Pinay wins silver in US ballet competition

Pinay wins silver in US ballet competition
(philstar.com) Updated June 27, 2010 12:00 AM

* reprinted from Philippine Star.com)



MANILA, Philippines - Candice Adea, principal dancer of Ballet Philippines, took the silver prize in the senior women’s division in the 2010 International Ballet Competition held in Jackson, Mississippi from June 12 to 24.

Adea is the first Filipino dancer to make it to the finals of the event, one of the most prestigious dance competitions in the world.

She participated in the grueling two-week, three-round competition, doing classical and contemporary pieces with partner JM Cordero, also of Ballet Philippines.

This year’s competition was divided into men’s and women’s divisions for seniors (dancers aged 19 to 26) and juniors (dancers aged 15 to 18). The women’s senior gold medal was won by Cao Shuci of China, who also took the couple’s gold medal with partner Zhang Xi.

No gold medal was awarded for the men’s senior category; the men’s silver medal went to Kosuke Okumura of Japan.

The International Ballet Competition, which seeks to allow dancers to “test themselves against recognized international standards of dance excellence,” was first held in Varna, Bulgaria in 1964 and in Jackson, Mississippi in 1979. The Jackson competition was designated the official US ballet competition by virtue of a joint resolution of Congress in 1982.

This year, 119 dancers from all over the world competed in the first round, which required competitors to do a pre-selected classical piece. Adea and Cordero performed the technically demanding pas de deux from Marius Petipa’s “Don Quixote.” They will perform this again at tonight’s winners’ Gala.
From here, 50 dancers were chosen to go on to the next round, where they each performed a contemporary number. Adea and her partner Cordero showed off the challenging “Evacuation” choreographed by former Ballet Philippines artistic director Augustus Damian III.

The 34 dancers chosen as finalists were required to perform both classical and contemporary pieces in the final round. Adea did “Diana and Acteon” by Agripina Vaganova for the classical number, and “Sapin-sapin” choreographed by coach Victor Ursabia for the contemporary.

The 13-man international jury, headed by Bruce Marks, artistic director of the Orlando Ballet, noted Adea’s technical excellence as well as outstanding showmanship.

Adea was a ballet major at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mount Makiling, and joined ballet competitions at an early age. She and sister Carissa are principal dancers of Ballet Philippines.

Interviewed backstage at the Thalia Maria Hall, official venue of the competition, after the winners were announced, Adea said she “treasured every moment” of the competition, but “I can’t wait to go home to share all that I’ve learned here.”

But before she gets on the plane there is one thing she is dying to do: “Go shopping!”

Tour with Colombian

TOUR REPORT
TOUR OVERVIEW
Date of Tour : June 24, 2010
Booking Agency : Elaine Castro
Mabuhay Guide : Dennis Geronimo Red Maristany
Guests : 2 Pax
Type of Tour : Site , Walking Tours
Itinerary :
Planned Rizal Monument/ Fort Santiago/ San Agustin/ Casa Manila

Actual Rizal Monument/ Fort Santiago/ San Agustin/ Manila Hotel/ CCP/ Baywalk

Time of Tour :
Planned 8:00 AM – 12:00 Noon
Actual 8:00 AM – 11:30 AM


TOUR DETAILS
Highlights of the Tour:
• Ms Goya Reinoso called to inform me of my tour duty on the afternoon of 23 June, 2010. The contact person for the tour group was Ms Elaine Castro who informed me that the guests were Latinas Originally, the tour starts at the Fort Santiago and ends at Casa Manila . She just wanted to make sure that the guests would be able to ride a calesa.

• I arrived at the fort at 8:00 am to meet with the tour group. I made arrangements with the calesa drivers that we were to be dropped off at the San Agustin Church after our tour of the Fort. I informed the contact person on her cellphone that I was at the gate. Apparently they had gone in to the Mananzan Store to buy hats for the walking tour.

