As my daughter and I made our way up the red, carpeted steps leading to the lobby of the CCP Main Theatre, she tugged at my sleeve and smiled at me, excitement written all over her face. Tonight was important for her, for she was watching Candice Adea, who was dancing as Odette/Odile and who was partnered by the Russian-trained American danseur, Joseph Phillips as Prince Siegfried. The couple were flown in to lead Ballet Philippines' re-staging of Swan Lake.
Apart from what she already knows about Candice - the first Filipina Gold Medalist (senior division) at the 2012 Helsinki International Ballet Competition and Silver Medalist (senior division) at the 2010 USA International Ballet Competition (recognized as the Olympics of Ballet) - to 11-year old Bella, Candice is also the beloved protégé of her very own teacher, Victor Gamosa Ursabia.
So in Bella's eyes, Candice is not only the most accomplished Filipino ballerina, she is also the embodiment of a successful protégé under Teacher Vic's Mentor & Protégé program. Teacher Vic's and Candice's journey claiming the top prizes in international ballet tilts is well-known in ballet circles, and deserves its own post later. For now, it exemplifies and underscores the importance of good ballet foundation, training, hard work, dedication, even a sense of daring, and mutual trust between teacher and student in order to qualify to the semis and eventually win the finals.
At Bella's ballet school, Victor Gamosa Ursabia Dance Studio (VGUDS), the Mentor & Protégé class is sought-after by serious ballet students, to say the least. In it, is a handful of CCP-based ballerinas, a number of them preparing for competitions or applying for professional scholarships overseas. There are also those who have bolted from their former ballet schools in search of the "right teacer". The class is for advanced students, who take a full class with barre and centre work, then get to dance a classical variation of their choice which Teacher Vic critiques and polishes when necessary. The group is growing, as word gets around that Ballet Master/Choreographer and Competition Coach Victor Ursabia has just opened a ballet school near his home in Marikina.
Below is a picture taken that night after the show, this is Candice and Teacher Vic.
My Bella ballerina with Candice. "Glad to have finally met her," said Odette.
Bella and her Mentor, Victor Gamosa Ursabia.
That's us with the amazing Victor Maguad, who played Prince Siegfried to Jemima Reyes as Odile/Odette. All Filipino leads for Swan Lake--Candice,Victor, Jemima and Denise Parungao, who also alternated as Odile/Odette are protégés of Teacher Vic as well. That clearly says plenty about his M&P program!
So with our tickets autographed and our pictures taken, the evening is complete and Bella goes home happy and eager to get back to ballet class and start her Summer Intensive at VGUDS!
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