Latest Posts

kirk 3

Charlie Kirk’s Life Defined by Christian Service & Witness Before His Passing

idc 1

HUAWEI Once Again Leads the Global Wearable Market with Back-to-Back No. 1 Rankings

BC x AACCUP MOU signing

British Council, AACCUP to Advance Internationalisation, Research, and TNE in PH SUCs

Alice Reyes Dance Philippines Opens Its 2023 Season with a Fresh Staging of Encantada

encantada

SHARE

Encantada (Enchantress) makes its comeback this coming April 14 and 15 at the Samsung Performing Arts Theater and on April 21 and 22 at the Metropolitan Theater.

The award-winning dance production is the brainchild of National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin, who collaborates this time with Joey Ayala (music) and Palanca award winner Al Santos (libretto), utilizing the production design of the late fellow National Artist Salvador Bernal.

This staging will be produced and performed by the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP), a new contemporary ballet company helmed by none other than the National Artist for Dance herself, Alice Reyes. All gala shows will have live accompaniment courtesy of Joey Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad together with the Philippines’ World Music Siren Bayang Barrios.

“We appreciate that so many aspects of our Philippine heritage are at the core of this dance. There’s a babaylan, there’s a setting in our history…there, the characters are mythology of the encantada, the diwata (fairy), and the central theme…the endangerment of kalikasan,” said Tina Paterno, one of the panelists from the Cultural Heritage Preservation organization.

“I remember my wife and I visited Agnes [Locsin] in Davao and we watched her show. It was my first time kasi hindi po ako masyadong mahilig sa ballet. It was my wife’s influence that got me interested. And, when I read about Encantada, that it spoke about environmental conservation, it hit me directly because of very recent problems that we are facing,” said Dr. Natahaniel “Dinky” Von Einsiedel, former president of the Philippine Society for Environmental Matters.

Tats Manahan, ARDP president, emphasize that the conception of the dance piece involved comprehensive research on Philippine folk religion, traditions, practices, and history.

Encantada first premiered in February 1992, with Wendy Panganiban (Babaylan) and Joey Ayala (Estranghero) leading the show. Locsin explained that their first collaboration was a 1977 rock opera performed at the Ateneo de Davao and they both agreed on doing another one, this time centering on environmental concerns.

Darrell Sicam

The last staging of Encantada in 2011 took home 10 Gawad Buhay Awards, including Best Modern Dance Production, Best Choreography, Best Musical Composition, Best Production Design, and Best Lighting Design. 

This 2023 production will also be lit by John Ilao Batalla, a celebrated artist in his field whose exemplary work spans over two decades. It is presented by the Metropolitan Theater of Manila, the Cultural Center of the Philippines and the Carmen D. Locsin Foundation.

The media launch was held at Rafael’s Tapas Bar and Restaurant on Newport Mall.  Guest artist Georgette Sanchez-Vargas, who got a Gawad Buhay citation in the Female Lead Performance Category in 2011, will reprise her role as the Baybaylan. She performed a short excerpt of Encantada together with the ARDP dancers including Carissa Adea, who got a citation for Female Featured Performance. Adea will also reprise her role. Kris Belle Paclibar-Manangun alternates as the Babaylan.

Other shows included in ARDP’s 2023 season are Rama Hari, Carmen and Other Spirits, and Puso ng Pasko.

Show Schedule:

April 14, 2023 | Friday | 7:30 p.m. | Samsung Performing Arts Theater*

April 15, 2023 | Saturday | 2:00 p.m. | Samsung Performing Arts Theater

April 15, 2023 | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. | Samsung Performing Arts Theater*

April 21, 2023 | Friday | 7:30 p.m. | Metropolitan Theater*

April 22, 2023 | Saturday | 2:00 p.m. | Metropolitan Theater

April 22, 2023 | Saturday | 7:30 p.m. | Metropolitan Theater*

*With live music performed by Joey Ayala and Ang Bagong Lumad with Bayang Barrios.

*Cover Photo/Thumbnail Photo from Darrell Sicam

RELATED ARTICLES

kirk 3

Charlie Kirk’s Life Defined by Christian Service & Witness Before His Passing

The news of Charlie Kirk’s passing at just 31 years old has sent shockwaves through the Christian community and beyond. Known first as a bold...
idc 1

HUAWEI Once Again Leads the Global Wearable Market with Back-to-Back No. 1 Rankings

HUAWEI has once again set the benchmark in the global wearable market, securing 20.2% market share in Q2 2025. According to the International Data Corporation...
BC x AACCUP MOU signing

British Council, AACCUP to Advance Internationalisation, Research, and TNE in PH SUCs

The British Council and the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc., have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)...
Screen Shot 2025-09-11 at 8.04.59 PM

Blockchain Council of the Philippine’s Annual General Membership Meeting Highlights

BCP’s Annual General Membership Meeting Highlights At the Annual General Membership Meeting of the Blockchain Council of the Philippines (BCP), after three impactful years, the BCP looks forward to a...
nfl 3

Benjamin Watson Pushes Back on Distorted Justice Narrative in New Podcast The Just Life

Christian Benjamin Watson, former Super Bowl champion and outspoken Evangelical leader, is taking his passion for justice to a new platform with his podcast, The...
tech 1

Keep an Eye on Your Home Always with the MERCUSYS MC210’s 2K Clarity, 360° Coverage and AI-Powered Security for Less than PHP 1,000

Mercusys is making smart security more accessible in the Philippines with its newest cameras—the MC210 Indoor Camera and the MC500 Outdoor Camera. Packed with features...
kirk 3

Charlie Kirk’s Life Defined by Christian Service & Witness Before His Passing

The news of Charlie Kirk’s passing at just 31 years old has sent shockwaves through the Christian community and beyond. Known first as a bold...
idc 1

HUAWEI Once Again Leads the Global Wearable Market with Back-to-Back No. 1 Rankings

HUAWEI has once again set the benchmark in the global wearable market, securing 20.2% market share in Q2 2025. According to the International Data Corporation...
BC x AACCUP MOU signing

British Council, AACCUP to Advance Internationalisation, Research, and TNE in PH SUCs

The British Council and the Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP), Inc., have officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)...

Don't Miss

kirk 3

Charlie Kirk’s Life Defined by Christian Service & Witness Before His Passing

Screen Shot 2025-08-26 at 10.33.59 PM

Trump links Ukraine Peace Efforts to Getting into Heaven

japan

Could Japan Become the ‘Land of the Risen Son’, Jesus? Superbook Spreads the Gospel

bible 2

How Christian Teens Are Turning Instagram TikTok into Platforms for the Gospel