Ballet connoisseurs are in for a treat this weekend, as two of the country’s leading ballet companies present their season openers. The Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) kicks off its fourth season with Pagdiriwang: Sayaw Alay sa Sining. The Philippine Ballet Theater (PBT) is staging The Merry Widow.
Fortunately, while the performances happen on the same weekend, the schedules don’t necessarily overlap. Ballet lovers can easily find a way to watch both shows.
It’s been over a decade since I’ve seen a presentation by the PBT. Back in 2014, the late and beloved Inquirer Lifestyle columnist Josephine Darang introduced me to the great doyenne of dance, Julie Borromeo. She was then artistic director of PBT and was promoting their latest production, The Nutcracker. It was being staged in time for the Christmas season.
Alice Reyes, with a ballerina’s grace, gathers the dancers for photo call. (Photo by Edmund Dennis Ladaw)
Fast forward to National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes meeting the press a few weeks ago to promote the fourth season opener of Pagdiriwang: Sayaw Alay sa Sining. This mix-bill program will showcase the works of some of the most esteemed names in dance, including the National Artist herself, Alice Reyes.
Pagdiriwang will have eight segments highlighting ALDP’s resident dancers. Three of them feature Monica Gana in the lead. Looking much younger than her 30 years, Gana is a founding member of ARDP.
‘Pagdiriwang’ will showcase the works of some of the most esteemed names in dance, including the National Artist herself, Alice Reyes
“Actually, in ballet terms, I’m already considered old,” she said frankly. “But hopefully I can continue dancing until my late 40s.”
As she happens to headline three of the segments in Pagdiriwang, we asked if she’s just a few steps away from being crowned prima ballerina, or first principal dancer. Ms. Reyes, however, said that being a repertory company, ARDP doesn’t give titles to its roster of dancers. Every member is given a chance to shine in a show.
Award-winning Filipina dancer Candice Adea takes centerstage in the first segment, titled Amada which premiered in 1970. A former principal dancer of Ballet Philippines, Adea performs a Filipino modern dance. Choreography is by Alice Reyes, with music by National Artist Lucrecia Kasilag.
Apart from Ms. Reyes and Ms. Kasilag, the dance showcases the works of other National Artists. With sets and costumes designed by National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal, the ballet draws inspiration from Summer Solstice, a short story authored by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. The story is set in 19th century Manila, where the marriage of a couple (danced by Adea and Ricmar Byoneta) is suddenly put to the test by the Tadtarin (played by Sarah Alejandro). The Tadtarin is a ritual performed during the summer solstice.
Song of a Wayfarer is a modern dance showcase mounted by Norman Walker, with music by the revered Gustav Mahler. It premiered in the Philippines in 1973 and was last staged in 2017. Song of a Wayfarer is about unrequited love, with Walker drawing inspiration from Mahler’s experience as a young man. This ballet features Ejay Arisola as the young man and Monica Gana as the bride.
Contemporary dance is featured in Muybridge/Frames, choreographed by Denisa Reyes with music by Philip Glass. First staged in 1984, this abstract ballet is inspired by the sequential photographic study of Edward Muybridge. Dancers demonstrate the sequential movements of a movie picture through a series of poses. It will be performed by an all-male ensemble.
Pagdiriwang also features the world premiere of C’est La Cie, which features neo-classical choreography by Agustus “Bam” Damian III, who also designed the costumes. It features almost the entire company led by Monica Gana.
Classical ballet with choreography by Adam Sage, using the sweeping music by Mikhail Blinka, is featured in Glinka’s Valse. Ms. Reyes describes this ballet as an “exciting piece” that displays the dancers’ mastery of classical ballet technique and artistry “as they embody sheer joy through movement.” Glinka’s Valse premiered on the eve of the pandemic in 2020 for the Alice and Friends Show.
Neo-classical dance is showcased in Nocturne, which features choreography by Carlo AC Pacis using the music of Felix Mendelssohn. Last performed in 2019, it’s actually the final pas de deux of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
Another highlight is Moon, a contemporary piece by choreographer Kun-Yan Ling with music by Dead Can Dance. It’s said to be a powerful solo to be performed by Dan Dayo.
The Philippine Ballet Company presents ‘The Merry Widow’ with Jimmy Lumba and Jessa Tangalin as
leads.
(Photo courtesy of the Cultural Center of the Philippines)
PBT’s The Merry Widow is based on the operetta by Franz Lehar, which premiered in Vienna in 1905. It has inspired numerous choreographic adaptations by ballet companies around the world. Set in Paris, the city of love, it explores themes of forbidden and rekindled love, wealth, and deceit.
PBT’s version is choreographed by artistic director Ronilo Jaynario. He said the ballet is mounted in a way “that is sure to resonate with the Filipino audience’s appreciation for passion and drama.”
The Merry Widow plays an important part of PBT’s history. It was among the first ballets ever performed by the company. Ms. Julie Borromeo’s version premiered in 1987. It earned raves and established PBT as a company with a sophisticated repertoire and innovative approach.
Jimmy Lumba will do the lead role of Count Danilo Danilovistch, while Jessa Tangalin will portray the elusive Hanna Glawari. The role of Count Camille de Rosillon will be shared by Julafer Fegarido and Justine Joseph Orande, with Sophia Martina Tiangco and Gabbie Jaynario alternating as Valencienne. Bringing humor to the production, veterans Anatoly Panasyukov and Joel Matias will play Baron Mirko Zeta and Njegus, respectively.
The ARDP company at the press meeting in Nielson Tower. Seated at the center row are ARDP president
Tats Manahan, National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, and ARDP artistic director Ronelson Yadao. (Photo by Edmund Dennis Ladaw)
PBT’s The Merry Widow will have a limited run at Samsung Performing Arts Theater, Circuit Makati on April 5, with a matinee at 3 pm and a gala performance at 7:30 pm. It concludes on April 6 with a final matinee at 3 pm.
ARDP’s Pagdiriwang: Sayaw Alay sa Sining begins its limited run on April 4 and 5 at 2 pm and 7:30 pm at the Globe Auditorium of the Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC.
