Cecile Sicangco: The Next Step

It is not easy interviewing Cecile Sicangco, especially about herself. Gracious though she is, you get the message early on that she’d rather talk about something else–or not talk at all.

Everything Cecile has to say she says in dance. And for the last 25 years, she has been speaking most eloquently, thrilling audiences the world over with a brand of dance born of discipline in and dedication to an art that does not tolerate half-hearted attempts.

As principal dancer of Ballet Philippines, Cecile has danced all the lead roles of the classical repertoire–something most ballerinas can only dream about–and a score of strong contemporary and modern pieces that stretch the horizons of movement. Of the classics, she cites, after some thought, "Giselle" with American Ballet Theater’s Julio Bocca as being particularly memorable, but, she quickly adds, "each performance is important".

That is one thing about Cecile that artistic directors, choreographers and fellow dancers are quick to point out: each time she dances she gives her best. She never seeks the spotlight, or centerstage, or first cast, or top billing, or the plum roles. She quietly, almost unobtrusively, perfects her part–whatever it may be–and delights in every role and every performance. She has said that she enjoys matinee performances as much as she enjoys the ones on opening night, and she has never quibbled about being cast in the former.

The spotlight sought her out though, because a dancer as technically adept, as graceful and as strong as she is will be noticed. In a company that eschews individual superstars–Ballet Philippines abides by the philosophy that the company is the star, and each member is important in his/her own right–Cecile stands out by the sheer force of her dancing, by her compelling presence on stage.

Next month, when the company opens its 33rd concert season, Cecile will be given a singular tribute as she retires from active dancing. Her farewell performance in Joie de Danse (July 5, 6 and 7 at the CCP Main Theater) will include the very sensual Redha solo Au Fille du Mes Nuits (Woman of My Nights) and a new pas de deux, Eden, choreographed for her by visiting French artist Guillaume Compain.

Eden, despite the title, is not biblical nor a story of paradise. There is man and woman, and nature; he starts out almost as plant, she moves at the sound of a birdcall. There is sand, and a white drape.

Such abstract choreography suits Cecile just fine. "I like new works," she reveals, "contemporary pieces where I don’t have to play a character. I like pieces that work your body more, where there is more exploration."

In a career as remarkable as hers, dancing a repertoire as varied as she has, Cecile has had relatively few major injuries. Credit that to discipline–she is never late for class, and is always properly warmed up–and strength contained in a deceptively petite body. But, she says of her decision to retire, "your body tells you to. You still want to be on stage, but your body slows down. You do a combination or a routine and you realize, ‘It didn’t feel like this before.’

"Besides," she continues, "you see a lot of the younger dancers and you know it’s time."

Cecile isn’t packing her bags and heading for Siberia though. She will still teach and coach, for the younger dancers have much to learn from her. Ballet Philippines artistic director Denisa Reyes has already her for guest appearances in productions through the 34th season.

And there is Pilates. On a Ballet Philippines scholarship, Cecile trained in the Pilates Institute in New York and is the country’s first certified Pilates instructor. She runs her own Pilates studio, where she is booked solid into next year.

At the recent Ballet Philippines Foundation meeting where Cecile was presented with her retirement benefits from the BP Dancers Endowment Fund, many wondered why she was being given the check. "She’s retiring," the members were told; the general reaction was, "Why?"

As we will see in Joie de Danse, why is indeed a good question, since Cecile is still one of the most beautiful dancers on the Philippine stage.

Joie de Danse goes on stage at the CCP Main Theater on July 5, 6 and 7 with 8 pm evening and 3 pm matinee shows. Call Ballet Philippines at tel. 551-0221 for details.