Singer, actress and comedienne Mitch Valdes as Lola Basyang. Handout

MANILA -- Veteran singer-actress and comedienne Mitch Valdes bravely steps into a turf that is new to her as she will be part of the cast of Ballet Manila’s second offering for its 26th season.

Valdes will not be dancing in the well-loved Filipino tale, “Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang” on May 11, 12 and 18 at the Aliw Theater, but will essay the title role in the stories well-loved by generations.

Valdes jokingly admitted she is still in training for next year’s 27th season of Ballet Manila. “I’m still learning my pas de deux,” she teased. “And if they can find a guy who will lift.”

For this special production, Valdes partnered with Anvil Publishing with a common aim of keeping the legacy of renowned Filipino writer Severino Reyes alive.

The ballet versions are based on children’s book writer Christine Bellen Ang’s retelling of Reyes’ stories.

The children’s book, “Mga Kwento ni Lola Basyang,” was transformed into a trilogy in 2008 when the tale enjoyed unprecedented success after its partnership with Anvil Publishing, which came out with the books.

Ballet Manila's “Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang” consists of “Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon,” “The Adventure of Pekto, Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya” and the magical comedy “Mahiwang Biyulin.”

'Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon' excerpt from 'Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang' with Ballet Manila principal dancer Pia Dames as Prinsesa Singsing and soloist Sean Pelegrin as Prinsipe ng mga Ibon. Handout

“A long time ago, in the '90s, I was a guest in one of the ballet productions of the CCP [Cultural Center of the Philippines],” Valdes said. “But this is a world I barely absorbed. I was always in the audience.

“I found the discipline, the artistry, the credibility, the dedication so beautiful. Thank God companies like Ballet Manila keep it going. My goodness. They deserve applause.”

Valdes added: “As Lola Basyang, I’m very happy that there is a Filipino repertoire and we can reach a new generation to bring her to life."

No hesitations

Valdes has admittedly not seen the previous performances of Lola Basyang, particularly that of veteran actress Luz Fernandez who played the character on TV.

“I will never compare,” Valdes insisted. “Luz Valdez is a colleague of mine on television. I know she did a fabulous job playing Lola Basyang.

“But I don’t know how far the director will allow me to insert a little humor and comedy without digressing from the beauty of the ballet itself. I was just experimenting this morning because I know you are a kind audience.”

Having been active in the entertainment scene for over 50 years, the seasoned actress and comedienne will essay Lola Basyang with her signature wit and humor.

“I will ask Lisa [Macuja] if Lola Basyang can get up from her rocking chair for some choreography,” Valdes said. “Maybe up on pointe for five seconds.

“I never thought they would one day go to me and ask me to play a lola. But I am at that age. Lisa and I had a conversation regarding the treatment of Lola Basyang and how to prepare for this classic.

“I shall immerse myself into the Kwento ni Lola Basyang literature which I have not delve into since high school. I will do that. That will be my preparation. I’m very, very excited to work with young people, to work with Lisa Macuja and to work in the ballet world.”

Playing Lola Basyang came without any hesitation for Valdes. “Lisa has been an old friend,” she said proudly. “I’ve watched all her other performances especially when she came from Russia. I was very proud to call her a friend.

"The drive and investment that she brought back to the Philippines are invaluable. So when she messaged me, ‘Do you want to do Lola Basyang?’ My answer was ‘But of course!’ So I will study very carefully when we have the script.”

26th performance season

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s CEO and artistic director recently welcomed everybody to the company’s “auspicious” 26th performance season of “Ballet Masterpieces.”

“I really like it very much, that we open every season at the start of every year,” Macuja-Elizalde said. “The season closes in September at the Aliw Theater. We have an off-season that’s not very off because sometimes, we get more receipts during the off season than the regular season.”

Macuja-Elizalde added, “Announcing a new season at the beginning of the new year also gives us a sense of confidence, excitement and hope. Certainly, ‘Ballet Masterpieces,’ our 2024 season, is going to be a busy one.

“The company has grown in leaps and bounds since we opened after this pandemic. We didn’t expect things to move this fast and this strongly.”

An excerpt from 'Le Corsaire' featuring Ballet Manila principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro as Medora, Mark Sumaylo as Conrad, and Joshua Enciso as Ali. Handout

Ballet Manila's 26th season opens with a re-choregraphed “Le Corsaire” (The Pirate) on February 24.

“I always wanted to change many things in ‘Le Corsaire’,” admitted Macuja-Elizalde. “So when the opportunity came, I pounced wholeheartedly and I could say the results will delight you.”

Ballet Manila will also restage “Giselle,” one of the most romantic ballets of all time. “Giselle was the ballet that was ousted from Aliw Theater by fire in 2019,” Macuja-Elizalde recalled. “It was the ballet that went on at the CCP (Cultural Center of the Philippines) a few weeks later, made possible by a generous performance venue.

“My teacher once told me, when planning a season, to always include a romantic ballet in the repertoire, because it is in dancing the classics that the company grows stronger, gets better and stays longer,” Macuja-Elizalde said.

(From left) Choreographer Martin Lawrance, Ballet Manila artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja Elizalde, and artistic associate Gerardo Francisco. Handout 

Following the success of “Florante at Laura” and last year’s “Romeo and Juliet,” Gerardo Francisco and Martin Lawrence are doing Ballet Manila’s special event in October, the premiere of the Filipino classic tale, “Ang Ibong Adarna,” to be staged at Ateneo de Manila University’s Arete Theater on October 12, 13 and 19.

In December, Ballet Manila continues its Christmas tradition with its “Holiday Cheer” series by presenting Macuja-Elizalde’s take on “Snow White,” December 25 to 30.

Macuja-Elizalde is optimistic the new year will be great for Ballet Manila. “I am sure 2024 is going to be a great Year of the Dragon,” she said. “Incidentally, I am a dragon. And for this 2024, hear us roar.”