Choreography in Focus: Bayani by Gerardo Francisco
Andres Bonifacio, who led Philippine forces in resisting Spanish colonial rule in the late 1890s, has always fascinated Gerardo “Geri” Francisco. For Ballet Manila’s resident choreographer, the name has become synonymous to bravery and fearlessness. These are the same qualities he wanted to project in his choreography based on the famed revolutionary.
Through bold, aggressive movements, Gerardo Francisco’s Bayani emphasizes Andres Bonifacio’s willingness to fight for his ideals. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
“Na-inspire ako sa katapangan niya. He would do anything for his country kahit buhay pa ang kapalit,” he notes. (I was inspired by his courage. He would do anything for his country even if it would cost him his life.)
The resulting piece was aptly called Bayani or Hero. It was choreographed on Ballet Manila dancer Niño Guevarra as his entry for modern dance in the 2006 National Music Competitions for Young Artists (NAMCYA).
Geri describes Bayani as depicting the “hardcore Bonifacio,” the person who wouldn’t back down from a fight in the pursuit of one’s cause and ideals. To showcase Bonifacio’s radical side, he thought of integrating bold, aggressive steps into the choreography.
Because Bonifacio was such a revered icon for him, Geri says it was easier for him to come up with movements that would play up the hero’s nature. “I was really into it,” he recalls.
Bayani reflects Bonifacio’s willingness to fight, so that the mode is like he is going to battle. In interpreting the piece, Geri advised Niño to internalize those qualities so that the hero’s character would shine through.
Niño Guevarra dances as the hero Andres Bonifacio in Bayani, one of the featured numbers in Ballet Manila’s season-opener in 2008, Halo-Halo Supreme. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Niño eventually took home the silver from NAMCYA. Bayani would see the stage again in 2008 when it was included in the program of Ballet Manila’s season-opener called Halo-Halo Supreme: A Fiesta of Filipino Ballets.
Geri wasn’t done with Bonifacio, however. In 2018, he decided to explore another aspect to the hero, that of being a writer. In contrast to Bayani, Ka Andres – another competition piece, this time for the CCP Ballet Competition with Rafael Perez as dancer – focused on the hero’s gentle side and his artistic soul.
With this pair of choreographies, Geri has paid ample tribute to a Filipino historical figure whose values he so admires.
