I was invited to the press conference for Ibalong yesterday.
This was a first for me so I made sure that I did not have any expectations. It
was a good thing that I did for everything that happened simply blew my mind
away.
Ibalong the Musical is being held as a collaboration between
Tanghalang Pilipino and the LGU of Legazpi. Capping the 26th season
of TP, Ibalong is a dance-theatre musical interpretation of the Bicolano epic
which is also entitled after Legazpi’s week-long festivity, “Ibalong.” Nanding
Josef, Artistic Director of TP, cited that this being done as a special
offering to the Bicolanos and the rest of the Filipino people who are committed
to protecting our natural resources and cultural heritage from the onslaught of
irresponsible commercialism, modernization, frenetic world trade and
homeginizing globalization.
Adapted for stage by the prolific playwritght Rody Vera,
choreographed by Alden Lugnasin and directed by Tuxqs Rutaquio with Carol Bello’s
musical direction, Ibalong is set to conquer the stage and put the audience
under its magic.
Ibalong is a love story between a warrior and a monster. It
will define the greatness of Bicol as it explores an individual’s capacity for
good and evil as well as progress and destruction.
Ibalong’s Performances will be as follows:
Friday – February 8, 15, 22; March 1 – 8PM
Saturday – February 9, 16, 23; March 2 – 3PM and 8PM
Sunday – February 10, 17, 24; March 3 – 3PM
Ticket prices are: Php800 (regular); Php400 (students) and
Php640 (for senior citizens).
For the gala premiere which will be on the 8th of
February, tickets are at Php1000, Php500, and Php800 respectively. Tickets are
already available at all Ticketworld Outlets. Call 891-9999 and CCP Box Office
at 832-3704.
For group sales, sponsorships, special performances, or
ticket reservations, call TP at 832-1125 local 1620/1621 or contact Juan Lorenzo Marco at 09353784781.
With elaborate costumes, energetic fight choreography, and
haunting music, IBALONG guarantees audiences of all ages an enthralling
experience rarely seen in original Filipino theatre.
Please do watch it. Let us support Philippine Theater.