Sayaw Tungo sa Kalayaan: A brief history of the Philippines through song and dance

After premiering at the 126th Philippine Independence Day celebrations last June, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines' (ARDP) Sayaw Tungo sa Kalayaan made a triumphant return at the Metropolitan Theater with two performances made possible by the City Government of Manila and its Department of Tourism, Culture and Arts.

This commissioned work by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes narrated a brief history of the Philippines through song and dance performed by the artists of Alice Reyes Dance Philippines, musical theater stalwarts Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, Arman Ferrer, Marynor Madamesila, and David Ezra, along with trainees from the University of the East.

Samu't Saring Iisa choreographed by ARDP's Artistic Director Ronelson Yadao, served as a grand prologue with the entire cast led by Erl Sorilla representing the everyman danced as the quartet of vocalists rendered the Kent Charcos composition that celebrates not only the diversity among the Filipino people but also their resilience.

Select moments/vignettes throughout Philippine history were then given the spotlight starting from the pre-colonial peoples in Reyes' Mga Sinaunang Tao featuring the music by fellow National Artists Dr. Ramon Santos and Lucrecia Kasilag.

Pivotal moments from the tail end of the Spanish occupation were told through the numbers GomBurZa and Hangin Na Sumisinta. Choregraphed by Lester Reguindin, GomBurZa recounted the tragic fates of the three martyr priests portrayed by Renzen Arboleda, Dan Dayo, and Ejay Arisola while the duo of Erl Sorilla and Monica Gana, dancing as Jose Rizal and Josephin Bracken were the spotlighted dancers in ARDP's Artistic Director Ronelson Yadao's Hangin Na Sinisinta. This number was set to an habanera rhythmed music composed by Fabian Obispo Jr. that was passionately sung by Arman Ferrer.

Philippine rural life across the regions were showcased in Regional Songs & Dances featuring select pieces from various suites in ARDP's repertoire namely Alice Reyes' Dahil Sa'yo and Telebong, Dan Dayo's Manang Biday, AL Abraham Kada Paningkamot, Yadao's Maupay, and Lester Reguindin's Babayi. These numbers highlighted the romantic nature of Filipinos and also their unmistakable sense of humor.

After the rural scenes, it was a drastic change of pace as the 21st century beckoned with Augustus "Bam" Damian III's dynamic and electrifying After Whom set to the music composed by acclaimed film director Jerrold Tarog This piece, loosely touching upon the power struggle between the sexes and the subjugation of women, has been an audience favorite since its debut back in 2005.

The program ended with Reguindin's Sabihin Mo Ikaw ay Pilipino led once again by Erl Sorilla, still decked as Jose Rizal, as a rousing call for Filipinos to be proud of their nation no matter how turbulent and checkered the nation's past is.

Sayaw's length may be a bit more brief compared to ARDP's other stagings, but it does urge viewers to take a deeper dive into Philippine history. The 300+ years of Spanish occupation was just breezed through and other key events in Philippine history like the American and Japanese occupations, and the Martial Law era were not even mentioned even if they figure in the country's quest for freedom. Very likely that ARDP not having any works set in these times contributed to the exclusion.

Overall, Sayaw Tungo sa Kalayaan is a great touring piece for the company, giving viewers a glimpse of the breadth of ARDP's repertoire while giving a refresher on Philippine history.