Philippine Daily Inquirer

Ballet Philippine­s’ ‘Sarong Banggi’ combines dance and folk music

- By Lester G. Babiera

BALLET Philippine­s’ “Sarong Banggi,” which will be mounted at the Cultural Center of the Philippine­s Oct. 16-18, will feature new works by six exciting Filipino choreograp­hers set to classic folk songs from around the country, arranged and orchestrat­ed by composer Ryan Cayabyab.

The show features choreograp­hy by Carissa Adea, Ronelson Yadao, Cyril Aran Fallar, Paul Alexander Morales, Nonoy Froilan and Carlo Pacis. Each choreograp­her brings to the stage their unique impression of the Filipino family in a new contempora­ry ballet with the cast led by Jean Marc Cordero, Earl John Arisola, Rita Angela Winder and Monica Amanda Gana.

“‘Sarong Banggi’ will tug at the audience’s heartstrin­gs with its nostalgic music and earnest look at traditiona­l Filipino values,” says Ballet Philippine­s artistic director Paul Alexander Morales. “It will be exciting to see these choreograp­hers’ different takes on familiar themes; love, loss and reconcilia­tion that cements the Filipino family.”

When asked by Morales to create two pieces for the show, Hong Kongbased choreograp­her Pacis was excited at the chance to come home and work with Ballet Philippine­s again.

“As a Filipino living overseas, I felt that it was my responsibi­lity to give back,” said Pacis, former soloist of the Hong Kong Ballet.

“Sarong Banggi’s” opening night on Oct. 16 is a Filipinian­a Gala featuring the live performanc­e of the Philippine Philharmon­ic Orchestra under the baton of Cayabyab.

The music of the show was recently created by the CCP in the special collector’s edition CD titled “Serenata: Well-loved Philippine Folk Songs and Melodies.” Included in the album are the Kapampanga­n “Atin cu Pung Singsing,” the Hiligaynon “Ay Kalisud,” and the Tagalog “Dalagang Pilipina” and “Saranggola ni Pepe,” among others.

“Sarong Banggi’s” libretto is by Dennis Marasigan, lighting design by Meliton Roxas Jr., and sets by Ohm David.

Fashion designer Rajo Laurel designs the costumes for this ballet.

Visit www.ballet.ph, e-mail info@ballet.ph or call Ballet Philippine­s at 5511003. For tickets and reservatio­ns, call the CCP Box Office at 8323704 or TicketWorl­d at 8919999.

 ??  ?? JUNIOR principal dancer Earl John Arisola
MONICA Amanda Gana
and Arisola
JUNIOR principal dancer Earl John Arisola MONICA Amanda Gana and Arisola

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