The Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, without skipping a beat, continues to bring dance—ballet theater, to be exact—to the provinces, even after acclaimed performances in major venues in Metro Manila, from Malacanang itself to the Metropolitan Theater and the Samsung Theater for Performing Arts.
Puso ng Pasko, the sparkling epic Christmas collaboration between two National Artists—Alice Reyes and Ryan Cayabyab—kicked off performances last December 1 and 2 at Malacanang. It features Cayabyab’s musical arrangements of Filipino Christmas carols, and choreography by outstanding Filipino choreographers of the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP), under the mentorship of Reyes.
It has now toured Antique, Iloilo and Bacolod.
The show is directed and choreographed by ARDP artistic director Ronelson Yadao, with co- choreographers Erl Sorilla, AL Abraham, John Ababon, Danilo Dayo, Lester Reguindin, and Bonnie Guerrero. The result is a delightful fusion of contemporary dance and Filipino holiday traditions that is a true feast for the heart and soul.
Puso ng Pasko was performed in Culasi, Antique, last December 5, Iloilo on December 8, and Victorias in Bacolod on December 11. The show has returned to Manila for performances at Miriam College until December 18.
As expected, the show was warmly received during its visits outside Manila, as heard from these interviews of movers and shakers in the Iloilo art scene. Eric Divinagracia, artistic director of the USA Little Theater based at the University of San Agustin, who also works with the Iloilo Festivals Foundation Inc. (IFFI) and is artistic director of the Dinagyang Festival, recalls how audience members were “smiling from beginning to end. Over and above the aesthetics is what you feel—it was heartfelt, cohesive, and created a sense of being Pinoy.”
Allan Ryan Tan, president of IFFI, also welcomed everyone, and lauded “the collaboration with local artists, which we did in such a short time. We look forward to these collaborations. People look up to Ms. Alice, so being part of this boosts their enthusiasm.”
Shar Suarez, a producer and an arts manager based in Iloilo who works closely with IFFI, called it “a timely show, mainit sa puso. Very heartwarming, especially for Ilonggos, who are not used to seeing such a massive a show. Everything comes together, like a delicious bite for Christmas!”
For information on performances and tickets, contact Ivan Castronuevo at tel. no. +63 927 372 1558 or email ivancastronuevo@ardp.ph.
