The goal of every production is to stimulate emotions. The stage was built to stir the feelings of an otherwise resting heart. Philippine Ballet Theatre's (PBT) second season offering definitely jolted mine awake. Like caffeine it allowed me to feel everything from happiness, turmoil, love and even a bit of sadness.
Fourteen choreographic pieces were created by PBT's artistic director and resident choreographer Ronilo Jaynario. For this benefit show, the intention was to highlight the supposedly orgasmic experience of dance, music and vocal stylings of reputable singers, quite an original concept.
Opening with "The Prayer", Joni Galeste and Mark Pineda performed a beautiful lyrical piece. In tune with the song's tone quality , it did provided a sense of yogic calm. The synchronicity and the fluidity of the dancers' partnership gave the audience a chance to savor the aesthetics. Aside from their solid technique, perhaps it was divine intervention that gave the couple a definitive glow.
Particularly noteworthy was "Summertime" performed by Lobreza Pimentel and Matthew Davo. This jazzy ballet displayed technically very difficult backbend lifts, contortionist exhibitions and partnered extensions. Extraordinary was Pimentel's ability to remain strikingly fierce throughout the demanding two minute extravaganza. She was flirtatious, sassy and even a tad devilish. Davo ably partnered her armed with his boyish charm. Their performance matched the temperament of the song leaving the audience wanting more of their bite sized goodness.
Kim Abrogena and Kaizier Policarpio brought a whole new meaning to the words "Hold me in your arms." They performed a romantic pas de deux to the song " How do you keep the music playing" . It was poetry in motion as they nailed the dance highlights, Deliciously extended partnered arabesques, ala secondes and attitudes were a delight to see. With Abrogena sweet as pie, Policarpio hammed up and danced like a debonair.
The best offering of the night for me was a contemporary piece performed by Ian Ocampo and Regine Magbitang. Packed with emotion they gave meaning to the song "Just Give me a Reason". Through movement they shared with the audience a conversation. There was love, longing, hope and hurt. It was almost too real. They filled the theatre with a powerful energy that left my heart pulsating in the rhythm of their music. I particularly loved the suspended shapes and the unexpected assisted leaps. Magbitang was agile and completely solid throughout. Ocampo's lines were picture perfect.
I would love to say that the string of choreographic successes that I mentioned set a trend for the evening. Jaynario is a very good choreographer who often challenges his dancers to do more than they think they can do both emotionally and physically. This is proven by the winning performances mentioned earlier. But I thought for this particular production it wasn't enough that you create individual pieces that are good. Yes the pieces made me smile, cry, feel romantic even, but some of it also made me a bit sad.
Philippine Ballet Theatre's dancers are world class. They are capable of displaying a high level of skill and artistry under the whip of Jaynario. They are schooled to perfection. It was a bit disappointing that there were conceptual decisions that made it seem like the dancers could not carry a show based on the Company's excellence. Ballet is a visual art form, I thought the very vague and generic narrated introductions were highly unnecessary. After all, the lyrics were already sung and the bodies already moved, it was like the audience members were incapable of comprehending the material. The concept was presented to the would be audiences as a revolutionary concept combining singers and dancers yet they had just finished a similar concert format show. Numerous runs of Serye at Sayaw delighted audiences in different parts of Manila.
I understand the concept of producing material with commercial appeal but I do not necessarily agree that showing pieces that are more appropriate on tv variety shows is reflective of the Company's thrust. I salute PBT for their display of athleticism. I applaud them for their soulfulness and commitment to whatever they were made to dance. While I'm certain many people loved this show I hope that PBT can combine their millennial spirit with a little bit of familiar classical taste in their future explorations. I can't wait to see PBT shine bright again with their crowd favorite "Nutcracker".
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