Ballet Manila Archives

Mar 2

Mar 2 Osias Barroso conducts ballet classes in Taiwan

Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso recently conducted classes at the Zhongli Youth Ballet in Taiwan, signaling the start of a possible series of collaborations between the two institutions.

Feb 12

Feb 12 Ballet Manila dancers win in ATOD competition

Ballet Manila Archives

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Elyssabeth Apilado, Shaira Comeros, Alvin Dictado and Brian Sevilla earned the judges’ nod in the competition’s Pas de Deux Division, presenting classical pieces honed through the Vaganova method that Ballet Manila is known for.

Jan 22

Jan 22 Notes from the heart: Christian Bautista performs in ‘Ballet and Ballads’

Ballet Manila Archives

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There’s more to this charming man who’s known for his soothing voice and boy-next-door looks.

Dec 21

Dec 21 Christmas memories and wishes

Ballet Manila Archives

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More than gifts and endless parties, Christmas also holds a deeper meaning for the members of Ballet Manila

Dec 7

Dec 7 Ballet Manila brings Vaganova to Mumbai

Ballet Manila Archives

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Since August, Czarina Villegas, faculty member at the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila, has been teaching Vaganova at the Rhythmus Happy Feet (RHF) dance school in Mumbai.

Nov 29

Nov 29 Snow White state of mind: Joan Emery Sia and Elpidio Magat

Ballet Manila Archives

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Soloists Joan Emery Sia and Elpidio Magat share their thoughts on other uses of a magic mirror, their favorite dwarf, and all things enchanting about Snow White.

Nov 28

Nov 28 Lisa Macuja steps into her choreographer’s shoes once more

Ballet Manila Archives

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Lisa Macuja-Elizalde was still wrapping up work last year on Cinderella, her first full-length ballet, when the idea for her next choreography struck her. That early, she already knew she wanted to create her own version of Snow White.

Nov 27

Nov 27 Snow White state of mind: Heewon Cho and Romeo Peralta

Ballet Manila Archives

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Soloist Romeo Peralta and guest artist Heewon Cho share their thoughts on family, true love, and the magic of Snow White.

Nov 22

Nov 22 Snow White state of mind: Katherine Barkman and Joseph Phillips

Ballet Manila Archives

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Principal dancer Katherine Barkman and guest artist Joseph Phillips share their thoughts on random Snow White-related stuff including princely gestures and fairytale moments.

Nov 21

Nov 21 Snow White state of mind: Lisa Macuja-Elizalde

Ballet Manila Archives

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In fairy-tale mode since rehearsals started, the choreographer shares her thoughts on random Snow White-related stuff... including the much-fabled happily ever after!

Oct 10

Oct 10 Swan couture

Ballet Manila Archives

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Costumes are an essential ingredient to the beauty of classical ballet.

Oct 6

Oct 6 Black and white, Odile and Odette

Ballet Manila Archives

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I think the best way to sum up the dual ballerina role of the White Swan Queen Odette and her black counterpart Odile in one phrase would be: The worst case of schizophrenia for a classical ballerina

Sep 22

Sep 22 A peek into ‘Swan Lake’s’ past

Ballet Manila Archives

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Swan Lake “bombed” when it was first presented at the Bolshoi Theater in Moscow on March 4, 1877.

Sep 13

Sep 13 Winged ballets: Swan Lake

Ballet Manila Archives

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When Ballet Manila first performed the classical warhorse that is Swan Lake, it had to “import” a Russian company to make a full cast.

Aug 22

Aug 22 Diwa de Leon makes the Adarna sing and fills its world with music

Ballet Manila Archives

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Diwa de Leon only has vague memories of the Ibong Adarna, recalling the storybooks he had read about this mythical bird when he was a child.

Aug 17

Aug 17 Winged ballets: Sari’t Bahag

Ballet Manila Archives

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Sari’t Bahag is not quite a winged ballet, but it seems apt to include it in this series as one of its pivotal characters is a bird.

Aug 8

Aug 8 Winged ballets: The Dying Swan

Ballet Manila Archives

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The Dying Swan lasts only three minutes, but it can rightly be described as one of the most hauntingly beautiful ballet pieces ever created.

Aug 3

Aug 3 Winged ballets: Firebird

Ballet Manila Archives

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In 2000, internationally acclaimed choreographer Jean Paul Comelin came to the Philippines to create his own interpretation of Firebird for Ballet Manila.

Jul 5

Jul 5 Winged ballets: Agila

Ballet Manila Archives

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Agila, which tells of an eagle’s flight, is the opus of famed choreographer Agnes Locsin set to music by equally well-known musician/singer Joey Ayala.