Nat’l Artist Alice Reyes stages dance show in SU

From popular Filipino folk songs to medieval classical pieces, the performance of National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes’ dance group received a standing ovation from the audience on their one-time show of “Sayaw Tanan” on July 7, 2023 at Silliman University (SU). 

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) is a Filipino dance company that aims to transform lives through dance and to educate, develop, and inspire dancers and choreographers across the country.

National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes, who leads the company, expressed her appreciation for the audience for their enthusiastic response to her company’s performance during their Dumaguete show at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium.

The show was part of their 2023 Visayan Tour, which kicked off in Himamaylan City in Negros Occidental and was capped in Ormoc City last July 11.

As a national artist, she said that part of her dream is for all other local government units across the region to have “real theaters” and cultural centers, and the university and the city is a good examples for culture and the arts.

“Dumaguete is one with the real theater, and professional companies really enjoy performing in theaters like Dumaguete, from the lights, to sounds, and everything,” she said.

“[Sayaw Tanan] is richly and proudly Pinoy. I hope this is the start of something like a movement where the dancers can use their experience to propel their passion in dancing or creating or even putting on a theatrical performance we can be proud [of] as a Filipino,” said Artistic Director Ronelson Yadao.

He added that through the show, artists like him can showcase their perspectives in interpreting famous Filipino folk and popular songs.

“Sobrang rich ng kultura nating mga Pilipino na hindi na nating kailangan lumayo, hindi na kailangan na pumunta sa international…we have so much [material to work on for artists] here in the Philippines. Let’s use it, let’s maximize that,” he said. (Our culture in the Philippines is already so rich that we don’t need to go far.)

ARDP also conducted a dance workshop with the SU Dance Troupe (SUDT) who also performed an excerpt of the dance piece “Babaylan,” as guest performers at the “Sayaw Tanan” show.

The excerpt was titled “Pagpapaniwala” which was choreographed by Angelo Sayson, vice-chairperson for dance at SU Culture and Arts Council, with music by Levi Alaban, director of SU String Ensemble.

“It was super enriching especially because we were taught techniques that really helped enhance our skills in modern ballet. Though it was challenging, we loved the thrill and we got to learn that although dance is an expression of feelings it is also based on sensations, critical thinking and self-awareness,” said SUDT President Fionabelle Marie Cabe.

(Story and photos by Francis Basa Pabiania, SU Office of Information and Publications intern)