Ballet Manila performs in ‘Pulso Pilipinas’ dance showcase
Pulso Pilipinas showcases the diversity of Philippine dance heritage.
Ballet Manila is among the featured groups in Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang Sayaw, on May 23 and 24, 7:30 p.m., at the Metropolitan Theater in Manila.
The event showcases the diversity of Philippine dance heritage with groups representing such genres as classical ballet, folk and indigenous, contemporary, hip-hop, jazz and ballroom.
Tony Fabella’s neo-classical Dancing to Verdi is one of Ballet Manila’s signature pieces. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
Organized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and directed by Marciano Viri, Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang Sayaw also features the Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group, Bayanihan, The National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, Ballet Philippines, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP), Philippine Dancesport Team, The Crew, University of Santo Tomas (UST) Salinggawi Dance Troupe, and dancer/filmmaker Aljana “Cheenee” Alicia Rose Marie Limuaco.
Performing on the first night, Ballet Manila will bring back Tony Fabella’s Dancing to Verdi, a neoclassical piece that the late choreographer gave the company as a gift to honor and celebrate its dancers. Set to the music of Giuseppe Verdi, it is a challenging choreography that puts on full display Ballet Manila’s mastery of its chosen Vaganova technique.
Ballet Manila recently performed Dancing to Verdi at the Ballet Dance Gala of the International Dance Day Festival at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati.
Ballet Manila principal dancers Shaira Comeros and Joshua Enciso led the ensemble that performed Dancing to Verdi at the Ballet Dance Gala of the International Dance Day Festival last April. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
In a review, Erica Marquez-Jacinto wrote of that performance: “Ballet Manila closed the show with their vintage offering, Dancing to Verdi, choreographed by the late Tony Fabella. This piece was just so incredibly fast and difficult that it quickly reminded me that Fabella was ahead of his time. The footwork combination alone was not for the faint of heart. Ballet Manila's dancers remained calm and composed as they navigated the difficulty of the piece, all while wearing a classic smile on their faces. Shaira Comeros stood out with her impeccable technique and quiet elegance. The audience showed their appreciation for the many difficult steps she conquered.”
Apart from Ballet Manila, also performing on the first day of Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang Sayaw with their respective numbers are: Bayanihan (People Under The Sun); Philippine Dancesport Team (The Matrix) and Ballet Philippines (Equus).
Salom, a contemporary dance film choreographed and performed by Limuaco, will also be screened. The short film won first place in WifiBody.Ph (Virtual Body) 2020.
Taking the stage on the second day are: Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (Padyak); Philippine Dancesport Team (The Matrix); UST Salinggawi Dance Troupe (Maiba, Taya!); Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (Bayleng Bicolano); and The Crew (24K Magic).
Tickets to Pulso Pilipinas: Mga Likhang Sayaw are available at Ticketworld and CCP Box Office.