• I was slightly amused that there were only two guests: Ms Castro and another Latina lady. Initial exchanges were pleasant. I then found out that our guest was from Colombia and she was here for a series of lectures on dermatology. Since we were the first visitors at the fort some areas were closed off. I started my commentaries at the American Barracks.

• Because of our shared history, it was easy to connect with her as she was also asking a lot of questions; seeking parallelisms on the kind of administration the Spaniards were engaging in the Philippines. Obviously, the Spaniards were mostly concerned with expanding the empire and acquiring as much gold as possible.

• The concept of Spaniards colonizing the Filipinos ran parallel with the conquering of El Dorado in Colombia. So the guest identified with my commentaries on so many different levels.

• We did the tour of the fort with the memorial cross and the falsabraga coming after Plaza Armas. We even went down to the gate of the dungeon where we took photos. Then we went up to the Casa Castellana where dozens of photos were taken.

• We stopped briefly at the Plaza Roma and decided we would go back to peek inside the Cathedral. I got them a map of Intramuros after the Calesa ride to San Agustin at the zaguan of Casa Manila. We didn’t bother to view the exhibit but the guests went into the Papier Tole shop where she bought some souvenirs. Then we went to San Agustin church.

• Being Araw ng Maynila, Mayor Alfredo Lim was at the church laying a wreath in honor of Miguel Lopez de Legaspi. From there we back-tracked and went back on foot to Manila Cathedral and we witnessed the ordination of the Bishop of Balanga, Bataan. Ms Castro was lagging behind but the guest was walking fast so I had to make sure I looked behind if Ms Castro was keeping or at least trying to keep pace. She was getting exhausted.


• The driver followed us to the Cathedral and we went next to Puerta Real and the Fern Garden. The guest loved the soothing ambiance of the garden. apparently her husband loves exotic plants and she commented that he would go crazy had he tagged along to the garden. There were so many photo ops I had lost count of the number of times we stopped. As we were leaving Intramuros, she wanted to take photos of the golfers so we had to stop a few times along Padre Burgos for photo ops.

• Next stop was the Manila Hotel. She so loved the lobby of the hotel and took so many photos. We then motored by the Quirino Grandstand and I showed her where the president elect Noynoy Aquino was to be sworn into office. Then we went around to the back where I showed them the Manila Ocean Park.

• Then we went to Roxas Blvd. as requested by Ms Castro; the guest wanted to walk along the bay since she claimed she was cooped up in the hotel and was always sitting down even for her lectures. Along the way, I showed her the Army Navy Club (Manila Museum), the Elks Club (Museo Pambata), US Embassy, and finally, Baywalk.

• We stopped and got off at the Quirino Avenue portion of Roxas Blvd. where we started to walk towards the CCP where we agreed the driver would meet us. Along the way, we bought coconuts and then I pointed out the Manila Yacht Club, the Metropolitan Museum, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas and the Navy headquarters.


• As we reached the CCP grounds we went to the area where the dragon boat races are done and then we boarded the car again.

• We got off at the Rizal Monument where we had photo ops. I showed them the Quirino Grandstand from the vantage point of the flag pole. And also pointed out the execution site of Dr. Jose Rizal. It was 11:30 am by then and I went with them back to the car to direct the driver on where to proceed next. They were to have lunch at Tita Muning’s in Malacanang.

• While coasting Padre Burgos I showed them the Planetarium, the Orchidarium, the National Museum, the Philippine Normal College and Technologial University of the Philippines.

• I also showed them the Ayala Bridge and Isla de Convalecencia ( Hospicio de San Jose) and some buildings in the Malacanang Complex. As we were reaching the gates when we turned right on Carlos Palanca Street, I informed them that I was getting off and gave them final directions to the restaurant where they were having lunch.

