Alice Reyes choreographed her first own version in 1982
with Rita Dureza and Cynthia as Clara, Leslie Browne, Effie Nañas, Maricar
Drilon and Toni Lopez Gonzalez as the Sugarplum Fairy and John Meehan, Nonoy
Froilan, Brando Miranda and Adam Sage as the Nutcracker Prince. In 1991, Reyes'
version was restaged by Nonoy Froilan with Mylene Aggabao and Naomi Tolome as
Clara, Gina Katigbak and Melissa Cuachon as the Sugarplum Fairy and Mario
Esperanza and Jinn Ibarrola as the Nutcracker Prince.
Edna Vida's original choreographic version premiered in
1987 with Maria Veronica Fargas and Maria Leilani R. Da Silva as Clara, Lisa
Macuja, Cecile Sicangco, Gina Katigbak, Melissa Cuachon and Ida Beltran as the
Sugarplum Fairy and Nonoy Froilan, Conrad Dy-Liacco, Brando Miranda and Jun
Mabaquio as the Nutcracker Prince. It was then restaged in 2003, with Wendy
Esteban and Lynn Leveille as Clara, Kris-Belle Paclibar, Mica Bernas and Hanedy
Sala as the Sugarplum Fairy and Clark Rambuyon, Irish Abejero and Jojo Mamangun
as the Nutcracker Prince. This year, both Reyes and Vida's versions, for their
third production of its quintessential 48th season, Ballet Philippines, the
first resident company of Cultural Center of the Philippines revived and
relived the classic and iconic Christmas ballet in the world, "The
Nutcracker" Returning to Ballet Philippines as guest artist courtesy of
Japan Foundation and Tan Yan Kee Foundation is Nobuo Fujino, former Senior
Artist of Australian Ballet and Principal Dancer of Hongkong Ballet. He played
the role of The Prince in Ballet Philippines production of The Sleeping Beauty
in 2011. Alternating with Fujino as The Prince are Victor Maguad (Shoes++,
Peter Pan, Giselle, Manhid, Opera and Swan Lake) and Lester Reguindin (Pusong
Wagas, Illustrated Dialects and Swan Lake).
Gawad Buhay Awardee for Outstanding
Female Lead Performer in Dance Candice Adea, a resident guest artist of 48th
season, returns as the Sugarplum Fairy who was featured in previous production
such Don Quixote, The Sleeping Beauty, Peter Pan, Snow White, The Nutcracker
and Coppelia. Alternating with Adea are NAMCYA Luva Adameit Awardee - Junior
Ballet Category and winner of the first CCP Ballet Competition Denise Parungao
(Giselle, Cinderella, Opera, The Firebird, Simoun and Swan Lake) and Jemima
Reyes who essayed in Sleeping Beauty, Crisostomo Ibarra, Rama Hari, A Midsummer
Night's Dream, Giselle, The Firebird and Swan Lake.
This Christmas ballet presentation became a homecoming
celebration as former and future members of Ballet Philippines made a unison
performance. A significant highlight during Act 1, women wearing ternos and
tapis and men wearing balck tuxedos, chaquetillas, wing collars, butterfly
neckties and cummberbands graced, swayed and danced in "Rigodon de Honor".
Another delightful treat were party children from different dance school who
gave meaning for this Yuletide season. To complement this full-length ballet in
two-act, musical director Gerard Salonga conducted the 42-piece ABS-CBN
Philharmonic Orchestra, the music of legendary Russian composer Peter Ilich
Tchaikovsky, known for Swan Lake (1876), Sleeping Beauty (1889) and The
Nutcracker (1892).
Set in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era in
the 1920s, Ballet Philippines promised the retelling of Vida and Reyes' holiday
classic that, audience will experience and explore images of Noche Buena, dance
with Rigodon de Honor, illuminate the bright lights of fireflies, see the
beauty of bougainvilleas, and the symbolic toys and sweets of Christmas. As the
curtain raise up, the Filipino themed set designed by National Artist for
Theater Design, Salvador Bernal warmly welcomed and greeted the audiences of
the gala night with awe. The grand ballroom featured huge carved anahaw leaves
in styrofoam made famous by Isabelo Tampico, backdroped by framed translucent
capiz shells, complemented with two beautiful chandeliers hanged at the twin
staircases and transitioned from small to large Christmas tree at the center
through flying. And the spectacle continues from the Kingdom of the Fireflies
symbolizing the arrival at the Kingdom of the Dolls at Act II.
For a complete Nutcracker experience, Ballet Philippines partnered with
Chrysara, a creative manufacturing company who specializes in housewares, gifts
and accessories, established by Ballet Philippines Founder and Artistic
Director and National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, to showcase Filipino
talents, artisans and craftmanships.The Nutcracker collectibles featuring
characters like Clara, the Rat King, the Nutcracker Prince and the Sugarplum
Fairy are exclusively available at Ballet Philippines. Chrysara's Nutcracker
line are available online at,
www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
and at the CCP Main Theater Lobby from 1st to 10th of December 2017. Proceeds
will go to the Noordin Jumalon Scholarship Fund, which aims to support the
growth and development of aspiring and promising young students of Ballet
Philippines.
For only 1,000, audience will get an Orchestra Center ticket for Matinee show
and seat at "The Nutcracker Tea Party" Meet and greet Clara, the
Sugarplum Fairy and the Nutcracker Prince, decorate a pointe shoe and soothe
Tea Leaves tea and other Bizu treats are also at stake. The party will only
kick in on December 2, 3, 9 and 10, right after the matinee performance of The
Nutcracker at the CCP Main Theater Mezzanine. Slots are limited.
The Nutcracker runs from December 1 to 10 at the CCP Main Theater. Call Ballet
Philippines at (+632) 551-1003, CCP Box Office at (+632) 832-3704 or
Ticketworld at (+632) 891-9999. Log on to:
www.ticketworld.com.ph Connect and follow Ballet
Philippines through: Facebook:
www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Twitter: @balletphilippines Instagram: @balletph .
Text and Photos by Gilbert Kim Sancha.
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