Baaaahhh, Humbug!

Butch Esperanza alternates with Nonoy Froilan as Ebenezer Scrooge

I've been remiss with my blog lately. I know, I know! I should be more responsible with it. However, in my defense I can truly say that I have been unwell lately... for the first two weeks of November I had a bout with an infection. Then when that was treated, I had another bacterial infection that had me coughing and wheezing. So I do have an excuse... or two...

BP artists as urban poor

Not long after, the earthquake in Bohol and Cebu happened and before you know it, it was typhoon "Yolanda" that wreaked havoc in eastern Visayas. And so with all these maladies bugging me and with all the calamities hounding the country ad with my guiding duties to boot my blog had been unattended to.

Marvin Arizo as the Ghost of Christmas Past

And so with this "annus horribilis" nearly drawing to a close, I figured I'd better get to posting an entry before my blog gets shut down. After all, despite all the tragedy and suffering brought about by these natural disasters life must go on. One way to dispel the sadness would be to watch Ballet Philippines' christmas offering of "A Christmas Carol".

Macel Dofitas as the Ghost of Christmas Present

Trust Edna Vida to transpose a classic christmas tale into a full-length ballet. It's not easy, but she does so with such panache, everyone catches in  on the fun. Why... she even got her life-time premier danseur Nonoy Froilan to get out of his retirement to essay the lead role of Ebenezer Scrooge. Another BP former artist, Butch Esperanza alternates with Nonoy on select performances.

Kitkit Trofeo and EJ Arisola in a pas de deux

I watched the stage rehearsals with Butch Esperanza doing the lead role. The good thing with Ballet Philippines' productions is that you never know what to expect. I am constantly amazed at how versatile the artists are flitting from dances en pointe to hip hop dancing at the drop of a hat. And the young dancers all have fun in the process.

The future of Philippine dance

I especially liked the participation of the kids who are all taking dance classes at the CCP Dance School (BP's training school). There is a section in the ballet where the kids get to dance in an actual performance. Not just a recital, mind you... an actual performance! A series of performances, really! So this will be an added incentive to the dance students to hone their skills and become even better at what they do.

Monica Gana and Edana Labitoria in full coquetry

BTW, while I'm writing this, the CCP Dance School will be holding their December Evaluation Program on the weekend of December 7 and 8. It's an opportunity for some of the dance students to get upgraded in their level of training at the school. There's a lot of good cheer going around in the CCP Complex this time of the year. No reason to say "Baaaahhh, Humbug!"

BP's corps de ballet in a kitschy number