Just six months ago, I would have never thought that I would be wearing the night?s ruby red colors at a front seat of the 40th season gala of Ballet Philippines. While I appreciate culture and watch plays, concerts and dances both here and abroad, I would have never dreamed of front-seat involvement in our country?s premier dance company?s gala.

But fate has a strange way of opening doors and prodding you into unexpected places. Happily retired, I received a phone call from a former colleague: Ballet Philippines was in need of my marketing and sales expertise just for three months to get things organized and going?would I want to help? Before I could even blink, I was whisked into the heady world of dance.

A firm believer in ?doxa vs doxa? (opinion versus opinion results in greater truth), I conducted a series of focus group discussions by talking to different audience groups (in my marketing world and training: Consumer, in this case the audience, is king!).

It was an eye-opener to find out that some of them were intimidated by Ballet Philippines, thinking that the group danced only classical ballet (untrue: The group performs an entire spectrum of dances, from classical to neo-classical to modern and neo-Filipino); that CCP where it staged its shows was the enclave of the rich and the powerful; and that one had to wear coat and tie or high heels and a long gown with expensive jewelry to gain entrance.

The biggest myth was that each ticket cost more than P2,000 (untrue: Tickets start at P150, less than the price of a movie ticket).

There was much soul-searching in the company, some reorganizing and a recharted mission that was summed up in its newly minted slogan: ?We dance for you!?

Dance of life

It?s Ballet Philippines wearing their hearts on their sleeves and telling you that they dance the story of every Filipino?s life: Be it culture through ?Igorot,? history through ?Tales of the Manuvu? and ?La Revolucion,? or love in ?Gaano Kadalas ang Minsan? and environment in ?Swimming Ilog Pasig.?

You name it, Ballet Philippines? arsenal of over 400 choreographies will have it. Because the group has been here since 1969, the longest standing Southeast Asian dance company?observing, recording, dancing the cornerstones of Filipino life.

The group is propagating its messages by performing where the audiences go, now doing sneak previews at the SM Megamall?s Atrium and Podium to standing-room audiences of office workers, children and moms. It is inviting viewers to come to CCP in their regular attire and is even hosting a special show for P99 a ticket?its way of thanking Filipinos for 40 wonderful years.

The group is also partnering with the Manila Symphony Orchestra so that live music will heighten the dance experience for upcoming shows like the ?Nutcracker.?

Much gentler time

My sons tease me, ?Ballet Philippines again, Mom. Why are you always doing things for Ballet Philippines??

I hug my children and tell them that there was a time, a much gentler time when we did not have computers and cell phones, when grace and manners counted, when people had to toil as the dancers do, putting in 10 hours daily to perfect a craft, when hard work and effort were appreciated and applauded. There was a time when we could stop and savor life instead of pressing buttons in an unending digital battle on the PSP, Wii or the computer. There is gallantry in the curtsey, grace in a pirouette, discipline in an arabesque and effort made to appear effortless in a simple pointe. There, too, is respite, an interlude, almost like a prayer, when a dancer leaps and your heart leaps with him or her to a happy place. And I tell my sons that dance is like a window to a world?a happy world.

It has been six months since I entered the heady world of Ballet Philippines. Since then I have met many wonderful people and have been invited to join their board. Since then I have been collaborating with them to build a direct selling sales force and to offer our unparalleled choreography and dance services for corporate launches and social events. We are even setting up a wardrobe rental service so that everyone can rent the beautiful costumes you see floating onstage.

I have listened to dance scores and found my own music as well. Inspired by the dancers? daily routine, I have rediscovered music and am playing the piano again.

My music is halting, my arpeggios slow, but that?s okay; in ballet, it takes daily practice and continuous effort. And then one day, I will take that leap and I will play ?Clair de Lune? and ?Madrileña? with dexterity again. That?s what you get from ballet. Belief. Passion. Discovery and ambition. Won?t you let Ballet Philippines do the same for you?

The next show is ?Tales of the Manuvu,? a rock opera dance hit that features popular songs like ?Noong Unang Panahon.? It is a mythical story about the first man and woman and the creation of the world. It was written by National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera. Tickets start at P200. Show schedule: Oct. 23, 24, 25 at the CCP. Call TicketNet at 891-9999 or Ballet Philippines at 551-0221.