Ballet Manila’s ‘Lola Basyang’ then and now
It has been years since Ballet Manila staged Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, a crowd-pleaser that owes its appeal to the enduring tales of Severino Reyes as retold for a new generation by Christine Bellen-Ang. No wonder many of the dancers who have history with the production and who just performed again in the four Basyang shows over the past two weekends couldn’t help but feel sentimental.
Soloist Jessa Balote recalled in an interview: “Dati, isa ako sa mga eaglet sa Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya, at ngayon, ako si Marya Upeng, ang bunsong kapatid. Natutuwa akong i-explore ang character dahil siya ang maligalig na kapatid, at siyempre ang laki rin ng pasasalamat ko sa opportunity.” (Back then, I played the role of an eaglet in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya, but now, I’m Marya Upeng, the youngest sibling. I’m glad to explore the character since she’s the happy-go-lucky sister, and of course, I’m thankful for the opportunity.)
In a Facebook post, soloist Rissa May Camaclang described her Lola Basyang experience as a full-circle moment. “From a nine-year-old Project Ballet Futures scholar (Kid 3) trying to memorize her lines like ‘Oh no! Puputulin ang puno?’ or ‘Pero, ang boyfriend niya ay ibon, Lola?’ or ‘Kolesmeloko? Ano po ’yun, Lola?’ to dancing one of my dream roles as one of the three sisters in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya. This is truly a childhood core memory and it makes my heart so warm and happy.”
Principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames proclaimed herself as a “Prinsesa Singsing graduate,” a role which was originally portrayed by artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde in 2008 when Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang premiered. “An absolute honor to be able to dance this memorable ballet. My heart is full and I am forever grateful,” said Pia who thanked Lisa for the opportunity to take on the part.
Similarly, principal dancer Jessica Pearl Dames expressed gratitude for the chance to play Marya Upeng in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya. “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang brought back so many memories. This was my first production with Ballet Manila, year 2015. My heart is thankful to be part of this production again.”
Soloist Sean Pelegrin – who, like Pearl and twin sister Pia, joined Ballet Manila in 2015 and for whom Basyang was also a first with the company – was equally reflective in his own Facebook post. “Started as a villager, monster, underwater creature and a villager. And now, as my third time being part of this beautiful ballet, I danced the role of Pedro in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya,” said Sean who was just as effusive in his thanks to his mentors and colleagues and his family.
“(And) Thank you, God, for the gift of dance! I will always offer my dancing to You! Kakain pa ako ng mas maraming bigas!” added Sean, underscoring that he still has so much to learn.
Principal dancer Shaira Comeros, also on Facebook, related that Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang in 2015 was the very first show of Ballet Manila she ever watched. Then she became part of Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin (in Iconic 1.0) in 2019 as one of the villagers. After five years, she considers herself fortunate to be in a Basyang ballet again – this time as Prinsesa Singsing in Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon. Shaira particularly mentioned the late Ballet Manila co-artistic director and choreographer Osias Barroso Jr. in her post, saying,
“Thank you, Sir Shaz for making this beautiful ballet.”
Joining the nostalgia bandwagon, we searched the Ballet Manila Archives photo files for this Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang then-and-now special.