Filipino-inspired: Gabriela ng Vigan
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.
Gabriela ng Vigan
Libretto: Eric V. Cruz
Music: Gustav Holst
Choreography: Osias Barroso
Gabriela ng Vigan is a free interpretation in a dance-drama of Gabriela Silang’s struggles as the wife of Diego Silang, her takeover as the supreme leader of the revolutionary force after her husband’s assassination by a comrade, her capture, and finally, her execution in Vigan on September 20, 1763. It had its world premiere on April 19, 1996 – with Osias Barroso and Lisa Macuja in the lead roles – at the Puerta Real Gardens as part of Intramuros Evenings, a project of the Intramuros Administration. Ballet Manila performed the historical piece as part of its season performance in 1998 during the celebration of the Philippine Centennial.
