KUDOS TO BALLET PHILIPPINES

Ballet Philippines, being the oldest classical and contemporary dance company in the Philippines has the distinction of having the most number of artists who have made a name for themselves either here or abroad. Sure, other companies can claim that some of their dancers have moved to bigger companies elsewhere... Some remain and move on to other disciplines. Others get married and lead seemingly mundane lives outside of the glitzy dance world, but BP dancers tend to return and lend a helping hand to the company that molded their mettle as artists either as teachers or choreographers or staff.

The best proof of a company's achievements is when the company and/or its artists are recognized by its peers. The Philippine Legitimate Stage Artists Group, Inc. (Philstage) has often awarded the company and its dancers for its outstanding performances through Gawad Buhay. Established in 2008, the award- giving body is composed of a jury of 16 independent members who has the enviable task of giving out 40 trophies across 23 categories.

In March of this year, Gawad Buhay cited Ballet Philippines for its production of Rama Hari.

Ballet Philippines’ (BP) “Rama Hari,” adapted by Bienvenido Lumbera from the Indian epic “Ramayana,” is the most nominated and most awarded production in Gawad Buhay history, winning 14 of its 22 nominations in 2012.*
 - Inquirer.net, 24 March, 2018

photo from tumblr.com

Another multi awarded production is Encantada. 
BP’s “Encantada” remains the only production to have swept all four design awards in a single year, for Salvador Bernal’s set and costume designs, TJ Ramos’ sound design and Batalla’s lighting design in 2011.*
-Inquirer.net, 24 March, 2018

This brings our attention to its choreographer... former Artistic Director and now Natatanging Gawad Buhay awardee - Agnes Locsin. I've had the privilege of  being taken under her wing as a dance scholar and have performed for some of her choreographies. I remember dancing for her in Dabaw while she was making her way as a newbie choreographer... Perhaps the most difficult that I have been able to perform in was Encantada. Agnes' choreographies stand out because of its historical, ethnographic, and cultural themes as well as its iconic dance language that isn't hard to miss... She has a body of works that remains among the top draws of Ballet Philippines repertoire. If you ask me, this award 's taken too long.

*photo screen grab from Facebook

*photo from Astig.ph

Ever the recluse, Agnes typical reaction upon hearing of the award was embarassment instead of surprise. She abhors public adulation... much like another awardee - Sarah  Anne Alejandro. Sarah took dance classes with Agnes Locsin as well. What makes Sarah different is that she is an MD by profession... yes, she is a medical doctor! Sarah's award comes in the heels of her outstanding performance in Amada. Choreographed by Alice Reyes, Amada is an adaptation of a folktale dealing with the occult in which a cloistered Spanish lady takes a fascination for a local ritual when women reign supreme. Sarah was cast as the Tadtarin, the ring leader of the community who passes on her persona to the reticent Amada. For all her lady like demeanor and shy manners, Sarah is transformed into a wild shaman that leads the town into a frenzy of witchcraft and reincarnation. And so, it's a no-brainer why she was bestowed the award. 

*photo from Facebook

Another BP alumni who received a citation was PJ Rebullida for his choreography in the musicale Newsies. The show had its run at the Solaire in Manila to sell out crowds for a few months. PJ  started training with STEPS Dance Studio and then danced for Ballet Philippines for a few seasons. He then succeeded in moving to Germany where he performed contemporary dance pieces. He came back to Manila and did the rounds of dance schools sharing the expertise he learned in modern and contemporary dance abroad. PJ is one of the many dance artist alumni who continually touches base with Ballet Philippines... 

I'm currently waiting to hear from the others out there... throw me a line and let me know what you're up to. We'd really like to know!

MOTHER EARTH

Boracay was closed to the public effective 26th of April, 2018. This was a long time coming... It really needs to be left alone for sometime in order for it to regenerate. Some operators and tourism insiders are now on the edge of their seats as to which island will be closed soon. Tourism has got the better of us. Yes, we're thinking if only we can draw tourists to visit our beautiful country... but at what price?

Other islands in Asia have followed our example. Thailand has closed off Maya Bay. California has also closed off Coronado Bay after sewage contaminated run off from Tijuana river brought in pollution. The top five countries currently polluting our oceans are: China, Indonesia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Sri Lanka. It's a pity really... we're on third spot even if we have some of the most magnificent beaches in the world. We also happen to be the center of the center of endemicity in the entire planet. The island of Luzon has been found to have the most number of mammals endemic to our country and are yet being discovered by researchers and scientists.

dance performance from Fo Guang Shan

We already know so much of these facts and yet, we continually ignore them and put our country at risk environmentally. We relegate the responsibility of caring for our country on the back burner. We aren't alone either. Humanity has to be mindful of the damages we cause on our planet. It doesn't have to be an all consuming task by one country. We can all work together on this.

