The Royal Academy of Dance presents Festival of Dances 2007
RAD Registered Teachers of the Philippines,
extreme left, Sofia Zobel-Elizalde, center, Nila
Claravall-Gonzalez, 3rd and fifth from right
respectively, Cherish Garcia and Malen Claravall.
*Performing with laudable élan and grace, the Iloilo RAD students earned the kudos of the crowd
The Royal Academy of Dance (London) Registered Teachers Association of the Philippines(RADRTAP) celebrated its 40th anniversary last April 1, 2007 with a Festival of Dances 2007 at the Assumption College, San Lorenzo Village, Makati City.
"Movements in Black", choreography by
Brezhnev Larlar
It was a tribute to RADRTAP's long-standing dedication to the RAD ballet examinations which young Filipino dancers continue to take annually, undoubtedly raising the standards of ballet teaching in the Philippines as it attempts to develop the limitless talent among young Filipinos in the performing arts.
Noelle Blas, Almira Baguio, Germaine
Teņosa, Joane Oņate, Lachmi Sujan,
Jannah Navarro, Alisandrei Baguio and
Althea Parreņo in "Paru Parong Bukid",
choreography by Karla White
As in the past, RADRTAP Festival presentations, this year's program presented the best of the students schooled in the RAD syllabi. Iloilo based Nila Claravall-Gonzalez who was one among the first who took the RAD Teacher's Examination in the Philippines in 1993, eventually becoming one of the first registered teachers of the Royal Academy of Dance, presented her students from the Claravall- Gonzalez School of Classical Ballet with five varied numbers ranging from classical, neo-classical and jazz genres. Participating students were the following: Ingrid Faye Astronomia, Maria Isabel Regina Gonzalez,
Shiela Alkonga, Aurelia Nava, Joanna
Bartolo & Jescel Velez in "Sleeping
Beauty Waltz", choreography by
Pauline Cordero
Thea Marie Bartolo, Noreen Christie Perez, Pia Mari Fernandez, Kristine Haxel Gumban, Catherine Anne Alianza, Prescious Ara Bulilan, Marie Angelique Arlegui, Christine Joy Saquibal, Jacquelyn Jacar, Jasmine Ivy Lozada, Ayana Benita Galotera, Kristelle Marie de la Cruz, Anne Camille Nillos, Anna Mikaela Arlegui, Van Nicole Palmares, Shiela Marie Alkonga, Faith Shaira Estaya, Mary Deo Mabunay, Ma. Jescel Velez, June Antoinette Goles, Joanna Paula Bartolo, Patricia Ada Enojas, Aurelia Ma. Cecilia Nava, Germaine Joel Teñoso, Joanne Therese Oñate, Almira Therese Baguio, Alisandre Marie Baguio, Lachmi Ayama Sujan, Noelle Felis Blas, Joanna Alyssa Navarro, Althea Parreño, Angelique Jamerlan, Nichole Anne Bartolo, Jennifer Maridable, Patricia Puelan, Debisse Glor Limoso, Jeremiah Claudine Calacal, Josette Ann Marie Trinidad, Karinna Rae Hortilano, Felis Amalia Simpas, Ashley Christina Torre, Jannah Grace Burgos, Lester Reguindin, and Eugene Obille.
Czarina Villegas with partners, Limuel
Capa and Alvin Santos, in Fairy Doll Pas
de Trois
Gonzalez's former student, Czarina Villegas, who is currently a full scholar of the Ballet Manila Dance School was invited to join Claravall-Gonzalez School of Classical Ballet for the festival. Villegas was partnered by Ballet Manila's company members Limuel Capa and Alvin Santos in the Fairy Doll Pas de Trois as restaged by ballet luminary Osias Barroso. Demonstrating marked progression in technique, Villegas gave a charming and elegant performance as a counterpoint to the skills, technique, and bravura of the Ballet Manila boys. The rest of Ms. Gonzalez'es students were able to hold their own against the equally adept presentations of the other participating RAD schools which were Cherish Garcia's Academy One Dance & Music Center of Parañaque City, Regina Valejos' Ballet Regina of San Pablo City in Laguna, Marilinda Claravall's Claravall School of Dance in BF Parañaque and The British School Manila, Liza Mata's St. Anne's Ballet of Cabanatuan City in Nueva Ecija, and Sofia Elizalde's Steps Dance Studio in Makati City.
Isabel Gonzalez, Noreen Perez, Catherine
Alianza & Precious Bulilan in "Die
Fledermans", a Strauss Waltz,
choreography by Nila Gonzalez
The festival was honored by the presence of Alan Crorkin, deputy head of Mission of the British Embassy, Andrew Pickens, head of the British Embassy in the Philippines, and David Hobskinson, country examinations manager of the British Council. The British Council is at present the organizer of the Royal Academy of Dance in the Philippines. Performing with laudable élan and grace, the Iloilo RAD students earned the kudos of the crowd which made all the hard work for the Festival worthwhile.