A Christmas Celebration

CCP reopens live dance performances with holiday presentation

By Earl D.C. Bracamonte

Since March 2020, when the global pandemic closed theater productions to the public, Filipino dance artists have not returned to the CCP main stage, until now - making one of the very first live shows after lifting of quarantine protocols with "A Christmas Celebration."

The holiday dance presentation will present classical as well as traditional pieces.

The Divertissement from "Sleeping Beauty" will be restaged with a choreography by Victor Ursabia and Eugene Odille. Presented in collaboration with the Ballet Philippines Alumni Association, this is the finale production for the Professional Dance Support Program (PDSP), initiated by the CCP to support dance artists, as a continued learning and livelihood scheme, thereby discouraging them to shift into other career paths.

The holiday dance presentation classical suite includes the:

- Garland Waltz to be performed by Monina Gana, Earl John Arisola, Jessa Tangalin, Bonifacio Guerrero, Christianne Uy, Danilo Dayo Jr., Rissa Camaclang, Renzen Arboleda, Joanne Tangalin, Justine Orande, Karla Santos, Ace Polias, Gianna Hervas, and Alexis Piel;

- Little Red Riding Hood with the Wolf by Sarah Alejandro and Kevin Cascaño;

- Black Cat with Puss in Boots by Nicole Barroso and John Abadon;

- Princess Florine and the Bluebird with Regine Magbitang and Al Abraham;

- Grand Pas de Deux with Princess Aurora and Prince Desiré by Katrene San Miguel and Victor Maguad;

- The Jewel Fairies with Rissa Camaclang, Lester Reguindin, Stephanie Santiago, and Erl Sorilla; and

- the Lilac Fairy, to be performed by Veronica Atienza.

On the other hand, "Tuloy ang Pasko," an all-original Filipino dance production celebrates Paskong Pinoy complete with Christmas lights, caroling, simbang gabi, puto bumbong,and bibingka, brings us back to 1970s Manila. It's a story of five friends - Nonoy Froilan, Liliane Manahan, Imelda Tatad-Pagdanganan, Gener Caringal, and Mario Esperanza - who reminisce, in a virtual meeting, the Christmas time of their youth. The choreography is collaborated in by Erl Sorilla, John Abadon, Lester Reguindin, Bonifacio Guerrero, Al Abraham, and Ronelson Yadao.

Dancing the five friends younger selves are Earl John Arisola, Monica Gana, Jessa Tangalin, John Abadon, and Erl Sorilla. 

The festive suite will feature the music of National Artist Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist Levi Celerio, Felipe de Leon, Juan Silos Jr., Sergio Ramos, Andre Dionisio, and Jose Javier Reyes.

A Christmas Celebration will have two shows on Sunday, December 12 at 2 pm (matinee) and 7 pm (gala). Tickets for both shows are available through TicketWorld or the CCP box-office. To ensure that everyone will have a safe theater experience, please read CCP's new normal health protocol at http://bit.ly/CCPNewNormalProtocol.