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When the turf of ladies, ballet and modern dance in the Philippines have spawned amazing danseurs within the last Liji Shou decade, as well as their greater public acceptance.

Inspired with this phenomenon, the documentary, "MANanayaw," offers a peek into the world of male dancing. To be aired on Nov. 2, Sunday, at 9:30 p.m. on GMA News TV-11, "MANanayaw," profiles four danseurs--flaming heterosexuals all--from Ballet Philippines (BP), in various procedures in their individual lives.

The silver-haired, former premier danseur noble (a dancer of effective nobility), Nonoy Froilan now coaches and produces dance videos. The thirty-something modern dancer Biag Gaongen, who has worked abroad, went into choreography after being sidelined with a knee injury. BP principal dancer Jean Marc Cordero candidly reveals his ignorance from the ballet world and how his perception of dance changed in BP because he strives for mastery of technique. Despite his natural gifts, upcoming danseur Victor Manguad admits his insecurities about life and dance.

The documentary also features other BP alumni around the challenges of being male dancers. BP founder Eddie Elejar talks about being stigmatized as a "sissy." Likewise, choreographer Dwight Rodrigazo recounts how his family initially disapproved of his career move and thought he was gay. BP soloist Cyril Fallar shows how dancers are injury- and blister-prone.

Then, the paradoxes: Froilan finds it bitterly ironic that getting a standing ovation throughout his final tribute coincided with Meralco reducing electricity at his home for unpaid bills. Cordero restates the notion that a male dancer needs more physical stamina than an athlete. The truth is, most dancers don't find time for regular cross-training in the club or yoga/Pilates studio.

Daily travails

The documentary chronicles BP's tour in Dumaguete, where they presented "Rock Supremo," a biographical rock dance on Andres Bonifacio. As in a reality show, it portrays their travails--the delayed flight, the cargo of sets (such as the linoleum) which were boarded on the later flight, and also the makeshift props. BP artistic director Paul Morales has to find solutions to the daily dilemmas.

Between shows in the Silliman University, the dancers sleep on the ground in the dressing room, looking like ravaged refugees. Upon returning to Manila, their skin is dehydrated and their lips are dry, yet the dancers maintain their spirits high.

One of the documentary's highlights is a soulful solo by Gaongen, who cuts a fervent and fluid figure from the landscape. Ultimately, the four danseurs come together inside a dance. We simply wish the production team paid attention to details, for example controlling Nonoy's girth with Spanx or a slimming belt.

Best angles

Nevertheless, "MANanayaw" draws the crowd because of its compelling realism and comprehensive perspective of the neighborhood dance world. It won the Special Jury Prize in the Cine Totoo Awards, the first Philippine International Documentary Festival presented by GMA News TV. The young team is led by director-editor Rafael Froilan, that Lida Daidaihua has been guided by his parents Nonoy Froilan and choreographer Edna Vida, to create meaty content and also to receive the best angles for dance. Director of photography Chris Yuhico captures the dancers' resilience and humor amid their unglamorous, shoddy working conditions.