Ballet Manila brings back ‘Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang’
Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon excerpt shows principal dancer Pia Dames and soloist Sean Pelegrin as the unlikely pair, Prinsesa Singsing and Prinsipe ng mga Ibon, who fall in love with each other.
After the action-packed pirate adventure Le Corsaire, Ballet Manila is bringing back Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang as the second production in its 26th performance season dubbed “Ballet Masterpieces.”
Ballet Manila presents Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang in May as the second production of its 26th performance season, with singer/actress Mitch Valdes (seated, center) portraying the beloved storyteller.
Slated on May 11, 12 and 18 at Aliw Theater in Pasay City, Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang is based on the stories of Severino Reyes as retold by Christine Bellen-Ang and released by Anvil Publishing.
A famed Filipino writer and playwright, Severino Reyes used the pen name “Lola Basyang” for his stories about enchanted kingdoms, quirky characters and magical creatures that were first published in Liwayway magazine in 1925. The works have since been adapted into books, television series and films.
Ballet Manila’s Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang was the first dance adaptation of the stories and became a blockbuster when it premiered in 2008. It has enjoyed tremendous success in subsequent presentations and even paved the way for the sequel, Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, in 2013. Ballet Manila last staged the original anthology of three stories in 2015.
The return of Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang was announced in a media conference in February, with singer/actress/ comedienne Mitch Valdes also introduced as the new Lola Basyang. She takes over the role portrayed previously by the veteran actress Luz Fernandez who passed away in 2022.
Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria excerpt features soloist Anselmo Dictado as Pedro who goes on a search for his three missing sisters. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang is comprised of three stories that mix elements of romance, fantasy and adventure: Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon, Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya and Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin.
Choreographed by the late Osias Barroso Jr., and set to the melodies of Nicanor Abelardo and National Artists for Music Antonino Buenaventura, Levi Celerio and Lucrecia Kasilag as arranged by Mon Faustino, Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon is about a princess who falls in love with a bird prince. Their love is put to a test when her furious father disapproves of their relationship.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde choreographed Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya. Set to the music of Joey Ayala, it tells the story of a boy in search of his three sisters after being captured by a beast in punishment for their father’s greedy streak.
Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin was choreographed by the late Tony Fabella with music by now National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab. It is the story of a poor but hardworking boy who is exploited by his employer whom he turns the tables on by playing an enchanted violin.
Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin excerpt casts principal dancer and co-artistic associate Gerardo Francisco Jr. as Rodrigo and soloist John Balagot as Ahab in a good-versus-evil tale. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
