Ballet Manila’s fresh take on ‘Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang’
"I would like to approach this with fresh eyes.”
These were the words of acclaimed performing artist and comedian Mitch Valdes, describing how she will tackle her role as Lola Basyang in Ballet Manila’s latest production, Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang, set to be staged at Aliw Theater on May 11, 8 p.m. and May 12 and 18 at 3 p.m.
Valdes is all set to play the iconic role, bringing her own touch to the well-loved titular character. A lot of dancing, choreography and singing is incorporated in her storyline. As such, Ballet Manila’s artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja Elizalde described the production as, “A little bit of musical theater with three ballet stories.”
With Ballet Manila’s restaging of Ang Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang, Valdes shared that “Life has become exciting again because of this.” But what makes the role even more exciting for her is getting to act with kids: “It’s another new experience for me because I am childless so I don’t have much experience with children. So playing this role is interesting and challenging at the same time.”
But the dance company has made sure to complement Valdes’ vision of the role. As she gives her fresh take on Lola Basyang, Ballet Manila went to great lengths to update the whole production, making it timely and relevant to a younger audience.
“We rewrote the script and re-choreographed some sequences, especially those that involve flying to accommodate a downsized Aliw Theater,” explained Macuja Elizalde.
She added that telling the stories will be a lot more compelling, with the LED screen feature of the theater venue. “I think it’s a lot more effective because of the faster transitions through the LED screen.”
These three stories include Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon, a tale of a princess who wishes to marry her beloved bird against her father’s disapproval. But in the end, love prevails as the princess decides to turn into a beautiful bird to join her beloved bird who happens to be a prince in his kingdom.
Playing the main characters are principal dancers Jasmine Dames/Shaira Comeros as Prinsesa Singsing and Romeo Peralta/Joshua Enciso as Prinsipe ng mga Ibon.
The production then focuses on the consequences of greed in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria, a story of two folk healers who use the leaves of a magical tree that their three daughters pick every morning. Because of the couple’s greed, they are punished by a serpent living in the tree, who takes their three daughters to marry them off to beastly animals. The couple eventually bears a son and, before the father’s death, he requests his son to look for his three sisters.
For this story, Anselmo Dictado/Sean Pelegrin performs the role of Pedro, while the Tatlong Maria are played by Rissa May Camaclang (Maria Trining), Stephanie Santiago (Maria Loleng) and Jessa Balote/Jessica Pearl Dames (Maria Upeng).
Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria is a collaborative partnership between Lisa Macuja Elizalde as choreographer and Filipino Music legend Joey Ayala, who composed the music for the entire ballet.
The last installment of the trilogy is Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin, which tells the story of a young man named Rodrigo who is rewarded with a magical violin for his kindness to an old woman.
Playing the character of Rodrigo are Gerardo Francisco Jr./Anselmo Dictado as Rodrigo and John Ralp Balago/Junmark Sumaylo as Ahab while the late award-winning Filipino ballet dancer Tony Fabella, and no less than National Artist Ryan Cayabyab composed the lively and catchy music that will accompany the dancers.
With these beautiful stories based on Severino Reyes’ Ang Kwento ni Lola Basyang retold by Christine Bellen Ang, and published under Anvil Publishing, its managing editor Jordan Santos shared: “Our partnership with Ballet Manila is special to us. For other outfits that want to continue telling the stories of our culture, we will always grab the opportunity.”
Sharing the same sentiments is Valdes who concluded, “I’m very thankful that I’m getting to play this beloved character at this stage in my life.”
All performances will be staged at Aliw Theater, Pasay City. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph. To know more about Ballet Manila and its shows, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph.