Tales of the Manuvu Returns in 2026: Why Alice Reyes’ Legendary Rock Opera Ballet Still Matters

-

On February 25, 1977, a packed house at the Cultural Center of the Philippines witnessed something unprecedented: a Filipino rock opera ballet rooted in indigenous mythology, scored with rock and pop music, and carried by the vision of National Artists.

Forty-nine years later, Tales of the Manuvu rises again.

In 2026, Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) restages the country’s first Filipino rock opera ballet, beginning at the University Theater in UP Diliman on February 27–28 before moving to the Proscenium Theater in Rockwell, Makati on March 28–29.

This is not nostalgia programming.
This is cultural recalibration.

What Is Tales of the Manuvu?

Tales of the Manuvu is a groundbreaking Filipino rock opera ballet first premiered in 1977. It merges:

  • Indigenous mythology drawn from the folk tales of E. Arsenio Manuel

  • Contemporary rock and pop music

  • Classical and modern dance vocabulary

  • Live singers and a rock band

  • Full theatrical staging

The original production was a historic collaboration between:

  • National Artist Alice Reyes (direction and choreography)

  • National Artist Bienvenido Lumbera (libretto)

  • OPM icon Dero Pedero (music)

  • Rock band Afterbirth (additional music)

It also featured icons of Philippine theater and music including Boy Camara, Anthony Castelo, Haji Alejandro, Celeste Legaspi, and marked the debut of Leah Navarro.

This was not a small experiment.
It was a declaration.

Why the 2026 Restaging Matters

Alice Reyes has reflected on how the folk tales inspired what was then a new dance concept in the Philippines. Nearly five decades later, the work returns not as revival for revival’s sake, but as affirmation.

Dance changes.
Audiences change.
The country changes.

But certain works endure.

The 2026 version is restaged by ARDP Ballet Master Lester Reguindin, with new set and costume designs by award-winning director and designer Loy Arcenas, and lighting design by Barbara Tan-Tiongco.

This is not replication.
It is continuation.

2026 Cast and Creative Ensemble

One of the most exciting aspects of this production is its rotating cast, allowing audiences to experience different artistic interpretations per performance.

The Singers

Manama / First Man: Joshua Cadeliña alternating with Adonis Villanueva
Ogassi: Almond Bolante alternating with Greg De Leon
First Woman: Christy Lagapa alternating with Toni Carm Santos

The Dancers

Manama: John Ababon alternating with Renzen Arboleda
Ogassi: Earl John Arisola sharing the role with Erl Sorilla
First Man: Renzen Arboleda and James Galarpe
First Woman: Krislynne Buri and Francine Beltran

This structure ensures that no two performances are exactly the same.

Performance Dates and Venues

University Theater, UP Diliman

February 27–28, 2026
Admission: Free (Registration Required)

The UP Diliman leg offers free admission on a first-come, first-served basis, reinforcing accessibility and public engagement with the arts.

Proscenium Theater, Rockwell Makati

March 28–29, 2026

March 28 – Fundraising Gala (7:30 PM)
Orchestra Center: 5,000
Orchestra Side: 4,000
Dress Circle: 2,500

March 29 – Regular Performances

Matinee (2:00 PM)
Orchestra Center: 2,500
Orchestra Side: 1,800
Dress Circle: 1,800

Evening (6:00 PM)
Orchestra Center: 3,000
Orchestra Side: 2,000
Dress Circle: 2,000

Early Bird Offer: 10% off for a limited time
Discounts: PWD (20%), Senior Citizen (20%), Student (50%)

Why This Production Still Feels Urgent

In 1977, staging a rock opera ballet rooted in indigenous mythology was radical.

In 2026, restaging it remains radical.

We are in a time where attention is fragmented and cultural memory is short. Bringing back a 49-year-old work asserts something powerful:

That Filipino myth remains contemporary.
That dance can still provoke national consciousness.
That collaboration between National Artists continues to resonate.

Live performance demands presence. It resists scrolling. It insists on witness.

Where the Proceeds Go

All ticket sales help cover production expenses and provide financial support to ARDP dancers, musicians, and artists.

Buying a ticket is not just attending a show.
It is sustaining Filipino dance.

Why You Should Watch It

Because this is the first Filipino rock opera ballet.
Because it bridges indigenous storytelling and OPM history.
Because it is a rare restaging of a National Artist masterpiece.
Because heritage survives only when performed.

Nearly five decades later, Tales of the Manuvu does not simply return.

It reminds us who we are.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Cinema Paradiso Al Fresco at MiraNila: A Concert and Outdoor Film Screening in Manila this February 2026

-
Image
Anyone searching for a unique February 2026 event in Manila will find something remarkable at MiraNila Heritage House . On February 5, 2026 , the historic 1929 home in Cubao opens its gates for Cinema Paradiso Al Fresco , a one-night blend of live music, heritage tours, and an outdoor film screening that feels crafted for those who want culture presented with intimacy and intention. Stepping into MiraNila already feels like entering a preserved chapter of Manila’s past. Guests begin the evening with a guided heritage house tour , moving through rooms that hold nearly a century of stories. This gentle immersion sets up the mood for the night, grounding visitors before the music and film unfold on the front lawn. The concert itself features two celebrated international artists. Violinist Alessio Benvenuti , widely recognized for his national and international impact, performs alongside pianist Mariel Ilusorio , an artist whose work has reached audiences across four continents. Their pro...
Read more

Brickman Wonders of the World Extends in Manila Until March 8, 2026

-
Image
You don’t need to leave Manila to see the world—just a little more time to stay with it. Brickman Wonders of the World , the globally acclaimed LEGO® exhibition presented by GMG Productions , has officially extended its Manila run until March 8, 2026 , at The Space at Solaire . Originally scheduled to close in February, the extension gives families, students, and LEGO fans an extra month to experience a world tour built entirely from imagination, precision, and bricks. It’s not just an extension of dates. It’s an extension of possibility. A World Reimagined Through LEGO Bricks Inside Brickman Wonders of the World , familiar landmarks rise in unexpected ways. More than 45 iconic sites from across the globe —including the Taj Mahal , Leaning Tower of Pisa , and Arc de Triomphe —are recreated in LEGO form, some towering as high as 3.6 meters . Up close, the spectacle softens into detail. Patterns emerge. Techniques reveal themselves. You begin to notice how each structure was assembled br...
Read more

Tones Through Time: A Free Piano Concert at FEU Tracing the History of Western Music

-
Image
Before a single note is played, there is already a journey waiting to unfold, one that moves not through space, but through centuries of sound. On January 21, the Far Eastern University Center for the Arts opens the doors of the FEU Auditorium to that journey with Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey , a free admission informational piano concert led by internationally acclaimed pianist and educator Dr. Raffi Kasparian . This is not simply a recital. It is an invitation to listen with context, to hear how Western music grew, shifted, and responded to the world across generations. Through carefully chosen works and thoughtful narration, the concert traces the evolution of musical language from the Baroque period to the 20th century, guiding audiences through Classical balance, Romantic emotion, Impressionistic color, and modern experimentation. The result is an experience designed not only to be heard, but understood. Listening as Learning Tones Through Time: A Musical Odyssey is buil...
Read more