Heroism is a subject that Gerardo “Geri” Francisco explored in a choreography he entered in the National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA) in 2006. Aptly entitled Bayani, it delved on Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio’s bravery. 

Last year, tasked to create contemporary pieces for Ballet Manila’s participants in the CCP Ballet Competition, Francisco – who is the company’s resident choreographer – decided to revisit the theme.

Geri wanted to examine one other aspect to Bonifacio which he had learned about since making his first choreography on the hero. That is of Bonifacio as a writer, whose poem Pag-ibig sa Tinubuang Lupa, so eloquently captured love for one’s country particularly in these words: “Aling pag-ibig pa ang hihigit kaya sa pagkadalisay at pagkadakila gaya ng pag-ibig sa tinubuang lupa?” (What love can compare in purity and greatness to the love for one’s native land?)

If before, Geri highlighted Bonifacio’s radical side characterized by bold, aggressive steps, this time around, it would be the opposite. “Since I found out that Bonifacio was a writer too, I thought, why not create a choreography this time based on his soft side – particularly in writing poems,” he says. 

For Geri, it was fascinating to know that Bonifacio could fight in an actual battle but also have a creative side to him too, indeed an exemplary multi-faceted individual. “Bilib ako sa katapangan niya, tapos ang galing din palang magsulat (I admire his bravery, and then it turns out he was so talented because he could also write well).”

Teen danseur Rafael Perez would perform Ka Andres as his contemporary piece in the CCP competition. In teaching him the choreography, Geri gave well-meaning advice: For the young artist to put himself in Bonifacio’s shoes – someone who could articulate his ideals for the country in writing. 

As a competition piece, Geri’s challenge was also to encapsulate what he wanted to in just two minutes. But he feels that he was able to fulfill this task, with the most important movements having to do with writing. 

Thus, Rafael was seen on stage not just executing steps with his feet but at the same time scribbling with his hand. At the conclusion of the competition, Rafael was awarded the silver medal for his classical rendition of the Basilio variation from Don Quixote and his performance of Ka Andres, a contemporary piece that extols the literary prowess of a revolutionary hero.