Halina, halina sa Mithila Rama Hari revisited

MANILA, Philippines - The stage is set for another magical Christmas in the ballet world. Long-time holiday favorites “Nutcracker,” “Peter Pan” and “A Christmas Carol” will be on stage in most parts of the world as part of continuing tradition of hope and remembrance through dance.

It’s also going to be a magical season for Ballet Philippines as it stages one of its most treasured ballet masterpieces, first staged 32 years ago, during the so-called golden era of dance in the Philippines.

Instead of snowflakes and waltzes, flying fairies and magical dreams, the country’s premier dance company will bring ballet audiences to the mythical Kingdom of Mithila, where princes vie for the princess’ hand in a duel of skills with bows and arrows, marriages celebrated in great pomp and pageantry, and heroes shine through honor and sacrifice.

The famous Filipino pop ballet “Rama Hari” is back – and with good reason.

“It is our commitment to the arts. By bridging the past and the present, Ballet Philippines has come full circle and we hope that this season’s shows will continue to inspire the Filipino audience and develop in them pride in the Filipino artist,” says Margie Moran-Floriendo, Ballet Philippines’ president.

For more than four decades, she says Ballet Philippines has continued to produce original shows that are truly and proudly Filipino, despite the limitations of funding for the arts.

When Rama Hari opened at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Feb. 8, 1980, Ballet Philippines was still known as the CCP Dance Company and thriving under the direction of its founders Alice Reyes and Eddie Elejar. Then only 10 years old, the company had already produced original Filipino shows and performed in many countries, reaping good reviews and critical acclaim from the world’s dance critics.

Reyes – whose choreographic works include  “Amada,” “Itim-Asu,” “At a Maranaw Gathering” and “Dugso” – was the leading force behind the creation of and continued commitment to produce distinctly Filipino ballet. As choreographer and stage director of the first Rama Hari, she set the tone for Ballet Philippines’ direction for next three decades.

Now, it’s time for remembrance.

Classical narrative, golden voices,artistic collaboration

Rama Hari is the Filipino adaptation of the classical Indian epic “Ramayana.” Set in the Kingdom of Mithila, Rama, prince and heir to the throne, marries the beautiful Sita and is about to ascend the throne when evil forces connive to derail his coronation and have him and his bride exiled. But in the classic conclusion of all literary epics, good triumphs over evil and the finale of the narrative ends with a flourish with the triumphant return of the exiled lovers.

Not too many people would probably remember that Kuh Ledesma was the voice behind Sita, the beautiful wife of Rama. Then just on the cusp of stardom, Ledesma sang what is now considered a Filipino classic, “Magbalik Ka Na, Mahal,” among other songs popularized by the show. This was Ledesma before her first hit song  “Dito Ba” and her succeeding all-Filipino concerts.

Essaying the dancing part of Sita was renowned principal dancer of the CCP Dance Company Effie Nañas. Alternating was Ester Rimpos, who was principal dancer and associate director of the company.

Singing opposite Ledesma was renowned balladeer Basil Valdez (as Rama). Like Ledesma, this was Valdez before full stardom. By then, however, he was already a rising star, having bagged several awards including the 1979 Aliw Awards for Entertainer of the Year and the Tinig Award as one of the top 12 performers in the Philippines in 1977.

Unlike Ledesma, however, Valdez was a veteran of the CCP stage, having sung the lead role of the First Man in the restaging of the “Tales of the Manuvu.”

Dancing the roles of Rama and Ravana were world-renowned Filipino male danseurs Nonoy Froilan and Robert Medina.

The choice of relatively low-key singers for the leads of Rama Hari in the ‘80s was adequately compensated by a powerhouse cast, unbeaten to this day in the Philippine art and culture scene – Bien Lumbera (libretto), Ballet Philippines’ founder Alice Reyes (choreography and direction), Ryan Cayabyab (musical direction) and Salvador Bernal (sets and costumes).

Ballet Philippines’ artistic director Paul Alexander Morales says what makes this revival very meaningful is that what makes Rama Hari special, then and now, is the great collaboration by the best Filipino artists on the production, including two who eventually became National Artists (Lumbera for Literature and Bernal for Theater Design).

