Ballet Manila debuts ‘Bloom’ in 20th anniversary offering
MANILA, Philippines - In its 20th anniversary offering BM 2.0, Ballet Manila presents the world premiere of Bloom, Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s first work for an Asian dance company.
Co-presented by Ballet Manila, Manila Broadcasting Company, Aliw Theater and Star City, BM 2.0 has its gala night on Feb. 28, 7:30 p.m., with a matinee show on March 1, 3 p.m., at Aliw Theater, CCP Complex, Pasay City. The Subscriber’s Night originally scheduled on Feb. 20 will now coincide with the gala.
Bloom draws inspiration from a Balinese ritual, a floral offering that focuses on gratitude and beauty. Lopez Ochoa uses movements and gestures reflective of the Asian region, with 19 male dancers and five female dancers breathing life to her piece.
“The men in the cast represent gratitude and the women in tutus represent the flowers. I think that in rituals and in prayer, there’s this concentration. With the 19 men doing this movement of prayers, there’s an energy that gets united and conveys a sort of storm. Then when the women come onstage, you just think, they’re so beautiful. There’s a prayer for beauty that I want to convey to the audience,” explains Lopez Ochoa.
Prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, artistic director and CEO of Ballet Manila, is excited to unveil this new work by the multi-awarded international choreographer. “Coming up with new pieces like Bloom enriches not just the company and its dancers, but also the audience with something original, novel and uniquely our own.”
The cast of Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Bloom, which premieres in BM 2.0, featuring Mark Sumaylo and Dawna Reign Mangahas(left). Joffrey Ballet’s Christine Rocas and Rory Hohenstein(right) make a guest appearance in BM 2.0, Ballet Manila’s 20th anniversary presentation.
She notes that the entire BM 2.0 production mirrors Ballet Manila’s strengths, which have helped define the company in the last 20 years. “Bloom signifies our intention of going global through international choreographers,” she points out.
Pas d’Action from Paquita, which opens the show, is a nod to the company’s Russian roots and Vaganova training. “It is our commitment to the highest standard of classical ballet,” Macuja-Elizalde says.
Taking pride in Ballet Manila’s alumni making waves internationally, BM 2.0 also showcases the guest appearance of BM alumna Christine Rocas guesting together with Joffrey Ballet colleague Rory Hohenstein. They will perform the Balcony Scene in Krzysztof Pastor’s Romeo & Juliet and Christopher Wheeldon’s After The Rain.
As a fulfillment of Ballet Manila’s mission of bringing ballet to the people through OPM/ Pinoy choreographies, BM 2.0 has Tara Let’s. This colorful piece was originally choreographed by BM principal artist Gerardo Francisco for the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference.
Finally, as a reaffirmation of the belief in nurturing the Filipino talent through the Ballet Manila School, BM 2.0 presents Ecole, a staple in the company’s repertoire since 1999. Created by BM co-artistic director Osias Barroso, Ecole narrates a dancer’s daily journey from his first dance exercise to his professional stage work.
BM 2.0 caps Ballet Manila’s current season and is a prelude to the company’s special 20th performance season later this year. It is presented in cooperation with ACS Manufacturing Corporation, BPI Express Credit, Island Rose, Ralph’s Wines and Spirits, First United Travel, Papa John’s Pizza, Krispy Kreme, The Food Club and Tokyo Bubble Tea.
For tickets and other inquiries, call Ballet Manila at 525-5967 or 400-0292, e-mail info@balletmanila.com.ph. or visit www.balletmanila.com.ph; or Ticketworld at 891-9999 or ticketworld.com.ph.
