NEO FILIPINO

BALLET PHILIPPINES PRESENTS ITS FINAL
PRODUCTION OF THE 2008 – 2009 SEASON

NEO - FILIPINO

March 13 – 15, 2009
March 12 (3pm/8pm); 13 (3pm/8pm); and 14 (3pm/8pm); and 15 (10am/3pm)
CCP Little Theater/Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino
Cultural Center of the Philippines

Featuring works by
ALICE REYES – MAX LUNA III – ALDEN LUGNASIN


MANILA, PHILIPPINES – In the final program of its rousing 39th Anniversary Season, Ballet Philippines pays homage to the vast riches of the Filipino cultural heritage in NEO – FILIPINO with the revival of a repertory favorite and two world premieres. Highlights include the highly anticipated revival of founding artistic director, Alice Reyes' Amada. Inspired by National Artist Nick Joaquin's Tadtarin and Summer Solstice, Amada explores the mysteries of the Tadtarin ritual. Live music by Kalayo (formerly Pinikpikan) will serve as inspiration for the world premiere of KatiTaog by Ballet Philippines' Artistic Director, Max Luna III - his first work created especially for the company. The world premiere of Ulaging – Daog-dog Sa Sang Libong Kulog by BP Resident Choreographer, Alden Lugnasin, draws on a fusion of live music, ethnic instruments, movement, drama and contemporary dance to expose the plight of the indigenous Lumads of Mindanao.

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TICKET INFORMATION:
Ticket World Outlets: +632 891 9999
CCP Box Office: +632 832 3704
Ballet Philippines: +632 551-0221/551-1003/832-3689/832-6011

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE:
Money saving season subscriptions are still available, for as little as P3200, from Ballet Philippines. BP is pleased to once again offer discounts to Students with ID (50% off), Seniors (20% off) and Groups of 20 or More (20% off). Special discount rates are also available for School Groups.

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This production of Neo – Filipino is made possible in part thanks to the support of Ayala Land Premiere, Globe Telecom, Rene Barbier and Freixenet Cava Wines

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ON THE PROGRAM

Amada – REVIVAL
Music: Lucrecia Kasilag
Choreography: Alice Reyes

In the Philippines, Spanish Catholicism was absorbed and mixed with local pagan rites and rituals. One of the more primitive ones was that of the "Tadtarin" which was practiced once a year during the Summer Solstice at the Feast of Saint John. It was a Dionysian festival where women reigned supreme for three days and the men who participated could do so by wearing some female garb as a symbol of subservience.

KatiTaog – WORLD PREMIERE
Music: Kalayo
Choreography: Max Luna III

The traditional Pangalay of the Tausūg people of the Sulu Archipelago serves as inspiration for Mr. Luna’s exciting live-music collaboration with Kalayo.

Ulaging – Daog-dog Sa Sang Libong Kulog – WORLD PREMIERE
Choreography: Alden Lugnasin

Resident Choreographer, Alden Lugnasin, draws on a fusion of ethnic instruments, movements, drama and contemporary dance to explore the environmental issues facing the indigenous Lumads of Mindanao.


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Mary Saludares

I received news lately that a very good friend of mine died. She was a young ballerina with big dreams within her reach. After a performance in Maryland, as she was crossing the street, a car hit her and her colleagues.

I feel like a car has hit me, too, at speeds a speedometer can't read. I feel both numb and hurt. Masakit. I will heal. We will all heal, as we all must after such tragedies. Life does go on for us, the living. Your memory and what you mean to me, us will forever remain. But, until time heals the pain, I will mourn for you, Mary.

You were one of my best partners. Our tandem had presence. It was easy to dance with you on stage because you gave of yourself completely. Together, we would be lost in our characters, the music, and the steps -- living and breathing the dance. The first time we partnered was for Teacher Tinnie's Modern Choreo. There was only a small partnering bit, but after that there were so many. Sayaw Pandirigma. Teacher Jun's Skirt Dance. No Exit. Rhapsody in Blue. Lattice. The Astor Piazzola Tango set. I will never forget how your mom and my mom both concluded after one show that when we danced together, there was magic.

Pre-dance, after-shows, between classes and just in our own time, we always ate. We did love to eat. Turtle pie at Coffee Bean. McDo, Coke Float and Fries. Tita Susan's Mango Crepe. Spaghetti. Turon. Any brand of Chocolate even the inexpensive Goya Chocolate. Chocolate Cake. The Choco log at Country Style (Yes, we had more than our fair share of Chocolates). It became a part of our pre-show routine to go to the others dressing room looking for sweets. Sometimes, you'd come to me. Sometimes, I'd go to you. But we never failed to look for food.

