‘The Exemplars: Amada & Other Dances’

Exemplary grace unfolds at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Oct. 20 and 22 as the country’s preeminent ballet and contemporary dance company, Ballet Philippines, reintroduces internationally acclaimed classics of the company’s vast repertoire to a newer audience. This production provides a rare opportunity to shed light on the long-unseen works that established the company’s signature style and identity as an internationally and locally renowned dance company, paving the way to 48 years of artistic excellence and cultural contribution. This is made possible by patrons of the arts San Miguel Corp., Phoenix Petroleum and Sanicare. The Exemplars will showcase the dance company’s classic works such as National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes’ Amada. As one of the first pieces ever performed by the company, Amada is based on The Summer Solstice by National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin. Set in Catholic, Hispanic 19th-century Manila, traditional male-dominance is shaken by the Tadtarin, a native festival in which women suddenly reign supreme shattering the established Hispanic molds and patterns. Amada premiered in Manila in 1970, with Alice Reyes herself in the titular role, and music composed by National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag using Maguindanao/Muslim instrumentation. Another featured work is Valse Fantasy. The neoclassical piece was especially staged for Ballet Philippines by Muñeca Aponte in 1974. This year, premier danseur Nonoy Froilan is restaging the ballet, as he himself danced the male role in the 1970s.

Gener Caringal’s Ang Sultan is about star-crossed lovers, separated by the eternal clash between classes. Set in the pre-colonial Filipino caste system, it tells the story of the consequences when a man from a lower caste falls in love with a princess where revolt and an uprising ensue due to inequity and social injustice.

Norman Walker’s Songs of a Wayfarer is the story of unrequited love. We follow our hero, who is in deep sadness as his love is being wed to another, and trying to escape with everything, reminding him of his love.

Pauline Koner’s Concertino is considered a major landmark in modern dance. This classic tells the story about a lady of the court and her attendants who conduct themselves in various manners from the proper to the frolicsome. Catch Ballet Philippines’ The Exemplars: Amada and Other

Dances on Oct. 20 to 22 at the CCP Main Theater, and Oct. 25 at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Theater, BGC Arts Center in Taguig.