Dancer Diaspora Holiday Edition

 

The Holiday Season has always been a busy time for ballet dancers all over the globe. It is a timeless tradition for most companies to have a universal explosion of Nutcracker performances. By itself, this has brought so much joy to so many families. The past month, however, has highlighted something special, unique, and at the same time bittersweet. All over the world, Filipinos claimed the titular roles of the holiday classic. While there have been many Filipinos who have danced a gazillion Nutcrackers, this one stands out because it emphasizes the reality of the consequences of the dancer diaspora. Through the years, for one reason or another, our local artists have chosen to run after glossy dreams of being an international ballet artist. But this last decade, I believe trumps the Disney dancer migration we encountered in the early 2000s. It didn’t start from the pandemic, however it was the last straw did practically pushed the dancers out of the country because of the loss of opportunities here. The sheer number of dancers the Philippines lost was astounding.  A conservative estimate would be around ten homegrown dancers flying off to different parts of the world. While it highlights that there are many reasons for dancers here to want a life outside the Philippines, it also highlights that there is an appetite for the kind of magical dancing the Filipinos can offer. Our homegrown dancers stood tall and claimed significant roles in the Nutcracker. While I miss seeing these dancers perform here in our local theaters, it fills me with pride to see them enjoying the global limelight. They certainly are collectively giving the Philippines a good name. 

Mikaela Santos Photography By Erica Marquez Jacinto 

The top of the list has to be Mikaela Santos. This beautiful ballerina began her ballet journey with iconic ballet educator Effie Nanas. She gained attention in the competition circle finishing 2nd in the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Ballet Competition and top 15 in the World Ballet Competition. She joined the Philippine Ballet Theatre as an apprentice briefly but went on to join Atlanta Ballet. She has been dancing as a full company member since 2018. Her last performance in the Philippines was back in 2019 in Entablado, a gala featuring all the products of Ballet Philippines Alumni in celebration of the Company’s 50th anniversary. She left an imprint with her Black Swan Variation showing off her polished technique. Consistent with multiple pirouettes, strong charisma, and beautifully elongated lines, she showed then that she was born to be a star. The audience certainly agreed.The best validation that she has arrived was Santos being featured in the Dance Magazine's 25 to watch out for this 2023. The icing on the cake for Santos was her being picked to perform on opening night in Atlanta Ballet’s Nutcracker.  She was the poster girl for this ballet, the most featured Marie and Sugarplum even though she shared the role with three other dancers. I have no doubt in my mind that she gained a stronger following because of this. Santos is soaring and I can’t wait to see how far she can go. 

Luis Cabrera Photo From Hong Kong Ballet Page Photography by Condrad Dy-Liacco

Garry Corpuz Photo from Hong Kong Ballet  Photography by Conrad Dy-Liacco

In Hong Kong, two Filipinos have been making a name for themselves. Both moved to Hong Kong way before the pandemic. Both gentlemen’s careers are deeply rooted in Ballet Philippines. Garry Corpuz joined Hong Kong Ballet in 2017 and rose the ranks until he was promoted this year to Principal Dancer of Hong Kong Ballet. The company has entrusted so many meaty roles to Corpuz  He has danced alongside big stars like Iana Salenko, Mathew Golding, and Maria Kotchekova to name a few. In this run, he performed as Snow King and Cavalier among others. Luis Cabrera joined the Company in 2015  and was promoted to Coryphee in 2019. But like Corpuz, he too has been a valued member of the Company albeit in a different way. He has been the Company’s go-to guy for anything contemporary. He has also forayed into choreography which has elevated his status in  Hong Kong significantly.  This year he takes on the role of Nutcracker Prince among others. These two men have been great examples of hard work, diligence, and commitment. Having seen them grow with the Company, they have had to overcome so many challenges to stand out in such a diverse and powerful Company. Both are at the top of their game but I’m sure there is more to look forward to. 

   

  

Joan Sia and Elpidio Magat Photography by Artistyne

               

Real-life couple Joan Sia and Elpidio Magat are enjoying the spotlight. The two were former principal dancers of Ballet Manila. Both have essayed the titular roles of Nutcracker Prince and Sugarplum Fairy many times but I think this one would be remembered as one for the books. Sia and Magat performed with their new ballet family, Florida Ballet. Scoring the lead says a lot as they are very new in the Company. To be awarded this privilege so early in the game gives me hope that they will shine as brightly in Florida as they have here in the Philippines. 

Denise Parungao Phtoography by Caroline Habib

                           

Eunice Suba By Caroline Habib

Denise Parungao, former Principal Dancer of Ballet Philippines, joined New Jersey Ballet in 2022. Almost instantly she was given a chance to perform in the Company’s most critical pieces. She has had a chance to tackle choreography by George Balanchine, Christopher Wheeldon, and Harrison Ball. With a strong season under her belt, she has caught the attention of critics and balletomanes alike. She shared the role of Sugarplum fairy with another Filipina in the Company Eunice Suba. Two Filipinas doing Principal roles just gives you a warm fuzzy feeling of pride. 

                                  

David Lopena Photography by Risa Mochizuki

New Jersey Ballet newbie Bryan  Sevilla, former Ballet Manila Soloist also snatched the role of Cavalier. After a short stint with Springfield Ballet, he joined the Company just recently. He also shared the role with another promising Filipino David Lopena. While the four Filipinos were not paired with each other, their casting says a lot about artistic diversity and representation. 

