MANILA, Philippines – For the first time in Philippine dance, the country’s three leading ballet companies — Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre and Ballet Manila — will join forces to stage a full-length production of Giselle in honor of renowned dancer, choreographer and pedagogue, Felicitas “Tita” Radaic. The tribute gala is scheduled on June 25, 8 p.m., at the CCP Main Theater, preceded by a matinee performance featuring Ballet Manila at 2p.m.
The Giselle performances are among the highlights of “Dance.MNL,” a biennial festival focused on uniting and celebrating the Filipino dance community, which runs from June 14 to 26 at the CCP, Aliw Theater and Star Theater. Leading this inaugural event are joint festival directors Paul Alexander Morales (BP), Ron Jaynario (PBT), and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde (BM).
“When we were creating the program for Dance.MNL, we all agreed that staging Giselle with the participation of all three ballet companies would be a fitting and unique tribute to Mrs. Radaic,” said Macuja-Elizalde, who began her own ballet education under the honoree at the St. Theresa’s College School of Dance. “As a ballerina, Giselle was her signature role. She also paid homage to her own teacher, Anita Kane, with its full-length production. With Mrs. Radaic turning 80 this year, it’s the perfect time to band together and give this tribute to her.”
Expression Of Gratitude
“Many of our professional dancers and teachers today developed their love for ballet under the guidance of Mrs. Radaic,” she pointed out. “Teaching is among the noblest of professions. It is a selfless giving of one’s knowledge and skills, passing down everything to the next generation. We believe that it is important to acknowledge this and to express our gratitude.”
Aside from being her first teacher, the prima ballerina fondly recalled a crucial moment in her teenage life when Mrs. Radaic became instrumental in furthering her ballet education. “When the opportunity to study in Russia presented itself, my parents were a bit hesitant to let me go. They were still hoping I would attend college instead and become an accountant. Mrs. Radaic wrote to my father, basically telling him that we already have too many accountants and not enough dancers! She interceded for me and supported my dream as a young artist. I will never forget that.”
A Tough Role
For most ballerinas, Giselle is a prized protagonist among classical roles: the quintessential tragic heroine who dies of a broken heart yet manages to forgive and protect her wayward lover from beyond the grave. However, while the character appears fragile, playing the part is quite a different story.
“Dancing Giselle calls for impeccable lines, a strong technique, superhuman stamina, the ability to tell a story with every gesture and nuance of both face and body, and having soft, lyrical arms. You also need a light buoyant jump, languid extensions and highly arched feet,” explained Macuja-Elizalde, who has been on top of rehearsals for both the gala and matinee casts. “The character needs to look like she has been trained from the start to conserve her energy and be as calm as possible because of her weak heart. She needs to be delicate, almost breakable. It is very difficult to achieve this kind of illusion. There is also a way of holding and moving your arms in Act 2 that is a secret handed down from one generation of Giselles to the next. Basically, it takes a tremendous amount of effort for Giselle to look effortless.”
Debut Performances
Taking on the role for the tribute gala performance is Ballet Manila soloist Joan Emery Sia, one of the many young ballerinas encouraged by Radaic to pursue a professional career. A native of Cagayan de Oro City, she diligently signed up for classes every summer at the STC School of Dance throughout her high school years.
“Growing up in the province, those summer classes were a treat for me,” she recounted. “Sure, I cried myself to sleep some nights but ballet made me happy and forget that I was homesick. I knew I wanted this life and Mrs. Radaic must have sensed it. I spent years trying to convince my dad to allow me to concentrate on dancing but he didn’t like the idea. I almost gave up… but Mrs. Radaic did not. I don’t know how she did it but she convinced my parents to let me move to Manila and become a ballerina. I owe it all to her. Dancing in her honor is emotional for me because she’s my hero.”
The Giselle tribute cast also features Ballet Manila’s Romeo Peralta as Albrecht and Ballet Philippines’ Stephanie Cabral as Myrtha, Queen of the Wilis. Philippine Ballet Theater’s Regina Magbitang and Atlanta Ballet’s Jared Tan will perform the peasant pas de deux, with guest appearances by festival directors Paul Morales and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as the Duke of Courland and Princess Bathilde, respectively.
Meanwhile, for Ballet Manila’s matinee performance, Katherine Barkman and Rudy de Dios will take on the roles of Giselle and Albrecht. Dawna Reign Mangahas is Myrtha, while Gerardo Francisco and Tiffany Chiang-Janolo are cast in the peasant pas de deux.
Nineteen-year-old Barkman, who enters her second season with the company, is also its youngest principal. While she has performed the Act 1 variation in many international competitions, this will be her first time to perform the full ballet.
“To have the privilege of performing Giselle is a great honor,” she said. “But of course with this opportunity comes a lot of pressure. I feel excited and inspired. I can easily relate to Giselle being a simple person, pure of heart and spirit. And just like her, there is nothing that makes me happier than dancing!”
For tickets, visit TicketWorld Manila online at www.ticketworld.com.ph or call 891-9999.