MAPEH 4

• The medium of dance and ballet to interpret novels, folktales, and stories provides visual excitement as the characters come alive not in spoken dialogue but in body movements
• Much of the communication is relayed in pantomime
• The lack of spoken words or sung lyrics is more than made up for by the creative steps and arm gestures of the dancers
• Their facial expressions and body movements add more meaning to the story being revealed
• The performance is further enhanced by colorful costumes, elaborate sets, visually suggestive music, and synchronized choreography
• Together, the dance or ballet production makes for a complete drama by itself without a single word being spoken
• Original Filipino ballets vividly present folktales and local fables, such as the beloved stories of Lola Basyang
• Filipino ballet productions have evoked wide enthusiasm from the people of all ages
• They have been added to the repertory of Philippine dance companies to supplement the Western classical ballets
• Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang


  Ballet adaptation of Severino Reyes' folktales Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang
• Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya


  Fantasy story set to neo-ethnic music in a contemporary style about a hero's fantastic journey to different kingdoms in pursuit of his bewitched sisters
• Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin


  Local version of the Pied Piper tale where the main character mesmerizes his followers through the music of his violin
• Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon


  Love story where a princess falls in love with a bird
• Ang Palasyo ng Mga Dwende


  Romantic adventure wherein the heroine Yani is being maltreated by her envious stepmother and stepsisters
• Labindalawang Masayang Prinsesa


  Romantic fantasy about 12 daughters of the king who secretly leave their bedroom at night to travel to an enchanted land and dance with the princes
• Anting-Anting


  Horror-comedy wherein the cowardly hero Huan tries to overcome his fears in order to win his love
• Other stories of Lola Basyang which were presented in ballet were also performed in other media forms, such as movies and television series
• Movies (Sampaguita Pictures)


  • Si Pedrong Walang Takot
  • Ang Mahiwagang Kuba
  • Ang Dakilang Puso ng Isang Ina
  • Ang Prinsesang Naging Pulubi
• Television Series


  • Ang Prinsesang Unggoy
  • Ang Walong Bulag
  • Maria Alimango
• Movies (Sampaguita Pictures)


  • Si Pedrong Walang Takot (Fearless Peter), starring Dolphy as the brave hero who scares away a giant by means of an enchanted bell
  • Ang Mahiwagang Kuba (The Enchanted Hunchback), tale of a princess who marries a hunchback
  • Ang Dakilang Puso ng Isang Ina (The Noble Heart of a Mother), a family drama
  • Ang Prinsesang Naging Pulubi (The Princess Who Became a Beggar), a tale of an overly selective princess in her suitors who later finds true love with a beggar
• Television Series


  • Ang Prinsesang Unggoy (The Monkey Princess)
  • Ang Walong Bulag (The Eight Blind Men)
  • Maria Alimango (Maria the Crab)
  • Ang Gwapong Sastre (The Handsome Tailor)
  • Ang Mahiwagang Balabal (The Enchanted Cape)
  • Ang Dragon sa Ilog Lingwa (The Dragon at Lake Lingwa)
  • Ang Kastilyong Bakal (The Iron Palace)
  • Prinsesang Kalbo (The Bald Princess)
  • Ang Pitong Hilo (Seven Idiots)
• Rama Hari


  The Philippine adaptation of the Indian epic Ramayana set to music, dance, and drama
• Rama Hari originally presented


  February 8 to 17, 1980
• Creative team of Rama Hari


  • Ryan Cayabyab (Music), National Artist Alice Reyes (Choreography), National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera (Literature), and National Artist Salvador Bernal (Theater Design)
• Performers of Rama Hari

  • Basil Valdez (Rama), Kuh Ledesma (Sita), Leo Valdez (Ravana), Nonoy Froilan (counterpart of Rama), Effie Nanas/Ester Rimpos (Sita), Robert Medina (Ravana)
• Magbalik Ka Na Mahal


  Song sung by Kuh Ledesma, said to be instrumental in launching her music career
• Ramayana


  One of the two great Indian epics that tell about Indian life around 1000 BC and how dharma was practiced
• Dharma


  A type of behavior said to be in accordance with the order that makes life and the universe possible, explaining the expectations in fulfilling duties, respecting rights, observing proper conduct, practicing virtues, and maintaining a rightful way of living
• The Ramayana epic consists of 18 books containing approximately 24,000 verses divided into 500 songs
• Prince Rama


  The eldest son of Dasaratha, King of Ayodha, considered the incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu
• Rama's banishment to the forest


  1. Rama's stepmother relied on the king's promise to grant any two wishes she desired, and she opted to have Rama banished to the forest for 14 years

  2. Rama heeded his stepmother's wish and moved to the woods of Panchavati, accompanied by his wife Sita and younger brother Lakshmana
• Bharata's request to Rama


  Bharata requested to bring Rama's sandals to be placed on the king's throne as a symbol of his authority until he returns after 14 years
• Rama's demand of Sita


  Rama demanded that Sita prove her purity first before he could take her back as his wife, to which Sita did
• The Ramayana epic has become a national symbol of divine virtues upon which their great leaders including Mahatma Gandhi found their inspiration
• Revival production of Rama Hari


  • Christian Bautista/OJ Mariano (Rama), Karylle Tatlonghari/Kalila Aguilos (Sita), Robert Sena (Ravana), Jean Marc Cordero/Richardson Yadao (Rama's character dances), Carissa Adea/Katherine Trofeo (Sita's character dances), Jeffrey Solares (conducting the Manila Symphony Orchestra)
• Costumes and set of Rama Hari revival


  • Jeweled costumes with richly embellished ornaments as headdresses and bangles, against a set backdrop that was basically minimalist, with predominantly red colored-based costumes of the principal characters enhanced by the contrasting white flowing attires of the dancers
• Related production: Rama at Sita


  • Ariel Rivera (Rama), Lani Misalucha (Sita), directed by Floy Quintos, choreography by Agnes Locsin
• The Filipino ballets vividly present folktales based on local fables (example, Lola Basyang) and epics from neighboring regions (example, India's Ramayana)
• Lola Basyang is a ballet adaptation of Severino Reyes' folktales Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, meant to instill and rekindle the interest of the Filipino youth in the beauty, richness, and heritage of Philippine literature