PBT is ablaze

 

The Philippine Ballet Theatre's triumph over daunting obstacles is a celebration of the company; resolute spirit that continues the revolutionary fighting spirit of its founders. Bold, Brave, and Beautiful, the company and all the people behind it, continue to dream and fight to strive to see their dreams come to reality. 

 In 2023, the Company celebrated its dramatic emergence from the pandemic. With the revolutionary fighting spirit of the Company and the solid vision of Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario, the company proved that they have stayed at the forefront of the industry. They closed the season with a warmly embraced full Filipino ballet “Ibalon”, an electric tour in the United States of America and their crowd favorite, “The  Nutcracker”. This 2024, their journey continues as they prepare to take flight.

The Philippine Ballet Theatre proudly announces its vibrant 38^th season. This season, PBT embraces the theme “Ablaze”. They begin the season with another brand new Filipino ballet “Sarimanok”. This ballet is ready to soar unveiling the beautiful tapestry of our culture.

“Sarimanok” is a dance of culture and myth. “Sarimanok” is a bird in Filipino Mindanao mythology. The magical bird with its majestic colors is the center of a love story between a mortal and a moon goddess. This mythical creature, renowned for its vibrant feathers and captivating presence, takes center stage in a ballet that transcends the boundaries of time and culture. The ballet will be choreographed by the same creative team of “Ibalon”. Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario will be choreographing the ballet with the music of Paulo Zarate. It is slated to premiere in early July.

 

 

“Music in Motion”, PBT’s second offering will be a mixed bill program of neoclassical works by artistic director Ronilo Jaynario with the music of maestro Raul Sunico. It will be a blend of familiar Filipino music brought to life through the Philippine Ballet Theatre’s exquisite dancing. A flurry of emotions and diverse movements all packed in one show. In a dinner and dance format, this season offering is set to be performed sometime in September.

PBT will end their season with their crowd-pleaser. “Nutcracker” is a tradition that is hard to resist. It not only serves as a ballet that ushers in the holiday spirit, but it also serves as PBT’s advocacy project. With a cast of 100 dancers, it can educate young dancers from different schools regarding the remarkable discipline of ballet.

 

With a renewed passion for their advocacy, PBT will try to keep their fire burning for their advocacies. As of date, they are scheduled to go on a local tour including  Legaspi, Bicol, and Bacolod. The number of tour dates is increasing in number as we speak. The Company is also scheduled to go on an international tour this coming October to select cities in the United States of America.

Much has been accomplished but more is to be achieved. PBT is excited to engage with a wider range of audiences this 2024.

PBT will end their season with their crowd-pleaser. “Nutcracker” is a tradition that is hard to resist. It not only serves as a ballet that ushers in the holiday spirit, it also serves as PBT’s advocacy project. With a cast of 100 dancers, it is able to educate young dancers from different schools regarding the remarkable discipline of ballet.

With a renewed passion for their advocacy, PBT will try to keep their fire burning for their advocacies. As of date, they are scheduled to go on a local tour including  Legaspi, Bicol, and Bacolod. The number of tour dates is increasing in number as we speak. The Company is also scheduled to go on an international tour this coming October to select cities in the United States of America.

Much has been accomplished but more is to be achieved. PBT is excited to engage with a wider range of audiences this 2024.

Ballet Manila is Hard at Work

 

It's full speed ahead for Ballet Manila. While most ballet companies program three to four major ballet shows in a season, BM has opted to fill its entire calendar with something big every month. Their season is a full buffet, with something to entice all audiences.  

Reworked and Reborn

They begin their season with a reworked, choreographed, and refreshed version of Le Corsaire. Le Corsaire has always been a permanent fixture in  Ballet Manila's history. It has proven to be one of their best offerings showcasing their dancers' technical ability with the numerous soloist roles available.  Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde shared, " For me, the main draw and importance  of staging  a Le Corsaire si the fact that there are many principal characters  that all have their respective times to shine and show off technical and virtuosic feats as the ballet unfolds" 

Currently, there is a healthy number of dancers to showcase. Macuja- Elizalde, has dealt with this ballet so many times that she felt, she had an opportunity to improve the storytelling aspect of the ballet. While the major balletic highlights will remain the same,  the setting up of the scenes was choreographed to give more depth and logic to the sequence of events.  Le Corsaire is a comical ballet about a pirate freeing his loved one from the hands of slavery. The role of Conrad will be shared by Mark Sumaylo and Romeo Peralta. Medora will be performed by Abigail Oliveiro and Pia Dames. Gulnare will be performed by Pearl Dames and Shaira Comeros. Lastly, Lankadem will be shared by Noah Esplanada and Alvin Dictado. Curtains will rise on February 24 and 25, 202 at their homebase Aliw Theatre. 

