If there’s a will there’s a way.
All odds were against me today but I really really really really wanted to
catch Daragang Magayon at the CCP. They were set to only perform two shows.
They open with a matinee and end with an evening gala and that’s it Since I had
a show tonight, I literally had a window
of an opportunity to watch the show. In
between all that I had to do, I went . Unfortunately I only caught the second
half of the show. Fortunately, it was enough
for me to know that my efforts were not in vain.
Choreography
Having seen only a part of the ballet, one would expect that I have
little to say about it. It’s quite the contrary. Only a few have attempted epic
ballets. In my lifetime I have only seen two, Julie Borromeo’s Mirinisa danced
by the Philippine Ballet Theatre and Daragen at Bantugen by Gener Caringal also
by Philippine Ballet Theatre. Perhaps this is because to mount one requires so
much work and research. That plus the pressure of adding a bit of commercial
value to market the show makes it a daunting challenge. The little that I saw indeed reflects, blood
sweat and tears. I cannot say that the show was perfect but it was remarkable in its own way. Watching it , I knew that the people behind this show
put a lot of heart in their work.
At the end of the ballet, I could not help but feel so proud of director and choreographer Gerald
Mercado. It was evident that he allowed himself to be ultimately passionate and
loving of his art. His aesthetic was clear and well focused. His choreography
in the second act is reminiscent of Agnes Locsin’s grounded technique. Though
his dance vocabulary resembles his mentor, he makes it his very own by his
remarkable use of the stage. His pieces
worked because even with a full stage,
he never overwhelmed the audience. He allowed quiet moments when they were needed. He was sensitive and emotional in his story telling. Daragang Magayon and Ulap were
never overshadowed by the crowd. The show was made up by dancers from
different groups not to mention SHAPES and backgrounds. Despite this, I believe
Gerald Mercado was able to choreograph highlighting the dancers’ strengths.
Especially memorable was the scene of the male dancers
who were getting ready to stage
their revenge. Energy filled the stage. It was leap after leap from the tribe.
Noticeable however was a combination a little too similar to Agnes Locsin’s
Moriones where a male dancer steps up to
a mountain created by fellow dancers and
ends with a final suspended jete. This was a move made famous by Gerald Mercado
himself when he danced Moriones during his glory days. Perhaps this is a mere coincidence or a
subconscious tribute to his mentor?! Overall,
I went home with memories of beautiful movement.
The dancers
I hate to compare because I hate being compared to others but I can’t help it! I recently saw Rama Hari recently and I found
that the dancers’ and singers’ emotional interpretation were not always in
sync. Daragang Magayon can boast that they are triumphant in this aspect. It was evident that the dancers were well
guided in the portrayal of their roles.
Ea Torrado fit her role like a glove. She was born to do this role.
Though her exotic beauty had a lot to do with her performance being convincing,
it was her maturity that really made her performance a success. I already
expected the nice extensions and the organic feel because I have seen her dance
contemporary quite a number of times. She is after all an accomplished
ballerina. What made her performance memorable to me was her authenticity. The show
was about an epic, she could have gone cheesy pinoy. Instead she searched for Daragang Magayon in her heart
and delivered a consistently real performance. How I wish the show had
something similar to a grand pas de deux. That would have hit the spot.
Francis Cascano as Pagtugon, did not disappoint. He delivered a strong emotional performance especially in his solo. I’ve never seen him perform with this much heart. Definitely a pleasant surprise.
Lastly I must make mention about Roduardo Ma who played Linog. Indeed a scene stealer. He
was a good complement to Pagtugon. He is small ( tempted to say terrible)
but he moves like a giant. His leaps
were well defined and were definitely a far cry from every body else’s form. I’m
glad he was given a chance to shine.
UHHHMMM
So here’s what I didn’t like about the show. The music, I can’t complain
about. It was created by a master in his craft. I did mind though, the very lengthy parts
where there was just music and nothing
else. Ballet is quite visual and when you spend too long a gap between the
dancing parts and the waiting parts its bothersome. It feels like you missed a part when in fact you didn’t. Scene
transitions could have been executed more smoothly. It was anti-climactic to
say the least. Which brings me to another
thing that disappointed me. The culminating death scene lacked punch. It was
over too quickly with the dancers
dead and stuck on top of the set
for what seemed like ages. When they did finally move, I though they were going
to dance in the shadow but in reality they were exiting. Oops my bad. I hope
they are given a chance to improve and perform this production again.
Verdict
All in all, there is a reason to celelebrate. A Filipino epic has now
been immortalized because of this show.
The story has reached many. That alone is a happy thought. Moreover, a
choreographer has conquered a challenge
so beautifully. Dancers were given a
chance to dance a once in a lifetime piece. Singers and musicians were given a
chance to perform a once in a lifetime piece. At the end of the day, I think everybody got what they came for. I
certaintly did I got a taste of
something old and new, classic but different. Salute!!!
Daragang Magayon is a ballet adaptation of a Philippine epic. It is the translation of the legend of Mt. Magayon to visual
form. It revolves around a maiden, Daragang Magayon who is desired by many including Pagtugon ,
chief of the Iriga Tribe. Pagtugon
is a political hero who goes
through great lengths to woo Daragang Magayon as he believes that she is a
worthy reward for his great service to her people. But Daragang Magayon finds love elsewhere. Ulap, chief of tribe
Karilaga at first sight falls in love
with Daragang Magayon. She returns his love with equal affection. To the dismay
of Pagtugon, they marry each other with the blessing of Daragang Magayon’s
father . Pained by this, Pagtugon with
his right hand Linog wage a war in revenge. The war ends sourly as
all the characters fight to their death. A poisoned arrow meant for Ulap was shot but Daragang Magayon saves him with
an embrace. She is shot to death but he joins her in pain as he embraces allowing the arrow to pierce his heart . They
die in each others arms. In that very place, a mound was found . As the years
passed the mound grew higher until it
became what is now Mr. Magayon.
As
indicated in the synopsis “ It is said that every time there is an
earthquake(Linog) occurs, it means that an Eruption (Pagtuga) is about to take place. It is believed that
whenever an eruption occurs, it means that Pagtuga is taking back the gifts he
once gave to the Daragang Magayon. But the eruption is then followed and pacified by the rain, or the tears of
Ulap, the Cloud that hovers at Mt. Magayon’s peak.”
DARAGANG MAGAYON
ANG ISTORYA NG MAYON
FEB 8, 2013 3PM
CCP MAIN THEATER
