'Encantada' returns to the stage, coinciding with the Earth Month 2023

"We first collaborated in a rock opera in 1977 at the Ateneo De Davao. In 1991, we decided to come up with another major project. It was a new work that would tackle environmental issues. Al came up with Encantada. Joey and I agreed with Al, being the libretto's author and the lyricist. Afterwards, Joey composed, then I choreographed," she continues.

Locsin drew inspiration from indigenous dances, stories, and cultures from the Philippines, which were then reinterpreted to marry classical ballet and modern dance techniques that suit the Filipino temperament. Thus the beginning of Locsin's "neo-ethnic" dance style.

Coupled with Joey Ayala's rhythmic contemporary Filipino music, Al Santos' riveting libretto, and National Artist Salvador Bernal's remarkable production design, Encantada has been regarded as a classic in contemporary dance performance.

Encantada will see a new face for the role of Babaylan. Kris-Belle Paclibar-Mamangun, a highly acclaimed Filipino dancer and former member of Cirque du Soleil, will be alternating the Babaylan part with Carissa Adea.

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Encantada's April staging purposefully coincides with Earth Month. "Agnes Locsin's Encantada is not just a dance for the sake of dancing, but in truth, it stands on solid research where Philippine history, folk religion, traditions, and practices are painted into the creation of the whole," says Tats Manahan, President of ARDP.

Manahan adds, "Thematically, she touches on many themes but most especially, the destruction of the environment, an issue still relevant to this day, 31 years after she conceived this masterpiece. It's well worth a re-staging as well as a re-watching. It's a learning curve for the younger generation."

See also: Indigenous Peoples of the Philippines: Why We Need to Celebrate and Protect Them
 

"Agnes Locsin's work truly highlights the devastating losses we would experience if our environment's conditions continue to degrade and suffer because of external threats, and we see this portrayed in such a visceral way. It is an apt metaphor for what is at stake. Our natural resources serve as an inspiration for numerous cultural phenomena and art forms – this ranges from the visual arts, performance arts, music, architecture, culinary arts, and more," says Gio Abcede, vice president of Heritage Conservation Society.

Chit Juan, Echostore co-founder, remarks, "Agnes Locsin's Encantada makes our work in environmental advocacy easier using dance as a medium to communicate on a level which can be appreciated by more people."

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Encantada runs from April 14-15, 2023, at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater and April 21-22 at the Metropolitan Theater, with evening shows at 7.30pm and matinees at 2pm. All evening shows will have live music performed by Joey Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad with the Philippines' World Music Siren, Bayang Barrios.