Evo & Grace: The WanderLusts

Chris Nicolas, The Only Diva of Club Mwah Since 2004, Club Mwah is the one and only Las Vegas inspired show-stopping performance bar in the Philippines, still giving us jaw dropping show that only they can offer, one name behind the colorful costumes and grand production numbers is Chris Nicolas, the in house Choreographer, Director and Designer, and the only one Diva of their center stage. “Sa totoo lang in the Philippines, etu lang ang may ganitong seryosong show, iba hindi tumatagal, etu yung pang long lasting entertainment, etu yun eh.” Nicolas said.  Nicolas not known to many is a former member of Bayanihan Dance Company, a graduate of Physical Education at the Philippine Normal College, start as a dancer in 2004 during the establishment of Club Mwah, after that he takes over as a choreographer until now. He draws his inspirations depends on her audiences, he believes that it’s a constant change, that they need to keep creating production numbers that people wil...

Ballet Manila Dancers perform an excerpt from La Traviata (Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz) Two Princess, one classic and two collaborative opera, are the show offering of Ballet Manila on its 24 th season with a theme “On Pointe” that represent the shoes of all ballerina which make them stand and dance daintily on her shoes. Excerpt from Giselle by Ballet Manila (Erickson Dela Cruz) The line-up of shows according to Ballet Manila CEO and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde is related to the company’s Russian Vaganova style of training and dancing, which is being able to dance on pointe. This season will also mark the 24 years of Ballet Manila. Excerpt from Carmina Burana (Erickson Dela Cruz) “No we're not expecting anybody from abroad this season,  we have 5 principles dancers in the company and so many capable soloists to dance the classic Giselle, the sleeping beauty, we are doing an original Filipino ballet on the 25 th season,” Macuja said during its media l...

Dance is still the best way to express oneself, and when you’re young it is the great escape to get mature and arm ready to face the challenges of the future. Generations to generations, dancing evolves in many trends from solo to group dancing, and sometimes it is a uniting factor for those who loves dancing no matter what age you are. Here in Puerto Princesa City, there is a Dance Community that continue to hone themselves in many latest trends of dance, headed by JR Pacaldo of defunct Infinite Dancers, he form Poprice or Praises of People Rising in Christian Evolution in 2010, as an alternate to his old group that no longer exist. Poprice is a popular sweet rice snack meal that comes with different colors and commonly favorites of young ones, “Pagkain lang talaga sya (Poprice) ginawan ko lang ng meaning.” Pacaldo said.   Pacaldo said that at first they only offer free dance lessons to a certain group mostly from different schools, the sessions happen in Me...

JOSEPH GATTI in GISELLE Photo by Stanislav Belyaevsky Prior to becoming a Principal Dancer of Cincinnati Ballet and Corella Ballet and the First Soloist of Boston Ballet, 23 year old Joseph Michael Gatti loves to play baseball in his native town. He was invited to play the titular role, " Don Quixote, " Ballet Philippines' last production of its 48th Quintessential Season. To date, it's the 15th performance of Don Quixote by Ballet Philippines and Gatti's first appearance in the company and his first time in the country. The 48th season will be Margie Moran's last term as president. She will be then succeeded by the current Treasurer Kathleen Liechtenstein beginning 49th season. The two nights that Gatti performed with The Manila Symphony Orchestra, one of Asia's first Symphony Orchestra conducted by former Resident Conductor of Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Jeffrey Solares, he stunned and thrilled Filipino fans with his solid and fluid movemen...

