At the final show of Ballet Philippines' re-staging of Crisostomo Ibarra last June 24th, I had the great pleasure of witnessing the most recent Filipino pride, Candice Adea, first-prize winner of this year's Helsinki International Ballet Competition in Finland, perform her critically acclaimed role as Maria Clara, with her partner, Jean Marc "JM" Cordero, as Ibarra.
It was a breathtaking experience.
Twenty-five-year old Candice brought soul and magic to her role. I thought to myself, I have never seen a ballerina like this. Never. Or a dancer. In my entire life. She has this innate power to behold you, train your eyes on her, and you'll get lost in her soulful storytelling through dance, taking your breath away. The stage was filled with ballet dancers, yet Candice stood out, her dancing perfect and incredibly effortless as if it's is as natural as breathing. And you will absolutely fall in love with her. And her chemistry with her partner
— and real-life sweetheart
— JM Cordero, was palpable, delivering a memorable performance in one of Ibarra's acts, "Halik," which brought tears to my eyes.
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| I'm a Candice fan, if I may gush! Candice and JM "meet and greet" after the final show of IBARRA. (L-R back: my dad, me, and my sister). |
Ibarra may be over, but Ballet Philippines will give us another opportunity to experience Candice and JM's ethereal ballet dance moves in a new grand pas de deux created especially for them in Songs. You won’t want to miss them at their prime. No way.
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| Real-life sweethearts Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero. |
A bold gala of local and international works opens the season of Ballet Philippines’ 43rd Season: Dragon Song in Songs, on July 6-8, 2012 at the CCP Main Theater. Featuring works by BP artistic director Paul Alexander Morales, Agnes Locsin, Alden Lugnasin, Hazel Sabas-Gower, French choreographer Redha, and Australian Mark Rosolini, Songs will premiere a new work by Augustus Damian III on Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero.
Watch this trailer and be excited:
Songs also
features sensational masterworks in the arsenal of Ballet Philippines
including:
Les Petit Mots D’Amour by
Redha Beintefour (France)
A compelling dance piece that embodies
man’s innermost desires. In it, man is reduced to his primal origins as he
covets and yearns for an interactive idea. This vigorous search thrusts him
into an enigmatic core of emotional existence. First performed in the
Philippines in 1994.
Moriones by Agnes Locsin
(Philippines)
Inspired by the Moriones Festival of
Marinduque, Locsin’s MORIONES was choreographed for Ballet Philippines 2’s
participation at the Recontres Festival Du Danse in La Baule, France. It was
also a study for movement for the Guardias Civil dance for Locsin’s coming
Encantada, slated to be premiered the next year. First performed in July 1991,
Manila, Philippines.
This is My Life by
Alden Lugnasin (Philippines)
This solo contemporary dance piece
highlights the independence and elegance of woman.
Songs will
also feature works by BP’s Morales, as well as a new pas de deux choreographed
by former BP artistic director Augustus Damian III. Damian’s piece will be
premiered by Candice Adea and Jean Marc Cordero, who have recently triumphed at
the 2012 Helsinki International Ballet Competition.
Venue: Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
Tickets: P1200,P1000, P600, P500
For tickets contact Ballet Philippines at 551-1003, 551-7919, 624-5701. Or call Ticketworld at 891-9999, or CCP Box Office at 832-3704. Or visit Ballet Philippines at the 4th Floor Cultural Center of the Philippines Bldg., CCP Complex, Pasay City.
SONGS:
July 6 2012: 3 pm and 8 pm
July 7 2012: 2 pm and 6 pm
July 8 2012: 3 pm
Venue: Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (CCP Main Theater)
Tickets: P1200,P1000, P600, P500
For tickets contact Ballet Philippines at 551-1003, 551-7919, 624-5701. Or call Ticketworld at 891-9999, or CCP Box Office at 832-3704. Or visit Ballet Philippines at the 4th Floor Cultural Center of the Philippines Bldg., CCP Complex, Pasay City.
More on Candice Adea
2012 Ballet Philippine's principal dancer, Candice Adea beat 69 dancers from 28 countries, including USA, China, Japan, Finland, Canada, Italy and Cuba, by winning First Prize, Senior Women's at this year's Helsinki Ballet Competition, one of the most prestigious ballet competitions in the world. Her
partner, and real-life sweetheart, Jean Marc Cordero, also a principal dancer of Ballet Philippines, was
a semi-finalist in the Male Seniors Division. He won a Special Jury Award for
Best in Pas de Deux Technique (partnering).
2011 Candice won special awards at the Boston International Ballet Competition (the Maris Liepa Award for Artistry) and the Third Prize at the Seoul International Dance Competition. With Cordero, she also won the Lead Role in a Russian Ballet Performance in Boston.
2011 Candice won special awards at the Boston International Ballet Competition (the Maris Liepa Award for Artistry) and the Third Prize at the Seoul International Dance Competition. With Cordero, she also won the Lead Role in a Russian Ballet Performance in Boston.
2010 Candice won the Silver Medal at the USA
International Ballet Competition in Jackson, MI, considered as the Olympics of
ballet.
Adea is
the first Filipino to be awarded First Prize in a top tier international ballet
competition (composed of competitions in Varna, Bulgaria; Jackson, MI, USA; and
Moscow, Russia).
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Photo credits: Ballet Philippines.
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