A celebration of art, ballet, fashion, and history— Ballet Philippines has returned to the stage to showcase a night of iconic performances for its 53rd Season Gala Performance.
The red carpet was rolled out and the iconic three-piece capiz chandelier was once again lit up in celebration of Ballet Philippines return to the sacred stage. Held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on the night of September 17, 2022, the country’s preeminent dance company commenced its first performance after two years in the waiting.
For its 53rd Season Gala Performance, Ballet Philippines presents EQUUS, Bolero and Other Dances. Where the most iconic ballet dances were performed with stories, landmarks, and the scenes of our country.
Behind the captivating production, Artistic Director, Mikhail “Misha” Martynyuk, envisioned a mixed bill performance called Dance Through Time. The classical and iconic merge to create a beautiful piece seen with the lens of art, fashion, and history.
Throughout the performances, we were transported through time as visual collages and vignettes passed like a blur. Pictures of our historical landmarks were plastered on the screen before the dancers gracefully danced across the stage.
As crowds eagerly waited for the chime, another collaboration with the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines was showcased. Seen at the very center of the grand lobby, a visual narrative that encapsulated the graceful movements of the company and the fluid creations of FDCP were on display.
It was a stunning photo exhibit taken by model and visual artist Jo Ann Bitagcol. Alongside Bitagcol, conceptualization, direction, and style were handled by fashion pioneer and creative director, Luis Espiritu. And with their collaboration with Okada Manila, the visuals captured the graceful movements as well as the rich textures and vibrant colors of each piece worn by the dancers.
Designs that were made by our country’s respected fashion designers were worn by the dancers— each one representing a ballet classic. It’s a celebration of ballet’s return to the stage and art, itself, was honored throughout the night.