I remember how, when lounging at your house, you, vida and mcCoy decided to pluck all my chest hair out. Hahaha! That hurt until I was numb and was really funny. We were all laughing. Again, we ended up laughing when, mid-bathing, you, vida and I ran out of the three bathrooms at your home because there was no more water. There was only half a pail of water left. We had to make do with that. Grabe yung tawa natin nun. You loved to laugh, Mary. Your eyes would grow wide and your grin made others laugh with you. You loved to joke, muck around and have fun. We would hang at steps, BP, the mall, dressing rooms, UP, your home, etc. and we would always have a grand time. Even if you were just watching your anime as I read, we had a great time. We had lots of adventures. Your 18th debut celebration. Our audition for HK APA. Kilig moments at UP. Going to Baguio. Accompanying Cyril to POI and then walking back to April's condo to watch the PNAB rehearsal. My Discovery Suites racket where they colored our hair blue. The Gabby Barredo exhibit. Looking for costumes at Makati Cinema Square. Our various overnights and parties. Watching movies and ballets. Eating, again... Hehehe!... And all those others that could fill a chest of memories.

You knew how to have a great time. But you were my friend because you also had substance. You weren't just a girl in the world. You had brains, heart, and passion. You loved your family, friends, and teachers. Unlike me, you were very vocal about this. You were a university and college scholar at UP and made sure you got good grades. You would work on your roles with passion and ferver. Always testing how far you could go. We could talk about life and love for hours on end. Even though I missed you, I was really happy you were in the States to realize your dream. We shared the dream, didn't we? To dance for others and touch lives through our art.

I was looking forward to seeing you this May. I was hoping that Steps would have us partner again. I was looking forward to your jokes, your kwento's and your company. Now, I am glad I was able to tell you a few weeks ago that I miss you and that I love you. Yes, Mary, I will mourn for you. And I will remember you. But I will also rejoice because you are in heaven. There is no better place to be than there.

CCP Pasinaya Open House Schedule

Quality

Ruby and I had a discussion on our way to CCP. We both agreed that quality comes with a price. However, works of love have to be and have been given freely. These cannot come with a price tag.

Coppelia

Ballet Philippines Presents Coppélia

As one of the world’s most popular classical story ballets, Coppélia’s sentimental comic story is beloved by ballet audiences the world over. As the story unfolds, Dr Coppélius, the eccentric toymaker, has created the lifelike Coppélia doll and wishes for nothing more than to bring her to life. He imagines that his dream has finally come true, but has merely been caught up in the tomfoolery surrounding a lovers' tiff. In the end, love triumphs over all in this comedy of mistaken identity. The finale is a breathtaking celebration of the lovers' marriage. Coppélia is an enchanting, effervescent family ballet, for audiences of all ages and a perfect holiday treat!.

Ballet Philippines’ shimmering new production of Alan Hineline’s Coppélia is accompanied by the soaring music of Léo Delibes played live by members of the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Jeffrey Solares. Designs for the whimsical sets are by Mio Infante; Eric Pineda has created costumes that will transport audiences into the ballet’s 19th century.

PLAYDATES

when I Play Dr. Coppelius Dec 12 --- 8pm, Dec 13 --- 3pm and 8pm, and Dec 14 --- 3pm

when I play Franz's Friend Dec 12 --- 3pm and Dec --- 14 10am

TICKET INFORMATION: (or just message me via multiply or sms)
Ticket World Outlets: +632 891 9999
CCP Box Office: +632 832 3704
Ballet Philippines: +632 551-0221/551-1003/832-3689/832-6011

SPECIAL DISCOUNTS AVAILABLE:
Money saving season subscriptions are still available, for as little as P3200, from Ballet Philippines. BP is pleased to once again offer discounts to Students with ID (50% off), Seniors (20% off) and Groups of 20 or More (20% off). Special discount rates are also available for School Groups.

Coppélia is made possible in part thanks to the support of Ayala Land Premiere, Globe Telecom and PCSO

daddy

My brother died a year ago. Today, I showed his son two videos -- one of him cradling his son and one of him singing. My one year and three month old nephew would point at his video and say "daddy." Then, my nephew would turn to me, point, and repeat "daddy." This breaks my heart. All I can do is grin, bear it and give my nephew a hug.

