CCP's Golden Roadmap for Dance

The Cultural Center of the Philippines opened its doors back in Sept 8, 1969 enveloped with so much political and social drama. As part of its birth pains, there was death, financial loss, political unrest and international interest making its establishment a highlight in the nation's history. Despite its unsteady beginning, it successfully set the pillars of cultural cultivation. Grim, ashen, bloodstained grounds, stood as the nation's primary vehicle for preserving national identity and providing opportunities for art to evolve. Thankfully despite everything, their fifty year of pursuit of art has been quite a burst of color. CCP at fifty is now fronting their new vision for the future, an even larger display of radiant color. Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado confidently said that the CCP has and will continue to evolve until "Art matters to every Filipino". After extensive planning, we are now about to witness CCP's golden roadmap to achieve this through their three fold plan. First they want to showcase the Filipinos' excellence in the arts. Second they want to further this level of artistry through access to global partnership and leadership activities. Third, they want to broaden the reach of the arts in the Philippines. All these are consistent with their national role. It touches on art's past, present and future. CCP has come up with a list of twenty one major activities specifically in celebration of the fiftieth year in addition to all their current programs. (See List Below) 

I am particularly interested on how it will impact the dance community. What's in it for dance? I've rounded up a list of activities that involve major dance players. Here's their gameplan:

Exemplifying excellence in the arts

1. The CCP Encylopedia featuring a whole volume about dance artists and dance history is now available for purchase. While this is not an activity it is a milestone because only a handful now write and document moments about dance.
2. CCP Videomapping and Live Performances will be held at the front ramp of the CCP. It is expected to run for four to eight weeks and is expected to showcase a little bit of everything in the visual arts.
3. An Anniversary Gala will be held in September 2019. It is inferred that the the CCP resident companies will be participating. (Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ramon Obusan Folkloric, Bayanihan).
4. CCP Resident Companies will have a National Tour. (Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ramon Obusan Folkloric, Bayanihan). Regional areas will be able to get a glimpse of CCP's treasured talent pool.

Partnering for leadership in the arts

1. Ballet Philippines will end their season with Romeo and Juliet with guest artist Joseph Gatti as Romeo. Furthermore CCP Chairman Margie Moran has announced that Ballet Philippines is working on a collaboration with "Kirov Artists".
2. CCP will be hosting for the first time the Philippine Performing Arts Market. This gathering presents the opportunity to network. Artists can showcase and market their artworks, or season performances. Aside from this they can be presented collaboration opportunities.

Broadening the reach of the arts

1. Pasinaya scheduled this February has been extended to three days. It will include a workshop day, a regional showcase day and a Metro Manila showcase day. As always this includes the CCP resident companies (Ballet Philippines, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Ramon Obusan Folkloric, Bayanihan) as well as a few chosen dance schools and dance companies. Everything is free of charge.
2. CCP Libre will be launched. This simply means CCP will offer fifty shows for free within the anniversary year. It is again inferred that this includes dance as one of its major components.
3. Siningkwenta will also be launched. This means some show tickets will be priced at Php50 pesos. Hopefully there are dance related shows applicable to this.

Why not ask for more?

For dance alone, that's quite a line up. I'm very hopeful that these efforts will cause a ripple effect awakening about dance. There is a huge market to convert, develop and maintain. But it doesn't hurt to hope for more right? You never know, the universe might just grant it.

Contemporary dance was not included in the golden anniversary plans. There is no specific program to bring them in the regionals. Of course the CCP Choreographers triple show season will still exist in 2019 but I had hoped that contemporary dance would be legitimized more through a specific project. When asked why this was so, Mr. Millado answered they are still waiting for the CCP Choreographers project to mature a little bit more before breaking new ground. It would have been really exciting if some spice was added to the CCP Choreographers Series. It is after all one of the best developments for dance.

I was hoping that in celebration of the fiftieth Anniversary that both Philippine Ballet Theatre and Ballet Philippines would be given financial support to create an original Filipino ballet. While I know both companies are scheduled to tour and perform existing nationalistic gems from their repertoire, it would be nice to close the fifty year journey with something old and something new. 

I was thinking in celebration of the fiftieth anniversary, special international scholarships can be given away. Nowadays people join competitions to get a chance to get scholarships abroad. Not everyone can afford to participate in competitions. It would have been awesome if CCP gave out international exchange opportunities to dance practitioners via layered auditions. Most resident companies have scholars but not all have the ability to sponsor international exposure. With that in mind, artistic directors of resident companies need to continuously learn and explore too. International exchanges for the leadership is also something I find very productive and encouraging of the arts.

The celebration of International Dance Day in the Philippines has been dreary for the last couple of years. I distinctly remember that during my childhood, the CCP would hold the most extravagant IDDs at the CCP Main Theater. It went beyond just a gala of Philippine Artists. Every year a major dance company from the international scene would make its way to CCP. It was always an inspiring event that people looked forward to. As a dancer I also remember performing numerous shows for International Dance Day in the regionals. These days, it is celebrated on a much smaller scale (except when it was sponsored by Ballet Manila and NCCA in 2015 and 2016). Perhaps we can relive the glory days?

