Ballet Philippines
Founded in 1969 by Alice Reyes with the support of Eddie Elejar and the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Ballet Philippines (BP) is a ballet company proficient in both ballet and modern dance.[1] The company synthesises diverse dance and movement forms,[2] from classical ballet to avant-garde choreographies, from traditional to modern dance, from martial arts to aerial movements, into distinctively Filipino contemporary expressions.
As the resident dance company of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, Ballet Philippines is globally recognised as the country's flagship company in ballet and contemporary dance, becoming a cornerstone of Filipino cultural identity. They have earned critical [3] and popular acclaim at home as well as throughout the world, showcasing the Philippines' rich cultural heritage of music and dance on the international stage. The company has been cited for its strong dance foundation, flexibility of style and exciting sense of theater. [4]
Today, its audience represents a cross-section of Manila's populace and includes visitors from around the country and around the world. Each year outreach and educational programs introduce new generations of audience members not only to dance[5] but to music and visual art as well. BP's official school, the CCP Dance School, continues to produce dancers of international caliber.
With a treasure trove of over 400 works, Ballet Philippines' wide ranging, eclectic repertory is unparalleled in Asia. From full-length classical ballets and internationally recognised masterworks to indigenous works of Filipino folklore and social issues, the company weaves a colorful tapestry of the Philippine's rich and diverse cultural heritage – uniquely and distinctly Filipino.
The Company's achievements, coupled with the generous and prestigious support of numerous local and national funding sources, have dramatically strengthened BP's position as a world-class ballet company within the local, national, and international arts communities.
As the Philippines' premiere dance company, now in its 45th season, BP continues its vision of nurturing the best Fiipino dance artists, in year long program of professional and developmental dance.
History
In February 1970, the Alice Reyes Modern Dance Company premiered its debut performance at the Cultural Center of the Philippines. Its original members included dancers from the Bayanihan Dance Company, U.E. Dance Troupe and Dance Theater Philippines. In April that year, recognising the available time and space at the CCP as well as the need to train more dancers, the company introduced the first CCP Summer Dance Workshop. (This would eventually be held annually, training two to four hundred students each year in classical and modern dance.) That same year, the CCP Dance Workshop and Company was launched with Alice Reyes and Eddie Elejar as Artistic Directors.
Awards[6]
1979
- Medal of Culture from the government of Taiwan for BP’S “contribution towards the promotion of goodwill and better understanding between the Philippines and Taiwan"
1980
- Best Group International Road Show Performer, third time in a row, Aliw Awards
1993
- Agnes Locsin: Prince Takamado Award and Second Place Winner, Tokyo International Choreography Competition
1994
- Camille Ordinario: Silver Medalist, 6th Paris International Dance Competition
2000
- Georgette Sanchez: Silver Medal, 9th Paris International Dance Competition
2005
- Best Dance Group, Aliw Awards
2007
- NAMCYA Junior Ballet Division: Ronelson Yadao: Second Prize NAMCYA Junior Ballet Division, Scholars Victor Maguad and Philip Rocamora: Third Prize NAMCYA Junior Ballet Division
2008
- La Revolucion Filipina: Outstanding Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Agnes Locsin for La Revolucion Filipina: Outstanding Choreography in a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Biag Gaongen for La Revolucion Filipina: Outstanding Male Lead Performer in a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Camille Ordinario for La Revolucion Filipina: Outstanding Featured Female Performer in a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay
- Gawad Tanglaw Lifetime Achievement Award
2009
- Masterworks: Outstanding Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Augustus Damian III’s Evacuation: Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Ballet Philippines in Masterworks: Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay
- Candice Adea in Neo-Filipino: Outstanding Female Lead Performance in Dance, Gawad Buhay; Ronelson Yadao in Neo-Filipino: Outstanding Male Lead Performance in Dance, Gawad Buhay; Marian Faustino, Neo-Filipino: Outstanding Female Featured Performance in Dance, Gawad Buhay; Lucky Vicentino, Neo-Filipino: Outstanding Male Featured Performance in Dance, Gawad Buhay
- Amada: Outstanding Adaptation or Translation, Gawad Buhay
