From the Mailbox: ‘Thru dance, how you honor the Creator!’
Ballet Manila artistic director and then principal artist Lisa Macuja-Elizalde dances as “Ate Lisa” in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang. Photo by Ocs Alvarez from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Performing artists love the immediate response shown by audiences through applause and cheers. But they appreciate it just as much when they get feedback even after the curtains have gone down. This is certainly true for Ballet Manila dancers, management and staff who have received their fair share of heartwarming comments from a grateful public over the years. In this series, the Ballet Manila Archives will feature from its collection the reactions – handwritten, typed, published in newspapers or even posted on social media – of viewers towards the company after watching its shows.
The transcription below is of a thank-you letter from Sr. Violeta, FdCC, of the Canossian Sisters, addressed to Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, after seeing Severino Reyes’ Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang thrice. Because of the trilogy’s popularity, it had been turned into a weekly show at the Star City at the time.
Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya is one of the featured stories in Ballet Manila’s adaptation of Severino Reyes’ works. Photo by Ocs Alvarez from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
28 February 2009
Canossian Sisters
1202 (Looban) Mahatma Gandhi St.,
Paco
Very dear Ms. Macuja,
Thank you for producing “Lola Basyang”. When I first saw it last 7 February, I thought how great it was as a production, as entertainment, as a showcase for Filipino talents etc. with merits in the SUPERLATIVE.
Sr. Violeta’s two-page handwritten letter bears thumbtacks marks at the corners as it had been posted on the Ballet Manila bulletin board for everyone to read. Letter from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Last Feb. 14, I was able to invite more than 2 dozens sisters from our two communities. Even our guests from Germany (2 benefactors) praised the ballet to high heavens. I was feeling so proud to be a Filipino… thanks to you!
Tonight, I come with around 100 sisters and youth. The Sisters who saw the ballet last Feb. 14 are now promoters of this production in the Canossian circle.
Why am I writing you all these? You worked hard to share your passion for this art to your countryman. I just did my share… so little a share to give our folks a taste of ballet, an appreciation of the Filipino aspects you injected into ballet – you live a mission, I guess.
It’s a grand mission. I think it is an excellent attitude. I hope our youth (as the ones you trained – as the ones performing with you… through no one won any of the prestigious awards you garnered in international contests) with love and share ballet with a similar passion as you.
Thank you! God bless your life of “dances”. Thru dance, how you honor the Creator!
Sincerely yours,
Sr. Violeta, FdCC
Veteran actress and radio talent Luz Fernandez plays Lola Basyang, the famed storyteller of Philippine literature. Photo by Ocs Alvarez from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
