Experience the Magic of ENCANTADA: A Celebration of Filipino Culture and Environmental Awareness

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Are you ready to be entranced once again? This April, ENCANTADA takes the stage once more to celebrate Earth Month. This dance performance showcases the Neo-Ethnic Dance Style of National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin as she explores Filipino folklore, history, and culture while also bringing awareness to the destruction of nature caused by human activities.

ENCANTADA was first premiered in 1992, created by a trio of brilliant Filipino artists: Agnes Locsin, Joey Ayala, and Al Santos. Agnes Locsin pioneered the Neo-Ethnic dance style, which reworked Philippine tribal dances, practices, beliefs, and stories into the framework of classical ballet and modern dance techniques. Meanwhile, Joey Ayala composed the music, Al Santos wrote the libretto, and National Artist Salvador Bernal designed the production.

The 2023 production of ENCANTADA features artists from the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ Professional Artist Support Program and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines. Carissa Adea and Georgette Sanchez-Vargas will reprise their award-winning roles, while Kris-Belle Paclibar-Mamangun, a former member of Cirque du Soleil, will alternate the role of Babaylan with Adea. The performance will take place on April 14-15 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater and on April 21-22 at the Metropolitan Theater.

ENCANTADA was last staged in 2011 and received critical acclaim, including 10 Gawad Buhay Awards, such as Best Modern Dance Production, Best Choreography, Best Musical Composition, Best Production Design, and Best Lighting Design. John Neil Batalla, who won the Best Lighting Design award, will return to light the 2023 production.

But ENCANTADA is just one of the many exciting productions in ARDP’s 2023 Dance Season. Future shows include Alice Reyes’ RAMAHARI, Carmen and Other Spirits featuring new works by young Filipino choreographers, and Puso ng Pasko, a celebration of Paskong Pinoy.

To witness the best of Filipino artistry and talent, subscribe to ARDP’s 2023 Dance Season and reserve your tickets today by emailing ardancephilippinesinc@gmail.com.


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