- Apprentice Veronica Samantha Ylagan: First Prize Winner, NAMCYA Junior Ballet Division; Apprentice Rita Angela Winder: Luva Adameit Award (Special Award), NAMCYA Junior Ballet Division
2010
- Candice Adea: Silver Medal, USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi (the Olympics of ballet)
- Cyril Fallar: First Prize Winner NAMCYA Senior Ballet Division, Philip Rocamora: Third Prize Winner NAMCYA Senior Ballet Division, Rita Angela Winder: Luva Adameit Award NAMCYA Senior Ballet Division
- Crisostomo Ibarra: Outstanding Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Jean Marc Cordero for Crisostomo Ibarra: Outstanding Male Lead Performer in a Dance Production (Modern Category), Gawad Buhay; Angel Gabriel for Crisostomo Ibarra: Outstanding Featured Male in a Dance Production (Modern Category), Gawad Buhay; Carissa Adea for Crisostomo Ibarra: Outstanding Featured Female in a Dance Production (Modern Category), Gawad Buhay
- Ballet Philippines in Peter Pan: Outstanding Ensemble Performance in a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Edna Vida for Peter Pan and Carlo Pacis for Shifting Wait: tied for Outstanding Choreography in a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay
- Candice Adea for September Gala: Outstanding Female Lead Performer in a Dance Production (Modern Category), Gawad Buhay
2011
- Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero: Special Award—Lead Role in a Russian Ballet Production, First Boston International Ballet Competition;
- Candice Adea: Special Award—Maris Liepa Award for outstanding artistry and an invitation to perform in Paris, France with stars of the Bolshoi and Maryiinsky Theater, First Boston International Ballet Competition
- Best Dance Group (Contemporary Category), NCCA National Dance Competition
- Encantada: Outstanding Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Ballet Philippines in Encantada: Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Dance, Gawad Buhay; Agnes Locsin for Encantada: Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Georgette Sanchez for Encantada: Female Lead Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Carissa Adea for Encantada: Female Featured Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay;
- Rita Angela Winder for Sleeping Beauty: Female Featured Performance in a Classical Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Jean Marc Cordero for Sleeping Beauty: Male Featured Performance in a Classical Dance Production, Gawad Buhay;
2012
- Candice Adea: First Prize, Women's Senior Division, Helsinki International Ballet Competition; Jean Marc Cordero: Special Jury Award, Best Pas de Deux Technique, Helsinki International Ballet Competition
- Rama, Hari: Outstanding Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Ballet Philippines in Rama, Hari: Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Dance, Gawad Buhay; Bienvenido Lumbera for Rama, Hari: Outstanding Adaptation or Translation, Gawad Buhay; Ryan Cayabyab and Jed Balsamo for Rama, Hari: Outstanding Musical Direction, Gawad Buhay; Ryan Cayabyab for Rama, Hari: Outstanding Musical Composition, Gawad Buhay; Alice Reyes for Rama, Hari: Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Salvador Bernal for Rama, Hari: Outstanding Costume Design, Gawad Buhay; Carissa Adea for Rama, Hari: Female Lead Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Richardson Yadao for Rama, Hari: Male Lead Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Rita Angela Winder for Rama, Hari: Female Featured Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Earl John Arisola for Rama, Hari: Male Featured Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay;
2013
- A Midsummer Night's Dream: Outstanding Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Carlo Pacis for A Midsummer Night's Dream: Outstanding Choreography for a Dance Production; Cyril Fallar for A Midsummer Night's Dream: Male Lead Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Gia Gequinto for A Midsummer Night's Dream: Female Featured Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay; Ballet Philippines in A Midsummer Night's Dream: Outstanding Ensemble Performance for Dance, Gawad Buhay;
- Jean Marc Cordero for Giselle: Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance, Gawad Buhay;
- Carissa Adea for Rock Supremo: Female Lead Performance in Modern dance, Gawad Buhay; Earl John Arisola for Rock Supremo: Male Featured Performance in a Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay;
2014
- Denise Parungao: First Prize Female Winner, 1st CCP Ballet Competition Senior Division; Garry Corpuz: First Prize Male Winner, 1st CCP Ballet Competition; Victor Maguad: Second Prize Male Winner, 1st CCP Ballet Competition Senior Division; Jemima Reyes: Third Prize Female Winner, 1st CCP Ballet Competition Senior Division; Erl Sorilla: Trudl Dubsky Choreography Award, 1st CCP Ballet Competition.
