MANILA, Philippines - Ballet Manila presents an all-Filipino original production combining magic, myth and a timely environmental message in “Alamat: Si Sibol at Si Gunaw,” which premieres on Dec. 4 at the Aliw Theater at the CCP Complex, Roxas Boulevard, Pasay City.
“Alamat” is based on the children’s book written by Palanca hall-of- famer Ed Maranan. Inspired by the huge success of last year’s “Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang,” Ballet Manila this time presents the beginning of its “Alamat” series as a Christmas treat for families.
For the first time, Lisa dances a “mother role” as the goddess Luningning. (“It’s about time!” she exclaims.) She falls in love with a mortal named Kapuy (Nazer Salgado), and their marriage produces the twins Sibol (Bloom) and Gunaw (Doom) — danced by Yanti Marduli and Francis Cascaño, respectively, who have the power to nurture and destroy the Earth. Luningning goes off to tend to her responsibility of preserving the planet. But left to his own devices, Gunaw sows the destruction of nature’s resources. How he will be stopped becomes the focus of the two-act ballet.
“We always want to surprise our audiences. Si Sibol at Si Gunaw is not only highly entertaining, but very timely in theme as well. Creating a ballet that teaches our children to preserve the environment was, simply put, a good thing to do,” says Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, prima ballerina and Ballet Manila’s artistic director.
Ballet Manila’s resident choreographers, co-director Osias Barroso and senior soloist Gerardo Francisco, collaborated on the choreography. Arranger Mon Faustino worked on the one-act “Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon” in last year’s Lola Basyang production, this time tackles the arrangements for the entire ballet. Faustino with co-arranger Noel Zarate used the music of composers Willy Cruz, George Canseco, Edru Abraham and Kontra-Gapi, as well as various Filipino folk songs for the ballet’s score.
Jonathan Janolo is in charge of production design, Jaime Villanueva of lighting design, and Michael Angelo Albay of costume design. All facets based on the illustrations by Ronaele Maranan used in the book published by The Bookmark Inc.
Also performing are Justin Kaye Pitahin as the Young Sibol and Jamil Montebon as the Young Gunaw.
"Alamat: Si Sibol at Si Gunaw" — with play-dates on Dec. 4, 5, 6, 12 and 13 — is presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Star City, and ING Private Bank. Special thanks to Island Rose and Ralph’s Wine and Spirits.
For ticket inquiries, call Ballet Manila at 400-0292 or 525-5967, or visit www.balletmanila.ph or e-mail info@balletmanila.ph.