'Tales of the Manuvu' returns onstage

MANILA, Philippines -- The pop rock opera ballet that retells the Manobo myth of creation and popularized the song "Noong Unang Panahon" sang by Celeste Legaspi and Leah Navarro and later Kuh Ledesma, is returning to the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Oct. 23, 24 and 25.

The distinctively Filipino ballet "Tales of the Manuvu", created by Ballet Philippines founding artistic director Alice Reyes, with libretto by National Artist for Literature Bienvenido Lumbera and music by Dero Pedero, hopes to bring to the contemporary Filipino audience the successful 1977 musical that showcases the Manobo tribe's story of our origins as a people and as a nation.

The Manobo tribe of central Mindanao has a strong storytelling tradition that keeps their culture alive. The adaptation of their creation myth onstage was one of Ballet Philippines' biggest hits in the 1970s, opening to a packed house at the CCP Main Theater.

"We opened to a packed house and we never looked back," Reyes recounts. "The popular success of the show was measured by people sitting on both aisles of the theater night after night and long lines outside."

"Tales of the Manuvu" was staged in 1977 as part of Ballet Philippines' anniversary finale and was a fitting cap to the dance company's milestones in its early years. Thirty-two years from its stage debut, it is returning onstage as part of the celebration of the CCP's and Ballet Philippines' 40th year, and is meant to cap another historic moment in dance and Filipino artistry.

Its original production cast top singers Boy Camara, Anthony Castelo, Hadji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi and Leah Navarro in her first singing appearance. Rey Paguio and the UP Concert Chorus completed the powerhouse cast of singers and musicians.

This year, celebrity singers Robert Sena, Guji Lorenzana, Banaue Miclat, Jaime Barcelon, Eladio Pamaran and Al Gatmaitan will be performing with the Makiling rock band with Jai Sabas and soloists from the UP Concert Chorus.

Catch "Tales of the Manuvu" at the CCP Main Theater. Tickets start at P150 (discounted student rate for the matinee shows). For details call Ballet Philippines at 551-0221 or 551-1003 or Ticket World, 891-9999.