Ballet Manila premieres ‘Two!’

The concert title “Two!” refers to  Present Process and Misfit or Maverick choreographed by British Jonathan Watkins and Martin Lawrance, respectively. Both numbers were premiered by Ballet Manila whose visionary artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde aims to expand its repertoire beyond the classic.

For Present Process, dancers wearing everyday attire engaged in athletic and gymnastic exercises combined with modern and balletic steps to the music Hands be Still by O. Arnaldo and Beethoven’s recognizable Sonata in C Major. Runs, entrances and exits were dominant. Rudy de Dios, Michael Divinagracia, Abigail Olivero and Junmark Salgado shone in depicting the highs and lows of life.

In Misfit or Maverick, the style was somewhat in the same mold but seemed more balletic. In both numbers, ballerinas danced on pointes. Outstanding soloists were Geraldo Francisco, Romeo Peralta and Alvin Santos, the latter strikingly delineating the Misfit or Maverick.

The concert opened to Tony Fabella’s ”Dancing to Verdi” rendered charmingly by Jessie Balote and Anselmo Dictaco. A series of Pas de Deux executed by Violeta Hong and Elpidio Magat, Abigail Olivero and Alfredo Salgado, Risa May Camaclang and Earwin Guillermo was climaxed by Petipa’s Don Quixote. This featured Mikhail Martynyuk, Kremlin Ballet’s principal dancer and Dawn Mangahas in her biggest role thus far, rendering it with technical skill and elan.  Mikhail displayed bracing clarity and regal elegance, his lightness (ballon) characterizing his soaring leaps and tours en l’ air which took one’s breath away.  As a partner, he was very supportive, gallant and gracious.

Earlier, in Figlar choreographed by E. Panphilov, Mikhail was alternately amazing and amusing in an incredibly supple and pliant manner, making every movement possible to the human body: graceful, clumsy, awkward, distorted, acrobatic. Very typical of Ballet Manila standards, the ballerinas throughout were lithe and graceful; the danseurs, vigorous and vibrant, the ensemble consistently, admirably precise and cohesive.

In a very brief choreography of David Campos for prima ballerina Lisa, she conveyed the most intense passion, drama, emotion. Deftly manipulating a long, wide swathe of tulle, she later crumpled and threw it away in a moment of fury or frustration while expressing volumes.  Engrossingly fascinating, Lisa’s performance garnered the lustiest applause. 

R. Coyiuto’s literary legacy/St. Paul U’s music therapy/ Front Pages of Pepe Rodriguez

The Coyiuto Foundation and the Manila Critics Circle will give the first Coyiuto Prize to the best biography or autobiography in English, with the winner receiving P100,000 and a bust of Robert Coyiuto Sr. created by Rafael del Casal. This was announced by James Coyiuto and Isagani R. Cruz last Sept. 30, on the 91st birth anniversary of the late insurance trailblazer.

Entries must be about a Filipino or a Filipino family making a compelling difference in the community. The prize aims to promote Filipino leadership. To be given every two years, the award which will end in 2023, is named after the late Robert Coyiuto, a pioneer in insurance and oil exploration who founded the Prudential Guarantee and Assurance in the 1980s, now transformed by Robert Coyiuto Jr. into one of the nation’s top corporations.

The first winner will be awarded late this year, selection will be from 2012 and 2013 writings.

Last Oct. 10, the St. Paul’s U. opened its Music Therapy Center, the first ever in the country. As announced by Music Dean Sr. Anunciata Sta. Ana, the Center’s qualified music therapists will serve children and youth with disabilities.

Music Therapy Center courses are now offered by St. Paul U. — Bachelor of Music in Music Education with concentration in Music Therapy for Children and Youth with Disabilities.  Through professional and skillful use of music, the beneficiaries’ quality of life will immensely improve, and will reach its highest potential.

The Center, now open to applicants offers a tremendous service to the country.

“Front Pages of Philippine History” by Jose R. “Pepe” Rodriguez is “must” reading for every Filipino: young or old, student, professional or non-professional.  Available at National Bookstore.