Ballet Manila Presents Rebel : EDSA 30 #RebelByBM

IMG_0671tOrFew days ago, I was able to watch a full length ballet for the first time! I was grateful enough to be invited to watch Ballet Manila’s Rebel EDSA 30 which stars no other than the Philippines’ very own Prima ballerina Ms Liza Macuja-Elizalde. It was really an awesome experience for me and I was truly left in awe after watching this spectacular show! Rebel : EDSA 30 is just one of the classic offerings of Ballet Manila for their 21st Performance Season (Revenge Of The Classics) which also includes three other classic productions such as “The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess”, “Cinderella” and “Don Quixote”. Of all the four productions though, Rebel: EDSA 30 is relatively new. It was first staged last February in celebration of the 30th anniversary of EDSA People Power Revolution, which we all know left a huge impact in Philippine history. The show was a big success and was highly acclaimed by critics and so they’re bringing this remarkable show back on stage.
Rebel: EDSA 30 is choreographed by Mr Martin Lawrence with music and story that is loosely inspired from Aram Khachaturian’s Spartacus. The show will be accompanied by the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerald Salonga and it also features the wonderful talent of internationally acclaimed musical theater artist Joanna Nakpil who will act as the voice of Inang Bayan. Story wise, Rebel : EDSA 30 will bring you back in time to the events that marked a huge historical impact in our country and inspired people worldwide, the EDSA People Power Revolution of 1986.
Rebel: EDSA 30 however has a different interpretation of the story. Unlike what we have seen from Philippine Stagers Foundation’s “Katips: Ang Mga Bagong Katipunero”, this is not a direct retelling of the actual events that occurred during the People Power Revolution but more like a symbolical retelling of the story. Again, the story is loosely based from Spartacus but derives its characters and events from the People power revolution. The characters includes Inang Bayan (a pivotal role played by Lisa Macuja while the voice interpreted by Joanna Ampil), Ferdinand the dictator, Imelda, Corazon and Benigno The Rebel.

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Ferdinand, his Loyalists and Inang Bayan

The first Act features events prior to the revolution. A strong introduction was lead by Lisa Macuja accompanied by the powerful voice of Joanna Ampil with her rendition of “Pilipinas Kong Minumutya” This Act is merely about Ferdinand the Dictator and his wife Imelda and how they embrace and take advantage of their power and authority. It depicts how the first couple threw out extravagant parties for their loyalist. Ninoy and the rest of the rebels on the other hand showed off their strong protest towards administration which eventually leads to face off between two parties lead by Ferdinand and Ninoy respectively. Everything was executed with powerful dance , movements, and gestures where you can actually feel the strong emotion delivered by each character.

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Ninoy and The Rebels
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Ninoy and Corazon
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Ninoy and Corazon
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Ninoy, Juan Dela Cruz and the Rebels
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Ferdinand Vs Ninoy

Ninoy’s Forces however is not strong enough at first to bring the Marcos down which also led to a very emotional separation of Ninoy to his wife Corazon after being detained. It also led to a forced fight between Ninoy and his friend Juan Dela Cruz which dramatically and emotionally conclude the first act when the fight ends up in a tragic death of Juan Dela Cruz.

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Ferdinand and Imelda
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The Death of Juan Dela Cruz
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Joanna Ampil as Inang Bayan singing Magkaisa

The Second Act started very strong with Joanna Ampil’s rendition of “Magkaisa” with a long sequence performed by Lisa Macuja as Inang Bayan. Some of the music that are associated with the EDSA Revolution and the Marcoses including those iconic songs that are often wired with the Former First lady such as “Feelings” and “Dahil Sayo” but what really makes this act more intense is when Ninoy decided to go back to Inang Bayan which we all know will lead him in his tragic death. Contrary to the what we are being told, Benigno here was not assassinated by Marcos Administration but the spirit of his best friend Juan Dela Cruz, a symbolical representation. The emotional scene was accompanied by the song “Bayan Ko” led by Ampil. This ignited the revolution forcing Ferdinand and Imelda to walk away from the throne, the end of the Marcos regime. The act concluded with a powerful rendition of “Handog ng Pilipino Sa Mundo” which summarizes everything that Filipinos went through during the reign of the Marcoses and how we all managed to escape from such nightmare.

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The Threatened Marcos
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The death of Benigno
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People Mourns the death of Ninoy, an emotional scene accompanied by dramatic rendition of Bayan Ko

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The production concludes with powerful song of Jim Paredes “Handog ng Pilipino sa mundo”

Rebel : EDSA 30 is such a timely play that everybody must watch especially now that the issue about Martial Law is starting to become more relevant to us. With all that issues like Marcos Hero’s burial and Martial Law implementation, I think we all need to look back to our history and be reminded of what it really looks like during the Marcos regime.

