Ballet Philippines presents Pusong Wagas

MANILA, Philippines - On Feb. 17 to 19, Ballet Philippines (BP) opens the curtains to an all-new, all-original contemporary ballet, Pusong Wagas at the CCP Little Theater. No less than the country’s top artists are collaborating on this production, including alternative music icon, Cynthia Alexander. She joins Palanca Hall of Famer, playwright and poet Nicolas Pichay and celebrated choreographer Alden Lugnasin in its roster of talent. Paul Alexander Morales is Ballet Philippines’ artistic director.

Cynthia is known in the music industry as a songwriter of uncompromising artistic integrity, and fans adore her prose-poetry infused music and haunting melodies that use ethnic Philippine and Asian rhythms.

Set in pre-colonial Manila, Pusong Wagas highlights the exemplary love of Luyong, a gifted carpenter, and Manda, a tribal princess, and their sacrifice in the face of the coming foreign invaders. The work is co-produced by the City of Mandaluyong as an initiative of Hon. Mayor Benjamin Abalos Jr.

Alternating the role of Manda are principal dancers Carissa Adea and Katherine Trofeo, and as Luyong, soloist Richardson Yadao and company member Earl John Arisola. Rounding off the list of collaborators are scenographer Mio Infante and costume designer Tuxqs Rutaquio.

(Pusong Wagas has performances on Feb. 17 and 18 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Feb. 19, 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets are priced at P600 to P1,000. Student and senior citizen discounts apply. For tickets, call Ticketworld at 891-9999; Ballet Philippines at 551-1003, 551-7919, 624-5701; CCP Box Office at 832-3704 or log on to www.balletphilippines.org.)