Jos David Andes on how being Lucien in ‘Paquita’ has made him grow

***Soloists Jos David Andes and Shamira Drapete dance as Lucien and Paquita in an excerpt performed at a media conference for the ballet.***

By Jv Ramos

After his full-length debut as Prince Désiré in the return of Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Sleeping Beauty last March, soloist Jos David Andes has been preparing for his next major role: Lucien in Paquita, a classical piece that many ballet enthusiasts are familiar with, but which has not been seen in its entirety in the Philippines.

*Ballet Manila soloist Jos David Andes describes the role of Lucien in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s full-length* Paquita as not a race but a marathon. “It’s not about finishing fast, it’s about finishing well.” Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Ballet Manila, in fact, has never performed a full-length of this ballet, so David is one of the first two danseurs [the other being principal dancer Mark Sumaylo] to portray the whole story of Paquita’s lover in the local setting.

“Having no reference is scary,” comments the young soloist. “But it has been an adventure. It’s an amazing experience to be there to see how Ma’am Lisa processes the choreography, the transitions, the mimes, the storytelling, as you really get to develop your character along with it.”

Asked who Lucien is, David starts by describing the type of background his character was born into. “Lucien is the son of the general, so he has this commanding posture to him. He has a lot of respect towards his dad, and the dad has a lot of respect towards him as well. But this creates a natural distance between them. His status also somehow creates an invisible barrier between him and others.”

As Lucien to Shamira Drapete’s Paquita, David explores the nuances of his character – someone who is torn between what his status demands and who his heart yearns for. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde

The danseur continues, “Like when he meets Paquita, it’s clearly love at first sight between them, but because of his status, there’s this unapproachable distance that exists. Yes, there is a class war, but Lucien also has this inner turmoil. He’s confused and conflicted. He wants to appease his father by marrying Seraphina, but he doesn’t know if he loves her or if she would make him happy. Then, when he meets Paquita, he knows that she’s the one, but Lucien is also worried about the rift that it would create between him and his father and the entire family.”

David shares that he’s really been thinking a lot about the nuances of Lucien because Lisa’s version doesn’t call for him to be any normal commander. He wants audiences to be aware of Lucien’s human side, which is having that inner turmoil to go for what he wants and makes him happy versus what his status demands of him.

“My character’s life really changes when Paquita comes in, and it’s not because she’s pretty. Paquita brings the best out of people in a way. She entertains, she brings joy, and that’s something that captivates Lucien. Her being and person is so free that she’s able to bring out Lucien’s true nature… Yes, what I’ve said is a lot, but all this is where I’d hope to bring my character.”

***Dancing as Prince Désiré in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s* Sleeping Beauty *last March has boosted David’s confidence in tackling his lead role in Paquita. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde***

As of this writing, a week before Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Paquita premieres, David claims that he hasn’t fully found Lucien yet. But he has an idea of where the commander stands among the iconic ballet characters he’s portrayed. “He’s flashier than Prince Désiré, but not as flashy as Basilio [in Don Quixote]. There’s a particular composure to him. He’s calm and conflicted, and it’s these kinds of characters that are always more difficult to dance.” This danseur claims that like principal Romeo Peralta Jr., who plays his enemy Iñigo in the ballet, he finds it easier to bring out passionate characters and carry out heart-pounding dances, but characters with “inner turmoil” require something more.

Lucien is also very technique- and stamina-heavy from beginning to end, further adding to the challenge. David expresses, “Except for the downtime in the tavern scene in Act 2, everything else requires endurance. This role really isn’t a race, it’s a marathon. It’s not about finishing fast, it’s about finishing well. You must pace yourself when you’re playing Lucien in the full-length, because Paquita and Lucien are on the stage most of the time.”

*David portrays Haring Araw in* Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria, one of the stories showcased in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2023). Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Speaking of Paquita, David has been working hard with fellow soloist Shamira Drapete in bringing the lovers from different classes to life. “This is the first time we are partnering, and I’m grateful for the experience with Shamie! As a young danseur, the way to become a good partner is to experience dancing with different ballerinas. The process for the ballet, for me, involves a lot of growing. There were times when the partnering part wasn’t easy and was maybe even frustrating, but growth really comes from the hard parts of the process.”

Working at becoming a better danseur, David shares that he watches the more experienced principals Mark Sumaylo and Romeo Peralta Jr. and really studies the way they would develop their characters. “It doesn’t matter what ballet it is. I always watch our leads because there’s so much I can learn from them. Just from Romeo being our Iñigo, I’ve learned how to bring out my character more. I’ve learned to match his energy and be in his level of storytelling.”

*For David, working with fellow soloist Shamira Drapete and principal dancer Romeo Peralta Jr. in* Paquita has been a valuable learning experience. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

The soloist adds, “I’ve got to admit, storytelling is very difficult. It’s not easy to mime and it could even get boring, but when you start feeling the story and being the character, it changes. The mimes become different. I’m really grateful that Kuya Romeo is Iñigo as he’s provided a lot of emotional support for us younger dancers, especially in doing the mimes, finding our characters, taking the story further and really being a part of it. I could say the same for the other older dancers – Kuya Mark, Joshua Enciso, Kuya [John Ralp] Balagot and Rodney Catubay have been so helpful with storytelling.”

***David dances opposite Shaira Comeros in last February’s* The Dawn of Ballet, *in a number performed live by the rock band The Dawn. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag***

With only a short time to go before his debut as Lucien, David claims that he’s less nervous about this ballet compared to his first full-length, Sleeping Beauty. “By being there as the choreography was being worked on, I’ve gotten to grow with my character and to really understand who Lucien is. Right now, I’m feeling okay. I’m reminding myself to also enjoy our performances and to really pace ourselves in class and in the shows!”

Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Paquita – the first full-length version of the ballet to be performed in the Philippines – will have its world-premiere run on June 19, 20 and 21, with an invitational gala on June 18, at Aliw Theater, Pasay City.