Neo-Filipino 2010: Dance In A Time of Change

As the fourth and final offering of Ballet Philippines’ 40th Anniversary season, BP returns to present the best new dance in a showcase of cutting-edge contemporary choreography in Neo-Filipino 2010: Dance In A Time of Change.

Stemming from Denisa Reyes’ landmark New York concert, the Neo-Filipino series was transported to the Philippines through its first production in 1991. Since then, the series has presented works from leading choreographers with collaborations from across the other arts. Previous Neo-Filipino productions have highlighted collaborations with theater directors, filmmakers, visual artists, actors, sculptors and musicians in the pursuit of a truly avant-garde and exciting vision for Philippine dance.

Neo-Filipino 2010: Dance In A Time of Change continues this tradition and culls dance from myriad concerns of our evolving times. In this important election year, where our future hangs in the flux of possibility, Ballet Philippines presents works by young choreographers whose aspirations embody the pulse of the age.

BP ballerinas Carissa Adea and Ea Torrado explore urban and personal concerns in Rey-Sing and Two of You. BP alumni Dwight Rodrigazo, now artistic director of his own school and dance company based in Bacolod City, returns to Ballet Philippines with his trademark pulling movements in a new work for the company. Novy Bereber, also a former BP member, presents his To Whom It May Concern, a work that directly addresses the plight and travails of the Filipino dance artist in the time of globalization. Resident choreographer Alden Lugnasin premieres Words and Phrases, an ambitious collaborative work inspired from the paintings of Bienvenido Benitez put into video motion by award-winning filmmaker Emerson Reyes.

Neo-Filipino 2010 also features the relaunching of Ballet Philippines II which marks its 20th anniversary this season since Agnes Locsin’s seminal Bagong Sayaw. Creating works for BP II are noted choreographer Elena Laniog, resident dance maker of the UP Dance Company with Dust Underneath Unlit Lips and BP alumni Tinnie Crame-Santillan with her Blind Date. Tinnie, now artistic director of the Saint Benilde Romancon Dance Company, was part of the original BP II company and marks a full circle with her work for the new company.

Indeed, Neo-Filipino is the apex of cutting-edge, professional dance choreography. Catch it at the CCP Little Theater on March 5, 6 and 7, with lighting designs by John Batalla, costume designs by Daryl Maat and Rex D. Dumogma, production design by Hesus “Bobot” Lota and artistic direction by Paul Alexander Morales. Contact Ballet Philippines at 551-1003 and 551-0221.