Pinoys in Singapore hail 'Crisostomo Ibarra' ballet act

Ballet Philippines' original contemporary ballet production "Crisostomo Ibarra" received a rousing ovation from Filipinos and other nationalities during its international debut in Singapore earlier this month. In a news release, the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said some 400 persons —including Filipinos, Singaporeans and other nationalities from the diplomatic, business, corporate, and cultural circles — watched the one-time performance at the LASALLE College of the Arts' Singapore Airlines Theatre on September 4. "The performance is the highlight of the yearlong commemoration of Dr. Jose Rizal's sesquicentenary in the city-state spearheaded by the Philippine Embassy in Singapore," the DFA said. Based on national hero Dr. Jose Rizal's novel "Noli Me Tangere," "Crisostomo Ibarra" portrays through dance a privileged young man's fall from grace and his struggle to avenge his father's memory, hold on to his beloved, and regain his self-respect. The principal dancers during the presentation were Jean-Marc Cordero as "Crisostomo Ibarra" and Katherine Trofeo as "Maria Clara," the DFA said. The DFA said the two dancers particularly shone in the penultimate scene entitled "Halik" as they portrayed the lovers' farewell scene. "Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales' powerful and imaginative choreography showed off his dancers' versatility and fluid grace against Jed Balsamo's stirring music throughout the eight scenes that made up the 80-minute performance," the DFA said. - VVP, GMA News