Ballet Manila's "Flights of Fantasy"

Early morning and I've got to head down south for this one to see "Flights of Fantasy". It's a series of shows for the 22nd Performance Season of premier dance company Ballet Manila. I've been eagerly waiting for the opportunity to watch their show but didn't get to because of distance (I live in QC) but judging from the lineup I said to myself "this is gonna be worth it" as I know every Ballet Manila production donnes world class standards. I love the art of dance and ballet always has got a soft spot in my heart because I attempted this and failed when I was in primary school. I used what little things I learned from that and applied it to tons of competitions that I had in Manila and in the regionals. Believe me, it helped.

What I like about this production though is that it's an original one. I'm talking about that legendary bird "Ibong Adarna". We love folklore, but as it was told in dance by Gerardo Francisco you would get to be flown into the magical kingdom of Berbanya. Prepare to be astonished as the company whip out their moves, techniques, even flying sequences. You'll be amazed at what the human body can do. If that's not enough, gorgeous west end star Gia Macuja Atchison will also sing as the great "Ibong Adarna". Music will be done by Diwa De Leon while set design and costume will be from Otto Hernandez. This is written by Angela Blardony Ureta. It will be shown on August 26 and September 2 at 6PM and will also show on August 27 and September 3 at 3PM so mark your calendars!

They also will be doing the classical ballet piece "Swan Lake" with music by Peter Tchaikovsky come October to pay homage to their Vaganova Academy style of dance. Premier ballerina Liza Macuja Elizalde and Osias Barroso will re-stage this at the Aliw Theater as well to make sure little girls who watch the show get inspired to do ballet after that.

You'll see Prince Sigfried, Odette, Odile and all the magic in between so this would be a good place to start to take interest in the art. Stage Design will be done by the marvelous Miguel Faustmann so prepare to be at awe. It will be seen October 7 and 14 at 6PM and October 8 and 15 at 3PM, get season tickets if you wish to see it all!

For a fun and endearing holiday season, Ballet Manila will be offering newly choreographed show by Ms. Lisa Macuja- Elizalde with the well loved fairy tale and staging of "Snow White". 

Set design will be taken cared of by Mio Infante and Costumes will be from Michael Miguel. Musical Arrangement will be done by Von De Guzman so this would be something to look forward to (he did local shows Amaya, Temptation Island). They will put a twist to the story and bring it to the 21st century. They'll be doing it on the same venue come November 25 and December 2 at 6PM, and November 26 and December 3 at 3PM. Kids would love this even if it's the queen doing the storytelling. Don't be afraid to watch as it's interesting. This is also their world premier!

They also got us to see a preview of Ballet and Ballads which will be seen next year. They'll do it on February 10 and 17, 2018 at 6PM and February 11 and 18, 2018 at 3PM. They will be featuring Martin Lawrence's Aria with music excerpts from Georges Bizet's The Pearl Fisher Opera and costumes designed by the one and only Jeffrey Rogador (of whom I've covered tons of fashion shows too).

We also had a preview of the interpretation of the song "Taralets" by local band Imago. It was choreographed by Gerardo Francisco which moves lived up to the dynamic and energetic song. It's very Filipino, and who would have thought it would be presented this well! It was just a fitting way to end the press preview, and if I were you I'd book tickets for the season instead of just a single show. Ballet and Ballads will also be featuring Asia's Crooner Christian Bautista and other artists, the songs they are planning to perform will surely be epic!

This is just one wonderous case of how to show the Filipino is world class. If you want to know more about ticket prices and schedules, please visit their official website www.balletmanila.com.ph and their accounts on FB, Twitter and IG. It's also available on TicketWorld outlets via www.ticketworld.com.ph/BalletManila/Online then click on View Details under the part where it says "Season Subscription Program" if you want to see it all. 

This is just one of the many things that Ballet Manila has prepared for the Filipino audience, and we fervently hope this won't be the last. I really was amazed with the short previews so I can't wait to see the whole show on the said dates. 