From Book to Ballet 

Ballet Manila has always believed in book-to-ballet performances. The company sees this as their advocacy project, ensuring younger generations would be reminded of old Filipino stories that speak of values.  Based on Christine Bellen's retelling of Severino Reyes' stories, BM will restage Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang this coming May 2024. Joining the cast will be  Mitch Valdez who will be playing the role of Lola Basyang. Valdez who is a well-known comedian promised to stay true to the restaging honoring what was written for her. However, she did say she wanted to really learn the material so that she could also pepper it with her own stylings that would highlight the stories. 

Glorious Giselle 

Giselle is the ultimate white ballet. For this particular author, Giselle is Ballet Manila's strongest weapon. They have always nailed this ballet leaving audiences in awe. It would be interesting to see how they deal with the challenge of doing this ballet with a completely new fleet of dancers. 

Ending with a Bang

The last quarter of the year is really the busiest for all the ballet companies. But  Ballet Manila has outdone itself with three productions for every month of quarter four of 2024.   A brand new premier of a Filipino ballet by collaborating choreographers Gerardo Francisco and Martin Lawrence will come alive in Aliw Theatre. They will be presenting the Filipino literary classic "Florante at Laura". As of date, the libretto has already been completed and choreography will begin very soon. It will premiere on October 12, 2024. 

Following right after would be their Arete Season. Gerardo Francisco's  "Ibong Adarna" in November 2024. In compliance with their partnership with Ateneo Arete, Ballet Manila will share their widely appreciated ballet with new audiences. 

Christmas won't be the same without a heart-warming ballet, so ending the season would be Lisa Macuja- Elizalde's very own "Snow White". On the side of course is their weekly performance  In Star City. 

This is a very ambitious calendar for Ballet Manila but this is a lineup that will surely excite existing audiences. It will certainly bring in new audiences. If they are successful in their stagings, it will bring new appreciation for the ballet, Filipino talent, and Filipino material. 

Ballet Manila Debut

It is also important to note that  Ballet Manila is strengthening its workforce. Joining their roster of dancers are the Andes family dancers. David, Daniel, Ana, and Graciella  Andes. They will debut in Ballet Manila in Le Corsaire. Meanwhile. returning to the fold is Raphael Perez who will be joining the company in March. It's always a thrill to see new dancers begin their careers with a Company. I'm excited to see what they can offer. 

Cultural Center of the Philippines Plot Twists Circa 2024

 

Breaking the tradition of having the CCP institutional press conference in a walled venue, the CCP Management led by CCP Vice Chair Margie Moran Floirendo, President Nikki Junia, and Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan, welcomed the press in the CCP Liwasang Kalikasan. With the organic aesthetic designed by Eric Cruz, it really set the tone. The CCP is not confined to any space.

In preparation for the 50th Anniversary of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, a promising blueprint for CCP Manila Arts Center was presented to the public. A massive upgrade, meant to elevate our cultural site into something that could rival the structures of Marina Bay Sands, was presented to the public. The glow-up of the complex included more rehearsal space to be able to possibly house some of the CCP resident companies,  additional black box theaters, galleries, and a commercial area. It was a glorious structure that could help promote the arts, and at the same time make the CCP a more financially rewarding complex. More facilities means more activities can be done simultaneously. This of course also included repair and maintenance of the existing CCP. However, just like the COVID-19 pandemic, another life-threatening event happened at the CCP. The 2018 building audit findings were slowly being addressed through 2019. In 2020 with the doors of the building closed, it allowed management to do a more extensive look.

