PBT's Pinoy Komiks Still Flying High

Eons ago, Mars Ravelo started what would be a comic revolution. He became the single most popular comic novelist who created works that for a while became a national past time. His famous comic creations include Darna, Dyesebel and Valentina. There are articles that have implied that the heroines that he created depicted the hybrid that resulted from years of colonial mentality. The dual personality was to represent both the local Filipino culture and the idolatry of western culture. He did unapologetically take on the influence of the Superman era but he made it quite clear that his stories were about the Filipino. He immortalized in his stories myths and legends that were passed on from generation to generation. He made our folklore relatable and exciting. His comic book stories grounded both influences and created a niche market that grew to cult level size in no time. No doubt about it Mars Ravelo is the King of Comics in the Philippines. It comes to no surprise that so many have tried to use his characters as inspiration for a wide range of art forms.

In the nineties, Philippine Ballet Theatre produced "Pilipino Komiks" featuring Darna, Dyesebel, Bangenge and Valentina. With the music of Chino Toledo and the choreography of Gener Caringal they brought comics to the stage. The original cast included no less than Lisa Macuja as Darna, Melanie Motus as Valentina, Maritoni Tordesillas as Dyesebel, Noreen Austria as Bangenge. With a production that offered local stars with a huge fan base, flying superheroes and flying machines with mermaids, couture gowns from designer Ben Farrales, it was naturally received well by the audience. Despite the resounding success of this venture, it was never restaged until recently. It took years but thankfully, people finally recognized the cultural merit of this show. Beyond the entertainment value it promises are traditions and values that are immortalized through movement. It reminds me of cultural shows that other countries offer such as the Dance Opera of the Chinese, the traditional Cirque-ish presentations in Vietnam, Kabuki Theatre productions in Japan and the like. In celebration of Heritage Month, The Filipino Heritage Festival in partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Pagcor and of course Philippine Ballet Theatre, it returned to the CCP Main Theater last May 14, 2017. It was free show offered to the public to encourage preservation of the Philippine legacies. That it did beautifully.  "Pilipino Komiks" as it did before highlighted traditions such as the town fiesta, Santa Cruzan and the Salakot dance. It incorporated the concept of belief in mythical objects and creatures. It also played on values such as gratitude, joyfulness and sense of community through the characters. It was a good showcase of Mars Ravelo's alleged intentions.

This production did not happen without obstacles but I reckon the journey was worth it after hearing the loud appreciation of the elated audience. At the end it is not the pursuit of perfection but the pursuit of happiness that is more important. Kudos to the team who made sure that something worthy of such love from the audience was presented. The music created in the nineties was no longer in its perfect form due to preservation issues hence, a live band accompanied it to restore the vibrance it once had. Most of the costumes did not survive time. Because of constraints some mechanisms such as flying machines were not available for use in this staging.  What it couldn't provide was easily made up with new technology and new sets. The restaging of a ballet mounted on the stars of a ballet generation was likewise a challenge. Melanie Motus (original cast of Valentina) and Maritoni Tordesillas (original cast of Dyesebel) fondly recalls that the process of mounting the ballet came so naturally for  Gener Caringal. He knew the dancers well and was able to capitalize on all of their strengths.  Gener Caringal  created  Darna choreography for Lisa Macuja's strength and agility. The role of Darna had a whole list of showstoppers. Regina Magbitang who played the role of Darna in the recent  had to peform quite a number of recurring turns and fouettes in all sections of the ballet. So much so that watching her almost got me tired. Similarly, the rest of the cast also had a tall order. What was nice about it was that they were all enthusiastic to do justice to the roles and to respect the achievements of the previous dancers. Everyone simply enjoyed reviving a production that was celebrated by a different generation. 

The restaging of this ballet is very much a commendable patriotic effort from the organizers. I'm always happy to see that old works  (Mars Ravelo's and Gener Caringal's) are celebrated and shared on to new audiences. I am also overjoyed that the dancers of Philippine Ballet Theatre were given a chance to take on something old, something new, something borrowed  and something red. This is what you call a win-win situation.

WHO DID IT BEST?

Marika Desembrana as Rita 

Cathee Lee Roslotsev as Rita 

Lobreza Pimentel as Valentina

Melanie Motus as Valentina

Regine Magbitang as Darna 

Lisa Macuja as Darna 

Kim Abrogena as Bangenge

Restaging- Ronilo Jaynario
Production and Technical Direction :Michael Gegorio
Lighting Design - Roldan Lozano
Visual effects and animation - Andrei Roslovtsev
Stage Manager Raul Nepomuceno Jr.
Set Ececution - Lupo Adolfo Lasin
Costume Execution - Twinkle Zamora.
References : https://starforallseasons.com/2013/10/09/in-appreciation-of-mars-ravelo/