The Philippine Ballet Theater gives it their all for The Nutcracker
by Krizette Laureta Chu
November 13, 2015
To get to rehearsals every day, Peter San Juan, who plays the Prince, bikes from his house in Cainta to the Meralco Theater in Ortigas. To save his legs from cramps, the dancer must set out for work hours early so he can rest before the evening’s punishing routine. After a long day’s work, which usually finishes at 9:30 in the evening, Peter gets on his stead of choice and pedals back home, legs sore and aching.
Joni Galeste, environmentalist and ballet teacher, rides the bike to the nearest MRT from her home in Magallanes. She has a foldable bike, so she alights at the Ortigas station and bikes the rest of the way to the theater, taking the same route on her way home, biking no matter how late she finishes rehearsals. “It’s expensive to get to the theater,” she laments. Lobreza Pimentel, who will take turns playing the lead in the play with Regina Magbitang, rushes from work every day so she can make it to the afternoon rehearsals. In the morning, she works for a dairy company. At 2 p.m., she is at the studio, indulging in her first love. Kim Abrogena, who is taking on Dewdrop Fairy, among other roles, is still in school, so she’s managed her schedule so her classes are all in the morning, with dancing taking up the rest of the day.