DIVERSE DANCE HERITAGE IN ONE STAGE WITH PULSO PILIPINAS: MGA LIKHANG SAYAW

Leading dance companies, groups, and artists showcase the diverse Philippine dance heritage

and present their excellence and versatility in various genres ranging from folk and indigenous,

to contemporary, hip-hop, jazz, ballroom, and classical ballet in Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang

Sayaw, slated on May 23 and 24, 2024 at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila City.

Organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and directed by Marciano Viri, Pulso

Pilipinas brings together the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan, The National Folk

Dance Company of the Philippines, Ballet Philippines, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP),

Ballet Manila, Philippine Dancesport Team, The Crew, University of Santo Tomas (UST)

Salinggawi Dance Troupe, and Aljana “Cheenee” Alicia Rose Marie Limuaco in a two-night

dance festival filled with excellent artistic works that will educate, enrich, and deepen the

appreciation of dance as a form of expression.

The program emphasizes dance, and arts in general, as a unifying factor in nation-building. The

dance symbolizes the Filipino people's innate desire to express their thoughts, aspirations, and

humanity. An avenue of artistic and social expression, dance encourages collaboration across

various sectors of society.

The two-day dance event will showcase different selected dances. On the first day, the

Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines will perform People Under The

Sun, while the Philippine Dancesport Team will showcase The Matrix. Ballet Philippines brings

back Equus, and the Ballet Manila will showcase a neo-classical ballet titled Dancing to Verdi.

Catch Salom, a contemporary dance film choreographed and performed by Limuaco. The short

film won first place in WifiBody.Ph (Virtual Body) 2020.

Don’t miss the performances of Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group with Padyak; the Philippine

Dancesport Team performing The Matrix; UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe with Maiba, Taya!;

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines with Bayleng Bicolano; and The Crew with 24K Magic on the

second day.

Ticket prices for Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang Sayaw are Php 500, Php 800, and Php 1,000,

available at Ticketworld and CCP Box Office.

For updates on future productions and programs of the CCP, you may follow the official CCP

social media accounts on Facebook, X, Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube.

International Dance Day Fest 2024, Unity in Movement

 

Ayala Land, Make it Makati, Circuit Makati, and the Samsung Performing Arts Theater made history by launching the first-ever four-day International Dance Day Festival in the Philippines. What makes this festival unique is its equal emphasis on various dance genres. The festival commenced on April 25, 2024, with a vibrant performance of the folk dance community, followed by an electrifying hip-hop night. On the third day, ballet enthusiasts gathered for a priceless ballet gala. The festival came to a close on April 28, 2024, with a night dedicated to contemporary dance. The event utilized a total of one thousand one hundred seventy-eight artists across the four-day event. With such a large number, it is safe to say that it was a true representation of the dance community. It is a rarity that would be a hard act to follow.

This event attracted diverse audiences who were eager to witness the talent of the dance community. With approximately two thousand five hundred attendees, the festival clearly demonstrated the demand for such programs. There is a thirst to see our talent in the spotlight. Chris Mohnani, the managing director of the host theater, accurately stated, "This pioneering event reaffirms our belief in the transformative power of the arts to unite, inspire, and uplift." The enthusiastic response from the audience indicated that dance had captured people's attention. It was unity in motion on stage and backstage.

It was thrilling to experience a sudden resurgence of artistic energy at the ballet gala last April 27, 2024. The event showcased a well-curated selection of performances that highlighted the talent and competence of the ballet community. The curtains opened, revealing the full glory of the theater with Philippine Ballet Theater's iconic piece, "Vinta", choreographed by Gener Caringal. the music filled the air and the sounds of gusty wind dominated, the audience gasped at the beautiful imagery displayed by the company. PBT looked much like the PBT of the old days, with a fleet of elegantly beautiful, statuesque, and delicate dancers exuding undeniable charm. Vinta was an awe-inspiring visual experience.

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines also made a strong statement with their performance of After Whom, choreographed by Bam Damian. In contrast to PBT's calm, they brought forth a storm of energy that captivated the audience. This piece has always been known for its technical difficulty. It was truly impressive to see the new generation of ARDP dancers rise to the occasion. They left
a lasting impression of this performance.

