Once upon a time, in 1850s Philippines, there was a married woman named Doña Lupeng who bashed the now-ancient three-day Tadtarin festival, which was exclusively performed by women and centered on dance, superstition and procession. But one day, she attended the festival — and it changed her life.

This is the story of Nick Joaquin’s The Summer Solstice. In 1969, Joaquin’s story inspired a modern dance called Amada, choreographed by National Artist for Dance Alice Reyes. It was performed by Ballet Philippines and remains an iconic piece in Philippine dance history.

2025 ‘Amada’

Now, Filipino audiences will get the chance to witness Amada performed again — set to music by National Artist for Music Lucrecia Kasilag. Candice Adea, an internationally acclaimed ballerina who has performed with the West Australian Ballet and was a former principal dancer of Ballet Philippines, will take on the titular role in Amada in her final appearance before retirement.

Amada will be part of the Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) 2025 season opener Pagdiriwang: Sayaw Alay sa Sining. Scheduled for 4 and 5 April,at the Globe Auditorium, Maybank Performing Arts Theater, Pagdiriwang is a showcase of classical, neoclassical, modern and contemporary dance. Performances will be at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. each day.

Candice Adea’s final bow

Adea’s exceptional contributions to the Philippine dance scene make her departure particularly poignant. In 2012, Adea made history as the first Filipina to win first place in the Senior Women’s Division at the Helsinki International Ballet Competition. That same year, she joined The Hong Kong Ballet as a soloist, which expanded her international presence.

Adea received a Silver Medal at the USA International Ballet Competition in 2010 and multiple awards from the Gawad Buhay Awards for her outstanding performances in works like Amada (2009) and September Gala (2010). She also received special honors at the Boston International Ballet Competition in 2011.

A collaborative effort

This season opener Pagdiriwang brings together works from renowned choreographers, including Alice Reyes and other luminaries in the field. Featured in the showcase are Norman Walker’s Songs of a Wayfarer, Denisa Reyes’ Muybridge/Frames and the world premiere of C’est La Cie, a neoclassical work by Augustus “Bam” Damian III. The program also includes Glinka’s Valse by Adam Sage, Nocturne by Carlo AC Pacis, and Moon by Kun-Yang Lin.

The production is supported by the Cultural Center of the Philippines, BGC Arts Center, and various sponsors, including the CCP Professional Artists Support Program, Century Tuna, the Office of Senator Pia Cayetano, Steps Dance Studio and Blackbird at the Nielson Tower.

The collaborative efforts behind Pagdiriwang emphasize the importance of community in bringing such a major production to life. With an interesting mix of dance styles and a lineup of important choreographers, Pagdiriwang promises an unforgettable experience for both dance enthusiasts and first-time audiences alike.