Ballet Philippines, the first resident company of Cultural Center of the Philippines, founded in 1969 by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes and Eddie Elejar, is the preeminent classical and contemporary dance company in the country widely recognized today as a cornerstone of contemporary Filipino identity. Ballet Philippines presents this classic lavish and flourish tell tale of Miguel Cervantes following the lofty adventure of Don Quixote in Barcelona where he meets an innkeeper daughter, Kitri, whom he thought his ladylove Dulcinea. Historically speaking, DON QUIXOTE was first staged in 1973 and 2011 was its last performance. This timeless splendor celebrating its crystal year in Ballet Philippines' stage, is a perfect show for first timer because of romantic-comedy theme, known for dizzying turns, signature leaps and death-defying lifts. Joseph Gatti.  For nearly three decades, spanning four continents, Adam Sage, current Associate Artistic Director and Ballet M...

Alice Reyes choreographed her first own version in 1982 with Rita Dureza and Cynthia as Clara, Leslie Browne, Effie Nañas, Maricar Drilon and Toni Lopez Gonzalez as the Sugarplum Fairy and John Meehan, Nonoy Froilan, Brando Miranda and Adam Sage as the Nutcracker Prince. In 1991, Reyes' version was restaged by Nonoy Froilan with Mylene Aggabao and Naomi Tolome as Clara, Gina Katigbak and Melissa Cuachon as the Sugarplum Fairy and Mario Esperanza and Jinn Ibarrola as the Nutcracker Prince. Edna Vida's original choreographic version premiered in 1987 with Maria Veronica Fargas and Maria Leilani R. Da Silva as Clara, Lisa Macuja, Cecile Sicangco, Gina Katigbak, Melissa Cuachon and Ida Beltran as the Sugarplum Fairy and Nonoy Froilan, Conrad Dy-Liacco, Brando Miranda and Jun Mabaquio as the Nutcracker Prince. It was then restaged in 2003, with Wendy Esteban and Lynn Leveille as Clara, Kris-Belle Paclibar, Mica Bernas and Hanedy Sala as the Sugarplum Fairy and Clark Rambuyon...

  For their third production of its quintessential 48th season, Ballet Philippines, the first resident company of Cultural Center of the Philippines is presenting the classic and iconic Edna Vida's "The Nutcracker" Ballet Philippines presented this timeless splendor with many versions and this season production will be its tenth (1976, 1980, 1982, 1987, 1991,1997, 1998, 2003, 2009 and 2017) and it became a masterpiece tradition. Vida's original choreographic version premiered in 1987 with Maria Veronica Fargas and Maria Leilani R. Da Silva as Clara, Lisa Macuja, Cecile Sicangco, Gina Katigbak, Melissa Cuachon and Ida Beltran as the Sugarplum Fairy and Nonoy Froilan, Conrad Dy-Liacco, Brando Miranda and Jun Mabaquio as the Nutcracker Prince. Set in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era in the 1920s, Ballet Philippines promised the retelling of Vida's holiday classic that, audience will experience and explore images of Noche Buena, dance with Rig...

For their second production of its quintessential 48th season, Ballet Philippines, the first resident company of Cultural Center of the Philippines presented internationally acclaimed classic repertoires from 1970 to 1980. Founded in 1969 by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes and Eddie Elejar, is the preeminent classical and contemporary dance company in the country widely recognized today as a cornerstone of contemporary Filipino identity." THE EXEMPLARS: Amada And Other Dances " featured notable and unforgettable creation and showcased collaboration of both resident and guest artists of the dance company. This production is a rare opportunity for the audience to experience Ballet Philippines' signature style and identity. The show in two acts presented, " Ang Sultan " by Gener Caringal (1973), " Concertino " by Pauline Koner (1973), " Amada " by Alice Reyes (1970) " Valse Fantasy " restaged by Nonoy Froilan and Adam Sag...

