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| Photo by Diego Lorenzo Jose |
I've always been fascinated with people who embrace their uniqueness. Love for oneself is such a simple concept but it seems not many are able to live comfortably with their own skin. Novy Bereber is one of those blessed with the ability to be apologetically him. He enjoys unravelling his fabulosity bit by bit and finds ways to share it with the world, and I mean the world.
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| Photo by Diego Lorenzo Jose |
Novy Bereber is a Filipino who started his dancing career with Dagyaw Theater Dance Company in Iloilo under the mentorship of Edwin C. Duero. He was given encouragement by Osias Barroso and Lisa Macuja to pursue a career in Ballet. With that much needed push he trained under Ballet Philippines until he rose the ranks and became one of their solid senior soloists. During his stint with Ballet Philippines he was given a chance to choreograph for the company. This privilege is reserved for a handful who are undeniably marked with talent and a strong point of view. His success with Ballet Philippines paved the way for even more opportunities to create pieces beyond the CCP walls working with important dance groups here and abroad. Blessed with fulfilling experiences both as a dancer and a choreographer he was able to make a name for himself.
Having seen majority of his body of work, I have through the years gained so much respect for him not only because of his talent in translating thoughts into movement. I have gained respect for him because through his pieces I see who he is as a person. Novy Bereber is a dynamic, energetic artist who has chosen to devote his time and effort to immortalizing the Filipino point of view through his dances. While not all his works are Filipino themed, he has an ample amount of works that ever so gently touched on who we are as a people. For Ballet Philippines he has created "Inay" who tells the story of how the Filipina is devoted to cradling her child even past his childhood whether they are near or far. Also for Ballet Philippines he created "To Whom it may Concern" where he shows the extreme sacrifice of the Filipino artists who migrate out of need. For Philippine Ballet Theatre he created "Angel of the Morning" one of his most controversial works which was intended to remind people about the presence of Igorot ethnicity. I have always appreciated the patriotism and the meticulous concern for the Filipino.
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| To Whom it May Concern Photo by Stan dela Cruz |
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| Photo by Ador Pamintuan Angel of the Morning |
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| Photo by Ador Pamintuan Dancer :Erica Jacinto and Lucas Jacinto Ängel of the Morning |
Today, Bereber resides in Australia with his beloved. He continues to do what he does best which is to create art and progressing quide rapidly. He choreographed the opening and closing parade of Mardigra 2015. Recently he participated in the 2016 Vivid Sydney Laser Dragon Water Fountain with his choreography projected in an 82-foot meter high screen overlooking the harbour. 2017 seems to be a good year for him as well as he has a few surprises up his sleeve. Doing quite well away from the Philippines he has the option to just revel in his new success. Distance however does not diminish the heart's resolve. He continues to choreograph, dance and teach in Australia but has not wavered in embracing his roots. He works closely with Filipino Australian communities and generously allows his works about Filipinos to be performed. In fact he was awarded Filipino Australian of the year because of his involvement with the community. Quite recently he posted a video of him teaching Parkinson patients a Filipino Igorot dance mimicking the tribal steps. (Click the link : Novy Teaches Filipino steps to Parkinsons Patients) He consistently uses Filipino beats when he is teaching Contemporary in Sydney Dance Company. When he is needed to contribute to the Philippine dance landscape he hurriedly books a flight and works with Filipino dancers. I believe he will again visit Manila this October to create a new piece for CCP-Neo Filipino. With every achievement he conquers he shares it in Facebook and uses the hashtags #iamiloilo, #iloilopride, #pinoyaus #pinoydancer. He consciously attributes his achievements to his roots. All of this combined creates a picture of consistency and heart. This is a guy who remains Filipino despite the distance. He is completely devoted to being unchanged by circumstances. I used to think of him with high regard because he had talent and skill. Nowadays I think of him highly because he is a portrait of a Filipino - malakas, magaling at may utang na loob. I wish him well and I hope that he unravels more layers and finds more ways to contribute to our Philippine dance community.
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