When the Filipina virtuoso pianist Cecile Licad, the American Ballet Theater led by artistic director Sascha Radetsky and prima ballerina Stella Abrera, and STEPS Dance Studio Founder Sofia Zobel Elizalde combine their talent, expertise, energy and enthusiasm to benefit a good cause, the Ayala Foundation’s Center of Excellence in Public Elementary Education, a masterpiece of a performance can only come to pass with Manila’s culturati and gliterati in attendance.
A great evening of passion and compassion is how to best describe Rising Stars, held at the Samsung Performing Arts Center in Circuit Makati recently, which highlighted the stellar performance of Filipino danseur Vince Pelegrin, one of the 12 rising stars of the American Ballet Theater. Warming up to his countrymen as he matched the musicality and showmanship of composer Art Tatum in the Tatum Pole Boogie, Pelegrin received thunderous applause as he performed vigorous feats throughout his performance and thereafter, making him the darling of the crowd during the gala night.
Pelegrin began his ballet studies at the Steps Dance Studio when he was eight years old. At age 16, he moved to New York City where he received a full scholarship at the ABT Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis School.
Cecile Licad, equally loved by her compatriots and the diplomatic and expat set, displayed once again her masterful dexterity at the keyboard in Tatum’s “Tatum Pole Boogie” and Frederick Chopin’s Etude Op. 25 No. 10 in B Minor “Octave,” Etude Op. 25 No. 11 in A Minor “Winter Wind,” and Etufde Op. 25 No. 12 in C Minor “Ocean.”
Gala chairperson Sofia Zobel, in a message, said, “We are thrilled to be working once again, with incredible leaders and mentors in dance, Sacha Radetsky and Stella Abrera.” Furthermore, she noted that ABT Studio Company “continually showcases the best and brightest rising stars of the world of dance. Their repertoire never fails to impress its audiences and highlight the incredible work of some of the best choreographers we have today.”
Sofia thanked the members of the organizing committee, namely, Mia Borromeo, Kit Zobel, Joanna Duarte, Kate Asido, Angie Cervantes of Steps Dance Studio and Christopher Mohnani of the Samsung Performing Arts Theater, “for all your hard work and dedication towards this very special Gala and for sharing our joint vision of promoting arts and culture in the Philippines.”
Fernando Zobel de Ayala of Ayala Land, Inc. shared, “This is our third fundraiser for CENTEX in partnership with the American Ballet Theater Studio Company, which will provide support for intensive teacher training, after-hours performing arts classes, livelihood skills values education workshops and repairs for school facilities in Tondo and Batangas.”
Finally, he thanked Cecile Licad, “whose music continues to touch and inspire many, and makes us proud.”