The country’s preeminent ballet and contemporary dance company, the Ballet Philippines present this August a show featuring various international Filipino stars coming from different dance companies in the word today, like Candice Adea from BalletMet and Hongkong Ballet, Marcelino Libao of Hamburg Ballet, Kris-Belle Paclibar from Cirque Du Soleil, Ronelson Yadao of Cloud Gate Dance Theatre, Paul Ocampo & Chien-Ying Wang of OcampoWang Dance, and Jean Marc Cordero & Rita Angela Winder of Ballet Kiel, all of them are formerly members of Ballet Philippines. A Gala Celebration also mark the return of Alice Reyes, the National Artist for Dance and former Artistic Director of BP. She is the one who choose the choreograph gems for this show such as Agnes Locsin’s Salome, Bam Damian’s Minamahal Sinasamba, Edna Vida’s Vision of Fire, Norman Walker’s Summer’s End, and excerpt from classical ballet “Raymonda”. “The Gala is my way of saying, come watch the Filipino dan...

Diomedes Saraza Jr, Indak Mananayaw and Tanghalang Pilipino. The premiere Arts venue capital in the country, The Cultural Center of the Philippines is in full swing, gearing towards to more dynamic and a lot of shows to watch out for this 2017. A new building for CCP to start construction, some minor renovation of its existing facility, and the launching of the first ever Encyclopedia of Philippine Arts, and the more exciting continuation of its many Art Festivals will soar high this 2017. CCP Vice President and Artistic Director Chris Millado recently announce this plan for this year, including its first offering, the The Noli Me Tangere opera. Millado said that they continue to gather more audiences, because they still remain the country’s art facility that embrace all kinds or form arts.  CCP VP Chris Millado with Cesar Legazpi painting at the backdraft. For its many festivals, the Virgin Labfest will be move to the Littler Theater this year, in order to ...

The idealist, cynical and vengeful characters of Noli Me Tangere and El Filibusterismo is coming to life via dance, as Ballet Philippines present under its 47th season, the Crisostomo Ibarra and Simoun of National Hero Dr. Jose Rizal. This double bill production is in line with Rizal’s 120th Death Anniversary, and the 125th year anniversary of the publication of El Filibusterismo. BP’s Artistic Director along with Jed Balsamo are the mind for the restaging of this two show, Morales for the Choreography while Balsamo provide the music. Their team up are also behind the musical Kanser@30 by Gantimpala Theater Foundation. Ibarra premiered in 2010 and has perform in more than 50 shows here in abroad, but this is the first time it will be stage in the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines, and a first time for Simoun along with ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerald Salonga. A huge special stage is also set for this double bill show. ...

Ballet Philippines 47th Season Team. The Country’s leading classical and contemporary dance company, Ballet Philippines is now opening their 47 th Season with a theme of Wings, and to soar high on its initial offering, the revisited Firebird is making a comeback in Cultural Center of the Philippines, starting August 19 to 21. Firebird and Other Ballets is a collaboration project with a lot of artist from costume designer to top notch choreographer up to musical side. It show pieces by David Campos, Dwight Rodrigazo and Carlos Pacis, with the choreography by Russian-born George Birkadze. The impressive costumes is created by Mark Lewis Higgins BP President Margie Moran and BP Artistic Director Paul Morales. “As human beings we always think of this wing creatures like angels, because we want to aspire to go high so that we can fly, that’s why we name this season as wings.” Paul Morales, BP Artistic Director said. The Mythical Firebird. Firebird is a neo classic...

Redha and the Ballet Philippine Dancers. For the first time, Ballet Philippines (BP) is staging a production that collides with artworks. It’s a contemporary dance based on the creations of Gabriel Barredo, an acclaimed Filipino installation artist whose masterpieces are travelling here and abroad. The show is called “Opera”, which is Barredo’s original exhibition title that opened on January 2015 at Silverlens Galleries in Makati and toured for the opening of the National Gallery Singapore November last year. It’s an array of surreal sculptures that radiates meaning about our human body and how we take care of it.  BP President Margie Moran informed us that it is one of their most expensive productions with rough estimate of P5Million production cost. “We are looking to collaborate with the art, other forms of art particularly the visual arts. So we thought it’s best to collaborate with Gab Barredo. It’s also his dream to do collaboration with us. This is som...