Gawad Buhay 2017 Nominations Out - Tanghalang Pilipino 'Ang Pag-uusig And Ballet Manila's 'Ibong Adarna" Take Lead

Through Facebook Live, the Gawad Buhay—the Philstage Awards for the Performing Arts, which marks its 10th anniversary this year—announced the nominations for the 2017 awards, culled from productions and performances by Philstage member-companies last year.

The FB Live event, held at the lobby of The Theatre at Solaire, was hosted by Audie Gemora and Karla Gutierrez, Philstage president and treasurer, respectively.

Swing Back Into Disco Fever With Ballet Philippines In “AWITIN MO AT ISASAYAW KO” This December 2-11

From December 2 to 11 at the CCP Main Theater, celebrate the holidays with “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Ballet Philippines’ new dance musical featuring the songs of popular Filipino disco group, VST & Co. The show is an exciting collaboration with ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Maestro Gerard Salonga.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” tells the story of the forbidden love between Teresa, a high-class kolehiyala and Victor, a construction worker. They are brought together and torn apart amidst the backdrop of the Philippines in the late ‘70s – brimming with disco fever but within the confines of Martial Law.

The show features Filipino disco favorites such as “Rock Baby Rock”, “Magsayawan”, and “Ipagpatawad Mo”, along with Bert de Leon’s “Hindi Ko Akalain, Roger Rigor’s “Ikaw ang Aking Pasko”, and Celso Llarina & Roger Rigor’s “Puwede Ba?”, all woven together by a libretto by Bibeth Orteza and transformed into dance by choreographers Carissa Adea, James Laforteza, and PJ Rebullida. It will be directed by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales.

Taking the lead roles of Victor and Teresa are two of Ballet Philippines’ legendary principal dancers: Nonoy Froilan and Edna Vida Froilan. Their younger selves will be portrayed by Jean Marc Cordero, Rita Angela Winder, Denise Parungao, and Garry Corpuz.

Joining them are two casts of singers culled from the ABS-CBN talent pool and distinguished actors from the Philippine theater scene. The gala cast from ABS-CBN is comprised of Michael Pangilinan, Karylle, Markki Stroem, and Kyle Echarri. They will be alternating with Sandino Martin, Cooky Chua, Jef Flores, and Noel Comia.

“This has been a rather fortuitous undertaking,” shares Morales. “Jed Balsamo had the idea to do a show with the music of VST and Co., then ABS-CBN approached us to do a project together... We’re very lucky that all of these pieces came together so easily.”

A Filipino disco group prominent in the late 1970s, VST & Co. is one of the pioneering groups of the music genre known as the Manila Sound. The group is composed of Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Tito Sotto, Val Sotto, Celso Llavina, Monet Gaskell, Male Rigor, Roger Rigor, Jun Medina, Joey de Leon, Homer Flores, Chito Ilagan, Ben Escasa, Fred Concepcion, Boy Alcaide, and Clod Baria. Their impressive collection of hits has left a legacy that endures to this day.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” will be staged at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) from December 2 to 11, 2016. Ticket prices range from Php 500 to Php 3500, with discounts for students, senior citizens, and government employees.

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, #awitinmoatisasayawko

A New Generation Of Filipino Contemporary Dance Merges In "Bagong Sayaw" This Sepr

Six brave choreographers are set to push the boundaries of dance with the young dancers of Ballet Philippines II this September with “Bagong Sayaw”, to be staged at the Tanghalang Huseng Batute (CCP Studio Theater).

Translated as “new dance”, this production celebrates just that – the emergence of fresh ideas expressed in various choreographic forms. The choreographers featured in this production are Al Bernard Garcia, Erl Sorilla, Gia Gequinto, Bonifacio Guerrero Jr., Danilo Dayo Jr., and John Ababon.

“’Bagong Sayaw’ is a venue for us to give our young dancers and choreographers the necessary challenges and for them to be able to grow as artists,” says Ballet Philippines artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. “They say that experience is the best teacher, but more than that, we also think it’s important to let their voices be heard.”

