AUTHOR-Choreographer’s Notes: It was a daunting task preparing for the “Launch” of the newly constituted College of Saint BenildeFilipinescas Dance Company, held on June 25, 2004 at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Little Theater, with the full and wonderful cooperation of the CCP, kindness, its President Nestor O. Jardin.
We had a frenzied time (with moments of exhilaration) leading up to the "Launch" in which we were to show excerpts (samples, "teasers") from our full-length nationally and international acclaimed epic or saga "FILIPINESCAS: Philippine Life, Legend and Lore in Dance."
The last week of March was mostly taken up by auditioning and recruiting of "hopefuls" and after the Holy Week was the start of the re-choreographing.
The big incentive presented to the dancers of the CSB-Filipinescas Dance Company was the College of Saint Benilde’s offer of full scholarships and regular stipends, plus free boards and lodging upon availability of slots for dancers living outside of Metro Manila.
There seems to be a postperformance euphoria – we understand that to date, numerous telephone calls were received by the CSB, inquiring how to become members of the CSB-Filipinescas Dance Company. It is clear that this opportunity is a rare and marvelous gift for young Filipinos. How exciting to witness the youth discovering their heritage and embracing it as something "hip and cool" and very FILIPINO.
By June, the grueling rehearsal schedule took its toll on the dancers. Rehearsals had to be interrupted due to several dancers falling ill with coughs and fevers, with one even being hospitalized.
In retrospect, it was a formidable array of excerpts to do:
1.
EONS AGO: The Legends of the Creation of the First Man and Woman – when having discovered each other, went up to the hills to make the First Home; and from their children and their children’s children, there emerged many tribes;
2.
LONG, LONG AGO: TRIBAL STORY – The opening sequence of the dance drama "TRIBAL, STORY," inspired by LIFE in the Cordillera;
3.
LONG AGO: MOROLANDIA – A celebration of the colorful diversity present our culture;
There is the first fervid excitement of the barter, and the ensuing duel of two-half brothers over the hand of the beauteous Princess. Follows a stylized version of the Pangalay in a General Dance of Celebration.
(Note: Not seen are the wedding festivities held in Cebu at the invitation of King Humabon the arrival of Magellan and the first mass conversion to Christianity, that of King Humabon, Queen Juana and their subjects).
4. We skipped the Lenten episodes of
YESTERDAY: Cuadros Filipinos de Ayer y Hoy and went straight to "Sabong" (cockfight) and "Asalto for Maria Clara" (surprise birthday party).
5. And we ended up with an abbreviated form of the fast paced
TODAY: The Birds and the Planters, where the planters try to trap the mischievous Birds pecking at their precious grains.
It was a miracle, or the making of a miracle, seeing portions of "Filipinescas" described as "a synthesis" of legend, history and tradition. Once more alive after being dead or in a state of hibernation for 30 years, a national treasure considered lost and now found and recovered.
The greater miracle will be, of course, when the two-hour saga (complete) will go on the boards. Once again, hopefully in February or March of 2005 at the CCP Main Theatre.
In the meantime, we (principally, my son Dr. Benjamin O. Goquingco Jr. and I) have lot of work to do, recreating, an additional one hour and 15 minutes of daily dancing time making additional sets, costumes and props, etc.
And how did this authorartistic director-choreographer feel at the end of the show?
Elated. Jubilant. Calling on these to be co-recipients of the standing ovation: Our overall project coordinator, Architect Jose Manuel (Manolet) Garcia, my associate artistic director and choreographer my son Dr. Benjamin O. Goquingco Jr., my daughter Regina Goquingco Felipe, who had flown in from San Francisco to be with us this evening, and who had done some last minute coaching and our excellent ballet and rehearsal mistress Vella C. Damian;
Prof. Pedro "Edru" Abraham founder-director of Kontra-Gapi Ensemble which had furnished the live musical accompaniment for first few numbers, set and costume designer Vincent Niklaus de los Reyes Torres, our very competent light designer, Prof. Jay Aranda and my secretary and girl Friday Catalinas (Lina) Santos.
I failed to mention our hard-pressed Ben-Lor staff and kitchen crew, which prepared the hundreds of meals we fed our performing dancers (3 meals a day plus merienda) in the latter part of April, May and June.
Pray for us, for with God nothing is impossible and without God we are nothing!
