MANILA — For its 26th season, Ballet Manila will once again bring the new generation into the well-loved Filipino tale "Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" at the Aliw Theater on May 11, 12, and 18.

Singer-actress and comedienne Mitch Valdes will essay the role of "Lola Basyang" -- an iconic fictional character that resembles the role of Filipino grandparents to shape and guide the minds of the young through great lessons.

Mitch Valdes invades the ballet world as Lola Basyang

Ballet Manila artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja-Elizalde said that the dance adaptation of "Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" started in 2008. She got the idea of turning the stories into ballet when she first saw Anvil Publishing Incorporation's relaunched series of children's books based on the tales written by Severino Reyes and retold by Christine Bellen.

"Ang gaganda no'ng illustration, ang appealing talaga no'ng display. And doon para akong nagkaroon ng movement na 'Pwede kong gawing ballet ito!'" Elizalde explained.

Elizalde shared that the ballet adaptation instantly became a hit and they had to restage it for over a hundred shows, with late veteran actress Luz Fernandez acting as "Lola Basyang" in the first ballet trilogies.

However, Ballet Manila has gone through several difficulties over the past years. Aside from the pandemic that affected the creative industry, the dance company's headquarters and performance venues in Aliw and Star Theaters were also among the areas caught in fire in October 2019.

Despite being "homeless", Ballet Manila proved that the show must go on as they continued holding more performances-- until they reach this year's season which will be introduced by Lola Basyang's tales.

"Wala na kaming set, ang ibang mga customes at props wala na rin. Itong panibagong pagtatanghal namin sa Mayo. Ang set lahat bago," Elizalde added. "Dati wala kaming LED screen sa Aliw Theater, ngayon gagamit na kami ng LED screen sa paggawa ng set at mga effects. Wala na kaming flying machine... So kailangan ire-choreograpgh 'yung flying sequences, at syempre gusto namin up to date 'yung production. So na-rewrite 'yung script. At saka kumuha kami ng panibagong Lola Basyang at panibagong child actors... Magdaragdag din kami ng awit para kay Lola Basyang."

She also assured the Filipino audiences that even with the said new touches, the production team was still faithful to the content of the books.

Timeless and relatable tales

Ballet Manila described Lola Basyang's stories as "universal, timeless, and classic."

"Ang audience namin ngayon ay siguro mga pamilya, na kung saan ay ang mga anak dati ang nakapanuod. Ngayon, mayroon na silang pamilya, dadalhin nila 'yung kanilang anak para manuod ng Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang," Elizalde stated.

Anvil Publishing Inc. Managing Editor Jordan Santos highlighted Lola Basyang's special place in the hearts and childhoods of many Filipinos.

"Lahat tayo ay dumaan sa kabataan at may time na naging major part ng buhay natin ang mga kuwento. Whether binabasa natin siya o pinabasa sa atin ng mga magulang natin at mga kaibigan," Santos said.

Elizalde explained that the audience can relate to the romantic storytelling of "Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon", the family values-themed narrative of "Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria", and the social justice roots of "Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin".

Revitalizing the ballet and theater industry

If there is a "revenge travel" phenomenon today where people are taking trips that were not possible before due to the pandemic, Elizalde aspires that the ballet shows of Lola Basyang can inspire Filipinos to support ballet, theater, and live musical shows once again.

"Ang expectation ko talaga there is a resurgence sa interest sa theater... Just as mayroong "revenge travel", I think mayroong "revenge theater". I think 'yung mga tao ngayon sabik na lumabas, at syempre lalo na ang isang palabas tulad ng "Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" is for the whole family," she explained.

“Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang” tickets are now available on Ticketworld. The shows are slated on May 11 (8:00 p.m.), May 12 (5:00 p.m.) and May 18 (5:00 p.m.).