Julia Christine Botin

Philippine Ballet Theatre to premiere full-length ballet based on Maria Makiling

Article (news)

ABS-CBN News

MANILA -- The Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) is staging an original Filipino full-length ballet titled &quot;Maria Makiling.&quot;The upcoming ballet show, which reimagines the Filipino folklore Maria Makiling, the legendary guardian of Mount Makiling, is set to happen on July 5 at 3 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. and July 6 at 3 p.m. at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre in Circuit Makati&quot;Maria Makiling&quot; marks the third creative collaboration of PBT artistic director Ronilo Jaynario (choreography) and award-winning composer and arranger Paulo Zarate (original musical score).   “After creating hero-based ballet &#x27;Ibalon&#x27; and romantic ballet &#x27;Sarimanok,&#x27; I wanted to tell a story that centers on the Filipino community. My goal is to present a ballet that grounds us and evokes a time when love, kindness, and gratitude sustained our communities. This ballet explores the enduring power of love, the pain of loss, and the importance of preserving nature and heritage. Ultimately, it highlights the consequences of a lack of integrity within a community,” Jaynario said.Creating the ballet was meaningful to Jaynario being an alumnus of the Philippine High School of the Arts in Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, which had been his home for four years.<div> <img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1748929814231MARIA MAKILING POSTER (photo by Erica Marquez Jacinto).jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:950px"/>Maria Makiling poster. Photo by Erica Marquez Jacinto </div>For Zarate, &quot;Maria Makiling&quot; is an exciting challenge, characterized by a collaborative spirit of mutual respect that allows both him and Jaynario to enjoy creative freedom.  “We try to set musical identities to each ballet. For instance, in &#x27;Ibalon,&#x27; it was more anthemic and big, as a superhero movie would sound. In &#x27;Sarimanok,&#x27; it was more rhythmic and percussive, where I played around using meters from 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 5/8, and 7/8. For &#x27;Maria Makiling,&#x27; Ron suggested we go for a more Filipino/Spanish sound, a bit more guitar-driven since both our cultures (Spanish/Filipino) have strong roots with guitar-driven songs like our Filipino kundimans and Spanish flamencos,” said Zarate.He hopes that the nuances he created to personify each character and the fantasy treatment in the melodies could really allow the story to flourish on stage. For &quot;Maria Makiling,&quot; PBT reached out to Los Baños Tourism Office to really ensure that the ballet characterizes Laguna’s diwata in the best possible light.UP Los Baños vice chancelor for community affairs Roberto Cereno, also one of known local cultural historians, assisted the creative team.Set in the scenic town of Laguna, &quot;Maria Makiling&quot; brings to life the cherished myth of a mountain goddess who protects the land and its people.During a harvest celebration, three men — an arrogant Spanish officer, a scholarly educator, and a kind-hearted farmer — compete for Maria Makiling’s affection. Her choice &quot;ignites a dark conspiracy, resulting in heartbreak and injustice.&quot;In a poignant climax, &quot;nature itself mourns, and Maria Makiling withdraws from the world, choosing to protect it from afar. Though unseen, Maria Makiling’s spirit remains a living force in the land’s prosperity and the people’s hearts.&quot;Sharing the spotlight in the titular role of Maria Makiling are Gabby Jaynario and Jessa Tangalin, while stepping into the role of Juan, Maria’s love interest, are Matthew Davo and Justine Orande.  Co-presented by the Philippine Airlines, tickets for &quot;Maria Makiling&quot; are available through Ticketworld or the Philippine Ballet Theatre Secretariat.

The upcoming ballet, which reimagines the Filipino folklore Maria Makiling, the legendary guardian of Mount Makiling, is set to happen on July 5 and 6 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.

The upcoming ballet, which reimagines the Filipino folklore Maria Makiling, the legendary guardian of Mount Makiling, is set to happen on July 5 and 6 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.