With this was the realization that there was a need to fix the heart of the complex first. When asked if the CCP glow-up was ever gonna happen, CCP Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan answered "Never say never". He explained that this project already had the green light and prior budgetary approval from the government. With a firm resolve to pursue the dream of an upgraded CCP the dynamic duo President Nikki Junio and Artistic Director, Dennis Marasigan vowed they will continue to fight for it. For now, the CCP will have to, by hook or by crook, deliver a refreshed CCP by January of 2026. The complex is tentatively booked for the ASEAN summit. Project repair as of date is at a 30% completion rate.

CCP Vice Chair Margie Moran Floirendo

                                   

But in their most challenging period yet, post-pandemic with no facilities, expectations of people about CCP's performance are relatively lower. Thankfully the CCP management is made of visionaries and for them, to over-achieve is the name of the game. Marasigan stated CCP's ultimate goals for 2024. " For 2024, we hope to reach over 200,000 onsite viewers and engage over 6,000 artists. For our workshops, we hope they can benefit 16,000 participants". The CCP's first sortie opening the Cultural season was “Pasinaya” the annual multi-art festival. With the solid battle cry "Sulong!", it charged on surpassing the 2023 audience count by 37% percent. nearing pre-pandemic numbers even with the absence of the Main Theatre (1800 capacity) and the Little  Theater (413 capacity) which provide massive numbers for the festival. With a month and four days in they are already at a 25% accomplishment rate of on-site audience count at 50,632 with combined Facebook video views of 100,000 as of date. More importantly, the Pasinaya crossed borders and went as far as Tagum and Iloilo with the help of local government units. If this bold effort is any indication of the rest of 2024, then it's going to be an explosion of art in the digital and physical spaces. 

The plot twist of the pandemic and building audit results provided obstacles but it pushed for maximum creativity and resourcefulness of the CCP Management Team. But just like any Filipino teleserye, the plot twists will keep on coming. Now the question is will this end up sweet or salty. The press conference was a chance to address the swirling rumors regarding the recent announcement of the Cultural Center of the Philippines regarding the applications for the National Performing Arts Companies. This CCP project is in compliance with Republic Act No. 11392 which is a law that seeks to cultivate national talent and raise national and cultural awareness. NPAC will accredit five major companies in the disciplines of theater, dance, orchestra, chorale, and indigenous practices. As explained by Marasigan, apart from the main five companies three other companies per discipline can be granted subsidies.

The question dropped during the press conference was "Does this replace or eradicate the current status of the CCP resident companies?". Marasigan answered curtly that the NPAC would make the CCP residency duplicative. While the likelihood that the CCP resident companies will be able to secure the accreditation is higher, there is surely no guarantee. It is important to note that historically CCP had nine resident companies. We are now down to seven. Basis this, another two will lose their slot (or be demoted). The NPAC will open up the competition which almost always leads to progress and opportunity. However, it may affect the sustainability of companies that have historically proven their capacity and worth. It may also tarnish and diminish the cultural relevance of those who will be demoted or canceled. It launches a Game of Thrones season of artists fighting for national standing. Artists against artists. Problematic? I believe so.  However, I also believe that the CCP will be able to navigate the application of this law in an artist-friendly manner. They are artists themselves after all. Meanwhile, Marasigan explained the application will be closed in March and evaluated closely. He expects an announcement mid-year. Meanwhile, everything that was promised to the resident companies will be provided for the year. Let's wait and see how things pan out.

Artistic Director Dennis Marasigan 

One thing is for sure, the CCP is buzzing with energy. Aside from the output expected from the CCP resident companies, Marasigan said they intend to produce 765 events, ranging from performances, screenings, exhibits, and workshops both onsite, off-site, and online. The Virgin Labfest, Cinemalaya, and Balangaw will be reloaded and expanded. Digital access will be enhanced including possible partnerships with free TV. Arts education will be leveled up. Junia promised" The CCP has been doing outreach programs in the last 40 years, but we are intensifying them, creating new partners with LGUs and cultural organizations, collaborating with as many artists as we can, and producing shows in alternative venues across the country. "

CCP President Nikki Junia 

The CCP is fired up and for the lack of better words, wants to take up space!. Their 2024 season aims to break even more boundaries. CCP is ready to forge ahead, ready to promote and protect the creative spirit of the Filipinos. Borrowing their Pasinaya battlecry, Sulong Pilipino, Sulong!