ALICE REYES RECREATES CINDERELLA ANEW IN CELEBRATING BALLET PHILIPPINES’ 50TH SEASON

PRESS RELEASE

Holidays at the theater make for unforgettable experiences with Ballet Philippines during this Golden Season, as the company presents the ever-popular rags-to-riches tale of Cinderella.

 

Photo by Jojo Mamangun

This production sees nothing less than a nonpareil collaboration of three National Artists: Choreography and direction by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes with the musical score of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky specially arranged by National Artist for Music Francisco Feliciano, and set and costume design by National Artist, the late Salvador Bernal, audiences will be enthralled as pumpkins turn into an exquisite carriage and glass slippers find their way back to the rightful princess. This ballet will be mounted by none other than Nonoy Froilan, Ballet Philippines’ premier danseur for three decades, who has essayed leading roles in classical and contemporary ballet and has partnered with world-renowned prima ballerinas such as Margot Fonteyn and Yoko Morishita.

Reyes takes the fairy tale written in 1812 by the German Grimm brothers Jacob and Wilhel and recreates it anew while remaining true to the story’s essence: that there is might and strength in kindness, great power in forgiveness, and that one must never give up on their dreams.

Guest artists Liza de la Fuente, a trailblazer in dance for the last 25 years and Founding Member of the Association of Ballet Academies, Philippines and Australian-based Novy Bereber, one of the country’s leading choreographers of his generation, will both be playing the Widow Brunhilda.

Another guest artist, Mario Esperanza will be taking on the role of Prime Minister. Bereber and Esperanza have graced the CCP Main Stage as former Ballet Philippines company members.

Two matinee shows will be narrated by Liliane “Tats” Rejante Manahan, a surface decorator/restorer for wall paintings involved in advocacy work for built heritage preservation as Chairperson of the Heritage Conservation Society and representative of the International Council on Monuments and Sites on National Commission for Culture and the Arts’ National Commission on Monuments and Sites. She became a director, writer, and producer from the mid 70’s up to the late 80’s, and currently, she is a contributor to the Philippine Daily Inquirer and other publications. Her involvement in dance history serves as proof of her unwavering support for dance and the arts.

Lead dancers Denise Parungao and Jemima Reyes who danced Odile/Odette in Ballet Philippines’ 50^th Season opening production Swan Lake will be taking on roles of the Ugly Stepsisters, demanding highly awkward dancing and comedic interpretations, with guest artist de la Fuente as their mother Brunhilda. Just as striking are Victor Maguad and Eugene Obille who both had just played Prince Siegfried in Swan Lake this August 2019 will now tackle the roles of Griselda and Prunella with Bereber as Brunhilda. Choreographer Alice Reyes shares, “Originally, I stayed away from casting male dancers in these roles as that was done so successfully by Frederick Ashton for the Sadler Wells Ballet—and I wanted to feature the comedic talents of our company members then—Edna Vida, Malu Rivera, and Hazel Sabas. Today, we have such a strong array of male and female dancers with incredible talent and tremendous technical skills.” She adds, “Why not take this opportunity to challenge the dancers—both female and male, to take on roles that demand so much more than the usual roles they have already done, with a completely different set of acting skills that can only deepen their own artistry.”

Alice Reyes first choreographed and directed Cinderella in 1981 for Ballet Philippines with lead dancers Maricar Drilon, Gina Mariano, Cecile Sicangco, Nonoy Froilan, Robert Medina, and Brando Miranda. Her vision back then was to simply mount the most enchanting show for her very own children and the ballet audience. Today, Reyes wears multiple hats as National Artist, Ballet Philippines’ co-founder, Artistic Director, and Choreographer, while continuing to inspire this generation’s dancers to become the grandest versions of themselves. Just on the heels of Ballet Philippines’ successful and sold-out performances of Swan Lake and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, audiences are undoubtedly on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting Reyes’ new take on the favorite children’s fairytale, Cinderella, the third offering in the company’s 50^th Season.

Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella show dates and schedules:

Ballet Philippines’ Cinderella runs from December 6 – 15, 2019 at the CCP Main Theater. Show dates and schedules are as follows:

December 6, 2019 | 8:00 PM

December 7, 2019 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

December 8, 2019 | 2:00 PM

December 14, 2019 | 2:00 PM & 6:00 PM

December 15, 2019 | 2:00 PM

Get your tickets exclusively at TicketWorld (891-9999), CCP Box Office (832-3704), or Ballet Philippines Box Office (551-1003) or online at https://bit.ly/33DsBkx as well as in all Ticketworld outlets.

Enjoy 15% savings when you use your RCBC Credit Card to purchase tickets in any TicketWorld Outlet or CCP Box Office.

You can also enjoy 15% savings when you use your Rustan’s Frequent Shopper Program (FSP) Card and Rustan’s Beauty Addict Card to purchase tickets in any TicketWorld outlet or CCP Box Office.

Avail of real 0% interest when you subscribe to Ballet Philippines’ Golden Season Tickets using your BPI Credit Card with a minimum spend of P3,000 (Gold Mastercard, Blue Mastercard, Petron Mastercard, Corporate Mastercard, Skymiles Platinum Mastercard, Skymiles Mastercard, Amore Visa Platinum, Visa Signature). This is valid for three- and six-month installment plans until December 31, 2019. 

All Intellicare members are also entitled to 15% off on ticket purchases.

This production is made beyond possible by Ballet Philippines’ 50 Years, 50 friends such as Okada Manila, Calma Properties, Inc., City of Dreams, United Graphic Expression Corporation, Digital-Out-Of-Home, GRAB, Ayala Land, Bizu Catering Studio, NYXSYS Philippines, Intellicare, Globaltronics, Sanitary Care Products Asia Inc., SM Development Corporation, Century Pacific Food, Inc., Bridges, Zonta Club of Alabang, San Miguel Corporation, and other esteemed partners.

Ballet Philippines, the country’s preeminent dance company, is celebrating 50 years of dance excellence. Don’t miss the celebration! Get your Golden Ticket by subscribing to Ballet Philippines this season at http://ballet.ph/subscribe. You can also call 551-1003, 09566379432 (Globe) and 09212921282 (Smart) to subscribe. Choose, reserve, and get the best seats before anyone else!

For more information, connect to Ballet Philippines online:

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletphhttp://www.ballet.ph

Ballet Philippines Opens Its 49th Season With A Full House For Alice Reyes’ Carmina Burana

Press release

Friday night traffic didn’t stop patrons of dance and budding lovers of the performance arts from heading to the Cultural Center of The Philippines to catch the opening of Ballet Philippines’Carmina Burana. Choreographed by the company’s artistic director and National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes to the music of Carl Orff, the performance returned to the CCP stage that night after 15 long years.

 

Photo by Trixie Dauz

With several iterations and tweaks from the original piece, this year’s Carmina Burana proved a powerful performance that set the tone for an equally impactful 49^th season for the country’s premiere dance company. The gala saw a full house that was in for an enhanced dance experience that only Ballet Philippines could bring to its audiences.

 

Decision makers of the business sector, dignitaries, philanthropists, patrons of the arts and the city’s well-heeled gathered at the lounge pre-show to enjoy fine wines and delectable canapes from Bizu. There were also new faces among audiences whose developing interest and appreciation for dance was sparked by news that Carmina Burana would be an experience not to be missed. For this young hipster set, Friday night at the ballet revealed itself to be ta fitting prelude to a weekend well spent.

 

Of all the faces in the crowd, it was the large group of officers from the Philippine Air Force that turned heads. Men in uniform accompanied by their wives and children took the time out from their schedules to enjoy an evening of exceptional dance. If anything, the audience that Ballet Philippines drew over the weekend was indication that Philippines dance (not just ballet) is alive—and thriving!