Going golden

Despite my wish list, I maintain there's a lot of good things to look forward to for dance in CCP's golden year. While I continue to hope for more, I recognize that amount of effort it has taken for CCP to create a road map that almost secures a reintroduction of our culture to the Filipino people. Bravo to the people behind  the fifty roller coaster years. Bravo also to the current people at the helm who work to the bone so that a legacy of resilience can continue. From gray to colorful, I can't wait to see it golden. I wish them luck as they tread into their road map of hope.

See you all at the theatre?!

October-Ballet-Fest!

 

Nothing ordinary about October. In fact, it's going to be a lively one for the dance world. Our three major ballet companies will offer three very distinct programs. I'm quite happy to see artistic diversity as it gives audiences an option to see all three companies even if they are  just days apart. It allows each company to refine their respective brand imagery. Truly all three companies have unique qualities that make them all worthy of a full house. 

Philippine Ballet Theatre offers Merry Widow as it's second offering for the season. It is a story about former lovers who are given a chance to reignite their lost love. The opportunity comes  when a party reunites a rich widow named Hana Glawari with her first love  Count Danilo  to her first heartbreak. The story is told with light humor and ostentatious dramatics.  Similar to who PBT really is, it promises to show sophisticated refinement. I reckon a sense of ownership to this flamboyant ballet.  PBT is actually  the only company in the Philippines who has performed this ballet. It was last seen in 2001 when the Company staged Julie Boromeo's grandiose  version. This time around based on Franz Lehar's Operetta, PBT's Artistic Director will present his own version. Having seen snippets of their rehearsal it gives me the impression that their new show will be  everything but simple. Interesting partnering, colorful unisons and  strong story telling, that is what I foresee. Their show opens on Sept 30 and closes on October 1. Don't miss Kim Abrogena and Veronica Atienza as Hana Glawari and guest artist Martin Buczco  as Count Danilo (Berlin Staatsopera). 

Ballet Manila sticks to what it does best. As a second installment to their season Flights of Fantasy, the Company will be staging the ultimate white ballet "Swan Lake" which opens on October 7, 2017 and closes on October 15, 2017.  The company takes on the challenge of preserving the tradition and history of the ballet  by restaging a show that is close to its original form.  Artistic Director Lisa Macuja herself devoted time and effort in mentoring her new breed of Swan Queens and it will be interesting to see if they will conquer the technical and artistic requirements of the ballet.  The role of Odette/Odile will be played by Katherine Barkman, Abigail Oliveiro and Joan Sia while Joseph Phillips, Elpidio Magat, Romeo Peralta, Rudy de Dios and Mark Sumaylo will be taking on the role of Prince Siegfried.  This dramatic story ballet glorifies the art form with its physical demands.  The promise 32 fouetttes, drilled corp de ballet and the majestic music of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky should  be enough to draw in audiences. Swan Lake simply can't be missed. It's a ballet that should be watched not once but numerous times in one's lifetime. 

October-Ballet-Fest ends with Ballet Philippines' "The Exemplars. Amada and other Dances". The most contemporary of the three companies, BP will present a  mixed bill that will show pieces from their collection of oldies but goodies. Most will be modern ballets.  Some of the works that will be presented were created as early as the seventies.  "Amada" will make a comeback with no less than international ballerina Candice Adea. This piece is particularly special because  it is  serendipitous collaboration of artists who now hold the highest honors in art.  The story was based on  National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin's "Summer Solstice" The music used is by National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag. Finally the choreography was crafted by National Artist for Dance  Alice Reyes. Indeed watching this can be called eye opening education. Also included in the  mixed bill is "Valse Fantasy" created by Muneca Alonte, "Ang Sultan" by Gener Caringal, "Songs of a Wayfarer" by Norman Walker and "Concertino" by Pauline Koners. Their mixed bill is pretty much establishing that Ballet Philippines. They open on October 20, 2017 and closes October 22, 2017. 

All three companies will have their award winning dancers taking the lead. All three companies are also making use of guest artists. This makes October-ballet-fest a tad more interesting. The best of the best are ready to be seen. Now will this healthy competition help fill up the theaters?! I surely hope so because each Company can provide  a different experience. Something new from Philippine Ballet Theater, something classic  from Ballet Manila and something revisited from Ballet Philippines. Take your pick people. See you everyone at least three times this October.

