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Manila Bulletin devider Opinion devider A legend leaps

A legend leaps

Published Jul 8, 2024 04:10 pm

MEDIUM RARE

Jullie Y. Daza

Magic all the way.


A “sarimanok” – the legendary fire bird – plus a moon goddess, dancing fireflies and silvery nymphs everywhere, with original music and choreography – what was not to like and love? The lure of romance in a dimension that felt like silk after you’ve been wearing denims half your life – it was too much to resist!


Well done, Philippine Ballet Theater, Cultural Center, and Philippine Airlines on a collaboration that had to be made in ballet heaven!


When friend “Chairman Mau” invited me to the ballet, I didn’t have any second thoughts. It had been a while since I last watched ballerinas defying gravity, tippy-toeing to reach for the skies in their soft, pointed satin shoes. Besides, this wasn’t a rehash of something tried-and-true, or the rebirth of a popular favorite from way back when . . . No, the event was a premiere, an event entirely new, like a gift box about to be opened.  


Which was what it was, with or without the ribbons. The story of the Sarimanok, the cast, the setting, the music, oh yes the music!, what a joy to be in the middle of such seemingly magical moments! After three stagings – two on July 6, one on July 7 at Samsung theater in Makati – it would not be enough for those of us who were mesmerized by Sarimanok to sit back and recall what a beautiful show it was. Instead, while loudly applauding the producers, managers, and cast, we should loudly plead for performances in Baguio, Cebu, Davao, Hong Kong, Singapore, the US, the Middle East, etc. That much we owe our “kababayan” abroad, a piece of legend, a piece of theater.


No report can be complete without mentioning the music composed by Paulo Zarate, which was as enchanting as the story; lighting designer, Roldan Lozano; costume designer, Julie Borromeo; special effects, Enrico Navarro and Fortunato Co; plus technicians/magicians who were responsible for translating a popular myth into an entertaining show.


In addition, and to quote the artistic director and choreographer, Ronilo Jaynario, it was not easy to translate the legend into a ballet “since it has different versions and stories to choose from,” including and especially the one that belongs to the Maranao people in Mindanao.

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