Philippine Ballet Theatre Brings Bicolano Epic ‘Ibalon’ to Los Angeles
Philippine Ballet Theatre breaks barriers by telling the story of Ibalon in Los Angeles.
Words Patricia Lanzagarita
Photo courtesy of Philippine Ballet Theatre
August 13, 2024
Filipino epics and legends stem from our culture and heritage. Over time, these stories are turned into books and then adapted into different art forms such as the performing arts. In the case of the legend of Ibalon, the epic narrative has been turned into a mesmerizing ballet performance by Philippine Ballet Theatre.
Ibalon: Bicolano epic
Ibalon is the old name of the Bicol region. Historically, the story is about the heroic deeds of three Bicolano men: Baltog, Handyong, and Bantong. They fight monsters to secure peace in Ibalon. They meet a beautiful enchantress named Oryol, who helps them fight against the monsters. While the epic portrays the courage of ancient Filipino warriors in battle, it would be interesting to see this story unfold on stage.
Ibalon’s US Tour
This year, the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) and the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) will bring Ibalon to life, taking their performance to international shores with a US tour. The show is happening on October 27, 2024 at the Cerritos Center of the Performing Arts in Los Angeles.
PBT’s version will be different from the original narrative as it will focus on the love story of Handyong and Oryol. The show will highlight the vibrant heritage of the Bicol region and revive Filipino folklore through intricate choreography and expressive music. Ibalon will bring the beauty of Filipino culture and heritage across borders, using the performing arts as a vehicle to showcase our local narratives and homegrown talents.
The first National Performing Arts Company
Philippine Ballet Theatre was recently recognized by the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) as the first National Performing Arts Company for Dance Cycle 2024-2029. PBT continues to uphold, preserve, and promote Philippine heritage by breaking barriers. The US tour of Ibalon will significantly contribute to PBT’s goal and help them conquer the international stage.
