MANILA, Philippines—Beyond doubt, the Christmas season is the only time of the year that can glue families together. With that, the Cultural Center of the Philippines will light up the CCP Main Theater with Puso Ng Pasko on December 2 at 8:00 pm, while the ballet will enliven the stage at 3:00 pm and 8:00 pm on December 3 and 4.
This story will revolve around Lolo Val, now living abroad in California, who wishes to relive the Christmas sparkle of his youth. However, since he can’t go back in time, he takes a trip down memory lane through the stories he shares with young granddaughter Angelita. Puso ng Pasko will showcase the true spirit of Pinoy holiday celebration through Lolo Val’s lens from his blooming years in Tres Reyes with his friends.
The solemnity of Simbang Gabi, devouring a newly-cooked bibingka and puto bumbong after a mass, plazas decked with massive parols, and a tall fir tree filled with ornaments; these are already enough to capture a perfect Christmas on stage, but musical arrangements by National Artist for Music, Ryan Cayabyab, of timeless Filipino Christmas Songs performed and recorded by the San Miguel Philharmonic Orchestra and the San Miguel Master Chorale, will bring the feels of this production, conceptualized by Ronelson Yadao, to new heights.
Poster courtesy of Cultural Center of the Philippines
To bring Puso ng Pasko to life, the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP), a dance company founded by National Artist Alice Reyes, along with ARDP Artistic Director Ronelson Yadao, collaborated with an array of creatives. Joining him with the feat of choreographing this full-length Christmas dance celebration are Erl Sorilla, John Ababon, AL Abraham, Dan Dayo, Bonnie Guerrero, and Lester Reguindin. These creative staples in the company’s roster of young and acclaimed choreographers each have a beautifully distinct style of movement that somehow wonderfully compliments each moment in the story.
These creative staples in the company’s roster of young and acclaimed choreographers each have a beautifully distinct style of movement that somehow wonderfully compliments each moment in the story.
The list of absolutely stellar collaborators also includes Yadao’s co-librettist Eljay Castro Deldoc, production designer Eric Cruz, lighting designer Barbara Tan-Tiongco, costume consultant Dennis Maristany, and Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna’s assistance for filmed scenes.
As the Cultural Center of the Philippines prepares to shut its doors for renovation, these performances will be one of the last to be staged in the CCP Main Theater.
Secure your tickets as early as you can through CCP Box Office (tel. no. 8832-3704), Bonnie Guerrero (Viber: 09154122152), and TicketWorld (+63.917.550.6997, +63.999.954.5922).