Ballet Philippines Chairman Antonio O. Cojuangco welcomed guests before the curtains went up. In his opening remarks he said, “For a piece of such monumental and epic proportions to be produced, it takes vast resources, experience and a company of such caliber as Ballet Philippines. It also demands the genius of a National Artist for Dance like Alice Reyes to choreograph something as powerful and riveting.”

 

From the time the lights dimmed at around 8PM till the last phrases of Carmina Burana’s O Fortunawere sang, audiences were captivated. They were immersed in a full sensorial explosion, as live music by the ABS CBN Philharmonic Orchestra and The Philippine Madrigal Singers surrounded them. The visual delight of bodies dancing in perfect unison against a backdrop of moving rock formations designed by National Artist Salvador Bernal kept everyone’s eyes glued to the stage.

 

As the curtains rolled down, audiences stood and cheered for the performers whose hard work made the momentous evening possible. The applause was also thunderous as beloved maestro Gerard Salonga and the woman-of-the-hour Alice Reyes took their bows. Capping off the night with a sweet ending, audiences were also treated to rich chocolates from as they poured back into the lobby.

It was late by the time the crowd fully dispersed outside the main theater. Crowds waited at the lobby to greet the company as they descended the grand stairs of the CCP. Photos were snapped, some by them by beautiful floral arrangement by Love Garden. Others with their favorite beacons of the arts—Maestro Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Literature and Ramon Magsaysay Awardee Bienvenido Lumbera, to name a few. And as the enhanced ballet experience came to an end, plans were made to catch the next grand performance from Ballet Philippines:  Carmen and Other Dances.

For more information, images or video, please email us at our Publicity Team. We would be delighted to hear from you! Thank you again for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in October!

49TH CCP SUMMER DANCE WORKSHOP: LEARN to DANCE with the BEST and BRIGHTEST

Press release

Summer is just around the corner, and for dance lovers around the country, it can only mean one thing—the CCP Summer Danc

Photo credit: Jojo Mamangun

e Workshop by Ballet Philippines!

What makes BP’s workshop unique is its authoritative faculty and its atmosphere of artistic excellence, professionalism and innovation. At the helm of the workshop is BP’s Artistic Director, National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, who started the workshop almost 50 years ago. 

Whether you’re a beginner or a pre-professional dancer, you will enjoy learning and honing your craft in classical ballet, modern and contemporary dance, and hip-hop and adult ballet. There are also classes in improvisation and composition, lectures in music for dance, makeup, and costume design, as well as courses for dance teachers of the Special Programs for the Arts and Senior High School Arts and Design Track. 

Reyes is joined by Adam Sage, BP’s Associate Artistic Director and Ballet Master, and guest teachers Effie Nañas and Kun-Yang Lin, who will give special master classes. BP alumni and dance professionals such as Edward Malagkit, Monette Victoria, Perry Sevidal, Gina Katigbak-Garcia, Jeng Halili, Butch Esperanza, Annette Cruz-Mariano, and PJ Rebullida, and current company members join the roster of teachers this summer. Raul Alcoseba will teach dance composition to aspiring choreographers. 

"Students can always look forward to learn something from the summer dance workshop,” says BP Dance School Director Rubylee Gomez. “What’s exciting is what they will find out about themselves and their dancing—what they’re capable of, how far they can push themselves, how to make each movement meaningful and how to work hard. They can use this not just in dancing but in everyday life."

Located in the heart of the Philippine art scene, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, dance students are immersed in Filipino culture while also studying in the same halls that have produced outstanding dance artists for almost 50 years.

BP Dance School is now located in four branches: CCP (tel. 832-3689), SM Aura Premier (tel. 531-4456), Greenhills Theatre Mall (Maritess A. Yong School of Dance managed by BP, tel. 0915-630-6968), and Victoria Sports Complex in Quezon City (tel. 0927-918-5238). For more information visit www.ballet.ph.

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines 

Instagram: @balletphilippines 

YouTube: balletph 

Experience us!

Ballet Phils. restages The Nutcracker for the Holiday Season.

Last Christmas season, Ballet Phils. staged an original production Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko for the first time. This year, BP is going back to the classic with The Nutcracker.