Tour with Wives of Ship Captains

TOUR OVERVIEW
Date of Tour : June 18 2010
Booking Agency : Vivienne del Prado
Mabuhay Guide : Dennis Geronimo Red Maristany
Guests : 10 Pax
Type of Tour : Site , Walking Tours
Itinerary :
Planned Rizal Monument/ Fort Santiago/ San Agustin/ American Cemetery Tour

Actual: Rizal Monument/ Fort Santiago/ San Agustin/ Manila Hotel Tour

Time of Tour :
Planned 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Actual 9:00 AM – 2:00 PM


TOUR DETAILS
Highlights of the Tour:
• It was an early morning tour of Intramuros that was assigned to me by Ms Goya Reinoso on 17 June, 2010. The contact person for the tour group was Ms Vivienne del Prado who also arranged a tour for Norwegian Seafarers in June of 2009 . Originally, the tour was slated for Saturday, 19 June, 2010 which starts at the Fort Santiago and ends at the American Memorial Cemetery. I inquired regarding the demographics of the tour group and was informed I was touring another batch of seafarers, mostly ship captains who were here for the IFSMA conference.

• That same evening I received a text message from the contact person informing me that she had made a grave mistake thinking that the tour was for Saturday, 19 June, 2010 instead of 18 June, 2010. That meant the tour was on for Friday. I wasted no time and made the necessary preparations making sure I had most of the necessary information tailored for seafarers

• I arrived at the Century Park Hotel at 8:00 am to meet with Ms Vivienne del Prado’s Mom, Nanette del Prado. I informed the contact person on her cellphone that I was at the lobby and was met with a quizzical reply from Mrs Del Prado that we weren’t leaving till the guests assembled at 9:00 a.m. I informed her that I was there customarily early just incase there were things we needed to discuss regarding the tour and that I will wait for the appointed time. I decided to have breakfast first to bide the time.

• At ten minutes past 9:00 a.m. I received a call from Mrs. Del Prado informing me to leave the lobby and wait for the van outside the back entrance of Century Park Hotel which I did. The black van moved up the curb a few minutes after I stepped outside. Apparently not all the guests were billeted in the same hotel. But I had noticed a group of ladies at the café who happened to belong to the tour group. I told them I had noticed them earlier and that eased the initial jitters.

• Mrs. del Prado said I could start with the commentaries which I did. There were no men on the tour group but it was the wives of the ship captains who were present. There were of different nationalities: American, British, German, Norwegian, Indian, Mrs. Del prado and her daughter Bianca. We collected another Indian Lady from the Boulevard Hotel along Roxas Boulevard. After the pick-up I realized I was so eager about my commentaries I had forgotten to introduce myself properly. This was a huge guffaw moment that added to the lightness of the mood of the tour group.


• I showed them the yellow flags of Cory and Ninoy Aquino and tied it in with the presidential inauguration that was about to take place at the end of the month. The American lady asked if it was a good thing for the country and how it was received by the nation. I launched a commentary of Noynoy’s parentage and that it was on his shoulders to take up the cudgels for the very principles that his parents had fought for while they were alive. Of course, it was a positive thing for the Philippines. They were also awestruck at the US Embassy near the Rizal Park.

• We got off at the Rizal Monument where they had photo ops. I showed them the Quirino Grandstand from the vantage point of the flag pole. One guest asked about the white monument. I mentioned that it was a representation of the Motherland and the Filipinos. I informed those within earshot that the Philippines is a matriarchal society. No matter how rough and macho Filipino men may seem, they have a soft spot for their mothers. We then proceeded to Intramuros and I showed them the Manila Hotel along the way. The guests expressed interest in seeing the Mc Arthur Suite. I said we would see it if we had enough time.

• At Fort Santiago, I started at the American Barracks since the gate leading to the quaint Guadalupe Chapel was closed and gave my commentaries on Baluarte de San Francisco Javier, American Barracks and Wall of Martyrs. I made sure that they knew Ferdinand Marcos and Elpidio Quirino were in the roster.


