced only the way I imagined it in my head: soft and refined, honest and giving, full of spirit, good for two, for three, in fact, for an entire company.
The 40th season of Ballet Philippines which starts on Aug. 14, launched at Lolo Dad’s brasserie with its delectable lunch fare — will cover a scale of emotions to bring back classical and modern show-stopping choreography that has highlighted the incredible growth of the company since its first curtain-raiser in 1969.
Paul Morales, the new artistic director (but nevertheless a veteran of the Company) stood before a gathering of balletomanes to describe what the company has nimbly prepared, in a “big, inspirational way,” for this season:
Swimming the Ilog Pasig is dancing inspired by the graceful movements of synchronized swimming with a boisterous, desperate, slam-bang message of “Hey, stop contaminating our precious river!”
Ballet Philippines has figuratively locked arms with Kapit Bisig Pasig headed by Gina Lopez and the ABS-CBN Foundation’s aggressive campaign to clean up and restore Pasig River to its once-unpolluted condition. Imagine a vital waterway teeming with marine life, free of toxic methane gas, filthy garbage and industrial wastes. It was only a few generations ago when my elders spoke of jumping into the Pasig River — to cut classes and stave off the summer heat — without gagging. “We need political will,” said someone from our table and I couldn’t agree with him more. Maybe then, we will once again be able to call ourselves truly and proudly “Taga-ilog” (from whence the word
“Tagalog” was coined). Michelle Chan, resource officer of Kapit Bisig Pasig, also informed the audience that anyone can support Kapit Bisig Pasig by texting “GIVE_ILOG” to 2366.
Te Deum, first performed in 1985, will call to mind our nation’s most challenging times. Remember “People Power” that followed the following year? (Te Deum is also a traditional hymn of joy and thanksgiving that was also played at the wedding of Prince Andrew to Fergie, Duchess of York ).
Igorot, as the title suggests, will offer a fusion of ethnic movement and classical ballet with live music and eye-catching costumes.
Tales of the Manuvu. This folklore and pop ballet will bring back rock bands, guest celebrity singers and live piano music. It will be interesting to introduce this dance to a new breed of music and dance enthusiasts with ballet as its main medium.
Paul Morales refreshed our memory with a short pas de deux danced to one of the popular songs composed by Dero (Nonong) Pedero and a libretto by Bienvenido Lumbera, titled “Nuong Unang Panahon” (In the beginning). This production was first staged in the 1970s and launched the singing career of Leah Navarro. It has also featured equally gifted singers such as Celeste Legaspi, Basil Valdez, Kuh Ledesma, Boy Camara and others.
The Nutcracker. No ballet season would be complete without this well-loved classic of little Clara during the Christmas season.
Personally speaking, my daughter-in-law just shared with me the delightful news that when she wore a “belly-sonic” around her bulging tummy, the precious life within her — a baby girl — rolled and kicked to the tune of the Sugar Plum Fairies March from The Nutcracker.
I also subscribed to the ballet season when we resided in Melbourne, Australia, opting for the matinee performances. My six-year-old daughter once asked me, “Why do I only see grandmothers and young kids during the matinee performances?” I replied, “That’s because ballet is bonding time without staying up late. It’s the best way to let your heart soar high up in the air while sitting next to your own, homegrown sugar plum fairy.” Finally, Neo Filipino will cap the end of the ballet season with the company paying tribute to the Filipino identity; perfect timing as we vote into office honest and competent leaders in 2010.
Ballet Philippines has been making people dance, on stage and in our hearts, for four decades. In its 40th year, it’s still my wish for them to “break a leg.”
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For its 40th year anniversary, Ballet Philippines is offering this exciting lineup of shows at the Cultural Center of the Philippines with tickets priced as low as P200. Contact http://www.ticketworld.com.ph or Caroll Odvina at 832-6011, 0928-982-4101 or e-mail carol.odvina@ balletphilippines.org.