Ballerinas in Rehearsals 

Photos by Justin Bella Alonte 

Candice Adea rehearsing Amada 

Denise Parungao of Ballet Philippines 

Philippine Ballet's first  full stage rehearsal
Kim Abrogena with Martin Buczco 

 Ballet Manila Swans
Photo by Alfren Salgado 

Philippine Ballet Theatre Revisits La Bayadere

COURTESY OF PHILIPPINE BALLET THEATRE 

Philippine Ballet Theater restages "La Bayadere" to open its 31st  season.  This 19th century classic has been regarded as one of PBT's trademark performances.The he Philippine audience  has been waiting for its return to the stage.  The word "bayadere" is a French word that translates to "temple dancer". But the word  was rooted  from a Portuguese word that means "dance" Indeed, this ballet makes the dancers dance to the bone. Marius Petipa's choreography demands pristine lines and tempered dancing from the corp de ballet and the the exact opposite from its leads. The title roles  in stark contrast are made to dance a spectacle of sorts while displaying a wide range of emotions. Indeed the technical and artistic requirements of this ballet is sky rocket high.  It has been performed in full and in part several times before  by PBT and has consistently reaffirmed  the quality of the Company's dancers.   It has ably showcased and even launched different generations of dancers including international star Jared Tan (former soloist of Philippine Ballet Theatre) who has come home join the production. This new cast now has the opportunity to show people they can continue the  tradition of excellence. 

PHOTO BY STAN DE LA CRUZ 

Jared Tan is a homegrown talent who was lucky enough to have 

found a solid spot in Atlanta Ballet's roster. Critics abroad are now zooming in on his rise. Recently he was given ample praise from critics for his performance in AB's "Firebird" and "Vespertine" The good reception of two pieces that showcase both his classical and modern technique is quite a good indication of where he is going as an artist. Needless to say it is heartwarming that he chooses to give his country and first ballet home the time of day.  He comes full circle this time around as he revisits a ballet that helped him rise through the ranks when he was with PBT.   In 2004 he first tackled the ballet when he performed the epic character "Golden Idol". In 2008 he performed the lead role of "Solor" as well and was finally baptised as of the Company's reliable constants.   Equipped with improved technique and richer experience he now returns as an international guest star. When asked how he thinks this performance will be different from his previous attempts he says "I approach this performance in a different manner. I am more confident with my technique and so I have the opportunity to deepen my artistry. Also this time I am not performing with my sister and so I can assume the role in a different way. I'm also very intent on  making sure my partnership with my partner translates well to the audiences." If there is one thing on his mind it is that he wants his shows to make a difference for the company. He emphasized that he comes back periodically because he wants to contribute to the dance community. "I may not be a big star in my Company yet but I do hope that my performances can inspire people. I'm giving my 100% to make sure that people leave satisfied with the Filipino artist" 

PHOTO BY JUSTINE BELLA ALONTE 

While Tan's familiarity to the ballet is a plus, the rest of the cast will be entering the stage as debutantes.  He will be partnering two of PBT's rising stars. Award winning dancers Kim Abrogena and Veronica Atienza will debut  as "Nikiya and Gamzatti" in their first lead roles in a full length ballet. Matthew Davo will take on the role of "Solor" in his first principal role appearance. He will be partnered by Pbt's dynamic duo Lobreza Pimentel (as Nikiya) and Regine Magbitang (as Gamzatti) . Having said that this performance will be a moment in all their careers. A seasoned dancer showing his country his heart,  local stars conquering new challenges and rising stars off to make their mark makes for an interesting brew of  heart. Let's all be there for them and see if they make "La Bayadere" as magnificent as it should be. 

PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE:

July 15, 2017 (Saturday) | 3:00PM & 8:00PM
July 16, 2017 (Sunday) | 3:00PM

Ticket discounts for students and senior citizens are available!

For ticket inquiries and orders please contact:
PBT office at (02) 632-8848 ; 09493252545; 09951580538
Email: secretariat@pbt.ph

CCP Box Office at (02) 832-3704
Ticketworld at (02) 891-9999

REGINA MAGBITANG
The role is quite challengng. There's a lot of character dramatization, in addition to the technical side of dance. I am very grateful that I was entrusted tp play the role of Gamzatti. I hope and pray I will be able to do justice to the role

KIM ABROGENA
I feel humbled to be portraying the role of Nikiya. I find it both technically and artistically challenging since it will be my first time to do a major role with the company. However, with all coaching and guidance given by our Artistic Director and Ballet Master, I believe I was able to discover more about myself, enhance my strengths, and work and improve more on my weaknesses.

VERONICA ATIENZA
I feel very thrilled and fortunate. Gamzatti has always been one of my dream roles in ballet, and now that I have the chance to portray her character in this production, I am more than happy and excited to perform it on stage

LOBREZA PIMENTEL
I am grateful to be given the role of Nikiya. It is my first time playing Nikiya and I will do my best to portray the character accurately and in my own unique way. I think showing what I can do technically and artistically on stage will always be my favorite part of ballet. I would love to capture the attention of the audience and help them understand the whole story of La Bayadere. I am excited to see it all come together and hope that it will be an enjoyable show for everyone.

MATTHEW DAVO
I am blessed to be portraying the role of Solor, my first lead role in a full-length production. Aside from the opportunity to partner with so many talented dancers, my six years with PBT have allowed me to grow beyond my expectations. I'm very thankful for the trust that our Artistic Director and Ballet Master have given me. I feel motivated to prove that I can rise to the challenge and make them proud.



PORTRAITS BY ERICA JACINTO