Filipino-inspired: Sari’t Bahag

In celebration of National Heritage Month, we take a look at choreographies based on facets of Filipino culture that are part of the Ballet Manila repertoire. Since its creation in 1995, the company has sought to feature such pieces in its programs, offering a unique mix as Philippine inspirations are interpreted in ballet form. Ballet Manila has brought these vignettes on numerous performance tours in the provinces and in other countries as a way of reinforcing cultural identity and of introducing the country’s rich heritage to the world. The black and white photographs seen in this series, from the Ballet Manila Archives collection, were taken during the company’s early years.

Sari’t Bahag

Music: Bayanihan

Choreography: Jojo Lucila

In the mountain province of Luzon, the Old Priestess helps the Head Warrior find a bride and eventually chooses the Maiden. During the wedding, an Idaw Bird, said to bring bad fortune, swoops down over the ceremony. Soon a call to war causes the groom and all the warriors to depart from the village. The curse of the Idaw Bird is realized when the warriors return defeated; the groom is dead and the bride Ieft in bitter anguish. 

Osias Barroso portrays the noble Head Warrior looking for a bride.

Indigenous weaves carried by village men frame the Maiden (Lisa Macuja) whom the Head Warrior chooses to be his wife.

The look and movement inspired by northern upland communities are combined with pointe work.

As the Old Priestess, Ianne Damian (left) confronts the Idaw Bird who has appeared during the wedding of the Head Warrior and the Maiden.

The Maiden is about to send off her husband to war shortly after their wedding, while the village women prepare to do the same.