P.S. I don't like posting my nephew's pictures. I never have. Somehow, I still feel it's JR's job. But I will break my rule. This is Enoch and I about six months ago. One of my fave pics.

Unexpected Song

Today, on my way to work, I caught myself singing a unique melody to myself. Out of the blue the notes came to me and burst forth from happiness.

"Now, no matter where I am
No matter what I do
I see your face appearing
Like an unexpected song
An unexpected song
That only we are hearing"
- Unexpected Song by Andrew Lloyd Webber

Music at the Cinemalaya

At the CCP, I failed to watch the Cinemalaya even if I worked there. Blame it on my ballet. But, hey, what could I do? I was fortunate enough to catch two films on two separate mondays at the UP screening of Cinemalaya films --- "Concerto" by Paul Morales and "Boses" by Ellen Ongkiko-Marfil. Both films revolved around the use of a musical instrument.

"Concerto" is a film about a Filipino family struggling to survive during the Japanese occupation. Here, family, friends and enemies gather around a piano in an amicable and even harmonious existence. My favorite part is when one character who cannot be with her Japanese lover plays an allegro piece while a vengeful Filipino plays head-on chess with a Jap, her sister recounts her love for an American, and a Japanese kneels before a Filipino Mother as the Filipino Mother empathizes with the prostrate soldier. The scene allowed me to view each character as a human being beyond race and history.

"Concerto" is fleshed out by a fantastic ensemble of actors, a competent production team and beautiful music. The imagery was poignant and direct as the score resounded in my ears.

"Boses" is a tale of two men who escape to a shelter for abused children. The older is the violinist brother of the woman running the shelter, while the younger is an abused child. This child is mute not by birth but due to all the abuse. The violinist pities the child and soon finds himself challenged to teach the child the violin. The child proves to be gifted and, together, they embark on a musical journey to heal old wounds. As the bow glides on the strings, the music becomes their voice.

Unlike most films involving instruments, the actors in "Boses" did not use any doubles which adds to the over-all magic of the film. The film also employs humor to take dark issues and themes and transform them into an uplifting film of redemption.

It is interesting to note that in both films the lead male roles were played by cross-over artists in their first films ever. The admirable father in "Concerto" is played by the best Prince Philippine Ballet has so far had, Nonoy Froilan. In "Boses," Coke Bolipata reveals his thespic bone as a magnificent violinist who finds redemption in teaching a young boy to play the violin.

In both films, Music, it's art and humanity, is used as an avenue for forgiveness, acceptance and joy. Forgiveness for the past. Acceptance of what is. And joy for the possibilities.

Both films, however, asked me to reveal what dance means to me. And I beg your indulgence as I ask you what role does Music and/or any form of Art have in your life. If immersion in Music and Art has the power to heal, where then are most humans headed? Most humans who have never been to the theater, do not know a poem, are not moved by Van Gogh, nor know a little of Mozart or Tchaikovsky.

waiting

I know how to wait. To work hard and wait with patience.

At times, my patience has been rewarded. Sometimes, I am still left waiting.

My current status: waiting.

blessed

I feel so blessed lately and inspired. I'm walking on clouds. I was just promoted to company member. My rehearsals and classes are rewarding. My parents, family, friends, teachers and mentors are so supportive. And, I am so blessed to have the people I love, love me back. My phone is full of messages of love.

God is to be thanked for all these blessings. Thank you for the love, for giving me dance, for always providing and, most of all, for the people in my life.

para sa isang summer na bitin

Summer Under the Blanket

By Patrick John Rebullida

I wait for one full day in the sun

Bare-footed and bare-chested, my heart exposed

Flesh hot with sweat from your heat spun

Each moment free, with nothing to oppose

Blurry lines are drawn on the sand

Where crabs burrow and children build castles

Neptune’s waves echo, crash and land

On the white shore, it’s grain rattles

The rough and soft meld into one, unify

Under the blanket of the blue horizon and clear sky

The light of day and dark of night, unify

As I forget the time swiftly passing by

This is the summer I’ve longed for

This in dreams I summon and bind

Let me stay on this white, sandy shore

Under the blanket with fingers entwined

Advice

"The best way to look at every scenario (be it good or bad) is as a blessing."

