MANILA, PHILIPPINES — After almost two years of not performing live, the Filipino dance artists return to the CCP Main Theater stage with “A Christmas Celebration,” a special performance that will surely usher in the yuletide spirit, on December 12, 2021, 7pm, with matinee at 2pm.
The Artists of the Cultural Center of the Philippines presents a brand new restaging of Divertissement from “Sleeping Beauty” and “Tuloy Ang Pasko”: The 2020 Filipino Holiday Dance Celebration. The performance would be one of the very first live performances after pandemic restrictions shut down theatre productions.
In cooperation with BP Alumni Association, the production will be the finale production for the Professional Dance Support Program (PDSP), a special program initiated by the CCP to support professional dance in the Philippines. It aims to arrest the probable deterioration of skills, techniques, and performance excellence of the Filipino dancers while providing them with continued artistic employment and discouraging their shift to other occupations due to absence or reduced opportunities in dance.
The holiday dance presentation brings to life selected dances from the classical ballet Sleeping Beauty. Highlighting the performers’ artistry and mastery over classical ballet technique, it features a colorful divertissement of dances including the Garland Waltz, Little Red Riding Hood with The Wolf, Black Cat with Puss in Boots, Princess Florine and the Bluebird, The Jewel Fairies, and the ethereal Lilac Fairy.
With enchanting music by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, and restaged choreography by Victor Ursabia and Eugene Obille, the ballet also features the Grand Pas De Deux with Princess Aurora and her Prince. The ballet culminates in a grand finale with all of the performers sharing the stage.
Dancers Katrene San Miguel and Victor Maguad take the lead roles of Princess Aurora and Prince Désiré. Veronica Atienza dances the Lilac Fairy, while Rissa Camaclang, Lester Reguindin, Stephanie Santiago, and Erl Sorilla dance as the Jewel Fairies.
Nicole Barroso and John Ababon dance Black Cat & Puss In Boots, while Sarah Alejandro and Kevin Cascaño give life to Red Riding Hood And The Wolf.
Blue Bird Grand Pas De Deux puts the spotlight on Regine Magbitang and AL Abraham.
The Garland Waltz brings together Monica Gana, Earl John Arisola, Jessa Tangalin, Bonifacio Guerrero, Rissa Camaclang, Renzen Arboleda, Joanne Tangalin, Justine Orande, Karla Santos, Ace Polias, Gianna Hervas, Alexis Piel, Christianne Uy, and Danilo Dayo Jr.
Meanwhile, “Tuloy Ang Pasko” is the all-original Filipino dance production that was created, filmed, and premiered online in 2020.
Born amidst the pandemic, this production celebrates Paskong Pinoy complete with Christmas lights, caroling, simbang gabi, putobumbong, and bibingka.
Set against the backdrop of 70’s Manila and featuring well-loved Christmas carols, it tells the story of five old friends who reminisce, over Zoom, the Christmases of their youth. This production is a celebration of Filipino song and dance presented – for the first time live on stage.
The production features music composed by National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist Levi Celerio, Felipe de Leon, Juan Silos Jr., Serapio Ramos, Andrei Dionisio, and Jose Javier Reyes.
With musical arrangements by NA Ryan Cayabyab, “Tuloy Ang Pasko” features choreographic creations by Erl Sorilla, John Ababon, Lester John Reguindin, Bonifacio Guerrero, AL Abraham, and Ronelson Yadao.
Nonoy Froilan, Liliane “Tats” Manahan, Imelda Tatad-Pagdanganan, Gener Caringal, Mario “Butch” Esperanza portray the Five Old Friends while dance artists Earl John Arisola, Monica Gana, Jessa Tangalin, John Ababon, and Erl Sorilla portray the old friends in their youth.
Completing the cast are: Sarah Alejandro, Katrene San Miguel, Veronica Atienza, Regina Magbitang, Stephanie Santiago, Nicole Barroso, Rissa Camaclang, Karla Santos, Joanne Tangalin, Gianna Hervas, Victor Maguad, Lester Reguindin, AL Abraham, Danilo Dayo Jr., Bonifacio Guerrero Jr., Ace Polias, Justine Orande, Alexis Piel, Renzen Arboleda, and Kevin Cascaño.
“A Christmas Celebration” is in partnership with Century Tuna, with media partners Manila Broadcasting Company, ArtPlus Magazine, and ClicktheCity.
Tickets for the show are available at the Ticket World and the CCP Box Office. Prices are: Php300 (Balcony), Php500 (Orchestra Side), Php700 (Orchestra Center). For boxes (three sears per box): Php1,000 (Upper Box); Php1,800 (Lower Box), and Php2,400 (Parterre Box).
To ensure that everyone will have a safe theater experience, please read CCP’s new normal health protocol at http://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol.
