This Month in BM History: August 2007
The exuberant Dancing to Czerny, a new work by Tony Fabella, served as the fitting finale to Halo-Halo 2. Photo by Joel L. Caampued
To open its 12th season in August 2007, Ballet Manila presented Halo-Halo 2 which combined the classics and classical-based choreography. Clipping from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Through the years, Ballet Manila has had a successful series of productions dubbed Halo-Halo. Like the Filipino dessert it was named after, Halo-Halo the show is a delectable offering that has many different ingredients and taken together promises a most satisfying treat.
In August 2007, to open its 12th season, the company set the stage for the second installment of this Halo-Halo series. The formula was simple – to combine old and new, with classics such as the pas de deux Diane et Acteon and original pieces based on the classical style and technique such as Tony Fabella’s Dancing to Czerny which was the show’s finale.
Halo-Halo 2 premiered new pieces to enrich Ballet Manila’s repertoire. Souvenir program from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Sofia Sangco-Peralta and Gerardo Francisco Jr. in Ernest Mandap’s Mis Amores. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
People’s Artist of Russia Sergey Vikulov, who had earlier choreographed a version of Romeo and Juliet for Ballet Manila, came up with the dramatic ballet Nights for Halo-Halo 2. Loosely based on the characters of Dostoevsky’s White Nights, he took the concept of a love quadrangle unfolding to the haunting music of Sibelius’ first symphony to create the story of The Dreamer, The Girl, The Lover and The Stranger during the summer white nights of Saint Petersburg.
Paris-based choreographer Ernest Mandap created two pieces – Mis Amores, an exploration of duality and ambivalence, and Reve, a fusion of modern elements and classical ballet involving two dancers and the music of Metallica.
In her director’s notes, Lisa Macuja Elizalde enthused over the stories Ballet Manila gets to tell on toes: “If, when you leave the theater today, you feel like you have just been sent through a blender of colors, moods, emotions, characters and plots – then, you have definitely grasped the flavorful essence of Halo-Halo 2!”
