Ballet Philippines (BP), the country’s flagship dance company, presents the timeless Christmas ballet in full Filipino splendor in Edna Vida and Alice Reyes’ The Nutcracker. Nobuo Fujino (formerly a Senior Artist at the Australian Ballet and Principal Dancer with Hong Kong Ballet) returns to BP as guest artist courtesy of Japan Foundation and Tan Yan Kee Foundation, and the ABS-CBN Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gerard Salonga, plays Tchaikovsky’s iconic music live on select performances.

A ballet for the whole family, The Nutcracker is a holiday tradition all over the world, with professional dance companies and schools doing their own version of the beloved full-length ballet. BP sets itself apart by adding its own Filipino flavor to the time and tested ballet.

Set in the Philippines in the 1920s, The Nutcracker follows our young heroine Clara on a fantastic journey. At her family’s Noche Buena, Clara receives an enchanted Nutcracker Doll from her godfather, the toymaker Don Alfonso Quintero. Her sister gets the Sugar Plum Fairy Doll and her brother, the Rat King Doll. As midnight strikes, all the toys including her beloved Nutcracker, the Sugar Plum Fairy and the Rat King come to life, and a battle between Rats and Toy Soldiers ensues. Her Nutcracker valiantly leads the soldiers, but is soon overpowered by the evil Rat King. Just as the Rat King delivers his final blow, Clara comes to the Nutcracker’s rescue and the Rat King falls.

As the rats scurry off with their king, Don Alfonso appears and reveals the true identity of her doll—he is the Nutcracker Prince! He and the Sugar Plum Fairy have been trapped in a spell which only a person pure of heart can break.

In gratitude for Clara’s act of courage, the Nutcracker Prince whisks her away to the Kingdom of the Dolls. A feast is celebrated in her honor as she is surrounded by dolls from all over the world, dancing flowers, and the beautiful Sugar Plum Fairy.

What makes this Nutcracker unique is how the late National Artist for Theater Design Salvador Bernal incorporated Filipino design elements into the sets. The turn-of-the-century grand ballroom showcases art nouveau arches with anahaw leaves and framed capiz shells. The Nutcracker is the perfect holiday treat for children.

Fujino will partner BP’s Denise Parungao as the Sugar Plum Fairy. Alternating with Parungao is resident guest artist Candice Adea and company member Jemima Reyes. They will be partnered by Lester Reguindin and Victor Maguad, respectively.

Catch us on December 1-10, 2017 at the CCP Main Theater. For tickets, call Ballet Philippines at (+632) 551-1003, the CCP Box Office at (+632) 832-3704, or Ticketworld at (+632) 891-9999 or Ticketworld.com.ph.

Connect to Ballet Philippines online through the following social media networks:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/balletphilippines
Instagram: @balletphilippines
YouTube: balletph

Hallmark Christmas Warehouse Sale Pasig round 2! Yes, round na ito. The first round was last Nov 14. Some of our finds were posted on Mommy Blogger Pehpot Facebook Page.

Hallmark Christmas Warehouse Sale Pasig

It’s actually not just Hallmark. Filstar, the company distributing Hallmark in the Philippines, is the one hosting the warehouse sale. Kaya lang pinaka famous na product talaga nila ang Hallmark eh, so let’s stick to Hallmark Christmas Warehouse Sale Pasig.

Aside from Hallmark, brands included sa warehouse sale ay:

• Art Attack (clay, art materials, coloring materials, paper supplies and more)
• BIC (writing, pens and lighters)
• Craft Easy (arts and crafts supplies)
• Creations Balloons
• Martha Stewart arts and crafts brand

For Hallmark brands, may mga Christmas gift wrappers for as low as 3 Pesos (meron pa 3 pcs for 5 pesos including gift tags). Meron ding paper bags for as low as 10 Pesos (will verify the price). Of course meron din Hallmark cards.

Paano pumunta sa Hallmark Christmas Warehouse Sale Pasig? 

Pagdating sa Pasig Palengke, hanapin mo yung Jollibe. Sa likod ng Jollibee may mga pila ng tricycle doon. Hanapin mo yung PROFMATODA or toda na papuntang Pasig Rainforest. Sabihin mo ibaba ka sa bungad ng Jenny’s Avenue Extension, sa may gasolinahan. Pagbaba mo doon, laka ka lang ng kaunti, makikita mo na yung warehouse. Pwede ka din mag special na tricycle, mga 50 Pesos ang fare. Sabihin mo lang ibaba ka sa Jenny’s Ave Ext yung may sale.

Taguig Area: may Pasig Palengke sa Market-Market.

Manila Area: Sakay ka ng Pasig Palengke na FX, meron nyan sa Quiapo.

EDSA: May FX ng Pasig Palengke sa Megamall or sa Robinsons

Cainta/ Taytay/ Antipolo: Sakay ka ng jeep/ bus na pa Robinsons or pa Quiapo tapos baba ka sa Jenny’s. Tawid ka then baba ka sa parang talipapa or palengke. Pumasok ka sa loob noon at lumabas sa may kalsada, sakay ka ng tricycle tapos sabihin mo lang sa extension dun sa may sale. Mga 50 Pesos ang pamasahe.

Nagtitipid? Pagbaba mo ng Jenny’s lakad ka papunta sa ilog, may sakayan/pila ng tricycle doon. Sumakay then bumaba ka bago mag tulay (sa may health center). Lakad ka pababa then may pilahan ng tricycle sa dulo ng tulay (lagpas ng maliit na police stall). Sakay ka doon then sabihin mo sa Jenny’s extension ka lang bababa. From kanto ng Jenny’s extension, makikita mo na ang sale.

May sariling kotse? Walang parking doon pero madali sya makita sa Waze. Type mo lang LAN GAS STATION (Francisco Legaspi Avenue) halos katapat/ katabi na yang ng Hallmark Christmas Warehouse Sale Pasig.

For my good finds para sa round 2, please check Mommy Blogger Pehpot Facebook Page.