Christmas is practically just around the corner, and what better way to kickstart December’s festive season is by the magic of music and dance through PUSO NG PASKO.
Come December 1 and 2, 2024, at the Metropolitan Theater, PUSO NG PASKO, the first full-length, all-Filipino Christmas ballet by National Artists Alice Reyes (Dance) and Ryan Cayabyab (Music), will once again tug our heartstrings and make us remember the beauty of Christmas, our culture, and our music. This unforgettable production features Mr. C’s mesmerizing musical arrangements of timeless Filipino Christmas Carols.
A TALE OF CHRISTMAS PAST
PUSO NG PASKO tells the story of Lolo Val, who now lives in New Jersey, where he reminisces the magical Christmases of his youth to his young granddaughter Angelita.
As Lola Val recalls the different sights and sounds in Tres Reyes with his barkada, we get to see Philippine Christmas traditions like the Simbang Gabi, eating bibingka and puto bumbong, plazas decorated with big parols, and beautiful Christmas decorations.
The show also pays homage to the different fiestas all over the country, including The Belenisimo of Tarlac, The Pahiyas Festival of Lucban, The Higantes Festival of Rizal, Sayaw sa Bangko of Pangasinan, and the Pandang Gitab of Oriental Mindoro, as well as homages to traditions such as the Rigodon de Honor.
ANOTHER EPIC COLLABORATION
PUSO NG PASKO is another epic collaboration between RAMA, HARI creators, and National Artists Alice Reyes and Ryan Cayabyab. It features Cayabyab’s musical arrangements of timeless Filipino Christmas carols and choreography by a talented group of rising Filipino choreographers under the mentorship of Alice Reyes.
It is directed and choreographed by ARDP Artistic Director Ronelson Yadao, teaming up with co-choreographers Erl Sorilla, Lester Reguindin, AL Abraham, John Ababon, Danilo Dayo, and Bonnie Guerrero creates a unique and dynamic movement of contemporary dance fused with influences from traditional Filipino festivals.
Librettist Eljay Castro Deldoc worked with Yadao on the script and story with inputs from Film Director Carlos Siguion-Reyna, who directed the filmed sequences featured in the show. Ricardo Eric Cruz does production design, while Barbara Tan-Tiongco creates a lighting design that makes this new Filipino Christmas ballet classic come to life.
Having premiered at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 2022, PUSO NG PASKO opened to rave reviews as audiences cite it as “The quintessential Filipino Christmas ballet” and “The Filipino Nutcracker to be restaged and reinterpreted every year.”
PUSO NG PASKO GOES ON TOUR
Following performances at the Metropolitan Theater, PUSO NG PASKO goes on a Major Luzon Tour in December 2023. In collaboration with Local Government officials, the production is scheduled to have performances at Angeles City, Pampanga; Muñoz City, Nueva Ecija; Tarlac City, Tarlac; and Iligan City, Isabela, followed by performances for the City of Makati and at the
Malacañang Palace.
PUSO NG PASKO at the Metropolitan Theater is presented by Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, the Cultural Center of the Philippines, CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program (PASP), with the generous support of Birch Tree Adult Boost. It features dance trainees from the School of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, Philippine High School for the Arts, De La Salle College of Saint Benilde, and other independent performers.
SHOW SCHEDULE:
- December 1, 2023 | Friday | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater*
- December 2, 2023 | Saturday | 2:00 PM | Metropolitan Theater*
- December 2, 2023 | Saturday | 7:30 PM | Metropolitan Theater*
- December 7, 2023 | Thursday | Angeles City, Pampanga
- December 13, 2023 | Wednesday | Tarlac City, Tarlac
- December 15, 2023 | Friday | Munoz City, Nueva Ecija
- December 18, 2023 | Monday | Iligan City, Isabela
METROPOLITAN THEATER TICKET PRICES:
- Php 2,000 – Orchestra Center
- Php 1,500 – Orchestra Side/Back
- Php 500 – Balcony
*RESERVE YOUR TICKETS:
: +63 977 799 0921
: ardancephilippinesinc@gmail.com
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