Cover The Kababaihan and Babaylan healing the Estranghero (Photo: Jaypee Maristaza)
The Kababaihan and Babaylan healing the Estranghero (Photo: Jaypee Maristaza)
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It was a brilliant display of ‘show, not tell’
Encantada, the critically acclaimed ballet by National Artist Agnes Locsin, sent viewers in awe in an enchanting night of song and dance. Set during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, the performance stayed faithful to its previous iterations while putting a creative spin on it. From the costumes and set to the lighting and choreography, every element captured the themes of traditional Filipino folklore, history and culture down to the most minute details of this creative work which premiered in 1992.
More from Tatler: 'Encantada' returns to the stage, coinciding with Earth Month 2023
Above Sarah Alejandro as Encantada and Carissa Adea as the Babaylan (Photo: Teddy Pelaez)
Above Richardson Yadao as the Fraile with the Guardias Civil (Photo: Jaypee Maristaza)
Sarah Alejandro as Encantada and Carissa Adea as the Babaylan (Photo: Teddy Pelaez)
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Every choreographed move evoked a different emotion. The guardia civil instilled fear and dread with their violence and explosive movement. The female characters, including the encantada (enchantress), showed elegance, grace and a soothing presence. The cast gave its audience an experience that can only be described as gripping, vivid, and intense, meriting for them and Locsin no less than thunderous applause. The ground shook with every stomp, the crowd cheered with every victory the Kababaihan took, and silence filled the air during moments of brutality. Only one word was uttered the entire show—“Diablo”, yelled the Fraile. A word full of hatred and anger, its delivery gave us a glimpse of what it meant to be seen as a heretic during the Spanish colonisation.
Above Librettist Al Santos, National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin, and Composer Joey Ayala
(Photo: Jude Bautista)
Librettist Al Santos, National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin, and Composer Joey Ayala (Photo: Jude Bautista)
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Every aspect of the indigenous, yet contemporary ballet was precisely choreographed, from the last tips of the dancers’ hair to the vicious hunt sequences. No movement seemed pointless and perfectly flowed with the music. Locsin collaborated with librettist Palanca award winner Al Santos and folk-rock icon Joey Ayala to deliver music deserving of enormous praise. The Bagong Lumad Band performed vocals with Bayang Barrios. The company of dancers comprised 18 from the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP), three guest artists (Georgette Sanchez-Vargas, Kris-Belle Mamangun, Carissa Adea), ten junior dancers from the ARDP School, Guang Ming College Artist Residency Program, Philippine High School for the Arts and Academy One, and three independent performers. Fuelled by the song of our people and an epic neo-ethnic dance narrative, Encantada was worthy of the accolades showered upon it.
In case you missed it: Architect Carlo Calma delves into theatre arts with Ballet Philippines' new production, Diyosa
Above Artists of ARDP in Agnes Locsin’s ENCANTADA (Photo: Jaypee Maristaza)
Above ENCANTADA opening night (Photo: Jude Bautista)
Artists of ARDP in Agnes Locsin’s ENCANTADA (Photo: Jaypee Maristaza)
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Its imaginative interpretation of Catholicism, animism, and the looming, oppressive patriarchy makes this masterpiece timeless. A true testament to Filipino artistry at its finest, Encantada deftly blends traditionality and modernity to deliver song and dance that left us all spellbound.
Katrin de Guia and National Artist for Film Kidlat Tahimik (Photo: Ronald Mabanag and Chris Juan)
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Gracing the ballet opening held at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre at Circuit Makati were the local art community’s biggest names, such as National Artists Kidlat Tahimik, Ramon Santos, Ryan Cayabyab and lifestyle icons Ricky Toledo and Chito Vijandre.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