The Nutcracker ballet is a significant part in the Yuletide Season. Tchaikovsky’s The Nutcracker Suite was so familiar that it was featured as background music for the Home Alone movies that starred Macaulay Culkin.

The Nutcracker is a timeless piece for ballet that it is suited for the holiday season. This is why the Nutcracker is now considered a Christmas decoration rather than tool. It’s called a nutcracker because its mouth can really crack a hard nut when you lever it to close. It only has one trademark face but it can be a king, prince or a soldier.

This production of Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker combines the choreography of National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes and Edna Vida. Ms. Reyes serves as the artistic director while Ms. Vida coaches the dancers. For this production, BP will be joined by international guest artist Nobuo Fujino, principal dancer of Hong Kong Ballet while resident guest artist Candice Adea will alternate with Denise Parungao and Jemima Reyes as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Instead of a European setting, the story takes place in 1920's Philippines during the Noche Buena.

 

Denise Parungao as the Sugar Plum Fairy

There will be selected shows with live music by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Mr. Gerard Salonga. This production will give tribute to the late National Artist of Theater Design Salvador Bernal. His set design will be used for this production.

To make the Nutcracker experience memorable especially to children, BP will host The Nutcracker Tea Party for children with fun activities like decorating ballet shoes and meet the dancers. Limited slots are available. The Nutcracker will be staged on CCP from December 1 to 10, 2017. It was performed by Ballet Philippines back in 2005. It the best time to see it now or wait another 12 years for it to be restaged again.

Margie Moran, BP president and Alice Reyes,artistic director(L-R, standing)

Check out the limited edition Nutcracker ornaments on sale online for the benefit of BP scholars. Follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs for more updates about Ballet Phils.

Ballet Phils.' The Exemplars: Amada and Other Dances

After the “Gala”, Ballet Philippines once again give the Exemplars. These are old choreographies that are revived for today’s generation of ballet dancers. These choreographies are done by ballet legends like Nonoy Froilan to name a few.

The choreographers themselves are very selective of the dancers who will dance their masterpiece. It is fortunate that after Mr. Froilan, they have someone who can fill in the shoes which is Ronelson Yadao. I got a sneak peek in one of their rehearsals and I got to witness how they evaluate their steps.

Exemplars will feature the following works like Alice Reyes’ Amada featuring Candice Adea,  Amada is based on Summer Solstice by Nick Joaquin; Valse Fantasy by George Ballantine, Gener Caringan’s Ang Sultan,  Norman Walker’s Songs of A Wayfarer, and Pauline Koner’s Concertino which is considered a major landmark in modern dance because of its rigid choreography.

The Exemplars: Amada and other Dances will run on limited time this October at CCP and BGC Performing Arts Center. For more updates on Ballet Philippines, follow this blog and like https://www.facebook.com/LENSblogs/ 

WORLD-CLASS FILIPINO TALENT TAKES THE SPOTLIGHT AT BALLET PHILIPPINES’ “A GALA CELEBRATION” ON AUGUST 18-20

Press release

Catch the country’s preeminent ballet and contemporary dance company this August in “A Gala Celebration”. Ballet Philippines revives choreographic gems in a gala featuring Filipino stars from various international dance companies. Among the guest artists are Candice Adea (formerly of BalletMet and Hong Kong Ballet), Marcelino Libao (Hamburg Ballet), Kris-Belle Paclibar (formerly of Cirque du Soleil), Ronelson Yadao (formerly of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre), Paul Ocampo & Chien-Ying Wang (OcampoWang Dance), and Jean Marc Cordero & Rita Angela Winder (Ballett Kiel).

This production marks the return of Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance, as the company’s Artistic Director. Handpicked to showcase the excellence at the company’s core, the featured works include Agnes Locsin’s “Salome”, Bam Damian’s “Minamahal, Sinasamba”, Edna Vida’s “Vision of Fire”, Norman Walker’s “Summer’s End”, and an excerpt from the classical ballet “Raymonda”. 

