National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes’ groundbreaking Filipino rock-opera-ballet, “Rama, Hari,” was staged at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, Dumaguete City on October 5-6 as the inaugural cultural show for the auditorium’s 50th anniversary celebration.
This highly anticipated production, inspired by the Hindu epic Ramayana, featured a collaboration of some of the Philippines’ most esteemed artists.
The production, which Reyes began to conceive in 1979, showcased contributions from five National Artists, including herself, the director and choreographer, who was declared National Artist for Dance in 2014; Ryan Cayabyab, who composed the music, and conferred the National Artist for Music in 2018; Salvador Bernal, who designed the sets and costumes, National Artist for Theater Design in 2003; Bienvenido Lumbera, who wrote the libretto, National Artist for Literature in 2006; and Rolando Tinio, who provided the English translation, National Artist for Theater and Literature in 1997.
The cast included Ejay Arisola as Rama, Monica Gana as Sita, and Erl Sorilla as Lakshmana. Lester Reguindin and Sarah Alejandro who portrayed the villains Ravana and Soorpanakha. John Ababon, Micha Carreon, Karla Santos, Krislynne Buri, and Renzen Arboleda also returned to their roles in this historic production.
This event is supported by the Silliman University Culture and Arts Council (SUCAC), under the direction of Dr. Diomar Abrio.
Alice Reyes, a National Artist for Dance recognized by President Benigno Aquino III in 2016, serves as the artistic consultant for the Professional Artist Support Program. She is also the chairman emeritus of the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP).
For more forthcoming shows at the Luce Auditorium, you can check out the SUCAC website at sillimanucac.com. You can also visit the SUCAC office on the second floor, College of Performing and Visual Arts II, Silliman University.
For ticket reservations, contact them at (035) 420 1901 local 522. | NWI
