Thirty years after it was first staged at the main theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), Philippine Ballet Theater’s Andres KKK will be revisited and performed by a new generation of all-Filipino ballet artists.
Three very special performances are scheduled this weekend at the Rockwell Proscenium Theater, and major artistic collaborators Gener Caringal (choreography) and Jesse Lucas (music) are expected to grace the much awaited shows, with highly anticipated performances by the exceptional dancers of the highly-touted Philippine Ballet Theater.
And for the mostly student population in the university belt, there will also be special free shows on August 26 and 27 at the University of the East Theater, to be performed by the members of the UE Silanganan Dance Troupe.
Multi-awarded composer Jesse Lucas shared that he was only 27 years old when Caringal sought him out to create the music for this historical production on the life and times of Philippine hero Andres Bonifacio. ‘It was the beginning of our long creative partnership, and the many years of our many wonderful collaborations also strengthened our friendship and solidified our respect for each other’s artistic pursuits and undertakings.’
Unforgettable ballet productions of the Lucas-Caringal tandem include Sarimanok, Chanted Journeys and Darangen ni Dantugen for Philippine Ballet Theater, and the widely praised dance-musical of Ballet Philippines in 2003 which we were able to watch, Darna.
Lucas believes that music, whether created for theater, film or ballet, becomes timeless when it is able to blend authenticity and universal human experiences with a strong narrative. ‘Music has the power to shift the perspectives of people and communities. When music corresponds with a particular scene, whether it is on the big screen or a performance stage, and it allows the audience to be immersed in that particular moment and its setting, then it becomes truly effective because the emotions are raw and real, and the music allows these emotions and the other visual components to resonate with the audience.’ Lucas, his compositions and musical creations have been recognized locally and overseas, including the Gawad URIAN, the Young Critics Circle, Aliw Awards, and the Gawad Tanglaw. In 2010, he was elevated to the FAMAS Hall of Fame in the Film Music category. He also took home the Best Music trophy at the 2005 Screamfest International Film Festival in California.
For Andres KKK, which premiered at the CCP in 1996, Lucas took off with the basic narrative structure that Caringal gave him, including the important timestamps. ‘My inspiration built up as I worked on the music, where I combined chants, indigenous local instruments and synthesizers, at a time when electronic technology in music was still relatively new.’
Lucas said that he is more than excited to watch a new generation of ballet dancers interpret the music he created, under the artistic direction of Ronilo Jaynario, with choreography by Caringal.
From the early days when he first took on the challenge of creating music about one of the Philippines’ most colorful historical heroes, Lucas has made sure that his compositions remain relevant and relatable to both performers and audiences alike. And just like how art, dance and music evolve, who knows when the next great leap for the well-loved and celebrated composer Jesse Lucas will come.