ARDP’s Dance Towards Freedom (and History)

SABIHIN MO IKAW AY PILIPINO – Music by Ryan Cayabyab, Choreography by Lester Reguindin. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Dance and music have the power to convey ideas and emotion, even portray our country’s complex journey to independence. All in an inspiring and moving package.

That’s what Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) was able to achieve with SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN last September 6, 2024. In the historic, art deco architecture of METROPOLITAN Theater, Manila.

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Attended by luminaries: Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, National Artists Alice Reyes (Dance), Virgilio Almario (Literature), author Emelina Soriano-Almario, Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat and D.O.T Culture and Arts Director Charlie Duñgo, among others.

From right: Natl Artist for Literature Virgilio Almario, author Emelina Soriano-Almario, Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna, Natl Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, D.O.T Culture and Arts Director Charlie Duñgo, ARDP Artistic Dir. Ronelson Yadao. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

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From right: Thai Ambassador Tull Traisorat and friends; Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Alice Reyes Mobbed By Fans

The show summarizes salient points in Philippine pre-colonial history to the Spanish period. Moving to harana and regional classics to today’s modern contemporary dance. Prior to the 6pm gala, an earlier performance at 3pm had the youth as an enthusiastic audience.

National Artist for dance Alice Reyes is mobbed by young fans. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Most of them seeing the best ballet in the country for the first time. By curtain call, students from Dr Juan Nolasco High School, Mariano Marcos Memorial High School, Adamson University, PNU, University of Makati, mobbed Alice Reyes for groupfies and autographs.

AN BABAYING TAGA-BICOL – Traditional Bicolano song, Choreography by Lester Reguindin,
Recording by Jeresa Grutas. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

You can literally see the power of ballet conveying the story of our people. Art inspiring nationalism, the excitement that brings. The impact it has on their young minds is priceless. Which is reflected on their smiles in photos and videos with Alice Reyes. Showering genuine love and admiration for our National Artist for dance.

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Marynor Madamesila and Arman Ferrer; Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Greatest Filipino Music

SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN’s music includes the work of National Artists for Music Ryan Cayabyab (GomBurZa), Dr Ramon N. Santos and Lucrecia Kasilag (MGA SINAUNANG TAO). And other popular composers Miguel Velarde Sr (DAHIL SAYO), Florante Aguilar (MANANG BIDAY), Fabian Obispo Jr (HANGIN NA SUMISINTA).

AFTER WHOM – Music by Jerrold Tarrog, Choreography by Augustus ‘Bam’ Damian III. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Talented singer/actors functioned as narrators, as well as vocalists:

Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Arman Ferrer, Marynor Madamesila, and David Ezra.

David Ezra and Shiela Valderrama-Martinez; Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

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Incidentally Shiela is part of the TRIPLE THREATS: The Leading Women of Philippine Musical Theater. This is a series of solo concerts featuring the stalwarts of Philippine Musical Theater. Each concert offers an intimate experience, showcasing a curated selection of beautiful music chosen by the artists themselves. The venue is Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (CCP Black Box Theater).

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July 25 had Carla Guevara Laforteza, while Shiela Valderrama-Martinez’ concert is on October 17. Tanya Manalang Atadero will be on December 12, 2024. Tickets are well worth it at P1,500 and P1,000. Get them now as Carla Laforteza’s July concert was quickly sold out.

MGA SINAUNANG TAO – Musical excerpts by Dr Ramon N. Santos and Lucrecia Kasilag,
Choreography by Alice Reyes. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Honoring Indigenous Peoples

The show opened by honoring the original inhabitants of our nation. Creating a montage of our northern tribes. Then a scene where they meet with their Muslim brethren from the south. You could hear the use of gongs in the background. Along with the colorful textiles from the south fluttering, behind them.

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The very first song SAMU’T SARING IISA with music and lyrics by Kent Charcos. A young composer musician discovered through PHILPOP competition in 2020. SAMU’T SARING IISA was chosen as the official theme song for the 125^th anniversary of the proclamation of Philippine independence, last year.

SAMU’T SARING IISA – Music and Lyrics by Kent Charcos, Choreography by Ronelson Yadao. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Charcos, a native of Cebu City, wrote lyrics that highlight our diversity in language, peoples and culture. While the rhythmic, native inspired choreography is by ARDP Artistic Director Ronelson Yadao.

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From left: Ejay Arisola, Renzen Arboleda and Dan Dayo; GomBurZa – Music by Ryan Cayabyab, Michael Dadap and Francisco Santiago Choreography by Lester Reguindin. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

GomBurZa NOT the Movie

The Spanish period was represented by the unjust execution of Gomez Burgos and Zamora.

