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Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) is back for its 37th season where it will perform a brand-new full-length Filipino ballet entitled “Ibalon.” It will run on July 28 and 29 at 8 PM at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater in Circuit Makati. All proceeds from the last show will benefit the fundraising campaign for the 65th Anniversary of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards.

In line with its goal to bring age-old tales of the FIlipino people showing the culture of the Philippines, PBT aims to make and showcase stories that are integral to the people’s heritage.

Lifting the story from the popular Bicolano epic “Ibalon,” the show’s artistic director and choreographer Ronilo Jaynario concentrates on the love story of Handyong (The Warrior) and Oryol (The Cursed Creature).

Jaynario emphasizes that his choreography is a reimagination of a love story against a backdrop of Philippine mythology. Indulging in creative liberties he created nuances and plot twists to make the story a powerful display of love in movement. He hopes to leave his audience captivated with colorful dances inspired from Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao.

This story will be luxuriously told with original music by Paulo Zarate. Zarate explains that in creating the music, his approach was an exaggeration of what the music would have sounded like in ancient times. Filipino instruments in that period were more percussive and rhythmic. He took this into consideration but added bold and moving melodies, incorporating details of Filipino elements that he researched on, to make the music more epic. Zarate wanted to create music that would have a theatrical or cinematic effect on the audience, pushing them at the edge of their seat in excitement or sweeping them into the love story of Handyong and Oryol.

Matthew Davo as the warrior Handyong and Eloisa Jessa Tangalin as the cursed princess Oryol will take you on a voyage into the heart of our culture and history. With PBT’s rising stars, the story telling of our ancestral stories will come alive with music and dance.

Together, Jaynario and Zarate wanted to leave a lasting imprint in Philippine Dance history. Nobody talks about old Filipino stories anymore, but creativity can change that. Something new and something old can create beautiful captures of our culture.

Ticket details for “Ibalon”

For ticket inquiries and reservations, you may contact the following channels:

Landline: 86711697
Mobile: 09688708887
Via Ticketworld website and 8891-9999
Or message their social media platforms in Instagram and Facebook Page.

Ticket prices range from P350 to P2500.

• P2500 – Orchestra Center
• P2,000 – Orchestra Sides
• P1,500 – Loge
• P500 – Balcony I
• P350 – Balcony II

[Press release]