MANILA, Philippines —With the continuing impact of COVID-19 widely-felt in the live events and performance arts in the country and across the globe, the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) has initiated a special program aimed at supporting the professional dance in the Philippines.
Dubbed CCP Professional Dance Support Program, the initiative aims to arrest the probable deterioration of skills, techniques and performance excellence of the Filipino dancers, while providing them with continued artistic employment and opportunities, while discouraging their shift to other occupations due to absence or reduced opportunities in dance.
As a culminating event of the program, artists of the CCP Professional Dance Support Program will perform new and classical works choreographed and restaged by Filipino choreographers and regisseurs, mentored by National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, Alden Lugnasin, and Nonoy Froilan.
Artists of the CCP Professional Dance Support Program are composed of Artists of the CCP Dance Workshop and Artists courtesy of Ballet Manila and Philippine Ballet Theater as well as Regional Dance Artists.
Collectively known as “Dance On!,” the culminating performances can be viewed via the CCP Facebook page and YouTube channel that has started streaming on October 10. With the aim to showcase Filipino talents in dance and choreography as well as expand and share Filipino dance culture to a wider audience, the program is shot specifically for the enjoyment of digital viewing.
Showcasing classical ballet with a myriad of dance styles, the program allows never-before-seen works and reimagined classics to be accessed by not only patrons of the arts but also those who may experience it for the first time, all of which can be done at the safety of their home.
Catch the uploaded excerpt of “Le Corsaire” here:
Victor Ursabia restages “Le Corsaire,” after the classic choreographies by Joseph Mazilier and Marius Petipa; while Eugene Obille does “Grand Pas de Quatre” following after Jules Perrot.
Erl Emmanuel Sorilla, mentored by Alden Lugnasin, poses the question how one does truly live in “Musa.” Inspired by wabi-sabi, Patrick John Rebullida, with the mentorship of Nonoy Froilan, presents “Light, at the end of.”
Mentored by Alice Reyes, John Ababon explores the intricacies of love in “Inlababo,” and the ups and downs of life in “In The Midst Of Overcoming.”
Ronelson Yadao choreographs and performs “Headspace”; Biag Gaongen explores the unconventional use of point shoes in “Re-Form.” Both artists are also mentored by Alice Reyes.
Lester Reguindin finds inspiration from the speech of young environmental activist Greta Thunberg at the UN Climate Action Summit 2019 for “Now”; while JM Cabling reimagines the mind of a quiet person in “I Wanna Say Something.”
Bringing to life the choreographies are Artists of the CCP Dance Workshop, John Ababon, Al Frederick Abraham, Sarah Alejandro, EJ Arisola, Luigie Barrera, Ricmar Bayoneta, Danilo Dayo Jr., Monica Gana, Bonifacio Guerrero Jr., Gianna Hervas, Victor Maguad, Eugene Obille, Justine Orande, Ace Polias, Lester Reguindin, Katrene San Miguel, Stephanie Santiago, Karla Santos, Erl Sorilla, Joanne Tangalin, Jessa Tangalin, and Ronelson Yadao, as well as Kazier Policarpio, Alexis Piel, Gladys Baybayan and Ma. Regina Magbitang, courtesy of Philippine Ballet Theatre, and Rissa Camaclang and Nicole Barroso courtesy of Ballet Manila.
For more information, check out the CCP website (www.cultural center.gov.ph) and follow the official CCP social media accounts on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
The CCP Professional Dance Support Program participants and staff follow strict protocols to ensure the health and safety of all involved.