"Encore: The Best of the Philippine Ballet Theatre" was presented by the Silay City Government in cooperation with the Philippine Ballet Theatre Incorporated at Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center on December 8.
In the later part of 1800 and early years of 1900, Pueblo de Silay was named as the "Paris of Negros" because Silaynons loved the sweet life by becoming not just sugarcane farmers and sugar producers. They have evolved to become "admiradas" (those who love the fine things) and "culturistas" (those who are into cultural arts).
The Silaynons have the "buena familias" who have become the "patrocinadores" (sponsors) of the arts and culture. Long before the Cultural Center of the Philippines (1969), there was already "Kahirup Theater' in Silay where Silaynon artists performed back to back with European troupers.
Along with imported goods coming from countries in Europe, America and Asia, foreign artists came to Silay via international vessels docking at Silay Port, the longest seaport in Asia at the turn of the century (1.7 kilometers -L shape).
In recent years, many outreach programs sponsored by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, National Commission for the Culture and the Arts, Ballet Philippines, Ballet Manila, Philippine Ballet Theatre, Filipino Heritage Festival Inc., among others, were presented at Natalio G. Velez Sports and Cultural Center (NGVSCC, the home of Silay Hiligaynon zarzuelas). The lot was donated by the Hofilena family.
The hosting of "Encore: The Best of the Philippine Ballet Theatre" by Silay City Government was an important added attraction to the ongoing Christmas festival at the "Christmas Village" (public plaza). The show features the all-time favorite classical pas de deux (pa de doo), literally meaning a dance for two people, from "Le Corsaire" and "Merry Widow."
There was also a showing of a glimpse of "Vinta" by Gener Caringal and "Sa Entablado" from Tony Fabellas "Mantones de Manila" (The Shawls of Manila). Silay folks wowed at "Serye at Sayaw," a montage of original choreography by Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario set to popular OPM hits.
My former tourism staff members provided me a prime seat closer to the stage where I could see the "ballerinas" (female ballet dancers) with their slinky "tutu" (classical ballet dress with hip-length bodice and short, frill, net skirt). The "danseurs" (male ballet dancers) took pride in their "pas de cheval" (scraping the ground like a horse with one foot while hopping on the other foot.
The "pas de deux" (dance with two people) performed by the "prima ballerina" and "premier danseur" fascinated the audience when they performed "pistolet" (throwing the left leg up, then springing with the right and performing a beat followed by a leg position, a second beat, and a final leg change before landing with the left leg in the air).
Bravo! That was audacious! The show ended with amazement and pleasant greetings from the Silaynons and public officials who were there. Cong. Kiko Benitez, Mayor Mark Golez, SP Ryan Gamboa and SP Lyndon Bernardo and a round of applause to Malen Claravall, vice president of PBTI-Outreach Programs.