The Metropolitan Ballet Theatre (MBT) performed its initial presentation, “Divertissements,” to an appreciative audience at the ballroom of the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel. A special stage had been set up to the specifications of Fe Sala Villarica, the company’s artistic consultant.

 

She is actually the moving spirit behind MBT, fulfilling her dream of a lifetime, which is to give Cebu a ballet company of the highest standards. It all came to the fore on that gala night with a repertoire of challenging numbers ranging from the classical to the modern.

 

Villarica was onstage before the start of the presentation to welcome one and all, and reiterated that MBT is a dance company, independent of any school. “We don’t teach, we only dance,” she asserted.

 

She thanked the Arts Council (founded by her in 1960) for presenting the event, with VP Vivina Chiu Yrastorza as its chair; the Marco Polo, represented by its general manager, Hans Hauri; and the Central Visayas chapter of the Philippine Pediatric Society headed by Dr. Boyet Quitevis for their involvement.

 

Principal dancers in the company are Sheila Lendio Manlunas and Chris Manlunas, who did the Slave Pas de Deux from “Le Corsaire,” with music by Adam, and the original choreography by Marius Petipa (1819-1910).

 

Sheila and Chris both choreograph for the company. That evening she presented “The Leaves Are Fading,” set to music by Dvorak; and “Tango Fuego,” which fused the traditional with the contemporary.

 

Full-fledged company members are Sabrina Bogard, Meenriive Canales, Jeffrey Tapang and Nouelle Nebril, with apprentices Graziella Lendio and Pamela Mangubat. Promising trainees are Alrium Ombima, Giselle Abalos, Marifel Villamor, Olegario Gentiles and Jacinth Joy Catubig.

 

They took various parts and roles in the program which started with the August Bournonville (1805-1879) ballet “Flower Festival in Genzano.” There was a Spanish Gypsy Dance from the ballet “Paquita” and the comical “Fairy Doll,” which delighted everyone.

 

The entire cast, with Sheila and Chris in the lead roles, was in the finale, “Venice Carnival,” another Petipa ballet of indescribable beauty. There were several curtain calls. At the last one there was a standing ovation for Fe Villarica, who joined the cast amid masses of flowers.

 

She was besieged with congratulations, of course. The kudos have also gone to Benjie Diola who helped in the direction, Virginia Memis for the fantastic costumes and Jun Esconde, in charge of the backdrop and props.

 

Teresa Canton booked the MBT for a repeat of “Divertissements” on the next weekend, at the Talisay City Sports Center. There’ll be another repeat with a matinee on Aug. 31 at 3:15 p.m. at the On Stage theater for the performing arts in Ayala Center Cebu. For details, call the Arts Council office at (032) 2330452.

 

Rafaelita Pelaez who was present on the first night may bring MBT and “Divertissements” to perform at the Liceo de Cagayan de Oro University’s Rodelsa Hall. That is a veritable cultural center named after her late parents who founded the school, Rodolfo and Elsa Pelaez.

 

Even as they rehearse for repeat performances, the MBT as a company is already mapping out its next season. Fe Villarica would like to give Cebu three seasons in a year. “The next one is for January,” she said.

 

 

Two new books

 

Marlinda Angbetic Tan, Mayen to family and friends, scored quite a triumph with the launching of two books and dramatic readings from them at the Baltic and Balearic Rooms of the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel.

 

One book was “Canto Voice,” a collection of poems published decades ago in the local press by the late Cornelio Faigao, a literary legend in his own time.

 

The other was “The Female Heart and Other Plays” by his daughter Linda Kalayaan Faigao Hall, who has inherited her father’s artistic genes, well evident in her body of work.

 

Mayen emceed the program with her usual elan. There were words of welcome from Eleazer Berzales Jr., manager of the University of San Carlos (USC) printing press, which published the books.

 

The writers were introduced by Hope Sbanpan Yu, director of USC’s Cebuano Studies Center; with remarks from Juan Mercado, who writes for the Inquirer and Cebu Daily News. He knew Cornelio Faigao during his student days.

 

Poetry readings from “Canto Voice” were by Eileen Mangubat, Mila Espina and Joeberth Ocao. Then came a guitar rendition of “Harana” by Joel Oporto. A most eloquent response came from Linda Kalayaan Faigao Hall, whose son Justin had come with her from New York.

 

There followed a reading of her play, “Woman from the Other Side of the World,” directed by Archie Modequillo. In key roles were Michelle Varron, Gerard Joshua Ma, Dr. Randolph Libres and Alyce Kintanar Queblatin.

 

Also directed by Archie was the reading of the play that lends its title to the book, “The Female Heart,” starring Joanna Fajardo Salazar and Dondi Joseph. The voice-overs were by Mayen and Joeberth.

 

After that, the enthusiastic crowd lined up to buy the books, have them signed by Linda, and proceeded to sip cocktails, munch finger food, and let the afternoon leisurely slide into a prolonged evening.