Relive Pinoy disco’s glory days in BP’s ‘Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko’

Come and celebrate the holi­days as Ballet Philippines (BP), in collaboration with ABS-CBN and the ABS-CBN Phil­harmonic Orchestra, stages Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko (Sing It and I’ll Dance), a new dance musical featuring the songs of popular 1970s Filipino band VST & Co. at the Tanghalang Nicanor Abelardo (Main The­ater) of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) from December 2 to 11.

Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko tells the story of the forbidden love between kolehiyala Te­resa and constructor worker Victor that unfolds during the late 1970s, when Filipinos were burning with disco fever, but chilled by the horrors of Martial Law. They are sepa­rated in life, but are reunited in heaven, where they once again dance up a storm.

BP Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales will direct the show and Maestro Gerard Salonga will lead the orchestra in playing such disco hits as “Rock Baby Rock”, “Magsayawan”, and “Ipagpatawad Mo”, as well as Bert de Leon’s “Hindi Ko Akalain” and Celso Llarina & Roger Rigor’s “Puwede Ba?” and “Ikaw ang Aking Pasko”. These are all woven together in a libretto by Bibeth Orteza, who has intimate knowledge of the recording of some of those songs, and interpreted through dance by choreographers James Laforteza, PJ Rebullida, and Carissa Adea.

Taking the lead roles of Teresa and Victor are two of BP’s legendary principal dancers: Edna Vida and Nonoy Froilan, who alternate with ballroom-dancing champion Ednah Ledesma and former BP prince Butch Esperanza. Their younger selves will be portrayed by Denise Parungao, Garry Corpuz, Rita Angela Winder, and Jean Marc Cordero.

ABS-CBN Kapamilya stars Karylle, Michael Pangilinan, Markki Stroem, and Kyle Echarri will perform on December 2 at 8 p.m. and December 11 at 2 and 6 p.m. Alternating with them are original Pilipino music (OPM) icon and former Color It Red vocalist Cooky Chua, award-winning theater actors Sandino Martin and Jef Flores, and The Voice Kids Season 3 contestant Noel Comia Jr.

The vocal ensemble will be composed of members of the classical singing group Viva Voce.

“This has been a rather fortuitous undertaking,” Morales said. “[Musical director] Jed Balsamo had the idea to do a show that features the music of VST and Co., and then ABS-CBN approached us to do a project together. We’re very lucky that all of these details came together so easily.”

Joining Morales, Salonga, Orteza, Balsamo, Laforteza, Rebullida and Adea in the production team are set de­signer Ohm David, costume designer James Reyes, lighting designer John Batalla, sound designer Jethro Joaquin, and projections creator GA Fal­larme.

The VST & Co. is con­sidered a pioneering group whose music forms part of what’s now known as the Manila Sound of the mid- to late 1970s. The group was composed of Vic, Tito and Val Sotto; Joey de Leon; Spanky, Male and Roger Rigor; Celso Llavina; Money Gaskell; Jun Medina; Homer Flores; Chito Ilagan; Ben Escasa; Fred Concepcion; Boy Alcaide; and Clod Baria. Even decades after their release, VST & Co. songs continue to endure and remain popular with Filipinos.

Performances of Awitin Mo at Isasayaw Ko are on December 2 at 8 p.m.; December 3 at 6 p.m., December 4 at 2 and 6 p.m.; De­cember 9 at 8 p.m.; December 10 at 2 and 6 p.m.; and December 11 at 2 and 6 p.m. Ticket prices range from P500 to P3500, with discounts for students, senior citi­zens, and government employees.

For more information, visit www.culturalcenter.gov.ph or www.facebook.com/balletphilip­pines.