This Month in BM History: August 2008
The Halo-Halo Supreme souvenir program cover channels the festive colors of a Filipino fiesta. Program from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Just like the popular Filipino shaved-ice dessert it was named after, Ballet Manila’s Halo-Halo Supreme in August 2008 proved to be a delectable treat. Subtitled A Fiesta of Filipino Ballets, the production offered a generous serving of numbers to please every palate. To sum it up, it featured the ethnic fusion of the classical, contemporary and native styles of dance.
The group Makiling renders live music as folk dances are interpreted in ballet in Pista, choreographed by Osias Barroso and Gerardo Francisco. Photo by Ocs Alvarez from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
The show began with Tony Fabella’s Allegro, a combination of classical and pop, with a twist. It also included Gerardo Francisco’s competition pieces Bayani, a tribute to Andres Bonifacio, and the Southern Philippines-flavored Paunjalay, which was being performed in Aliw Theater for the first time. Agnes Locsin’s Arachnida, another modern piece that has graced international ballet competitions, was likewise part of the program.
Following the imprint of previous shows in the Halo-Halo series which began three years before, Halo-Halo Supreme showcased new choreographies commissioned from inside and outside the company.
Ballet meets ballroom in Alberto Dimarucut’s Dulce, with Sofia Sangco-Peralta dancing up a storm with Gerardo Francisco. Photo by Ocs Alvarez from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Dulce – a ballroom-to-ballet dance medley choreographed by Alberto Dimarucut and coached by Brian Babon – made its debut on Philippine stage, portraying the Filipino way of celebrating friendship, courtship, and marriage.
Gerardo Francisco’s Paunjalay, previously seen in international dance competitions, is performed in Aliw Theater for the first time featuring Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Francis Cascaño. Photo by Ocs Alvarez from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Even grander was the second part of Halo-Halo Supreme, with the premiere of the invigorating Pista. The choreography of in-house talents Osias Barroso and Gerardo Francisco – in their first collaboration – captured the merriment and cheer of a Filipino fiesta. Performed to live music by Makiling, popular folk dances such as maglalatik, sayaw sa bangko and subli were interpreted ballet-style, while traditional games such as luksong tinik, patintero, taguan, sipa, and tumbang preso were stylishly choreographed in a series of energetic and fun ballet pieces.