-Quoted from my mom from a conversation we had yesterday while I was yayo to my nephew

Win or Lose

I always believed in the phrase "try and try until you succeed." In some instances, reality creeps in and reveals that one may not succeed. And defeat has to be accepted. Hard work does not always beget great rewards and the circumstances that surround play an enormous role in a person's triumphs. I am not downplaying the importance and value of hard work and integrity. I am merely stating that sometimes, despite all efforts, the battle may be lost.

I am in a battle right now where the circumstances are not in my favor. I knew this from the get go and have fought against the odds. Several triumphs and one major defeat later, I am at a cross roads. Other avenues are opening up where I can see rewards lined up (of course not without their own battles) that tempt me to re-evaluate the road I have chosen to take. Both roads, staying and leaving, offer their own benefits and risks.

I have one week to decide my fate. It is a decision only I can make. There is no right or wrong choice. Just one choice. After that, there is no turning back. Win or lose.

Ballet Philippines Audition

Auditions for Ballet Philippines
Slots open for Company Member and Apprentice

When: May 15, 2008
Where: CCP Rehearsal Hall
Bring: Dance Attire, Ladies Pointe Shoes and Bio
Sheet

For information call 8323689 or e-mail balletphilippines@pldtdsl.net

Note: Callbacks will be on May 16

Dancer's Monologue

It has been a year and a half since I decided to be a full-fledged dancer. Today, I am known in the dance world as PJ the actor. The inverse is true in theater where I am known as PJ the dancer.

Again, I am at a crossroad. There are roles in theater that I can play. I have been asked time and again to go back to acting by various groups and people. This year's West Side Story seems to be a great opportunity to come back. But I have made a commitment to dance until I can.

At Ballet Philippines, I have been an apprentice for a year and have defied the odds. I am a late starter and, yet, am proving my worth as a dancer. This week I am faced with another battle. We have two new artistic directors and for this season the apprentices have to audition against outsiders for slots as company member.

I am scared shitless. If I am not promoted to company member, does this mean that I will have to be apprentice for yet another year? Even if i get lead roles, am I not qualified to be company member? Is all my hard work and all the sacrifices not good enough? Should I re-evaluate my decision to be a dancer?

I want to be company member so bad. I know that I have what it takes but lately I feel inadequate. This is the first time in my life that I have felt this way. I've always believed in myself and my capabilities. I think the past year under Bam has affected this belief. But I cannot blame him. I have to be strong for myself.

I'm going in with a fight. My weapon's are my soul, my sincerity and my passion. In every step, leap and turn, I hope the truth of each moment comes alive. And, if my technique and dancing are not good enough, at least, I'll know, I gave all that I could.

I've risked a lot for my dancing career. I hope and pray that I make it. As they say in Economics, the bigger the risk, the greater the reward. And, if I fall, it'll be hard. Then, I'll get up again.

sana...

sana maalala ko ang pangalan ng lahat nang nakilala ko... Sa loob ng apat na linggo, may mga 'acquaintances' ako mula sa aking nakaraan na muling nakita. Hindi ko maalala ang pangalan nila. Naalala ko naman kung sino sila at yung pinag-samahan namin. Pero naiinis ako sa sarili ko na hindi ko maalala yung pangalan nila. Maaaring, dahil sa dami ng aking mga nakasalimuha sa talambuhay ko, nagkagulo na ang mga pangalan nila sa utak ko.

sana mas maraming 'park' sa metro manila... gusto ko lang magbasa ng libro ko. pero kung gusto ko yan gawin sa makati, kailangan kong mag-kape o kumain sa isang kainan. eh, katatapos ko lang kumain ng tanghalian at naka pag-dessert na rin ako. busog pa ako. Mukhang mapapabili talaga ako nang kape o tsaa. Pero ang talagang nais ko ay umupo sa isang 'park' at magbasa sa gitna ng isang berdeng tanawin.

sana mas magaling akong magsulat sa tagalog... nahihiya ako na isa akong pilipino na hindi magaling sa sarili nating wika.

color

I am back to my daily grind at the windowless halls and rooms of Ballet Phils at CCP. All the work is good, but draining. I went on-line to rant and rave a bit and to check my e-mail for a message that wasn't there. Instead, I ended up doing blogthing quizzes after coming across a link on Yas Jumalon's site. It proved to be amusing. Listed below are my colors according to the quizzes :P



Your Mind is Purple
Of all the mind types, yours is the most idealistic.
You tend to think wild, amazing thoughts. Your dreams and fantasies are intense.
Your thoughts are creative, inventive, and without boundaries.
You tend to spend a lot of time thinking of fictional people and places - or a very different life for yourself.

