After being sidelined by the pandemic, Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna finally returns to the stage on August 19 and 20 at Aliw Theater, a fitting finale to Ballet Manila’s comeback 25th performance season dubbed “Of Hope and Homecoming.”

No one is anticipating this “return flight” more than Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. “Ibong Adarna was supposed to open our 25th anniversary season in 2020 with an ambitious national tour after being the first all-Filipino full-length ballet production to be toured internationally to Israel in 2019. It was taken away by the pandemic. And now, our Adarna flies again! This is why I am doubly excited. It’s like taking back what is ours to do!”

Based on a Filipino literary classic, Ibong Adarna tells the story of three princes who go on a quest for the titular mythical bird whose voice is believed to be the only cure for their ailing father. They must each embark on the perilous journey, encountering hunters, women warriors and enchanted creatures. But in the end, it is the one with a pure heart who will catch the elusive Adarna.

Principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro, Mark Sumaylo and Romeo Peralta Jr. will reprise their roles as Ibong Adarna, Don Pedro and Don Diego, respectively. Debuting as Don Juan is principal dancer Joshua Enciso.

Francisco put together a choreography – set to original music by Diwa De Leon – teeming with action and energy, but also one that is full of heart. He infused the first ballet version of Ibong Adarna with a wealth of indigenous touches, from the movement to the look to the sounds.

Since its world premiere in August 2017, Ibong Adarna has won numerous honors including an Aliw Award for Best Dance Production in December of that year. In April 2018, the epic retelling of the Filipino legend also garnered plaudits at the Philstage Gawad Buhay Awards for Outstanding Modern Dance Production, Outstanding Choreography For Modern Dance for Gerardo Francisco, Outstanding Ensemble for Modern Dance, Outstanding Music Composition for Diwa De Leon, Outstanding Male Lead for Modern Dance for Rudy De Dios and Outstanding Featured Male for Modern Dance for Romeo Peralta.

With Ballet Manila now a smaller company in the aftermath of the pandemic, the Ibong Adarna that will be seen in August is the touring version. “No lavish sets, no storyteller, no singing Adarna; dancers double or triple up in performing their respective roles. But definitely, the story is still very clear and the music, costumes and dancing make up for scaling the production down for practical reasons,” affirms Macuja-Elizalde.

Asked what has made Ibong Adarna resonate with viewers, even those in Israel during the Karmiel Dance Festival in 2019, Macuja-Elizalde replies: “The story is timeless and I think have similar stories in folk legends of other countries as well. Good triumphs over evil. Kindness wins. Forgiveness, family – these themes touch the heart.”

What she can promise audiences through Ibong Adarna is this: “They will see a company passionate about bringing ballet to the people and more people to the ballet! Twenty-five performing seasons older – leaner but wiser! And stronger!”