I always love watching Alice Reyes Dance Philippines company dance, and I find it very exciting each time I come to see them perform pieces that I’ve not seen before. This time, however, I was twice curious because I was going to see them do it at Maybank Performing Arts Theater in BGC. This was in April 4, I came to the 2pm Gala opening of ARDP’s Pagdiriwang, Sayaw Alay sa Sining.
“You have to go!” A friend of mine urged me, describing the illustrious career of the production’s guest artist, Candice Adea. Adea made ballet history as the first Filipina to ever win first place in the Senior Women’s Division at the 2012 Helsinski International Ballet Competition, among others.
I watched an interview featuring her and her equally talented sister, Carissa Adea, where Carissa noted that the competition was particularly challenging for the typical Filipino physique—yet Candice managed to snag the gold in spite of it.
Candice comes home for her final bow
Coincidentally, I came across a video of the same group of dancers rehearsing for a performance of Norman Walker’s Songs of a Wayfarer—with none other than Carissa in the lead role, which brings me to my next point.
Once upon a time, Candice and Carissa were performing as part of this company. So in essence, Candice wasn’t merely guesting—she was taking her final bow with her dance family. She was home.
Mixed bill
ARDP’s Pagdiriwang, Sayaw Alay sa Sining is a compilation of ballet masterpieces choreographed by our National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, along with some of the most respected choreographers in the industry, such as Denisa Reyes, Augustus ‘Bam’ Damian III, Norman Walker, Adam Sage, Carlo Pacis and Kun-Yang Lin.
Literarature and art brought to life
When I was a kid, I used to borrow big books from the library filled with excerpts from different beautiful stories. I enjoyed reading them very much. This was what it was like for me watching Pagdiriwang.
It was chunks of literature and art combined, brought to life onstage through dance!
I’m not sure if I’m using the term correctly, but I believe most of the pieces in Pagdiriwang can be considered divertissements—standalone dances that are originally part of larger ballets. Exceptions would be Songs of the Wayfarer and Amada, which were presented more like suites or shortened versions of their full-length productions.
The show opened with Adam Sage’s Glinka Valse. For the first time in a long time, I watched the company put on their pointes and take on a classical piece and it was, despite a few issues with the floor, absolutely radiant.
ARDP specializes in powerful modern ballet performances that put a spotlight on our own culture and people, but their classical ballet technique are not lacking, and Glinka Valse only proves the vast repertoire that the company can offer.
Frames & Moon
I have to say that my favorite piece that afternoon was that of Denisa Reyes’ s Muybridge/Frames. It’s like watching a beautiful painting come to life!
The company’s male dancers — Erl Sorilla, Ricmar Bayoneta, Dan Dayo, Luigie Barrera, James Galarpe, Lester Reguindin and John Ababon, gave a truly fascinating performance of this piece.
It felt like I was standing before a masterpiece in a museum. I completely mesmerized by the controlled, fluid movements happening before me.
Another favorite of mine was Moon by Kun-Yang Lin, performed by the dynamic Dan Dayo. The lighting by Barbara Tan-Tiongco was spot on and evocative, transporting me to a moment in time where a lone priest stood by a river under the full moon, offering his prayers through movement to his gods.
The night was still— I could almost hear the gentle gurgle of the water on the river and the soft rustle of leaves in the distance during Dayo’s performance.
Beautiful Pas De Deux
I immediately recognized A Midsummer Night’s Dream when Renzen Arboleda and Krislynne Buri stepped in for their exquisite pas de deux—their costumes, thoughtfully designed, paid homage to the original Shakespearean play.
Nocturne was a beautiful piece with two equally beautiful dancers. It was Judah’s favorite number in the show. He said that it stood out for him because it felt soft and ethereal.
I agree.
I thought that Arboleda and Buri were perfectly picked for this. I’ve always appreciated Renzen’s dancing. He’s one of my favorites. He never holds back on stage.
I heard a lot about Krislynne Buri from my sons who told me what an up and rising ballet star she is and I saw what they meant when I first watched her take on the role of Paboreal in one of the company’s original productions, Juan Tamad.
C’est La Cie
Bam Damian’s C’ est la Cie reminded me a lot ARDP’s performance of After Whom at the ARDP’s Sayaw tungo sa Kalayaan. I wasn’t surprised to find out that Damian choreographed both powerful pieces.
In this number, you see the company prove once again why they are the best at what they do.
