Ballet Manila Stages Severino Reyes\’ "Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang"

We are scheduled to watch \”Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang\” presented by Ballet Manila tomorrow night, Aug. 21, 8pm at Aliw Theater. Other show schedule was on August 22, 28, and 29, at 8:00 p.m., and on August 23 &; 30 at 3:00 p.m. 

I chose to watch the first schedule to enable me to at least share my review right after  the show.

[UPDATE: We are instead re-scheduled to watch next Friday, Aug.28. due to bad weather last friday cause by typhoon \’Ineng\’].

Luz Fernandez as \”Lola Basyang\”

Lola Basyang is part of the Filipino culture and heritage, Ballet Manila is honored to do their share in preserving this wonderful gift, through dance and music.

My 7-yr. old son needs an introduction to Lola Basyang, so here goes full story about him.

Yes, him. Did you know that Lola Basyang is male?

Lola Basyang was the pen name of writer Severino Reyes, the genius behind the enchanting stories that has been adapted to books, comics, television and films.

Here are other amazing Lola Basyang facts:

The writer was 75 years old when he wrote the first Lola Basyang story entitled  \”Ang Plautin ni Periking\”, about a kindhearted boy with a magical flute and flying carpet.

He was known as \”Don Pinoy\” but for his magical tales he adopted the character of Lola Basyang, an old woman well-loved by her grandchildren because she regaled them with magical stories about kings, queens, dragons and other incredible creatures. 

Lola Basyang\’s character was closely similar to Mother Goose the imaginary author of fairy tales and nursery rhymes. The name was inspired by a woman named Gervacia Guzman De Zamora who was known as \”Tandang Basyang\”.

The stories were published in a special section in Liwayway the oldest Tagalog magazine in the country. The publication began in 1922 and included serialized novels, short stories, poetry, comics, essays, news features, entertainment news and articles, and many others.

Writer Severino Reyes is considered one of the giants of Philippine Literature. Aside from Lola Basyang his most famous play was \’Walang Sugat\” a Tagalog zarzeula about the brave Katipuneros during the Spanish occupation.

On August 21, Ballet Manila opens its 20th performance season Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, three captivating dance productions of love, fantasy and adventure.

Ballet Manila will bring back the storybook magic of “Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon,” “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya” and \”Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin”, first staged in 2008.

Choreographed by Osias Barroso set to the melodies of national artists for music as arranged by Mon Faustino, “Ang Prinsipe ng Mga Ibon” is about a princess who falls madly in love with a bird prince. Their love is put to a test when her furious father expresses disapproval over their unusual relationship.

Ballet Manila Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde choregraphed “Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya”. Set to the music of Joey Ayala, it tells the story a boy in search of his sisters who were captured by a beast, as a punishment for their father\’s greedy streak.

The boy strives to fulfill their father\’s dying wish by coming face to face with the monster that took his sisters.

“Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin.” was choreographed by the late Tony Fabella with music by Ryan Cayabyab. The tale is about a poor worker who was given a violin when he helped an old lady. The enchanting rhythm of the strings sends listeners in a trance bringing about an unusual change in behavior.

The dance production goes onstage at Aliw Theater on August 21, 22, 28, and 29, at 8:00 p.m., and on August 23 and 30 at 3:00 p.m.

I was entice to watch as it promises to be the perfect weekend treat for the whole family. As Ballet Manila Chief Executive Officer and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde states that the kids will surely like the snake scene and all the live animals on stage.

The show is co-presented by Manila Broadcasting Company, Anvil Publishing, Aliw Theater and Star City.  Other sponsors are ACS Manufacturing, First United Travel, Papa John’s Pizza, Manang’s Chicken, Empire Salon, Slimmer’s World, Island Rose, and whatshappening.com.ph.

Tickets are available at Ticketworld outlets, www.ticketworld.com.ph, or call 891 9999 and the Ballet Manila marketing hotline at 552 7502.

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