Ballet Manila launches 'Halo-Halo Extra Special'

MANILA - Ballet Manila, in its 14th performance season, is set to feature a mix of original Filipino ballets in a show titled "Halo-Halo Extra Special."

Audiences will be treated to over 6 special shows crafted by a variety of choreographers from August 21 to 30 at the Aliw Theatre, Star City Complex, Roxas Boulevard in Pasay City.

Opening the series is Augustus Damian III, who created three new abstract-themed ballets titled "Sotto Voce" (Under the voice), "M.A.Z.N.", and "Reconfigured."

Damian was the principal dancer of German and Swiss theater companies for over 20 years. He had previously choreographed Ballet Philippines's sensuous "Latin Heat" at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.

Next up is "Halo-Halo" series veteran Ernest Mandap who interprets the story of martyred Filipino priests Mariano Gomez, Jose Burgos, and Jacinto Zamora in a ballet titled "Gomburza."

Mandap has performed under prestigious ballet companies in France, where he later formed his own ballet group. His choreographic achievements under Ballet Manila include "El Sol", "Reve", and "Mis Amores."

Ballet Manila principal dancer Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is set to shine in guest choreographer Sergey Vikulov's "Madness", featuring music by Alkan. Vikulov was one of Elizalde's mentors when she was the principal dancer of the Kirov Ballet during the 1980s.

For the show's sweet finish, Ballet Manila will restage the late Tony Fabella's "Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin" (The Enchanted Violin), the dance legend's last work before he passed away on June 4, 2009 from cancer.

Fabella's last work was part of the ballet trilogy "Tatlong Kuwento Ni Lola Basyang" which featured whimsical tales with strong moral messages.

"Tony Fabz's generous spirit will live on forever in his dances... Like all of his ballets, it is exceptional in its musicality, charm and its uncanny ability to make everyone teary-eyed from laughter. Very much like the man himself," Elizalde said in a statement.

There will also be works by Osias Barroso, former Ballet Manila principal "danseur" and Elizalde's frequent dance partner, as well as senior soloist Gerardo Francisco, whose work titled "Balikbayan" (renamed OFW or Overseas Filipino Worker) won the grand prize at a local contemporary dance festival.

True to its name, the "Halo-Halo Extra Special" show is geared to be a memorable Filipino favorite with a lot of cultural flavor and refined tastes. Photos courtesy of Ballet Manila.

For more information, call the Ballet Manila office at (+632) 400-0292, (+632) 525-5967, fax (+632) 404-3086, email info@balletmanila.ph or visit www.balletmanila.ph. For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph or call (+632) 891-9999.