KUMAGCOW

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Photo credits: some images without my watermark belong to BalletManila.com.ph. 

The Gorgeous Men of GMA's ADARNA!

The highest rating show in GMA and in it's time slot is ADARNA; an epic drama fantasy series based on a Filipino mythical bird told in stories that's passed from generation to generation. Although it's a little different because they bring an unusual take on the story. It runs through conflicts in family, love, relationships and race. It's definitely something that you can relate to in real life. A few days ago, we met with the hunky men of this show and asked them a bit about their roles. Currently, it is still the highest rating program in the Kapuso network. Let's see some shots of Mikael Daez and Benjamin Alves who plays winged lover boy Falco and equally hunky flying man Bog/Agalon during a small gathering in Centris last week.

 Mikael Daez aka Falco was a little bit reserved that afternoon. I've always adored this person because there are only a few celebrities that genuinely remember bloggers like me. For those who don't, my silver/blonde hair is a dead giveaway. Anyway, I've been shooting him from shows in the past, back when he used to endorse brands like Penshoppe et al as he's one of the most sought after models back then. He still is, but he's always on TV now since he's moved up quite a notch as he hosts "Midnight Snack" a segment he's doing for long running GMA news show Saksi. Playing Falco on the series is pretty hard but since he's well built for the character, it must have been a cinch for him to always stay up in a harness since he flies a little too much on the show. This is on top of the action sequences that he has to do because he's battling it out with humans and his kind on the show.

 

 

 His charm, wealthy demeanor and features that would make any damsel in distress fall off the tower when he comes might be already good for Ada played by Kylie Padilla of the lands Pugad Sanghaya; but will that really be enough in the shows' near end? Who knows?!! He might just get his surprise this Friday!

Ladies, please hold on to your panties because here's Benjamin Alves. This is my first time meeting the guy and rightfully so, he was very comfortable with conversations. He is after all a Summa Cum Laude with an English Literature major in Guam where he stayed most of his life. Whilst Mikael was a little reserved at that time (still my fave anyhow!), Benjamin was more open to talk about personal things with the other bloggers when I listened in. That was a consensus I got from the other bloggers. That right there is a deal breaker, if he smiles like that in a room he tends to radiate a bit more. It's something that makes him a bit pleasing to throw lines with, which is something I haven't got to know about him since this is new. 

 

Aside from that, he talks about his role as Bok/Agalon in the series which much like Mikael Daez's role tends to also get him in the same predicament as Falco. He also needs to be strapped and get thrown for flying and action sequences in Adarna. The series since it's almost ending, required him to give even more of what was asked of him. The stunts were definitely getting harder and the battle scenes were getting a little harder to execute since it occupies more time now that it's in the climax of the story. He had an amnesia in the bit he played and recently discovers that he's one of them too. He had to also adjust big time for that role and it's always in his mind to find ways so that his acting and job had no qualms or quality issues. He feels he's pretty much okay where he is but he wants to strive for more soon. He's so thankful that he landed a role on this series and was able to work with new ones and also veteran actors and actresses. The experience and hardship making this program was something that he was glad about and always looks forward to be there every time he's got a scene. GMA gave him a great break that he well deserves imho.

  

It was definitely a treat meeting two of the most gorgeous looking men of the current highest rating show on GMA. They've got different personalities but both really grows on you. You can't find anything wrong with them and just swear you either want to be like them in the near future. Crazy, but in it's truest sense I'm so glad I got to know them a little bit more in these small intimate chats we're having thanks to their management and GMA. My thanks to those who made this possible, at least I can say I got to see and talk to them in the flesh. 

Oh before I forget ADARNA will end on Friday so make sure you watch the show every day! It only lasts only 30-45 minutes of your time and remember to watch the great action sequences they planned for as it draws near. Ask your Mom and Dad to NOT change the channel and watch it with them. Adarna shows on the Telebabad Block of GMA and even world wide via GMA Pinoy TV. See you on it's last flight!

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