“WINGS”: Ballet Philippines' 47th Season Takes Flight With “FIREBIRD AND OTHER BALLETS” This August 19-21

The country’s flagship classical and contemporary dance company opens its 47th performance season with “FIREBIRD and other ballets”. A mixed bill of contemporary and neo-classical works, the show features pieces by David Campos, Dwight Rodrigazo, and Carlo Pacis, and an all-new “Firebird”, choreographed by George Birkadze.

Russian-born choreographer George Birkadze reimagines the Russian folk tale of “The Firebird” and brings it into a pre-Hispanic Philippine setting. The ballet’s costumes are designed by Mark Lewis Higgins, taking inspiration from historical documents such as the Boxer Codex, and using elements such as gold, spices, and porcelain.

Renowned Spanish choreographer David Campos draws from the company’s unique strengths as he reworks “Nenelehdej” for the cast. Originally performed by Ballet David Campos, the piece is a witty take on neo-classical ballet.

Chose Art This Valentine's Day WIth Ballet Philippines' Opera

As a special Valentine’s treat, young professionals aged 30 and below may avail of a 30% discount on the 6pm shows of Ballet Philippines’ Opera - February 13 and 14 at the CCP Main Theater. Tickets may be purchased with this discount at the CCP Open House, the Pasinaya Festival on February 7, the Ballet Philippines office or through BP at 5511013.

Ballet Philippines “Opera” is choreographed by French dance maker Redha based on Gabriel Barredo’s acclaimed installation of the same title. The unique show seamlessly merges contemporary art and dance into a new groundbreaking production.

“Opera is a special production for lovers of contemporary art and dance, it breaks many barriers and transcends our expectations of a dance show” muses BP’s Artistic Director, Paul Alexander Morales. “We are offering this special promotion for the young art loving generation to give them a special option for Valentine’s”.

BP's Sarong Banggi Celebrates The Filipino Family This October 16-18

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. Renowned fashion designer Rajo Laurel designs the costumes for this ballet. 

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 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 exciting to see these choreographers’ different takes on familiar themes; love, loss and reconciliation that cements the Filipino family”

Bring In The "Feels" With MANHID The Pinoy Supehero Musical

We love superheroes, whatever their powers are we can't deny their presence. And they usually come in the most dark parts of history where hope is nowhere to be found. Ballet Philippines "MANHID The Pinoy Superhero Musical" brings the world of the Philippine society with the integration of superheroes. Originally played in the 90's back in University of the Philippines, it has now leveled up into a bigger stage with still all of the favorite songs paired with action-packed choreography .

Set in a world where the dictatorship still reign and protesters were all killed, the children of the revolution acquired various superpowers which also shaped their own individual characters. Named after Filipino epic characters like Lam-Ang, Bantugan, Allunsina,  Radia Indarapatra,  Gawigawen, Urduja, Lagrimas, Sarimanok, Akasi, Malyari, Gonongleda, and Rasagadang. Most of them are quite familiar but other are quite hard to find their epic (even with google). The struggle to be free remains to be suppressed by all the corruption and greed that continues and can even turn superheroes into villains.

Radioactive Sago Project Steps Into Eraserheads' Shoes In "MANHID" This February

“MANHID: The Pinoy Superhero Musical” brings together not only talented actors, singers, and dancers, but critically acclaimed musicians too! Audiences will be treated to live music in each show, care of the Radioactive Sago Project. The sought-after group is taking over where the Eraserheads left off in 1991, as the production’s live band.

The Radioactive Sago Project’s perennially surprising stylistic excursions have earned them a cult following, from critics to art fans, even to discerning rock audiences. The band is fronted by four-time Palanca Award-winning writer Lourd De Veyra, along with alumni from the UP College of Music, two-time Gawad Urian awardee for Best Music, Francis De Veyra on bass, Jay Gapasin on drums, Junji Lerma on guitars, Pards Tupas on trombone, Arwin Nava on percussions, and Wowie Ansano on trumpet. Eventually, the band added Roxy Modesto (tenor and baritone saxophone) and B-boy Garcia (turntables) to beef-up the lineup.

