Neo-Filipino showcases avant-garde choreography

As a fitting end to its 40th season, Ballet Philippines is presenting a contemporary ballet masterpiece, Neo-Filipino 2010: Dance in a Time of Change. The show, directed by Paul Alexander Morales, will be staged at the CCP Little Theater from March 5 to March 7. Neo-Filipino was inspired by the New York concert of Denisa Reyes, one of the Philippines’ leading choreographers whose body of work ranges from classical ballets to modern dance. It was first staged in the Philippines in 1991. The dance extravaganza features the works of some of the best and leading choreographers in the country. This includes collaborations with other disciplines — making the final product an avant-garde and sensational performance that will surely shape Philippine dance in the years to come. Just in time for the elections, Neo-Filipino features dance routines that dramatize and reflect current events. One of the most anticipated numbers is Novy Bereber’s “To Whom It May Concern," a dance piece dedicated to the Filipino artist in the midst of globalization. Meanwhile, Ballet Philippines’ resident choreographer Alden Lugnasin collaborates with award-winning filmmaker Emerson Reyes in “Words and Phrases," which is inspired by the paintings of Bienvenido Benitez. Ballerinas Carissa Adea and Ea Torrado, as well as Ballet Philippines alumni Dwight Rodrigazo, will also be performing. Choreographers Elena Laniog of the UP Dance Company and Tinnie Crame-Santillan, who is now artistic director of the Saint Benilde Romancon Company, are some of the creative talents who will contribute their own works to the show. Neo-Filipino 2010 also marks the re-launching of Ballet Philippines II, which commemorates the 20th year since Agnes Locsin introduced Bagong Sayaw to the country. - FVI/YA, GMANews.TV For ticket and show information on Neo-Filipino, contact Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 and 551-0221. Photos courtesy of Ballet Philippines