The trio played by Renzen Arboleda, Ejay Arisola and Dan Dayo. A pivotal time in history which influenced the minds of Filipinos most notably novelist Jose Rizal. Also represented here by dancer Erl Sorilla.

Foreground from left: Dan Dayo Ejay Arisola and Renzen Arboleda. GomBurZa – Music by Ryan Cayabyab, Michael Dadap and Francisco Santiago Choreography by Lester Reguindin. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Incidentally, Krina Cayabyab composed the theme SA DUYAN NG BAYAN for GOMBURZA (the award winning film) in 2023 MMFF. This was not used for this particular piece. Choreographer Lester Reguindin was able to encapsulate the painful story of Filipino’s ascension to men of the cloth and their eventual suppression. He combined the music of Ryan Cayabyab’s Gloria from the Misa series. With Michael Dadap’s drum and march music. Ending with Francisco Santiago’s PILIPINAS KONG MAHAL.

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Francisco Santiago and Michael Dadap

Here, Ryan Cayabyab was not the only composer of note: “Michael Dadap became the first recipient of the 2000 ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARD sponsored by the Flushing Council on the Arts in Queens. In December 2006, he received the PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL AWARD (Pamana ng Lahi Award) in recognition of his remarkable achievements as a virtuoso musician, composer, music teacher, proponent of Philippine traditional music, and for promoting Philippine culture and causes through his work. From https://dadapaguilar.com/

From left: Ejay Arisola, Dan Dayo and Renzen Arboleda; GomBurZa – Music by Ryan Cayabyab, Michael Dadap and Francisco Santiago Choreography by Lester Reguindin. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

“Francisco Santiago (January 29, 1889 – September 28, 1947) was a Filipino musician, sometimes called The Father of Kundiman Art Song… He is one of the most celebrated Filipino composers today. His kundiman ANAK DALITA and PAKIUSAP are in the standard repertoire of Filipino singers today. A hall in the Head Office of BDO was named in his honor as the Francisco Santiago Hall. It was mainly used for kundiman contests of the Makati city government”. From https://www.wikiwand.com/en/articles/Francisco_Santiago

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GomBurZa – Music by Ryan Cayabyab, Michael Dadap and Francisco Santiago
Choreography by Lester Reguindin. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Josephine Bracken (Monica Gana) haunts Jose Rizal’s (Erl Sorilla) dreams prior to his execution. DAHIL SAYO – Music by Miguel Velarde Sr. Lyrics by Dominador Santiago,
Choreography by Alice Reyes, Recording by Philippine Madrigal Singers. Alice Reyes Dance Philippines’ (ARDP) SAYAW TUNGO SA KALAYAAN was held at the METROPOLITAN Theater last September 6, 2024. Photo by Jude Bautista

Heart Rending DAHIL SA’YO

Perhaps the most moving music of the night is the Philippine Madrigal Singer’s version of the classic DAHIL SA’YO. With Monica Gana and Erl Sorilla portraying the ill-fated couple of Josephine Bracken and Jose Rizal. MADZ, vibrato, blending with the longing inherent in the lyrics made it even more emotional and heart rending.

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The combination of the emotion that Monica Gana was able to elicit as Bracken haunting Rizal in his cell and the music, made it so powerful. Sorilla in his facial expressions showed the pain and longing our hero felt prior to his own execution. A masterpiece choreographed by National Artist Alice Reyes.

MADZ will have 2 major upcoming concerts. September 13, 7PM at the AYALA Museum they will have INTIMADZ MIRA MUNDI. Where they will perform the works of Heinrich Schütz, Anton Bruckner, Gabriel Fauré and many more. October 5, 8PM at the PICC, they will have INTENSIXTY, 60^th Anniversary Closing Concert. For more details and activities log on to: MADZ fb https://www.facebook.com/philmadzsingers/

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Philippine Madrigal Singers – Dahil sa Iyo

Writer Myles A. Garcia was able to research for a comprehensive article on DAHIL SAYO. Correctly identifying the lyricist and original composer, “DAHIL SA IYO first appeared in the 1937 film BITUING MARIKIT, the very first feature film of Sampaguita Pictures, although the song was heard on the Manila Hotel dance floor a year before. BITUING MARIKIT (Pretty Star) starred Elsa Oria and a young Rogelio de la Rosa. Mike Velarde Sr. is the original composer of the song and Dominador Santiago wrote the original Tagalog lyrics. The song bears a 1938 Filipino copyright.”

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Read how the song was plagiarized in the U.S. and other backstories in his article on positivelyfilipino.com : https://www.positivelyfilipino.com/magazine/the-sad-secrets-and-fate-of-dahil-sa-iyo

Watch out for the second part of this article on this blog.

Continued to Part 2

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