“We’ve come a long way,” Morales says.

A new generation of stars

When the new Rama Hari returns to CCP on Nov. 30, it will be a new generation of stars who will grace the stage. Famous balladeer Christian Bautista and young singing sensation Karylle will perform the singing parts of Rama and Sita, while Ballet Philippines’ principal dancers Carissa Adea and Jean Marc Cordero will perform the dancing part.

Christian admits that it’s a tall order to be filling the shoes of Basil Valdez and to play a hero.

“I know that the audience would be expecting great performances, the show itself standing on the pillars of Basil Valdes and Kuh Ledesma. But I think they will also be expecting modernity to it, even in the dancing and costume. I feel very honored to have been given the role. I want have my own interpretations and put a little bit of myself in the character,” he says.

Singer OJ Mariano, who alternates with Christian as Rama, is equally excited about the show.  “I think the audience today will expect a new twist to the original product staged 32 years ago,” he says. “What we can bring to the role is give it a new interpretation, bring a little bit of ourselves to it and give it our very best.”

Theater actor and singer Noel Rayos, on the other hand, who will play the role of King Dasaratha and Prince Rama’s brother Lakhsmana, is up for the challenge.

“It is in making the vocal adjustments. I am very auditory. I plan to make all the different voices sound different,” he says. “When you play different roles, how do you make the audience distinguish the characters? The challenge is to make each one very distinct from each other.”

Completing the male cast are “Miss Saigon” veteran Robert Seña and Christian Rey Marbella alternating as the demon Ravana.

Unlike her co-stars in the production, Karylle is no ballet virgin. She took ballet lessons as a kid and is looking forward to performing with Ballet Philippines’ dancers.

“When it was offered to me, I said yes naturally. I’m still hoping that they will allow me to dance a little ballet. I used to brag to my mom that I beat her by performing in CCP (Little Theater) before she did. I would have ballet recitals there for Ballet Repertory,” she says.

For her, the bigger challenge though is learning about a different culture in a more in depth way. She is also very happy that the songs will be in Tagalog.

“I’m saddened at how the Filipino language is not used to the fullest when we have so many beautiful words. I think it’s easier to understand and listen to deep Filipino words in song form. It’s not the easiest to sing but it is very beautiful, which makes the challenge a welcome one,” she says.

For Kalila Aguilos, who alternates with Karylle as Sita, what makes the role very meaningful is that her mother Gigi Escalante was part of Rama Hari’s original production in 1980. She played the devious witch Kooni and the demon Soorpanakha.

Now as Sita, it’s the daughter’s turn to showcase her talent. Kalila says the challenge is stepping into the shoes of an Indian princess – demure, soft spoken, and a reincarnation of a goddess. The outspoken and very sociable and gregarious Kalila’s version of the beloved princess is something to watch out for.

Hopeful on a dragon year

The timing of the revival of Rama Hari falls on a dragon year, which Morales says is significant as it is a time of great energy and sense of renewal.

“It fs the beginning of a new cycle for us,” he says. “The sub-themes for this year are magic, power, resilience, and service, which were the same values that we aspire to achieve as a dance company.”

Following the successful staging of “Songs” in July and “Neo-Filipino: Anting” in September, Ballet Philippines’ third offering for the year comes on the heels of back-to-back wins in international competitions by its principal dancers in the last two years.

Principal dancer Candice Adea won first prize in then Senior Women’s Division at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition last June, besting 69 dancers from 28 countries. Her partner, Jean Marc Cordero, was a semi-finalist and won the Special Jury Award for Best in Pas de Deux Technique (partnering). The duo also won the Special Award – Lead Role in a Russian Ballet Production, First Boston International Ballet Competition.

“We have great artists, dancers and singers. What sets us apart is that we are a professional dance company and we generate jobs for artists,” Floriendo says, adding that it is a successful model that survived four decades and is still flourishing.

With Rama Hari, it’s another show to enjoy for both ballet virgins and seasoned ballet aficionados.

Rama Hari goes onstage at the CCP Main Theater from Nov. 30 to Dec. 9, with matinee and evening shows. For schedule and ticket information, call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 or 551-7919 or log on to www.ballet.ph