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
July 28-29, 2023 | Samsung Performing Arts Theater
August 19-20 2023 | Aliw Theater, Pasay City
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