Ballet Manila Archives

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Capturing Adarna

Nick your arm, squeeze a drop of calamansi, stay awake, repeat seven times... Every Filipino child knows this drill by heart. But how does one translate this procedure to dance? Ballet Manila principal dancer Gerard Francisco shows us how in his first full-length choreography, Ibong Adarna. We rediscover this beloved Filipino classic tale in this excerpt featuring that memorable scene with principal dancer Rudy De Dios as Don Juan attempting to capture soloist Abigail Oliveiro as Ibong Adarna. Gia Macuja Atchison joins the ensemble as the singing Adarna. Catch the last two shows of Gerardo Francisco's Ibong Adarna on September 2 at 6 p.m. and September 3 at 3 p.m. at the Aliw Theater. Tickets are available at www.ticketworld.com.ph.