You Are Lavender
You are a sweet person with a very soft personality.
People become easily entranced with you. They seem to glow around you.
You have a quiet energy that can keep you active late into the night.
Even if you aren't the life of the party, you definitely keep the party going.

Your Aura is Red
You have a high level of emotion. This can mean passion, but it can also mean rage.
Usually, you don't take these emotions out on others. You just use them as motivation - and it works!

The purpose of your life: embracing all the wonders of the life, lots of travels, and tons of adventures
Famous reds include: Madonna, Marilyn Monroe, Jennifer Lopez
Careers for you to try: Dancer, Boxer, Surgeon

Your Power Color Is Magenta
At Your Highest: You energize yourself and push others to succeed.
At Your Lowest: You feel frustrated and totally overwhelmed.
In Love:You are surprised by who you attract. You're a love magnet.
How You're Attractive: Open and free spirited, people want to explore the world with you.
Your Eternal Question: "What is my next source of inspiration?"

You Need Some Blue in Your Life
Blue will make you feel calm, intelligent, and confident.
And with a little blue, you will project an aura of sincerity and loyalty.
If you want wisdom, you've got to get a little blue in your life!

For extra punch: Combine blue with brown or green
The downside of blue: Blue can make you seem more conservative and reserved than you are
The consequences of more blue in your life:
You will feel more open to the world around you
You will have a broader and richer perspective on life
You will be able to find solitude, even in the most hectic times

Your Heart Is Green
Love completes you, but that doesn't mean you seek it out.
When love comes your way, you integrate it peacefully into the rest of you life.

Your flirting style: Laid back
Your lucky first date: Walking around aimlessly and talking
Your dream lover: Is both enthusiastic and calm
What you bring to relationships: Balance

Majestic Pianist and Humbled Dancer

Friday night, I watched Cecil Licad do magic on the black and white keys of a grand piano. Karla and I were only supposed to peek at the performance from the wings. But we were given free tickets. So, we decided to watch and, before taking our seats, to still peek from the wings. From the proscenium, we peeked and remained there 'til the end of her magnificent program.

These were the images framed in my mind as the music resounded at the CCP Main Theater:

• a shepherd slaying dragons
• the shepherd claiming his princess
• a grand Wedding and Coronation Ball
• a husband entering his wife for the first time to their climax
• a "The Notebook" kind of ending where lovers reach the prime of their lives and follow each other to the heavens
• I saw myself on a grand journey
• Glory
• Funny cows on a field and a shower of milk

After, Karla had a photo taken with Licad while I was caught in a frenzy. A man saw me and was instantly overcome with praise for Latin Heat, my performance and the company. These are moments I live for, when the hard work proves to be worth it.

I didn't plan on watching Licad that night. It was a spontaneous affair involving a majestic pianist and a humbled dancer.

Manga

Who would have ever thought that I would lose sleep over mangoes?

Yesterday, I lay in bed by 10:40 pm. By midnight, I was still awake. I thought, since 12 - 1 am was my normal bedtime, I just had a few more minutes to wake before the sandman arrives. 2:37am, I was still awake. Something was wrong. 4:14am, nothing.

That night, I drank two glasses of ripe mango shake with honey and ate a cheek of a ripe mango two hours before laying my head down to sleep. I don't normally eat mangoes this late in the day, but they were so delicous.

Mangoes are sugar. Complex sugars from fruit provide more energy to the body than caffiene. In fact, it has been recommended to take it before a show instead of coffee or candy bars for a more lasting and stable energy boost. Hence, It was probably 5am when I finally dozed off.

Shucks, it's a lesson learned for me. Never again will I have that much mangoes when I am in dire need of sleep. :P

Sing Me A Birdsong from Across the Universe

'Across the Universe,' a film directed by Julie Taymor, and 'Birdsong,' a novel by Sebastian Faulks, have little in common. Both, however, strike the same chord.