“This is quite an exciting time for all of us at Ballet Philippines, especially as we move towards our 50th anniversary in two years,” remarks Reyes. “The energy in our studios is electric! It is wonderful to see all of these artists coming together to perform these signature works from the company’s repertoire. Truly a cause for celebration!”

“A Gala Celebration” runs at the CCP Main Theater from August 18 to 20. This is the first production of the 48th Season, entitled “Quintessence”. The season’s lineup also includes “The Exemplars: The Best of Ballet Philippines (1970-1980) on October 20-22, Edna Vida’s “The Nutcracker” on December 1-10, and “Don Quixote” on February 9-18, 2018. Catch us!

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletph

For tickets, call Ballet Philippines at (+632) 551-1003, the CCP Box Office at (+632) 832-3704, or Ticketworld at (+632) 891-9999.

BALLET PHILIPPINES COLLABORATES WITH INDEPENDENT ARTIST EISA JOCSON IN “YOUR HIGHNESS”

Press release

Eisa Jocson’s newest creation, “Your Highness” will have its world premiere on July 27 (8pm) and 28 (3pm, 8pm) at the CCP Little Theater, and will be performed at several major European performing arts festivals from August to September 2017. The work is a production by Ballet Philippines and Künstlerhaus Mousonturm Frankfurt am Main (Germany), in co-production with Internationales Sommerfestival Kampnagel (Germany), Zürcher Theater Spektakel (Switzerland), La Bâtie – Festival de Genève (Switzerland).

         Eisa Jocson is an internationally renowned artist creating and touring works in Asia, Europe, America and Australia. Educated as a visual artist and trained as a ballet dancer, she won her first pole-dancing competition in Manila in 2010 and began her international dance career with public interventions like “pole-tagging” here and abroad. Her 3 solos, “Death of the Pole Dancer” (2011), “Macho Dancer” (2013) and “Host” (2015) toured extensively in major festivals abroad. Under the HAPPYLAND (2017) series, her new creations, “Princess” a duet with Filipino performance artist Russ Ligtas and “Your Highness” are a continuation of her investigation into Filipino labour, performance of happiness and production of fantasy within the happiness empire. “Your Highness” is her first ensemble creation, and is the first of all her works to be premiered and produced in the Philippines.

         In “Your Highness”, the classically trained dancers masterfully alternate between stylized Disney gestures and standards of ballet classics like Giselle, The Sleeping Beauty and Swan Lake – and explore the fine line between portrayals of happiness through ballet history and princess archetypes in a globalized entertainment industry.

 

Eisa Jocson

         The massive employment of Filipino performers by Hong Kong Disneyland has led to a dire brain drain, with its impact strongly felt in Ballet Philippines, which has lost half of its top dancers within the last decade. Against this backdrop, choreographer Eisa Jocson has now created a dance piece with five young dancers of the Ballet Philippines.

         “As an independent Filipina choreographer it is a unique and inspiring adventure to collaborate with Ballet Philippines in creating this new ensemble work,” shares Jocson. “It is exciting to see the dancers push their capacities into unknown terrain with incredible virtuosity. And I am looking forward to share this performance born out of an intense and meticulous process of exploring the dancer's and ballet's manifold bodies and voices.”

         “Your Highness” international artistic team is led by Eisa Jocson (choreographer), Gia Gequinto, Stephanie Cabral, Maila Habagat, Alexis Piel, and Carlo Padoga (Ballet Philippines dancers), Arco Renz & Anna Wagner (dramaturgs), Teresa Barrozo (music & sound design), Florian Bach (lighting design), and Dennis Maristany (costume design).

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletph

For tickets, call Ballet Philippines at (+632) 551-1003, the CCP Box Office at (+632) 832-3704, or Ticketworld at (+632) 891-9999.

ALICE REYES RETURNS AS ARTISTIC DIRECTOR OF BALLET PHILIPPINES IN APRIL 2017

Press release

Coming full circle, Ballet Philippines’ founder, National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes steps back into the company’s helm as Artistic Director starting this 48^th season.

