As Daloy Dance Company prepares for the upcoming ItikLandia performances this August and September, we had the opportunity to sit down with our special guest artist, Raflesia Bravo. In this interview, Raflesia shares her thoughts, creative process, and what makes this collaboration an exciting and unique experience.
DDC: As a triple threat artist excelling in dance, music, and theater, how do you balance and integrate these different disciplines in a performance like ItikLandia?
RB: I feel incredibly blessed to have these God-given talents, which I can share through 'Itiklandia.' This piece resonates deeply with me and aligns with my vision as both a choreographer and performer. I'm excited to open up and share what I've learned from the disciplines I excel in.
DDC: Can you share your initial thoughts when approached to be the guest artist for ItikLandia? What drew you to this project? ItikLandia delves into themes of Filipino folk dance itik tik and also modern cultural identity. How do you plan to interpret these themes through your unique artistic lens?
RB: At first, I was thrilled when my former dance company invited me back—it felt like coming home. The space is familiar, the approach is familiar, and we share the same artistic training. But what makes me even happier is how aligned this opportunity is with my current path. I believe that dance has the power to heal by reconnecting us with our roots. This piece beautifully weaves in our folk dances, honoring the land, empowering our nation, and standing up for our birthright.
DDC: What aspects of Filipino culture resonate with you the most, and how do you plan to incorporate these into your performance in ItikLandia?
RB: The essence of being Filipino is deeply rooted in community. It's in our nature to connect—with the land, with each other, and with the divine. This is also my spiritual path; I believe that healing comes through a sense of community and connection. In the piece, I aim to embody this belief by highlighting the strength of unity, especially in the face of adversity. It speaks to the power of empowering ourselves, then the nation, and fighting for our birthright while standing together.
DDC: As someone who has achieved success in multiple artistic fields, how do you approach collaboration with the Daloy Dance Company and other artists involved in this production?
RB: This piece is right up my alley because I'm a theater actor, and this is physical theater, which is where I excel. During rehearsals, I share what I’ve learned from my training, not just in physical movement but also in voice and storytelling. The prompts and exercises we do are very familiar to me, resembling characterization and script analysis. It’s a joy to merge these three worlds—music, dance, and theater—but not in a traditional musical theater play. I'm thrilled that it feels so natural and integrated for me.
DDC: What challenges have you encountered in merging your skills as a dancer, singer, and actor within the context of ItikLandia, and how have you overcome them?
RB: Maybes the challenge for me is learning everything in such a short period of time. Or I think I'm just putting pressure on myself to be in sync with the group. I'm also aware that I'm stepping in to replace the original cast member, who is an excellent dancer and performer Deborah Lemuel. After watching their video, I can see that Debbie did an incredible job portraying the role, which adds to the pressure. But I also recognize that we're different artists, so I believe I can bring something new to the group.
DDC: How do you see your role in ItikLandia contributing to the broader narrative of the piece, and what message do you hope the audience takes away from your performance?
RB: As an actor trained in understanding the psychological background of each character, I believe I can help enhance the storytelling and assist the group in finding ways to deepen our approach. This could also make it easier and faster for us to connect with the scene and embody the characters more effectively.
DDC: You’ve portrayed some of the most iconic roles in Philippine theater. Could you share which role has been the most meaningful to you and why it stands out in your career?
RB: The most memorable production I've been a part of is the recent one, “Rama Hari”, because I had the opportunity to audition in front of two National Artists - Alice Reyes National Artists for dance and Ryan Cayabyab, National Artist for Music. Being chosen for that show was a significant honor for me, and it felt like a great reward. I played dual role of Kooni The evil Servant and Soorphanaka, the villain's sister, which made it even more special. It also gave me the chance to be invited to other productions for different roles. Overall, it was incredibly meaningful to be part of something historic.
DDC: Looking back at your journey in Philippine theater, what have been some of the most challenging and rewarding roles you’ve taken on? How have these roles shaped your approach to performance?
RB: Maybe the most challenging role I’ve taken on was in “Himala” I was part of the ensemble, but since it was an ensemble play, we had to create and develop our own characters. It felt like devising, which made it very challenging to both create and connect with the story itself. Another challenging experience was in “Lam-ang”, where I played the role of Saridandan. I portrayed a member of a certain tribe, which required me to appear topless. It wasn’t just about the challenge of the role itself, but also about making the right decision, as I was representing cultural references
DDC: As a figure in Philippine theater, how do you see your involvement in ItikLandia adding to your legacy, and what impact do you hope it will have on the local arts scene?
RB: As an artist, I always choose to be part of meaningful stories or productions. I believe ItikLandia will have a significant impact on its audience. By contributing to this kind of impact, I feel that I've also made a meaningful contribution to the art scene and to the nation through the arts. And As a choreographer and creator who incorporates physical theater, I would love to see more of this in the art scene. I'm happy that DALOY is producing pieces like this. It's in line with what I've done and continue to do—bringing a different taste and approach to the art scene in the Philippines.
Catch Raflesia Bravo on ItikLandia this August!
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Daloy Dance Company Presents: ItikLandia
Experience an evening of powerful contemporary dance as Daloy performs ItikLandia, a work dedicated to themes of environment and sustainability.
Join us on Friday, August 30 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater. The show starts at 7:00 PM.
Tickets:
Reserved Seating: Php 800
General Admission: Php 500
To purchase tickets, please email Crisbel at inquire.cpat@ayalaland.com.ph.
Artist Residency Showcase Choreographies by Ea Torrado, Novy Bereber, and Chad Galang.
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