The beauty of being a blogger is that you get to be part of
a monumental event. Not all the time but
when you get to be invited to one, you get to witness it firsthand. Such was the case when I was invited to
witness an event which is part of a year-long celebration of the 50 years of
arts by no other than National Artist Benedicto R. Cabrera.
This 2015, BenCab Art Foundation, Inc. and Solaire Resort
and Casino, have forged together to present a year-long series of exhibition
and events to celebrate the artistry of National Artist for the Visual Arts
Benedicto R. Cabrera or fondly called in the art world as BenCab. With this a theatrical piece was created and
now to be shown this June 26 and 27 at the Music Museum entitled Sabel:
Love and Passion.
Sabel: Love and Passion essays
the story of a dynamic young woman who loved, above all, to dance. From her depression to her triumphs, this
piece shows her life in all its beautiful and painful aspect. Dancing has been her life and salvation. It was her travel in life bringing her in
full circle – from her beautiful youth, life destroyed by war, love found and
lost, shattered mind due to society and back to the arms of a father whom has
thought her gone and a son lost from birth.
With Louie Ocampo as Musical Director and Freddie Santos as
Director and Lyricist, this piece was put on stage with talents that are known
in the stage and music industry. Giving
life to the songs were Aicelle Santos, Bo Cerrudo, Antoinette Taus, and Timmy
Pavino , with the special participation of Audie Gemora. To give interpretation to the story through
movements were the Philippine Ballet Theater and giving life to the narrative
is Iza Calzado.
My Review:
When the press preview was held some months back, I have mix
thoughts about this piece. Not because
it was not beautiful but because of some issues I had regarding the delivery,
as a viewer.
The music is good and somehow has a touch of humor in it
because there was a moment that I heard a part of an ad jingle from yester
years. One of the concerns that I have
is the delivery of the songs. True to
say that I am not a trained singer but I know a scratch when I hear one. It was there when Bo sang. He was a good singer during his prime and
unfortunately now is no longer his prime.
Kudos goes to Aicelle, Audie and Timmy! – your delivery was right and
within your capabilities. I am sorry to
say that I can’t say anything about Antoinette Taus for I wasn’t able to
recognize her both visually and in voice.
Philippine Ballet Theater did their best in doing what they
are known for, which is dancing. There
were some misses but good hits also. As
a previous dancer in my younger years,
whenever I am asked to do a piece, I try to make sure that I get to deliver it
the way it should be delivered and not by my own rhythm or in the local tongue,
“pitik”. True, ballet training is their base
foundation but when asked to do a jig or even a charleston, you don’t have to
do a pointing of the feet typical in ballet.
I would like to commend the dancer portraying the character of Sabel in
her young woman years. She was a delight
on stage! She knows how to make use of
her cloth extensions making that illusion of wings and flight! Her twirls and dips were so pleasing to
behold and she truly made the classic description of dance come to life at that
moment – that when you dance, you set yourself free and fly!
The usage of the image projection was good also for it
helped in the time depiction and even created a visual treat to the
viewers. The slow development of a
BenCab painting was made into reality in a short period when projected on
stage. It also helped in showing the other works of BenCab without crowding the
stage area.
Iza Calzado portrayed two roles in this musical piece, as a
narrator and as Sabel. As a narrator,
she was pleasing to a point. Her shift
from classical oration (1st person) to 3rd person
point-of-view is a bit confusing if you get to notice it. It is also because of this that you get to
have an idea that she is Sabel. As the
character Sabel (deranged character), no one can dispute that she is not
effective. Her characterization as the
mad woman is right on the money! Her
body and face was so expressive that you get to see things clearly even if you
are far. I just don’t get the entrance
and exit points that were given to her, but that is not her fault since it was
an instruction given to her.
The whole piece was effectively tied together at the end
when Iza was no longer the narrator but as Sabel. On this I truly commend her! It is not an easy task but she truly made the
descriptive line “full circle” come
into reality in that short but very marking ending scene. She was a good and perfect choice to do
Sabel!
The piece Sabel: Love and Passion is a visual
treat! Something that is very
appropriate when we are talking of it showing the works of National Artist
BenCab in a new medium. Is it worth your
time? I would say: yes. It is not your Broadway
spectacular, that is true, but it is still something worth watching if you want
to be part of the year-long celebration of BenCab’s 50 years of artistry. If you are not an art fan and doesn’t know
BenCab (shame on you!), the piece is
still worth your time because of the delivery and collaboration of the people
to make this a reality. You may not like
all the scenes but definitely you will enjoy it and leave the theater with a
good feeling due to the development and how it was closed – no strings left
loose – A FULL CIRCLE INDEED.
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