“It is our great honor to welcome Alice back,” says BP President Margie Moran Floirendo. “She has generously given the company much support especially over the past few years. We felt that this was the perfect time for her to take on a more active role in the company’s overall planning and direction, particularly in leading us to our 50^th season in 2019.”

“I am elated to be coming in at this most opportune time,” says Alice Reyes. “The company is two short years away from its golden anniversary, and so this is a fantastic chance to start drumming up the energy and keep it up even beyond the 50^th season.”

Alice Reyes is the visionary founder of Ballet Philippines who propelled the company into a national arts institution we can all be proud of. In the Philippines, she established regular season concerts, professionalized dance as a career, and played a major role in the phenomenal development of dance in the country.

With a background in ballet, folk dancing and jazz, Reyes ventured into the challenging and exciting realm of modern dance. Through a grant from the John D. Rockefeller III Fund, she went through an extensive training period in the United States at the Colorado College under a Hanya Holm scholarship. She was subsequently awarded a grant from the Music Promotion Foundation of the Philippines, which enabled her to study further under leading exponents of the medium and earn a Master of Arts in Dance from the Sarah Lawrence College under its scholarship program.

Upon her return in 1969, she staged her first modern dance concert at the CCP. Its success made her decide to remain in the Philippines and develop the great potential of dance in the country. Since then, her outstanding performances on stage have provided artists an enriching example to emulate. The sheer diversity of her choreographic talent has produced highly acclaimed works ranging from the classics like “Cinderella” and “Romeo and Juliet”, to Filipino modern works like “Amada”, “Itim-Asu”, “Bayanihan Remembered”, “Mga Babae”, “Tales of the Manuvu”, and “Rama Hari”. Through her efforts, dance has become among the country’s respected careers and distinguished professions. The Filipino dancers have emerged as an indispensable part of our cultural heritage.

She served as Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director for the company’s first 20 years. In June 20, 2014, Alice Reyes was declared National Artist for Dance by President Benigno S. Aquino III through Proclamation No. 807.

Paul Alexander Morales will be on sabbatical leave for the 48^th season. He served as Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director from 2009 to 2017.

Ballet Philippines (BP) is the flagship professional classical and contemporary dance company in the country. A resident company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, it was founded in 1969 by Alice Reyes and Eddie Elejar. It is widely recognized today as a cornerstone of the contemporary Filipino identity. The Ballet Philippines Dance School continues to produce dancers of international caliber.

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

Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines

Twitter: @balletph

Instagram: @balletphilippines

YouTube: balletph

LIVE THE ULTIMATE DANCER’S LIFE AT BP DANCE SCHOOL’S SUMMER DANCE WORKSHOP FROM APRIL 17 TO MAY 21

Press release

Summer can be the most crucial time for a budding ballerina’s career. While most children are on vacations or staycations, the pupils of Ballet Philippines Dance School are hard at work. Three to five times a week, they fill their days with classes in classical ballet, modern dance, jazz, hip hop, and even lectures – all geared towards guiding them towards becoming full-fledged dance artists.

Classical ballet is a time-honored dance form that teaches grace, precision, and expression - a tradition that the BPDS has passed on through its programs that incorporates the Philippine National Ballet Syllabus to generations of dance students. Classical ballet encourages freedom of expression, builds confidence and self-discipline, and develops a sense of individuality, which would grow into an appreciation for the arts.

Modern dance explores dance movements beyond the set boundaries of classical ballet, incorporating influences from day-to-day movements, folk dances, martial arts and other sports, as well as contemporary/popular dance. Modern serves as a laboratory for emerging dancers and choreographers, allowing the discovery of new artists in dance.

Staying on top of the latest in popular dance, the Ballet Philippines Dance School also offers courses in Hip Hop and Jazz dance. Students discover different rhythms and grooves of movement, shaping them into becoming well-rounded dancers.

The Summer Dance Workshop also offers a weekly Lecture Series, in keeping with the BP Dance School’s holistic approach to dance education. Through these sit-down talks, students have the opportunity to interact with artists of different fields and learn how aspects of their art form can relate to and enhance one’s dancing.