Promoting our own culture and artistry is an evident advocacy with ARPD. This is one of the reasons why I root for them. But what audiences need to know, too, is that they’re not just a bunch of dancers making a statement about the Philippines and its people, they are also an extremely skilled company that kills it on every platform they are allowed to dance on. They keep the standards high and the hearts, huge.
I tried to google what C’est La Cie means, but there’s no C’est la Cie. But C’est la vie means “That’s life” and cie means “compagnie” or “company.” So I am assuming that the title of this piece means “That’s company.”
Or to be more blunt, “That’s Alice Reyes Dance Philippines.”
But I really don’t know for sure. Feel free to correct me, just be kind, haha!
Love and loss
The two acts culminated with two stories. The final act was Songs of a Wayferer, with Monica Gana, Ejay Arisola and Lester Reguindin in the lead.
The story was about how a man is wrought by his love for a woman who does not feel the same way for him and how he was tormented by his memory of her face.
Arisola delivered a poignant portrayal of the young man yearning for the bride (Gana) of another man (Reguindin), effectively exhibiting the pains and complexities of falling in love and getting over it….or not.
Amada
Candice Adea and Ricmar Bayoneta closed the curtains for Act 1 with a powerful performance of Amada.
Based on National Artist for Literature Nick Joaquin’s short story Summer Solstice, the piece focuses on Amada, a woman trapped in a dry and loveless marriage within a patriarchal household.
After witnessing and participating in the annual Tadtarin ritual, Amada emerges as an empowered woman, awakened to her own strength and agency.
Candice Adea compellingly portrayed the journey of an emotionally abused wife who awakens to the power women hold over men and boldly claims it.
Not to be overshadowed is the captivating Sarah Alejandro, who portrayed the Tadtarin before the mantle was passed on to Adea’s character, and Ricmar Bayoneta who played Adea’s controlling husband, Don Rafael.
Men during those times see marriages more as transactional than anything. Men were in complete authority, dominating their households, leaving little to no room for love and intimacy.
These were the years when women were only expected to submit to their husbands at any cost, and were not permitted to speak their minds.
I don’t think I’ll survive in those times. Would you?
Pagdiriwang Sayaw Alay sa Sining also featured Karla Santos, Francia Alejandro, Francine Beltran, Cielo Inday, John Ababon, Erl Sorilla, James Galarpe, Luigie Barrera, Crizza Urmeneta, Cheska Vasallo, Darylle Odejar, Justin Joseph Fraginal.
ARDP’s 2025 Dance Season just opened!
Pagdiriwang opened ARDP’s 2025 dance season. Bravo to the company and crew!!
And what an exciting lineup they have ahead!
Sayaw tungo sa Kalayaan will be staged in August and Tales of Manuvu & The Premiere of New Works in September.
Students and adults must see Mga Kuwento ni Juan Tamad on October and of course, the Filipino ballet tradition, Puso ng Pasko in December.
Subscriptions & Sponsorships:
Speaking of students, ARDP offers you the opportunity to bring them to the theater and experience these fantastic dance productions by becoming a student sponsor.
There are also other ways to support Alice Reyes Dance Philippines!
You can also become a production sponsor (show buyer), support a dancer’s monthly salary and healthcare contributions (adopt-a-dancer program) for a year, or help cover the cost of ballet shoes, pointe shoes, dancewear, and other essential supplies (ARDP’s Circle of Friends).
For details on ticket reservations, sponsorships, or show buying, you may contact Alice Reyes Dance Philippines office:
ARDP contact number: 0967 153 6173
ARDP Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ARDancePH
ARDP Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/ardanceph/
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About the author, May Palacpac:
May was the Grand Winner of #Sinag Financial Literacy Journalism Awards in 2016 (blogger category) and the editor of the books, Productive Pinoy and Right Start. She has works published in several magazines and websites here and abroad, such as Smart Parenting, Brighter Life Philippines, Weddings in Manila, SPIFF, Sip, Dangerously Fit Bootcamp, Choc Chip Digital and Massage Champions.
May is an advocate of homeschooling and alternative education for Filipino learners, and a staunch supporter of the arts. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communication at the De La Salle University – Dasmarinas. She ran a blog, Fully Housewifed, for 13 years and served the homeschooling community through Fully Housewifed Homeschool Podcast.
For reviews, collaborations and paid partnerships, email maypalstories@gmail.com.
May Palacpac, Storyteller 
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