Ballet Philippines then took the stage with "Diyosa," a fusion of technology and dance. Choreographed by Mikhail Martynyuk, the dancers flexed their competence against strong light projections. The piece mainly focused on utilizing the body to create picturesque formations and aesthetics. Jemima Reyes who was at the forefront of the vignettes displayed meticulous articulation of the body. 

Ballet Manila closed the show with their vintage offering, Dancing to Verdi, choreographed by the late Tony Fabella. This piece was just so incredibly fast and difficult that it quickly reminded me that Fabella was ahead of his time. The footwork combination alone was not for the faint of heart. Ballet Manila's dancers remained calm and composed as they navigated the difficulty of the piece, all while wearing a classic smile on their faces. Shaira Comeros stood out with her impeccable technique and quiet elegance. The audience showed their appreciation for the many difficult steps she conquered.

Returning to the local stage was Pinoy pride, Garry Corpuz. Thanks to Hong Kong Ballet and the generosity of Elaine Forsgate Marden, our local audience had the opportunity to see Corpuz in his finest form. He performed in two numbers, partnering Quingxin Wang in Amor Volte Undique, choreographed by Septime Weber, and the Black Swan Grand Pas De Deux. Both numbers received thunderous applause. In Swan Lake, Wang showcased her extended balance in arabesque, spanning more than five seconds. She did not disappoint with her arabesque to pirouette series, occasionally even landing triples. But more than the tricks, she was delightfully sassy and charismatic. Corpuz has always displayed clean technique, but after years with Hong Kong Ballet, he now exudes the confidence of an International star. Their second number by Septime Wember was a visual treat, with lovely partnering lifts, extensions, and turns. The piece was sophisticated and simply satisfying. The Principal pair was surely the crowd favorite of the evening.

The professionals brought their A-game. But it wasn't just them who delivered. In addition to their performances, the program also featured the future of ballet with performances by Steps Dance Studio, Hope Academy of Dance, Halili Cruz School of Ballet and the Association of Ballet Academies of the Philippines. These esteemed institutions surprised the audience by presenting pieces with serious themes. The young generation demonstrated their unwavering dedication to dance through their passionate performances.

The ballet gala undoubtedly achieved tremendous success. The participating groups understood their role perfectly, ensuring that the audience experienced a diverse range of inspiring performances.  Kudos to Ayala Land and all its collaborators for drawing the attention to our artists. Investing in artists is not common but this event shows that it can be a powerful force for good. In line with the original intention of International Dance Day, the festival beautifully paid homage to dance by uniting communities through movement. It reiterated that Filipinos are special in their own right, and deserving of the world stage. 

In the scorching heat of the Philippines, the International Dance Day Festival was like a much-needed breeze. It felt like a nightcap that soothed the senses and just allowed the audience to focus on something beautiful for once. In a world where everything is a competition, a moment of friendship and unity can be just what we need to be inspired to do better. 

Dance Luminary Gener Caringal Bags Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining Award

Philippine Ballet Theatre performs Gener Caringal's " Vinta" at the International Dance Festival 2024

Dance luminary Gener Caringal has bagged this year's Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining Award for Dance. He will be recognized for his choreographic works that integrate ballet, modern dance, and folk dance  that enriches the development of Philippine Dance. Undoubtedly, this is a well-deserved recognition for Caringal. But in truth, Caringal is simply more than that. He is a jack of all trades, a multifaceted magician of an artist who can create something out of virtually nothing. He is a visionary leader who can create structures that spell out his legacy to be enjoyed by future generations. Caringal has been a household name in the dance industry for decades. He first made a mark as a dance artist when he showed his undeniable presence in Ballet Philippines and the University of the East Dance Troupe. His range of movement and fierce artistry has been captured multiple times often serving as a reference for significant ballets from the past. But what others did not know then was that his sterling dance career was only a speck of what would be his indelible mark in the dance community. Caringal was unstoppable as he nurtured all of his skill sets through the years and took on paths not many would have taken. Instead of pursuing commercially rewarding projects, he created passion projects that would become stepping stones for bigger things.