The 48th CCP Summer Dance Workshop starts on April 17, 2016 at BPDS-SM Aura Premier and on April 18, 2016 at BPDS-CCP. Students attend a minimum of 3 classes a week (for pre-ballet and elementary ballet students) to as much as 5 classes a week, including workshop rehearsals for its culminating performances at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) on May 20 and 21.

Summer classes will also be held in the newly opened BP Dance School branches in Greenhills Theatre Mall and Victoria Sports, Quezon City. Classes start on April 4 and end on May 31.

The Ballet Philippines Dance School is the professional training ground of the country’s most promising young talents in dance. With a unique curriculum that encompasses various dance styles and techniques, the systematized method and approach to instruction takes highly into account children’s anatomy and psyche at various ages and levels so that the training is physically safe, technically effective and artistically enriching for all students.

The Ballet Philippines Dance School is located at the following venues:

BPDS-CCP:             Ground Floor, Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP Complex,

Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City

                        Call (02) 832-3689 (Tina)

BPDS-SM Aura Premier:

6th Floor, Unit 602B, SM Aura Premier, 26th Street Corner

McKinley Parkway Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City

                        Call (02) 531-4436 (Annabelle)

BPDS-Greenhills:

F&B-5, Arts Plaza, Greenhills Theatre Mall, San Juan

                        Call 0915 630-6968 (Meann)

BPDS-Victoria Sports:

Victoria Sports, 799 EDSA Southbound, South Triangle,

Quezon City

                        Call (02) 832-3689 (Tina)

Connect to the Ballet Philippines Dance School 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, #bpdanceschool

Swan Lake Restaged by Ballet Philippines as Season Ender.

Swan Lake is one of the classic ballet productions that spans 140 years now. Swan Lake is based on the tale written by Hans Christian Andersen. According to my sister who also teaches ballet for kids, Swan Lake is one of the most complex choreographies and the part of the Black Swan is the most difficult. To take part as Odelle means that the dancer is a prima ballerina.

 

L-R: Denise Parungao, Garry Corpuz, Candice Adea Joseph Phillips, Jemima Reyes and Victor Maguad.

For Ballet Philippines, it already spans many generations of who already performed in this production. Returning to this year’s production of Swan Lake is none other than Ballet Master Mr. Nonoy Froilan. Mr. Froilan already performed many times as the Prince Siegfried and now as restager. It will be good for the dancers since he will draw from his own experiences. Mr. Froilan is the first male principal dancer in the country.

What makes Swan Lake great is not just the dance but the music which Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky composed. I remember researching about him for my high school music classes. For the part of Odette will be played by Denise Parungao, Jemima Reyes and guest Candice Adea. Siegfried will be played by Victor Maguad, Garry Corpuz and international guest artist Joseph Phillips who performed before in the country for Don Quixote. Garry Corpuz  was highlighted from his great performance in the recent production, Awitin Mo At Isayaw Ko. Ballet Philiippines opens the stage for Swan Lake on February 24 until March 6 at CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo).

For more updates on the next season of Ballet Philippines, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Ballet Philippines Kicks Off The 47th Season With Firebird and Other Ballets

After the recent Dance Manila and Dance Cup, Ballet Philippines opens its 47^th season. BP is not only the oldest ballet company in the Philippines but also in Southeast Asia. Wings is the theme for this season. The season kicks off starting with Firebird which is the suitable for the season’s theme.  It is one of the known ballet dances that is popular in the ballet world.

Firebird will be choreographed by Mr. Birkadze and the costumes are designed by Mr. Mark Higgins of Slims Fashion School.  For Mr. Birdkadze, he will present Firebird and recreate it to give it a different look and feel.

Just like Mr. Birkadze, Mr. Higgins designed the costumes in Asian context. Mr. Higgins wants to create costumes for Firebird that is already telling the story. It is the first time he is designing costumes for ballet. Each costume is made specifically for one wearer only. The dancers love the costumes and they can still dance without worrying about the costumes.