“MANHID: THE PINOY SUPERHERO MUSICAL” Caps Off Ballet Philippines Sapphire Season in February 2015

Comic book fanatics, musical theater lovers, and political activists are bound to be moved by Ballet Philippines’ newest venture, “MANHID: The Pinoy Superhero Musical”. Inspired from comic book super heroes of the 60 - 90’s – MANHID introduces a new generation of Filipino super heroes redefined for today’s times. Set in an alternate present day Philippines where the EDSA revolution failed, this musical features heroes and villains with superpowers, and a people sick with Kamanhiran (Apathy). “MANHID” is the final production in BP’s 45th anniversary season.

Super-powers, entertaining scenes with well fleshed out characters and an exceptional score spells the rare formula for MANHID. MANHID has already achieved cult status because the Eraserheads – the band who helped compose the music and performed it in the original production in 1992 performed at the University of the Philippines – have gone on to become one of the country’s leading pop groups. They released “Kailan”, one of the songs from MANHID, which became a top selling hit.

ART IS A BANG: 10 Things You Should Be Excited About Ballet Philippines' Sapphire Season

Ballet Philippines celebrates its 45th anniversary this year and they are making this a year a year worth celebrating with their Sapphire season. Here are 10 reason you should watch out for their season this year:

1. Opening our season is the award winning choreography of Agnes Locsin, LA REVOLUCION FILIPINA, with a libretto by Dennis Marasigan and set to the music of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab. This "powerful and poignant" production will give you another reason to be honored to be born of the Filipino race.

ART IS A BANG: Ballet Philippines Holds Search For The Next Rama and Sita on March 22


Ballet Philippines’ (BP) hit pop opera ballet, Rama Hari, slated for November 30, 2012 at the CCP Main Theater, will rock the world of musical theater aficionados once again, as the country’s premiere dance company begins the search for the next Rama and Sita.

Rama Hari, a dance-musical based on the Indian epic, The Ramayana, was created by BP’s founding Artistic Director Alice Reyes, featuring the music of Maestro Ryan Cayabyab with libretto by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and costume design by National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal. Premiered in 1980, the extravagant and luxurious production boasted the decade’s top singers including Basil Valdez as Rama, Kuh Ledesma as Sita, Leo Valdez as the villain Ravana, Gigi Escalante and others.

ART IS A BANG: Ballet Philippines’ The Sleeping Beauty

Audiences still have the chance to watch "The Sleeping Beauty" presented by Ballet Philippines at the CCP Main Theater. They have shows on Thursday, Dec. 8 at 10 AM and 3 PM, Friday, Dec 9 at 3 Pm and 8 PM, and Sunday, Dec 11 at 3 PM. The performances on Saturday (3 PM and 8 PM) are sponsored by Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas Employees Association and Knowledge Channel, respectively. 

The Manila Symphony Orchestra will play Tchaikovsky's music live for one last time on Friday, Dec. 9 at 8 PM, with Katherine Trofeo as Princess Aurora and Jean Marc Cordero as Prince Desire. 

ART IS A BANG: Be part of the Ballet Philippines Privilege Card

Support the Arts Through The Hottest Charity Event of 2012 

For 42 years, Ballet Philippines has been the premier professional ballet and contemporary dance  company of the country, and our commitment to the arts and culture has kept us at the forefront of  dance in the Philippines. 

  

On January 17 and 18, 2012, Ballet Philippines presents TANGO FIRE, the renowned Argentine Tango  group from Buenos Aires, at the Newport Performing Arts Theater in Resorts World Manila at 8 PM. This is a fundraising performance that will benefit Ballet Philippines’ Arts Education Program “ Share the Magic.” We bring children from public schools who would not otherwise have the chance  to watch a  ballet and expose them to the beauty, precision and grandeur of the art.