As a choreographer, he was one of the brave people who gambled and created full Filipino ballets. For Philippine Ballet Theater alone he has crafted four major ballets including "Andres", "Darangen ni Bantugen, " Bagong Bituin, and "Galleon". It takes a village to create a full-length ballet because of the massive work behind it. The risk of criticism is also sky-high because the local audience is familiar with the themes. However, Caringal believed in the importance of educating audiences about our heritage so he braved the challenges and the storms to produce ballets that will resonate. This is in addition to the massive body of work he created capturing the essence of the Filipinos. Caringal's work has been performed by major companies like Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ballet Philippines, University of the East, and of course the now defunct Gener Caringal Dance Repertory. His pieces have remained timeless classics that would be constants in the company repertoire. His well applauded Vinta created in 1989 was just performed by PBT at the recent International Dance Festival hosted by Samsung Performing Arts Theatre. This piece has been a constant in the Company's repertoire for thirty-five years. Ang Sultan created in 1979 was performed by Ballet Philippines and Philippine Ballet Theatre several times and each time it would always be a meaningful piece that never disappointed.

As a leader in the dance community, he has ensured that he created structures and repertoires that would be nation-building. As Artistic director of various companies(PBT, BP II UE, PNB Dance Group, Yeh Shian Folk ballet, Gener Caringal Dance Repertory) he made sure to support other Filipino choreographers. He made sure every season had something innately Filipino. He pursued international tours for the various groups that he handled. He was the head of the National Committee on Dance of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and spearheaded massive regional dance education projects utilizing local dance talents from all over the Philippines. He would also always move projects with the spirit of real collaboration, honoring all artists who joined his project and allowing them to shine in their own way. This is why in his years of service to the dance community he was recognized many times. His awards include Patnubay ng Sining at Kalinangan, 1997; the Distinguished Achievement Award from UE, 2006; the Diwa ng Lahi Award from the City of Manila, 2018; and the C-MAP National Award for Choreography from C-MAP Choreographers Festival Internationale, 2019 and now the prestigious Gawad CCP Award. The Gawad CCP Para Sa Sining is the highest award given by CCP to artists or groups of artists in dance, music, theater, film and broadcast arts, literature, visual arts, architecture, and allied arts and design who have/have consistently produced outstanding works in their particular art form or have/had evolved a distinct style or technique that enriches the development of their particular art form. This so far is his most prestigious of accomplishments. It would come as no surprise if he is nominated as National Artist for Dance soon. Caringal along with the other awardees will be recognized publicly on September 20, 2024, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater. The awardees will receive a citation, a medal, and a cash gift of Php50,000 (for living awardees). The other awardees who will join him on awards night are as follows. 

• IÑIGO HOMER “JOEY” AYALA, cited for his works as a composer, songwriter, and singer
• MARIA LEA CARMEN SALONGA, for her unparalleled achievements as a performing artist who has been recognized both nationally and internationally, putting the Philippines on the global theater map. 
• JOSE LACABA JR, for his outstanding works as a poet, essayist, screenwriter, and journalist, contributing to the development of Philippine literature. 
• MIGUEL “MIKE” DE LEON, for his outstanding works as director, writer, producer, and cinematographer, enabling the advancement of filmmaking in the Philippines. 
• MARIO O’HARA (posthumous), for his outstanding work as a director, actor, and writer that enriched the development of film and broadcast arts in the country. 
• JULIE LLUCH, for her terracotta sculptures that mirror and reflect the wisdom she had acquired as she took on different life roles, initiating a resurgence in artmaking in the Philippines. 
• GINO GONZALES, or his use of non-conventional and everyday industrial and commercial materials, experiments with space, as well as his promotion of the Philippine Terno. 
• LOBOC CHILDREN’S CHOIR for their performances that promote the heritage of Bohol and show the significance of using and preserving local heritage. 
• MARILYN GAMBOA for her outstanding contributions as a cultural administrator that have helped sustain cultural institutions and programs in Negros Occidental.
•  SEN. EDGARDO J. ANGARA and ZENAIDA “NEDY” R. TANTOCO will receive posthumously the Tanging Parangal ng CCP.