Written by Clarissa Mijares

I see you. I see you bring yourself to the dance studio day in and day out despite the tiredness and aches from many yesteryears. I hear your bones cracking as you stretch for yet another class that will remind you of that weakness that you are committed to working on. I feel the heaviness of your breath as you configure your body from step to step. Like any creature who knows its own, I can smell your fears about identity, aging, and purpose. And this I know, many others are starting to see you, too, thanks to JM Cabling’s effective storytelling through movement in A dance in a day in a dance. 

A *new* dance company

A dance in a day in a dance is the debut performance of Mari Dance, an emerging contemporary dance company based in Manila, Philippines. Mari Dance is an artist-run corporation agency born out of creative passion and moral responsibility of ensuring sustainable artistic careers among peers and protégés.

The dance company presents itself as a crucial bridge between academic training and professional practice for a new generation of dancers from dance degree-granting institutions, including the University of the Philippines- Diliman, De La Salle’s College of St. Benilde, and Mari’s key feeder institution, Guang Ming College.

Mari Dance’s first offering chronicles the collective experience of dancers, serving both as a manifesto and a validation of the struggles the company was founded to address.

Choreographic connoisseurism counters Ephemerality

The dance production features the choreographies of well-acclaimed Filipino movement master JM Cabling. Spanning over a decade of artistic growth, Cabling’s pieces weave complex ideas through eloquent movement curation. His choreographic gift lies in the seamless integration of Filipino folk traditions, rendered with such subtlety that they feel both fresh and yet deeply familiar. A sharp, theatrical wit often animates this sophisticated foundation, as his dances are knowingly injected with humor that borders on—yet masterfully avoids—caricature, bringing the vibrant characters of his narratives to life.

Cabling’s dances were artfully assembled into a coherent production by Mari Dance’s creative collaborators- director Mikko Angeles, set designer Wika Nadera, sound designer Arvy Dimaculangan, costume designer Carlo Valderrama, lights designer D Cortezano, technical director Francisco Yabut, media designer Joyce Garcia, production manager Soc Amon, and stage manager Jai Avilla whose brand of technical and human care is informed by his being a dancer.

The choice to remount existing works is both an economic strategy and a deliberate artistic act. While dance is often described as fleeting, this performance demonstrates how movement can be preserved through a conscious practice of reflection. Re-staging then becomes a method of critical inquiry, allowing artists to revisit, reinterpret, and understand their own artistic journey, revealing how a choreographic idea evolves when viewed through the lens of time and accumulated experience through the body.

An Appeal to the Audience – Watch Dance!

Dancers are human, just like everyone else. The same feet that carry you to the theater walk them to the stage, bearing the same weight of daily life and human struggle. Many theater shows are vying for your attention at this time but please turn your gaze to dance and maybe some of the stories will resonate with you. 

Do carve out time to experience A dance in a day in a dance. Make for its pieces what you will and allow yourselves to feel along with the dancers. This dance show runs for one more weekend at the following times:

• Saturday, October 18: 2:00 PM (Matinee) & 7:30 PM (Gala)
• Sunday, October 19: 2:00 PM (Matinee) & 7:30 PM (Gala)

Among the many gifts of this production is that it seamlessly blends veteran artistry with fresh talent. The powerful, grounding presence of experienced dancer Al Bernard Garcia ( who is back from graduate studies in Taiwan), Michael Que, Sarah Samaniego, and Katrene San Miguel act as a live wire of assurance to the younger cast, fostering a profound onstage synergy. This structure is more than a casting choice; it is an embodied love letter to the young Filipino dancer of today. It is a testament that whispers a vital message: you are not alone. You have an entire community willing you forward, working tirelessly to ensure you flourish within a loving, supportive, and sustainable creative environment. 

Photos courtesy of Cesar Morales