- Katherine Trofeo for Cinderella: Female Featured Performance in Classical Dance, Gawad Buhay; Earl John Arisola for Cinderella: Male Lead Performance in Classical Dance, Gawad Buhay; Denise Parungao for Cinderella: Female Lead Performance in Classical Dance, Gawad Buhay; Carissa Adea for Songs of the Wayfarer from The Blue Moon Series: Female Lead Performance in Modern Dance, Gawad Buhay; Richardson Yadao for La Revolucion Filipina: Male Lead Performance in Modern Dance, Gawad Buhay; Katsch Catoy for La Revolucion Filipina: Outstanding Lighting Design, Gawad Buhay; La Revolucion Filipina: Outstanding Modern Dance Production, Gawad Buhay;
Artistic Directors
- Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance[7] (1969-1989)
- Denisa Reyes (1991-1994/2000-2004)
- Agnes Locsin (1995-1996/1999-2000)
- Cecile Sicangco (1996-1999)
- Noordin Jumalon (1999-2000)
- Alden Lugnasin (2004)
- Agustus "Bam" Damian III (2004-2008)
- Alan Hineline and Max Luna III (2008-2009)
- Paul Alexander Morales (2009–Present)
Notable Alumni
Candice Adea, Franklin Bobadilla, Rey Dizon, Maricar Drillon, Sofia Zobel Elizalde, Carla Escoda, Tina Escoda, Tina Fargas, Nonoy Froilan, Toni Lopez Gonzalez, Nes Jardin, Camille Ordinario-Joson, Gina Katigbak, Sonny Locsin, Eduardo Malagkit, Robert Medina, Effie Nañas, Malu Rivera-Peoples, Luther Perez, Dwight Rodrigazo, Perry Sevidal, Edna Vida, Victor Ursabia, Ramon Victoria, Steve Villaruz
References
- ↑ Jacinto, J. 2007. The Ballet Company: A Philippine Experience Through Repertoire. MA Thesis. University of the Philippines.
- ↑ Bong, Austero (15 August 2011). "A splendid production". Manila Standard Today. Retrieved 1 September 2011.
... Ballet Philippines’ restaging of Encantada, Agnes Locsin’s dance masterpiece. ...showcasing various local myths, traditions, and rituals. ... In Encantada, Agnes Locsin fused together classical ballet techniques with stylized Filipino ethnic movements.
- ↑ Casayuran, Mario B. (2011, February 24). Bongbong bats for national status for Ballet Philippines. Manila Bulletin. Retrieved from: http://www.bongbongmarcos.com/news/post/manila-bulletin-bongbong-bats-for-national-status-for-ballet-philippines/
- ↑ Logarta, Michele T. (2000, May 29). The Story of Ballet Philippines. the Philippine Star. Retrieved from: http://www.newsflash.org/2000/05/sb/sb001237.htm
- ↑ "Wealth Treats Orphans to a Ballet Philippines Presentation of Cinderella". The Philippine Star . Retrieved From: http://www.philstar.com/good-news/2015/01/05/1409429/whealth-treats-orphans-ballet-philippines-presentation-cinderella.
- ↑ Ballet Philippines Milestones. ballet.ph
- ↑ By the President of the Philippines. ""Proclamation no. 807""