Sights and Sounds: Ballet Philippines’ ‘Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko’ Press Conference

Sights and Sounds: Ballet Philippines’ ‘Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko’ Press Conference

This December, Ballet Philippines joins forces with some of the Philippine music and theater industries’ most versatile talents led by OPM icon Cooky Chua, award-winning actors Sandino Martin and Jef Flores, and The Voice Kids Season 3 alum Noel Comia Jr. in “ Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko ”, a new dance musical set to the hits of Manila Sound legend VST & Company.

Music

The VST & Co. is considered one of the pioneering groups from the music genre known as the Manila Sound in the mid 70s. The group is composed of Vic Sotto, Spanky Rigor, Tito Sotto, Val Sotto, Celso Llavina, Monet Gaskell, Male Rigor, Roger Rigor, Jun Medina, Joey de Leon, Homer Flores, Chito Ilagan, Ben Escasa, Fred Concepcion, Boy Alcaide, and Clod Baria. Their impressive collection of hits has left a legacy that endures to this day.

Directed by Ballet Philippines’ Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales, “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” tells the story of the forbidden love between Teresa, a kolehiyala and Victor, a construction worker amidst the backdrop of the Philippines in the late ‘70s – burning with disco fever but chilled by the horrors of Martial Law. They are are separated in life but are united in heaven and once again dance up a storm.

(READ: ‘Awitin Mo at Isasakay Ko’: Disco Fever with Ballet Philippines)

Singers

Known for her rich, soulful voice, Cooky Chua is the vocalist of iconic 90s band Color It Red, and of Tres Marias. In 1998, she received the Golden Voice of Asia award in Hanoi, Vietnam. She has also interpreted several of the winning songs of Himig Handog sa Makabagong Kabataan (2001), METROPOP (2003), and PHILPOP (2016). In “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Cooky will take on the role of Ester, a strong-willed “woman of the night”.

Sandino Martin began his acting career in the theater industry, and has since made his mark on film. His most recent works include: Kanakan Balintagos’ “Esprit De Corps”, “Dagitab” by Gian Carlo Abrahan for CinemalayaX and Joselito Altarejos’ “Unfriend”, which premiered at the 64th Berlin Film Festival. For “Esprit De Corps”, he won the Best Actor award at the Cinema One Originals Awards Night. In 2013, he portrayed the role of Bantugan Buenaventura in Ballet Philippines’ “Manhid: The Pinoy Superhero Musical”. In “Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko”, Sandino will play the role of Arturo, the charismatic best friend of Victor, the lead dancer. Arturo is the show’s lead vocalist.

Jef Flores will play the role of Gabby, the moneyed and handsome suitor of Teresa, the show’s lead dancer. He is the most recent Gawad Buhay Awardee for Male Lead Performance in a Play for “This Is Our Youth” (Red Turnip). His most recent productions include Snow White (Prince, Repertory Philippines), Paano Ako Naging Leading Lady (Bazooka Man, Dalanghita Productions), 3 Stars and a Sun (Winston, PETA), Godspell (Jesus, MusicArtes), and, Tick, Tick, Boom (9 Works Theatrical). Outside of theater, Jef also starred in the television shows The Boston: Kitchen Musical and Single/Single. He recently appeared in ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra’s concert “Tale as Told As Time” at the KIA Theater.

Noel Comia Jr. started his musical theater career in 2011 at the age of 7, and has been cast into different musical theater productions under KAPI, Resorts World Manila, PETA, Repertory Philippines, Tanghalang Pilipino and ATEG. In 2014, he earned a Best Child Performer award from the 27th Aliw Awards in 2015, was nominated for the Gawad Buhay Award for Outstanding Male Lead Performance in a Musical. Noel made it as one of the Top 8 artists of Coach Lea Salonga in the recent The Voice Kids PH Season 3. This landed him a recording, artist management and merchandising contract with MCA Music, Inc. Noel will take on the role of Lito, the energetic younger brother of Victor.

They will be alternating with the ABS-CBN Kapamilya multi-talented artists, namely Karylle, Michael Pangilinan, Markki Stroem, and Kyle Echarri. The vocal ensemble will be comprised of members of the classical singing group, Viva Voce.

Dancers

The Ballet Philippines’ cast of dancers will be led by former BP principal dancers Edna Vida and Nonoy Froilan as the elderly Teresa and Victor. They will be alternating with ballroom dance champion Ednah Ledesma and former BP prince Butch Esperanza. The young Teresa and Victor will be played by current BP dancers Denise Parungao, Garry Corpuz, Rita Angela Winder, and Jean Marc Cordero.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko ”is co-presented by ABS-CBN and is a collaboration with the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga. The show features a libretto by Bibeth Orteza, music by VST & Company, choreography by Carissa Adea, James Laforteza & PJ Rebullida, costumes by James Reyes, sets by Ohm David, lights by John Batalla, sound design by Jethro Joaquin, projections by GA Fallarme, musical direction by Jed Balsamo.

“Awitin Mo At Isasayaw Ko” will be staged at the CCP Main Theater (Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo) on Dec. 2 – 8 pm; Dec. 3 – 6 pm; Dec. 4 – 2 pm and 6 pm; Dec. 9 – 8 pm; Dec. 10 – 2 pm and 6 pm; Dec. 11 – 2 pm and 6 pm.

Ticket prices range from Php 500 to Php 3500, with discounts for students, senior citizens, and government employees.

You can buy tickets here!

Photo and Video Coverage by Erickson dela Cruz and Frida Tan

You’ll find more excerpt performances in the video below:

1. Disco Fever
Choreography by: James Laforteza
Gabby: Markki Stroem, Jef Flores
Teresa: Rita Angela Winder
Victor: Jean Marc Cordero
Lita: Sarah Alejandro
Arturo: Sandino Martin
Monica Amanda Gana, Erl Sorilla, Katrene San Miguel, Victor Maguad, Charmaine Bianca Perez, Emmanuelle Guillermo, Sanna Kaappola, Mark Anthony Grantos

2. Ipagpatawad Mo
Choreography by: PJ Rebullida
Teresa: Denisa Parungao
Victor: Garry Corpuz
Arturo: Michael Pangilinan

3. Magsayawan
Choreography by: Carissa Adea
Teresa: Rita Angela Winder
Victor: Jean Marc Cordero
Ester: Cooky Chua
Lito: Kyle Echarri
Monica Amanda Gana, Charmaine Bianca Perez, Gia Gequinto, Katrene San Miguel, Sanna Kaappola, Victor Maguad, Emmanuelle Guillermo, Lester Reguindin, Erl Sorilla, Mark Anthony Grantos, Louise John Ababon, Danilo Dayo Jr., Ian Nick Tiba

4. Swing
Choreography by: James Laforteza
Ester: Cooky Chua

5. Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko
Choreography by: James Laforteza
Teresa: Denise Parungao
Victor: Garry Corpuz
Singers: Sandino Martin, Michael Pangilinan, Cooky Chua, Markki Stroem, Jef Flores
Lita: Katrene San Miguel
Monica Amanda Gana, Charmaine Bianca Perez, Gia Gequinto, Sanna Kaappola, Regina Alcantara, Gabrielle Marie Vizmonte, Sarah Alejandro, Victor Maguad, Emmanuelle Guillermo, Lester Reguindin, Erl Sorilla, Mark Anthony Grantos, Louise John Ababon, Danilo Dayo Jr., Ian Nick Tiba

You can buy tickets here!