Eugene Obille Photography by Erica Marquez Jacinto 

                                

Victor Maguad Photography by Erica Marquez Jacinto 

Lastly, two sleek male dancers formerly from Ballet Philippines are making a mark in Sacramento Ballet. Eugene Obille took on the Nutcracker Prince in 2022 and recently performed the role of Snow King. Who could forget  Victor Maguad ?! He was BP's reliable Principal dancer who danced all the premium roles in the company’s repertoire. He took on the top role this season and I’m sure he was a sight to behold. 

As these Filipino dancers continue to give joy to audiences with their extraordinary talent and dedication, their success becomes a beacon of hope and pride for the Philippines. Their achievements speak loudly about the enduring spirit of the Filipinos. It tells an inspiring story of passion and resilience. Their beautiful stories will affirm to the next generations that dreams indeed come true. Their journeys will be like footprints in the sand, a path that many would want to follow.  These developments of course are bittersweet because their success means they are not accessible to our local audiences. But I am hopeful that they remember to give back one way or another to the dance community that nurtured them. You can still be nationalistic in spirit even if you are a million miles away. Dancer diaspora and worse permanent migration is sad but it will almost always give you a gift.  Santa definitely delivered this year. They will definitely inspire our local dancers. I’ll take their success as a silver lining, a banner of pride for the Filipinos. Bravo Filipino.

Artist Feature: Novy J. Bereber

Photo by Diego Lorenzo Jose 

  

I've always been fascinated with people who embrace their uniqueness. Love for oneself is such a simple concept but it seems not many are able to live comfortably with their own skin. Novy Bereber is one of those blessed with the ability to be apologetically him. He enjoys unravelling his fabulosity bit by bit and finds ways to share it with the world, and I mean the world.

Photo by Diego Lorenzo Jose 

                           

Novy Bereber is a Filipino who started his dancing career with Dagyaw Theater Dance Company in Iloilo under the mentorship of Edwin C. Duero. He was given encouragement by Osias Barroso and Lisa Macuja to pursue a career in Ballet. With that much needed push he trained under Ballet Philippines until he rose the ranks and became one of their solid senior soloists. During his stint with Ballet Philippines he was given a chance to choreograph for the company. This privilege is reserved for a handful who are undeniably marked with talent and a strong point of view. His success with Ballet Philippines paved the way for even more opportunities to create pieces beyond the CCP walls working with important dance groups here and abroad. Blessed with fulfilling experiences both as a dancer and a choreographer he was able to make a name for himself.

Having seen majority of his body of work, I have through the years gained so much respect for him not only because of his talent in translating thoughts into movement. I have gained respect for him because through his pieces I see who he is as a person. Novy Bereber is a dynamic, energetic artist who has chosen to devote his time and effort to immortalizing the Filipino point of view through his dances. While not all his works are Filipino themed, he has an ample amount of works that ever so gently touched on who we are as a people. For Ballet Philippines he has created "Inay" who tells the story of how the Filipina is devoted to cradling her child even past his childhood whether they are near or far. Also for Ballet Philippines he created "To Whom it may Concern" where he shows the extreme sacrifice of the Filipino artists who migrate out of need. For Philippine Ballet Theatre he created "Angel of the Morning" one of his most controversial works which was intended to remind people about the presence of Igorot ethnicity. I have always  appreciated the patriotism and the meticulous concern for the Filipino.

To Whom it May Concern
Photo by Stan dela Cruz

Photo by Ador Pamintuan
Angel of the Morning

Photo by Ador Pamintuan
Dancer :Erica Jacinto and Lucas Jacinto
Ängel of the Morning

Today, Bereber resides in Australia with his beloved. He continues to do what he does best which is to create art and progressing quide rapidly.  He choreographed the opening and closing parade of Mardigra 2015. Recently  he participated in the 2016 Vivid Sydney Laser Dragon Water Fountain with  his choreography projected in an 82-foot meter high screen  overlooking the harbour.  2017 seems to be a good year for him as well as he has a few surprises up his sleeve. Doing quite well away from the Philippines he has the option to just  revel in his new success. Distance however does not diminish the heart's resolve. He continues to choreograph, dance and teach in Australia but has not wavered in embracing his roots. He works closely with Filipino Australian communities and generously allows his works about Filipinos to be performed. In fact he was awarded Filipino Australian of the year because of his involvement with the community. Quite recently he posted a video of him teaching Parkinson patients a Filipino Igorot dance mimicking the tribal steps. (Click the link : Novy Teaches Filipino steps to Parkinsons Patients) He consistently uses Filipino beats when he is teaching Contemporary in Sydney Dance Company. When he is needed to contribute to the Philippine dance landscape he hurriedly books a flight and works with Filipino dancers. I believe he will again visit Manila this October to create a new piece for CCP-Neo Filipino. With every achievement he conquers he shares it in Facebook and uses the hashtags #iamiloilo, #iloilopride, #pinoyaus #pinoydancer. He consciously attributes his achievements to his roots. All of this combined creates a picture of consistency and heart. This is a guy who remains Filipino despite the distance. He is completely devoted to being unchanged by circumstances. I used to think of him with high regard because he had talent and skill. Nowadays I think of him highly because he is a  portrait of a Filipino - malakas, magaling at may utang na loob. I wish him well and I hope that he unravels more layers and finds more ways  to contribute to our Philippine dance community.