artaturningpointe: Philippine Ballet Theatre's "Bayadere Hugot Lines"

Photo by Stan de la Cruz

A few years ago, in an interview, I was asked why people would want to watch our ballet show "La Bayadere". If I'm not mistaken it was in ASAP one of ABS CBN's fun variety shows. I tried my best to be witty and answered, "If you are a lover of romance, a lover of drama, a lover of action then this ballet is for you. The story we wish to share is one that can rival the teleseryes of this time." Years have passed and I realize my answer is even more true today. Anybody who has watched or is familiar with "La Bayadere" will tell you that the story is a tragedy far worse than the normal heart ache.

La Bayadere is set in royal India. A temple girl (Nikiya) and a noble warrior (Solor) falls in love and they swear their fidelity to each other. Meanwhile the high priest is also in love with Nikiya and vowed to destroy the union. Solor is ordered by the Rajah to marry his daughter as a reward for his good service. Overwhelmed by her beauty and aware of his duties, he agrees. This is the beginning of a tug-of-war of love. Each character ends up hurt and all eventually pay the consequences of their actions. There is destiny, death and destruction. Sounds melodramatic doesn't it? Well, it is! It's a story that people can easily relate to. Indeed the story is all about dramatics. This ballet has so much texture and so much depth. Unfortunately not many are familiar with it.

I'm hoping that more people will come and see what this technically and artistically demanding ballet has to offer. Since hugot (both a noun and a verb that describes expression of innermost feelings) lines have become a social phenomenon, I decided to have a little fun and ask the cast what hugot lines would best describe the ballet. Perhaps this would make the seemingly elitist ballet closer to the audience it seeks to capture. This post is dedicated to hugot hungry millennials. Have fun reading the collection of lines shared by the cast. Have even more fun watching the show.