'Across the Universe' is a movie that delves into the lives of Jude, Lucy and their friends exploring themes that range from love, freedom and American Imperialism. The movie is an impressive piece by Julie Taymor set in the 1960's -- A time of counterculture with people going against norms. The plot begins with Jude jumping ship to America to find his father at Princeton. Jude is disheartened to find his father, a janitor, with a family and uninterested. He falls in with rich-kid Max and finds himself drawn to Lucy, Max's sister. Max, tired of all the "What are you going to do with your life?" atmosphere at home, journeys to New York taking Jude along. There, they hook up in with singer Jadie, guitarist Jojo, and lesbian Prudence. Lucy joins them, later on, after her boyfriend dies in the Vietnam War. The characters go through the whole gamut of living in this free city. Jude and Lucy get together. Jude draws and Lucy fights to stop the war. Max, despite his efforts contrary, gets drafted to the military. Sadie falls in love with Jojo. And Prudence finds herself wanting Sadie and not knowing what to do. The characters want things, get and don't get what they want and, ultimately, gain and lose things along the way. All this happens to the perfectly apt and wonderfully sang Beatles songs and Julie Taymor's beautifully imagined Strawberry Fields.



'Birdsong' is a novel that centers mostly on Stephen Wraysford, an Englishman who spends most of the important or at least life-altering parts of his life in France. The book is divided in to seven chapters set in three different time frames: pre-World War I (1910), World War I (1916-1918) and sixty years later (1978-79). It begins pre-World War I with an erotic and adulterous love-affair between Stephen and Isabel Azaire. They elope together but Isabel eventually leaves him to return to her family. At this point, she is carrying a child Stephen will never know existed 'til the later part of his life. The book then moves on to the bulk of its plot, Stephen and World War I. Faulks brilliantly tells the story a man and other men caught in the most horrible human device, war, and its horrors. Fear, death and simple joys riddle the pages of this novel. Stephen survives this war and goes on to lead a quiet life with his daughter and Jeanne, Isabelle's sister, whom he marries. To add an epic flavor to the novel, Elizabeth Benson is Stephen's granddaughter in search of her grandfather's past. Faulks' prose is simple yet hold great strength in painting images in the mind and heart of a reader.

For me, both movie and novel are pieces of art that ingenuously depict how lives mean more than just one moment. The lives of all the characters are fraught with dilemmas left and right as to what to do -- What is right and what is wrong. Jude is jealous of the time Lucy devotes to an activist and his movement. Max is fraught over his parents whose idea of a good life is having a degree and making money, having to join a war he doesn't believe in and maybe losing his life over it. Lucy devotes her time to fighting a war that killed her boyfriend, may kill her brother and is disheartened to find the activist leader making a bomb himself. Sadie is being asked to drop Jojo and go solo to further her career. Stephen is an orphan, left by the only woman he loved, and saw tens of thousands die in one day at the Battle of the Somme and Messines Ridge at Ypres, France. Stephen leads a band of men who receive care packages with a letter saying their son died, have lice in their clothes and hair, and deal with the smell of death and the sound of bombs and shelling everyday. Isabel wants to be loved and love in return without scandal. Jeanne wants to reach out to a man made cold and distant by the war and by unrequited love. Elizabeth discovers the sacrifices of previous generations, and is impregnated by a man who can never be hers.

I appear to be ranting, but, in fact, I am raving about how the characters in the novel and movie resemble real life. They all clamor for redemption. In their idealism, the characters threaten the utopias they strive to create, and the stories become more interesting and three-dimensional because of this. They never really achieve in full what they want. Everything comes in bits and in parcels. In the end, they all find themselves not where they want to be but where they should be.

The true strength of novel and movie lies in illustrating humanity. No matter how flawed we all are, we are still heroes. Heroes are people who "in the face of danger and adversity or from a position of weakness, display courage and the will for self-sacrifice." The characters of both the novel and book exemplify this. Jude fights to save Lucy, gets deported, but finds himself back to claim the love they shared. Max doesn't shirk from his duties, goes out to fight for what his country believes in, and calls Jude back to claim his love. Sadie shares the mic, stage, and her life with Jojo. Lucy learns to forgive. Jude's father makes a turn around and declares Jude his son and offers help. Stephen tries to help a friend and a comrade and fights for a brighter future he never thought he'd believe in. Isabelle faced ridicule and shame in going back to her family to do what is right. Jeanne despite her beliefs is always ready to aid her sister and, later on, slowly restores a broken man back to life. Elizabeth is grateful for what her mother and predecessors sacrificed and finds herself willing and wanting to sacrifice for the next generation.

Both book and movie end well. The last picture in the book is Elizabeth giving birth and, for the movie, it is Jude with friends on the rooftop singing to Lucy "All You Need is Love." Cliche as it sounds, that is what we all need-- Love. In the end, all the characters find themselves going home. To the people they have made sacrifices for. And to the people that have sacrificed for them.