Heart to heart to heart
three juliets talk about love, life & dance
WITH LOVE AND ROMANCE THICK IN THE AIR, IT’S THE PERFECT TIME TO RELIVE THE IMMORTAL LOVE story of Romeo and Juliet. Amid bitter family feuds and revenge for the death of a friend, love finds a young girl and a young man and binds them in a tragedy that transcends time.
Shakespeare’s masterpiece comes to life anew in Ballet Philippines’ production of Romeo and Juliet, on stage at the Cultural Center of the Philippines starting Friday, Feb. 15, until the following Sunday, Feb. 24.
This production is a masterpiece in itself, with the collaboration of two National Artists: the late Salvador Bernal for the stunning sets – he imagined a larger-than-life Verona – and Alice Reyes for the choreography. First staged in 1981, it was Reyes’ first work in the classical ballet idiom, and it won critical and popular acclaim. The ballet was restaged in 1984 and 1988; now, three decades later, Reyes returns as artistic director of Ballet Philippines as it approaches its 50th year and breathes new life into R&J.
Three formidable pairs are cast as the starcrossed lovers: Denise Parungao and guest artist Joseph Gatti, Jemima Reyes and Victor Maguad, Monica Gana and Ronelson Yadao.
“It has been such a heady experience for all of us at rehearsals,” says Reyes, “each pair with their own dynamic interpretation and dramatic portrayals of the roles of the two lovers… It leaves me breathless to watch them dance together!”
She adds, “I reworked my choreography, determined to match the grandness of this Shakespearean tale, the sublime Prokofiev music and Badong (Bernal)’s entire production, operatic in scale.”
STARweek recently caught up with the three Juliets – Denise, Jemima and Monica – for a pictorial for some exquisite jewelry from All That Glitters. As the photos – and our Q&A with the three girls – on these pages will affirm, love and dance and beauty and life are priceless and timeless gifts.
What was your first reaction when Alice Reyes told you that you would be Juliet?
Denise: It’s my dream role! I just got super excited and never stopped watching R&J videos on YouTube from then on.
Jemima: I was in denial at first. Juliet has always been my ultimate dream role. The role where I tell myself that I can already die if I ever do it in this lifetime. So when AR first mentioned I’m doing Juliet, I didn’t react yet. I waited until the casting was out. It’s true, I was there. But up until now, I still can’t believe I’m doing it. Monica: I was totally speechless. My eyes were about to pop out. I even remember having tears. Happy tears though. Never did I think that I would be given the role of Juliet.
Are you in love, the way Juliet is in love with Romeo? If yes, what will you bring to the role from your personal life? If not, how will you give life to the role?
D: I just got engaged, I’m definitely in love. I’m soon getting married just like Juliet. In other ballets like Giselle, there’s acting but it is still “balletic acting,” but when I act as Juliet, I react exactly the way how I would in real life. More theatrical, everything is exaggerated just so the audience could see. Everything is more human and natural.
J: I’ve fallen in love in a romantic kind of way. I’m lucky I
have experienced it. I guess understanding the character and the story automatically draws out the emotions I’ve had from my personal life. The only difference is that Juliet’s character was more intense and impulsive since she’s young. That’s how we’re different from each other.
M: Yes, I am deeply in love – with dance. Kidding aside, I am not in love with anyone right now. I can relate to Juliet though in her journey to becoming a woman. At the beginning of the ballet, she is kind of naive. She has no voice, just following her parents. Juliet then meets Romeo, falling in love and willing to do anything for him. She becomes a woman as she makes a choice to be with this man. I can relate to Juliet’s journey in my own towards maturity. I am at a stage where I am trying to find my voice in the world as well as learning to make my own decisions and stand by them. I hope to use my experiences to becoming a more mature person to be the courageous Juliet.
Have you experienced forbidden love, or loved someone your family was against? What did you do?
D: No, never. J: No. My family has always been supportive of who I love. M: I guess I could say that dance is like my forbidden love. It’s not a common career here in the Philippines. I’ve had to prove to many that it is possible.
Which scene in the ballet is more difficult – the balcony scene or the death scene? Why?
D: Technically, balcony is very difficult but the death scene is more pressure.