Ballet Philippines’ SARONG BANGGI CELEBRATES FILIPINO MUSIC AND DANCE THIS OCTOBER 16-18

Press release

Rediscover local musical treasures in a new ballet about the Filipino family. Ballet Philippines’ Sarong Banggi features new works by six exciting Filipino choreographers set to classic folk songs from around the country, arranged and orchestrated by Ryan Cayabyab, the country’s best-loved composer. This show is co-presented by the Province of Albay.

The show features choreography by Carissa Adea, Ronelson Yadao, Cyril Aran Fallar, Paul Alexander Morales, Nonoy Froilan, and Carlo Pacis. Each choreographer brings to the stage his/her unique impression of the Filipino family in a new  contemporary ballet with the cast led by Jean Marc Cordero, Earl John Arisola, Rita Angela Winder, and Monica Amanda Gana.

            “Sarong Banggi will tug at the audience’s heartstrings with its nostalgic music and earnest look at traditional Filipino values,” says Ballet Philippines Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales”. “It will be interesting to see these choreographers’ different takes on familiar themes; love, loss and reconciliation that cements the Filipino family”

When asked by Morales to create two pieces for the show, Hong Kong-based choreographer Carlo Pacis was thrilled at the chance to come home and work with Ballet Philippines again. “As a Filipino living overseas, I felt that it was my responsibility to give back.” Pacis, former soloist of the Hong Kong Ballet is a two-time awardee for Outstanding Choreography at the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards.

Sarong Banggi’s opening night on October 16 is a Filipiniana Gala featuring the live performance of the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Cayabyab himself.

The music of the show was recently created by the Cultural Center of the Philippines in the special Collector’s Edition CD entitled “Serenata: Well-loved Philippine Folk Songs and Melodies”. Included in the album are the Kapampangan “Atin cu Pung Singsing”, the Hiligaynon “Ay Kalisud”, and the Tagalog “Dalagang Pilipina” and “Saranggola ni Pepe”, among others.

Sarong Banggi’s libretto is by Dennis Marasigan, lighting design by Meliton Roxas Jr., sets by Ohm David, and costume design by Rajo Laurel.

Sarong Banggi will be performed from October 16 to 18 at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater). For inquiries, visit www.ballet.ph, send an email to info@ballet.ph, or call Ballet Philippines at 551-1003. For tickets and reservations, call the CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or Ticketworld at 891-9999.

Major sponsors of Ballet Philippines’ 46^th Season include Globe Platinum, San Miguel Corporation, and Belle Corporation.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletph

To join in the Ballet Philippines conversation, use our official hashtags: #balletph, #dancespring, #sarongbanggi

Ballet Philippines reveals their 46th Season Line Up

After the success of Cinderella, Giselle and their season ender Manhid; Ballet Philippines announced their line-up for the 46th season.

Excerpt from Swan Lake

We were shown excerpts of their line ups during their launch at CCP Main Auditorium lobby We started with a classic ballet piece from Swan Lake which will be part of Body Positive. Another production that will also make this season different is "Hugot Sa Rosas". 

Excerpt from Sarong Banggui

Sarong Banggui will feature music from Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. As the name suggest, most will be Fililino folk music that BP will interpret. For Body Positive, it will be a form of advocacy to promote awareness regarding AIDS. Perhaps this event will not only showcase but will tie up with different agencies involved to update us so we can make a big step further.

One production that the whole family should look forward to is one of BP's original production, Peter Pan. Peter Pan is one of the original choreography BP has been doing for many years that brought many kids to ballet.

Choregraphers Nonoy Froilan, Edna Vida and Monette Victoria

BP's Mr. Paul Morales shared that kid audiences come with their Pan costumes for the shows. This is probably the only production that is for all the ages. During Manhid, BP collaborated with stage actors from different theater guilds and the band Radioactive Sago Project. This season, the company will collaborate for the first time with the short movie production.

Mr. Morales added that during Manhid, there is a tagalog term Pagsibol which fits this season's theme- Dance Spring: Pagsibol because most of the principal dancers are no longer in BP but it also promoted new dancers to fill in. This season also brings back BP masters/ choreographers Nonoy Froilan, Edna Vida and Monette Victoria for the productions.

For more updates of BP this season, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.