The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
All in Interviews
Ticking off items from their personal lists of dance goals must be the theme of Stephanie Santiago and Noah Esplana's 2024.
For Giselle, one of the most cherished works in classical ballet, world-renowned principal dancer Renata Shakirova and soloist Alexei Timofeyev of the Mariinsky Ballet in Russia, have been flown in to the Philippines to perform with Ballet Manila.
Turning 17 just last June 30, this dancer has come quite a long way since he first unexpectedly entered the world of ballet several years ago.
Ballet Manila apprentice Ainslea Esplana says that at age nine, she already knew she wanted ballet to be her career.
Veteran singer-actress-comedienne Mitch Valdes was in a quandary before receiving Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s offer to essay the iconic role of Lola Basyang in the company’s restaging of its beloved Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang trilogy.
She identifies motherhood as the main reason she refused to give up on her ballet dream.
Six of those stories have since been transformed into dance pieces through Ballet Manila's Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2008) and Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2013), with the first trilogy returning to the stage this month as the company's second offering for its 26th performance season dubbed "Ballet Masterpieces".
Knowing that Ballet Manila is also interested in her progress, Margarida is determined more than ever to strengthen her technique in the Vaganova way and at the same time learn the contemporary pieces of the company.
The beginning of Judith Po’s ballet journey is similar to those of many female dancers. It was an activity to do for fun and through the years, it turned out to be the one activity they couldn’t live without.
To make his return possible, Paeng addressed the things that were holding him back.
Ballet Manila company member Marinette Franco has always been a deep thinker, and this trait of hers has become even more pronounced when ballet returned after the worldwide pandemic.
Of all the classics in Ballet Manila’s repertoire, it’s Le Corsaire that Romeo Peralta Jr. knows quite well – from the most minor of characters to the lead roles.
In Jasmine Pia Dames’ case, from being the supporting female character, Gulnara, in 2018, she will be portraying Medora, the lady love of Conrad in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s choreography of the pirate ballet.
A mouseling who loves ballet has introduced millions of little girls all over the world to classical dance. Ballet Manila apprentice Shamira Drapete is no exception.
Eventually bagging the silver in AGP’s Junior B category in Hong Kong, this serious competitor was very pleased with the results, as it reflected how much work he put into improving his art, as well as combating the pressure he felt
While talented and determined to put in the hours, this ballet-loving teenager never expected to take home the prestigious award in December 2023.
John Balagot is no stranger to dancing on stages outside the Philippines. Before
Just when Sean Pelegrin thought that his 2023 would return to the usual chill off-season days after doing guestings with dance schools, he gets a career-changing phone call from Ballet Manila’s co-artistic associate Gerardo Francisco Jr. one Thursday morning.
Dancing the lead part in a full-length performance is what Shaira Comeros had been looking forward to since she was promoted to principal artist in late 2022.
This dancer had the athlete’s reflexes, the muscle mass to lift just about any female partner, and most importantly, the disposition to listen and be obedient towards coaches whose counterparts in ballet are the teachers in the studio and anyone else more experienced than him.
