Philippine Dance History ; Freedom to Choose the Filipino

After the blistering effect of the pandemic, the 2023 dance season of the major dance companies seemed to carry more weight. All four ballet companies Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila, and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines fought tooth and nail to fight for their companies' art. They had to fight to keep funding. They had to fight to keep their dancers. They had to fight to keep their audience. With CCP closing its doors and casting a shadow over its 2023 season, you would think the return to stability would be choosing a safe repertoire that can surely make money. Thankfully not everyone went this route. Despite the uncertainty, it looks like there is a thirst to regain a voice, a platform to use to advocate for Filipino themes. 

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines opened its season with an epic restaging of Encantada choreographed by no less than National Artist for Dance Agnes Reyes. While this masterpiece is well-loved by the dance community it attracts a specific niche market. In a way, it alienates the ballet kid market because of its dark theme and specialized genre. Their risk paid off with masses of people shouting out praises for a meticulously prepared high art project presented to the people. Your guess is as good as mine if you ask me if it made money. To me, at this point, it shouldn't matter. It put a barely one-year-old company on the map. It showed a passionate display of commitment to preserving Filipino masterpieces and giving dignity to the work of Filipino collaborators. It was not just the ballet that was gloriously lauded by many, it was also the pulsating music of Joey Ayala and the bold  libretto by Al Santos.

Philippine Ballet Theatre will open Ibalon the ballet this coming July 28 and 29, 2023 at the Samsung Theatre. It will tell the perspective of one of the stories of Bicol that has been passed on for generations and generations by mouth. They too will take a risk and present a product of a full collaboration of Filipino Artists. The ballet is choreographed by the company's artistic director Ronilo Jaynario, with music by Paulo Zarate with special effects by Fortunato Co and Enrico Navarro. The ballet has not even premiered yet it has gained so much attention from the music, theater, and dance community. The support for this ballet shows that there is a thirst for something Filipino-made. Perhaps PBT has more to lose if this ballet does not earn well. Looking at ticket availability, Ibalon already has made a tiny win for PBT. Wouldn't that be great if this ballet is received with intensity?! It would a be beautiful statement,  "Choosing Filipino is rewarding". 

Ballet Manila will close its 25th season with Gerardo Francisco's Ibong Adarna this August 19 and 20, 2023 at the newly renovated Aliw Theatre. As known to all this ballet is also a product of an all-Filipino team. The music was composed by Diwa De Leon, the script was written by Angela Blardony Ureta, and the costumes and sets were by Make It Happen Workshop. While global exposure and collaborations are fruitful, it's always nice to see the products of an all-Filipino team. It's a pity that school is on break because this would have been a perfect education tool for the youth. It certainly breaks down the story in a memorable way. I have seen this ballet many times and it has evolved each time. I'm pretty sure the new serving will be a crisp showing of Filipino literature. 

As the controversial new Department of Tourism campaign says "Love the Philippines" in a deeper manner. These companies have already made a statement by choosing to make the stage their platform to show the glory of our Filipino artists. Maybe it's time the locals made time to follow their lead and support Filipino dance collaborations. It's a guaranteed win. Our presence in the theatre helps immortalize the work that was done, it helps our dance companies thrive not survive and it helps spread Filipino stories. It just feels like the right decision to choose Filipino as we regain our freedom to see more art. Let's celebrate the greatest blessing coming out of the pandemic. Let's use our newfound ( and much-appreciated) freedom to be Filipino. See you at the theatre. 

Check out these links to find out more about their shows. 

1. ARDancePH

RAMA, HARI (Upcoming show) 

September 15-16, 2023 | Metropolitan Theater September 22-23, 2023 | Samsung Performing Arts Theater

2. Philippine Ballet Theatre

July 28-29, 2023  | Samsung Performing Arts Theater

3. Ballet Manila Official 

August 19-20 2023 | Aliw Theater, Pasay City

Philippine Ballet Theatre’s Ibalon Claims the Power to Create and Collaborate

 

Philippine Ballet Theatre will officially open their 37th season with an all-Filipino ballet called Ibalon. Lifting from the full-length epic from Bicol, Artistic Director and Choreographer Ronilo Jaynario focuses on the love story of Handyong (The Warrior) and Oryol (The Cursed Creature). Indulging in creative liberties, he created nuances and plot twists to make the story a powerful display of love in movement. He hopes to leave audiences captivated with colorful dances inspired from Luzon, Visayas, and Mindanao. 

 This ballet is the brainchild of a seamless collaboration between PBT artistic director Ronilo Jaynario a visionary who has redefined the boundaries of ballet and Paulo Zarate  a renowned  composer who has the power to weave emotion into every scene.   Jaynario who hails from Bicol himself wanted to take a step towards immortalizing Filipino stories. When he met Zarate, he was so moved by his compositions and the dancers that the choreography was so organically created. Zarate himself committed to making a Filipino story make a mark in this day and age. He wanted a clear emotional pull that would sound remarkably Filipino. He would attend all the big rehearsals and adjust to insert nuances that he believed would help highlight the ballet’s biggest moments with cinematic appeal. 

The dancers have been so excited to breathe life to this ballet. Jessa Tangalin who plays Oryol said “I saw how our Director and Choreographer crafted this ballet. Sir Ron comes from Bicol which is why I think he’s much more particular on how he translates the epic story of his hometown into movement. He has given us volumes of challenging choreography but has given us so much room to explore our respective characters. The experience of seeing passionate choreographer collaborate with us with a story so ingrained in his childhood is enough motivation to do good.  Matthew Davo who plays Handyong said “ I feel so privileged that I was given a chance to  play a hero in a story that shows Filipino values and  identity. Creating his character was one of my career’s milestones”. 

With Ibalon generating interest, the company has had multiple legends share their wisdom about Philippine dance and roots. Rosky Hilado and Monette Co both principal dancers of the Bayanihan Dance Group took the time to coach the young PBT dancers explaining the meaning behind the aesthetics. Former PBT artistic directors Julie Borromeo and Gener Caringal, renowned choreographer Paul Ocampo, and former dance stars Maritoni Rufino, Lucas Jacinto and Liza dela Fuente have likewise shared their knowledge to this fleet of dancers. The dancers seem to display a thirst for knowledge and have reciprocated the kind gesture with great energy  in their rehearsals. Weekly this ballet has been viewed by industry experts  and  the rave reviews have started to pour in even if the company has not yet reached production week. 

With all the players  giving their all and the encouraging words of many, this ballet shows promise. I believe that it seeks to show the world that there is power  in the ability to create and collaborate. All it needs is a little bit more fairy dust  to fly.  A few more days before we find out if this ballet will be as good as it seems. 

PBT’s Ibalon will run on July 28, 2023, 8pm and July 29, 2023, 8pm at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. Tickets are P2500 (Orchestra Center), P2,000 (Orchestra Sides), P1,500 (Loge), P500 (Balcony I), and P350 (Balcony II).

For ticket inquiries and reservations, contact 86711697, 0968-8708887, or message their social media platforms on Instagram or Facebook.