• Then we proceeded to the moat area where I gave my commentary on the Fort Santiago again emphasizing that the fort was bounded by Manila Bay on the West and the Pasig River on the North/ North East. As we went across the bridge i gathered them at the front of the main gate making sure I gave emphasis on the significance of the bas reliefs of Santiago de Matamoros and the Royal Seal of Spain.


• I then led them to the Plaza Armas and the Rizal Shrine, I delivered my commentary on the mural by Botong Francisco. There were other tourist who had lingered on to listen to my commentaries. Thankfully, they moved on ahead of my tour group.

• We then proceeded with the rest of the Rizal shrine. They were eager to learn about Jose Rizal and some of them started reading the poems on the chamber of texts. The German Lady was very impressed with Rizal’s poetry. After completing the tour of Rizal Shrine, we went on to Casa Castellana then to the Falsa Braga de Media Naranja. Pasig River was being dredged and there was a stench along the river area so I quickly moved them to the Memorial Cross.

• At Media Naranja, we did the necessary commentaries and the had our photos taken. We then went on to the Chapel cell where I gave my commentaries on the Memorial Cross, the Postigo, and the memorial walk to martyrdom of Jose Rizal... after which we went on to the Almacenes Reales where I gave them commentaries on Plaza Moriones and the former chapel of Nstra. Sra dela Encarnacion.


• The guests were visibly getting tired from the heat of the day so we motored to San Agustin. My commentary on Plaza Roma and the Cathedral and the Governor's Palace were done in the van on our way to San Agustin Church.

• There an ongoing renovation at the San Agustin Church. We did a hasty tour of the porter’s lodge, the sala recibidor, the corridors ( where I introduced them to Fr. Pedro Gallende) and then we proceeded to the Urdaneta Special Exhibit as it would be a point of interest for them being wives of ship captains. They loved that portion but marveled at how the items were just ordinarly displayed without much security.

• I then brought them inside the Church for them to admire the UNESCO World Heritage Site. They totally marvelled at the sight of San Agustin’s interiors and were visibly awed by the detail. Then I brought them to the Sala Profundis and to the Refectory then I showed them the silver carriages altar decorations and the priests’ vestments embroidered in gold and silver thread.

• The museum was about to close for lunch so I hurriedly ushered them to the exit but stopped momentarily near Fr. Blanco’s Garden and showed them some of the framed samples of the Flora de Filipinas then I showed them the piedra china at the Escalera Principal. It was nearly Lunch time so I ushered them back to the exit as we needed to proceed to the lunch venue so they could meet their respective husbands for lunch.

• Lunch at the ASSOCIATED MARINE OFFICERS SERVICE UNION OF THE PHILIPPINES (AMOSUP) was well provided for. The ladies were excitedly having lunch with their husbands and informing them of how well the tour went. Some of the gentlemen went up to me to introduce themselves and commend me for entertaining their wives and told me how much their wives had enjoyed their time with me. Some captains even asked where they should go on their next trip back to the country.

• Some of the guests had gone the day before to American Cemetery so Mrs. Del Prado informed me that they had to change the itinerary at the last minute. They were going to Greenhills. So after lunch she pulled me aside to pay my fees and inform me that I was done for the day. Out of courtesy, I informed her that since I was paid for the trip to the American Cemetery I could join them to Greenhills at no extra cost. She said ok but later recanted as they were supposed to do another stop at another office. She had this brilliant idea of stopping at the Manila Hotel and asked me to join them there instead. I agreed.


• At the Manila Hotel we were informed that the Mc Arthur Suite was not available for viewing so they graciously brought us to the archives where there were photos of erstwhile celebrity occupants of the room and the international celebrities who have stayed at the prestigious hotel. The guests were very impressed with the old world charm of the Manila Hotel lobby and from there I informed Mrs Del Prado that they can drive by the Quirino Grandstand where Noynoy Aquino was to be sworn into office.

• I bid my guests goodbye as they boarded the van for the trip to Greenhills.