This only shows that this Ballet Philippines’ production of Firebird is truly a world class standard. Firebird will run on limited time from August 19-21 at CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo). The rest of the line up this season are Crisostomo Ibarra/Simoun in October, Awitin Mo at Isayaw Mo in December, Swan Lake in 2017 and more.

For more update about Ballet Philippines, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

Dance MNL

There are many ballet and dance companies in the country but what if you combine three ballet companies like Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila and Philippine Ballet Theater in one event. Honestly, I am loss of words on how to describe it.

Here are some points why should you consider joining this event:

#It is not just for ballet companies but it is also for contemporary dance companies.

#The last time that there was something like this happened, as Ballet Manila's Liza Macuja-Elizalde recalls; when she was still thirteen during the Ballet Federation of the Philippines.

#There will be Master Classes held in Star Theater.

#If successful, it will be held every two years. So be part of history in the making.

#Dance MNL will be on June 14 to 26, 2016 at Star Theater and CCP.

For more updates on Dance MNL, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

DANCE AND CONTEMPORARY ART COLLIDE IN BALLET PHILIPPINES’ “OPERA” ON FEBRUARY 13-16

Press release

Enter the world of Gabriel Barredo’s acclaimed creation in Ballet Philippines’ season ender, “Opera”. This production brings a synergy between artists and art forms, with French choreographer Redha transforming the groundbreaking installation into a contemporary ballet premiering at the CCP Main Theater on February 13 & 14, with a Fundraising Gala on February 16 at 8:00PM.

The original “Opera” exhibition was first presented at Silverlens Galleries in January 2015, and was recently toured to Singapore last November in time with the opening celebrations of the National Gallery Singapore. For the ballet, Barredo is creating a staggering array of new sculptures, which will comprise the production’s set design.

Redha’s choreography will guide us along a journey into a new experience of art. Envisioning his dancers on bare feet, pointe shoes, and stilettos, he is set to present a work that is stimulating, sensual, and groundbreaking. “Being part of this production is a great thrill for me,” shares Redha. “Meeting Gabby [Barredo] and seeing his work up close was very inspiring.”

“’Opera’ is shaping up to be one of the most innovative productions that Ballet Philippines has produced in a long time,” muses BP’s Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Morales. “We invite everyone to support it and to catch its limited performance run.”

Barredo’s installation evokes an opening up, inviting us to view the body itself, asking us to confront the mortality of the corpse, to contemplate upon its passing and empathize if not make sense of its beauty. The libretto explores a man’s journey of self-discovery, acceptance, and rebirth.

Gabriel Barredo studied Advertising at the University of Santo Tomas. His 30-foot installation entitled Asphalt was one of the highlights of the inaugural Art Fair Philippines in 2013. His awards and recognitions include: the gold medal at the Art Association of the Philippines (AAP) Annual Competition in 1981 and 1982; the gold medal at the Metrobank Foundation Annual Art Competition in 1985; the 1st Grand Prize at the Philippine Art Awards (1994); and, the Juror’s Choice at the ASEAN Art Awards held in Singapore in 1994.

Based in France, Redha has choreographed for several of the world’s leading dance companies such as the Bolshoi Ballet, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The National Ballet of Cuba, Le Jeune Ballet de France, The Het Nationale Ballet, and the San Francisco Ballet. He has had his own dance company since 1981 and nowadays literally works all over the world, from Africa and Europe to the Americas and Asia. He has created choreographies for feature films of Costa Gavras, Roman Polanski, Alain Delon and Francis Ford Coppola.

Presented by Ballet Philippines and Silverlens, “Opera” features a libretto by Yvette Tan and Erwin Romulo, original music by Malek Lopez, lighting design by John Batalla, and costumes by James Reyes. This production is in cooperation with the Embassy of France.

“Opera” will be staged at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater) on February 13 & 14 at 1:00PM and 6:00PM, with a Fundraising Gala on February 16 at 8:00PM. 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’ 46th Season include Globe Platinum, San Miguel Corporation, and Belle Corporation.

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