Today, I visited the Arroceros Forest Park right  smack in the heart of Manila for the Earth Day Celebrations. What a fitting venue! Last year, the Dakila'ng Pamana ng Lahi and Advocates for Heritage Preservation were amongst other groups were in the park to protest the cutting down of trees in order to make way for a new Gymnasium to be built by the city government of Manila. Thankfully, the mayor listened and put a stop to the proposed plan.

Ms Bambi Lamoglia Harper, Mabelle Tenorio, the author, Dennis Dy Ko, Lino Atienza, Mye Atienza

I expressed interest in the gathering today, so I went to have a go-see and I was pleasantly surprised at the attendance. A lot of organizations joined the event to express their support in saving Mother Earth. The celebration started at 9 a.m. with a hodgepodge of activities from dance performances, pranic healing, yoga and meditation, vegetarian food sampling to chanting and singing odes to the forests and story-telling for kids. Some notable celebrities were there to show their love for nature and the planet.

Joem and Emy Emy Emerald

Members of Pamanlahi and Advocates for Heritage Preservation were there as well. It's a pity the celebration was not well publicized as it would have been interesting for millenials and families to spend a Sunday promoting love for nature and the planet. They would have learned a lot!

vegetarian pansit

The common notion is that in order to care for the planet, one has to live an ascetic lifestyle, free from preservatives, everything vegan, nothing goes to waste. It can be daunting for one who wants to start showing concern for the earth. You needn't go extreme! For starters, just adapt one practice and commit to it! I started by bringing my own recyclable water bottle everywhere I go. that prevents me from using those awful plastic cups. A friend gifted me with my own recyclable drinking straw... washable, reusable and kinder to the ocean. Then I discovered core-less toilet paper... start with small steps. You'll be surprised at how far you can go...

free healing session

I hope many other Filipinos pick up on these activities... the more responsible we are, the less likely we'll ruin our natural resources...

THE RELIC

I am blessed! Truly blessed!!! How many people can claim they have seen a saint in their lifetime? I have... on both of his visits to the Philippines! Karol Wojtyla then ensconced as Pope John Paul II came to the Philippines in his capacity as head of the Catholic Church first in February of 1981 to beatify San Lorenzo Ruiz; and second in January of 1995 for World Youth Day in Manila. 

At both occasions the pontiff stayed at the Papal Nuncio near the Quirino Avenue and Taft which is approximately 3 blocks away from my house. How lucky can I get? During both visits of the Pope, though security was tight, the faithful flock could get near the gate of the Apostolic Nunciature. Many stayed until the wee hours to get a glimpse of His Holiness. Perhaps knowing he had a huge crowd waiting outside, he would step out on the balcony to give his blessings. On one instance after bestowing his blessing, he told the crowd over the microphone... I blessed you now, go home... much to the delight of the Filipinos. Sometimes, they would serenade him with religious songs and he would stay a few minutes to listen to them sing praise songs and then bless them before retiring for the night or praying in the solace of his room.

People stood along pathways, road islands, curbs and whatever space was left to them just to get a picture of His Holiness or to watch him wave back from his pope mobile. They weren't disappointed. He had such a serene countenance and he always exuded an aura that indeed this man was God's representative on earth. Such was my recollection of Pope John Paul II prior to his canonization. He had such a profound influence on the Church and that wherever he went, he could group together leaders of different religions without any preference or prejudice. And so, it was not a big surprise that Pope Francis would declare him a saint on the 27th of April 2014. Even before that was accomplished, miracles were already being credited to the new saint.

With great anticipation, I attended Mass for the public veneration of St. John Paul II at the Manila Cathedral in Intramuros on the 7th of April, 2018 at nine in the morning. There was a considerable number of people already inside the church when I arrived so I had to improvise by staying directly outside of the dedicated area for media right by the altar on the left side. Where his portrait was prominently displayed. I didn't move away as I knew his relic was to be deposited at the dais that was beside his portrait.

Listening to your inner critic pays off when you know that the relic was to be ensconced at the elevated pedestal. The Mass was all about his contributions to the church. His biopic produced by CNN was to follow after the Eucharistic celebration. I managed to get close shots of the relic because I was at arm's length. Those who came a little later or were seated at the end of the knave had to contend with lining up to get to pray by the relic. That would have taken all day. Easily!

Since I already had the photos I needed and my prayers accomplished I stayed behind to watch the documentary produced by CNN on St Pope John Paul II. It moved me! Cures have been attributed to his intercession and knowing that, his influence grew ever more than when he was alive. Experts who studied the medical cases of  healing of two women could only report it in disbelief. Both would have been fatal. Both were completely healed.

There was a mass to follow at 12:15 and the long line towards the relic had to be moved to the sides so as not to disrupt the next celebration. I didn't have to wait around for another miracle to happen...