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
With Ballet Manila’s numerous engagements leading up to its Swan Lake show dates, it’s easy to picture Jonathan Janolo and Eileen Lopez fidgeting around, wondering how they would be able to put together all the elements of this ever-demanding ballet classic. But such is not the case!
No matter how many times she’s done it, stepping on stage still brings jitters to Gia Macuja-Atchison.
More known by his nickname “Elmoe,” this ever-smiling Ballet Manila soloist performs so effortlessly that one would think that he’s been dancing ballet all his life. But the truth is the subject only entered ballet when he was 18.
How does a child who's interested in basketball and drums end up in professional ballet? Ballet Manila soloist Rudolph Capongcol says that it first had to do with peer pressure.
2015 marked a turning point in the very young life of Ballet Manila (BM) trainee Brian Ramos Sevilla.
Ultimately, Ibong Adarna is about the three Berbanian princes – brothers who are only able to settle their differences after many chapters of rivalry and adventure.
Finally, after a seemingly interminable wait, Gerardo Francisco’s Ibong Adarna is ready to spread its wings.
Sofia Sangco-Peralta doesn’t seem to have changed much from the fifteen-year-old girl who joined Ballet Manila as a scholar twenty years ago.
At nine, Rissa May Camaclang unknowingly stumbled into the world of dance.
Ballet Manila danseur Francis Cascaño can aptly draw comparisons with Robin Padilla, the so-called “Bad Boy” of Philippine cinema.
Motherhood is the hardest job in the world, says Mrs. Susan Macuja, mother of the Philippines’ most famous ballerina, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.
One moment, Abby Bonifacio was leaping joyfully in mid-air. Then there was a loud crack and the next thing she knew, she was a heap of white lace and tulle on the floor. It was a ballerina’s nightmare come true.
Jessa Balote has been called Ballet Manila’s Cinderella who got pointe shoes instead of glass slippers and went on to become a princess. She became a scholar of BM at the age of 10 and life was never the same since then.
No longer that shy child simply following her friend's lead, Violet Hong has charted her own course against all odds.
At the recently concluded CCP Ballet Competition, Godwin Merano’s clean lines and polished performance earned him the top honors in the Senior Category.
Nicole Barroso has been having an exceptionally good year.Nicole Barroso has been having an exceptionally good year.
Czarina Villegas appreciates the pure joy that comes from experiencing a full-circle moment.
Coming out of herself has played an important role in Ballet Manila soloist Tiffany Chiang-Janolo’s career.
Alfren Salgado is a Ballet Manila baby. This was where he learned his first tentative ballet steps at age 15 and where he has matured to become the dependable soloist that he is today.