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The cast of Rebel : Edsa 30

Ballet Manila’s Rebel: EDSA 30 will be shown in Aliw Theater on the following dates
August 27, 2016 : 8:00pm
August 28, 2016: 3:00 pm
You may avail the tickets at TicketWorld.comph
I also like to thank Star Powerhouse from giving me such an awesome experience to watch this spectacular ballet performance! Feel free to drop by at their site for more updates, reviews about theaters and other related events!

16 thoughts on “Ballet Manila Presents Rebel : EDSA 30 #RebelByBM

  • August 30, 2016 at 4:21 pm
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    Wow. I’ve never seen a ballet production yet.. and seeing this post makes me want to watch one. It’s just amazing how this people can craft art into historical events. And you’re so lucky to watch Liza Macuja-Elizalde! I hope one day I can also watch one of her productions.

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  • August 30, 2016 at 8:39 pm
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    What was it like during the time of Marcos? It’s a matter of perspective. For sure, there were oppressed, and then there were those who prospered – both legally and illegally. Victors write the story. But that is not what the post is about.

    Lisa. Award winning ballet star. A national treasure. No doubt. You watched a world-class show.

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  • August 31, 2016 at 12:17 am
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    I’ve always wanted to watch a ballet. Glad you enjoyed the show, it looked really interesting. And the pictures are amazing.

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    • September 2, 2016 at 7:16 pm
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      Me too, I have not watched a live show. On TV, long time ago, I did when a show is on and I do find it fascinating. I also remember, I would occassionally see little children doing moves here at Shangri-La Mall. I am not sure if they still have it pero before there is a ballet school.

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  • August 31, 2016 at 5:27 am
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    I haven’t watched any ballet before. I think it’s really cool! Going back when I was young, I knew I’ve dreamed of being a ballet dancer! haha. But that didn’t happen because I can’t even dance at all! lol.

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  • August 31, 2016 at 10:10 am
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    Will there be another schedule for this ballet performance? If I only knew there will be a play like this last weekend, I would have gone to see it. Last ballet performance I watched was about Pinnochio, with special appearance by Lisa Macuja too. That is probably 10yrs ago. 🙁

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  • August 31, 2016 at 11:29 am
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    I have yet to watch a live performance of ballet, except watching my 6 year old daughter’s performance (which will always be my favorite!) I would love to take her to see ballet some day, she would absolutely love it! It’s so moving and graceful, such a great way to tell a story : )

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  • August 31, 2016 at 1:18 pm
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    The production looks amazing! I’ve been wanting to catch a ballet show for some time. Do they have another schedule?

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  • August 31, 2016 at 5:20 pm
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    So nice to find posts like this – especially for dance lovers like me 🙂 I love to watch dance performances, no matter what type. I love to dance too, that’s why came to Indonesia with scholarship where 1 year I could learn traditional Indonesian dance 🙂
    From the photos seems this performance was a bit different from traditional ballet shows – this I like the most 🙂

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  • August 31, 2016 at 9:36 pm
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    What a great production to commemorate the EDSA Revolution. I’ve never watched a professional ballet performance before, mad respect for the dancers!

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  • September 1, 2016 at 8:35 pm
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    I love the arts. And I am always looking for new productions. This one seems worth investing time in.

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  • September 2, 2016 at 9:40 am
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    I love watching musical and stage plays.. it’s better that watching movies.. the actors and actresses are better on stage. plus this kind of story.. I think its worth watching!

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  • September 2, 2016 at 12:29 pm
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    I have always wanted to watch a ballet recital! I’ve always dreamed of being a ballerina. However, I don’t think this is a ballet recital that I’d enjoy watching. I’m just sick of EDSA topic nowadays.

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  • September 2, 2016 at 1:42 pm
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    I studied ballet before when I was in elementary but one workshop only and I gave up, maybe its not may thing. Not able to watch ballet recital because my son and hubby is not comfortable watching it. Hope someday I can watch and if the theme is nice

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  • September 2, 2016 at 7:23 pm
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    Wow! This one I wanna watch too. I’m able to watch ballet and plays when I was younger. My dream come true was Cinderella and Cats with Lea Salonga in it. Haven’t seen Lisa Macuja ever though!

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  • September 3, 2016 at 3:26 am
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    Wow! You’re lucky to have been given the chance to see this. While I do watch stage plays, I haven’t watched a ballet recital yet. They looked so graceful! The plot is very timely as well, I hope they can have this shown as part of an educational tour for students.

    Reply

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