Ballet Manila Archives

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.

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Osias Barroso and Nicole Barroso: Ballet is in their blood

Dec 25

Dec 25 Osias Barroso and Nicole Barroso: Ballet is in their blood

Ballet Manila Archives

In the case of the dancing Barrosos, namely Ballet Manila’s co-artistic director Osias “Shaz” Barroso and his 16-year-old multi-awarded niece, Nicole “Neeka” Barroso, we find an extraordinary fusion of both family-strengthening and separation.

Chasing the stage: Abby Bonifacio’s road to quick recovery

Dec 20

Dec 20 Chasing the stage: Abby Bonifacio’s road to quick recovery

Ballet Manila Archives

The young ballerina had broken her left leg as she was participating in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition.

Project Ballet Futures: Sylvia Lichauco advocates Ballet Manila’s ‘mission possible’

Dec 12

Dec 12 Project Ballet Futures: Sylvia Lichauco advocates Ballet Manila’s ‘mission possible’

Ballet Manila Archives

Despite having to hang up her ballet shoes abruptly due to the ballet ban in the ‘50s, Sylvia Lichauco refused to completely give up on her dream.

Twinning around: Manila transplants ‘Abwin-Gobi’ talk about the BM dancer’s life

Nov 14

Nov 14 Twinning around: Manila transplants ‘Abwin-Gobi’ talk about the BM dancer’s life

Ballet Manila Archives

Abigail Oliveiro and Godwin Merano are excitedly preparing for their villainous roles in the company’s upcoming production of Snow White.

Guest dancer Joseph Phillips on Prince Siegfried, winning and Philippine ballet

Oct 4

Oct 4 Guest dancer Joseph Phillips on Prince Siegfried, winning and Philippine ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

After dancing about 30 full-length Swan Lake productions, American dancer and Ballet Manila guest artist Joseph Phillips is still being called to the “Lake of Tears.”

The Swan Queen Diaries: Three dancers on making their debut in ballet's iconic dual role

Oct 2

Oct 2 The Swan Queen Diaries: Three dancers on making their debut in ballet's iconic dual role

Ballet Manila Archives

As the show dates come closer, the pressure these ballerinas are going through just keeps becoming more pronounced, but these Swan Queens are ready.

The swan turners: How Eileen Lopez and Jonathan Janolo are restaging a beloved classic

Sep 27

Sep 27 The swan turners: How Eileen Lopez and Jonathan Janolo are restaging a beloved classic

Ballet Manila Archives

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!

Gia Macuja-Atchison flies home for ‘Ibong Adarna’ and for her family

Sep 1

Sep 1 Gia Macuja-Atchison flies home for ‘Ibong Adarna’ and for her family

Ballet Manila Archives

No matter how many times she’s done it, stepping on stage still brings jitters to Gia Macuja-Atchison.

From hip-hop to ballet: Elmoe Dictado’s call to dance

Aug 29

Aug 29 From hip-hop to ballet: Elmoe Dictado’s call to dance

Ballet Manila Archives

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.

Elpidio Magat: More highs than lows in ballet

Aug 23

Aug 23 Elpidio Magat: More highs than lows in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

There is something so intriguing about Elpidio Magat.

Rudolph Capongcol: Prince of tights

Aug 16

Aug 16 Rudolph Capongcol: Prince of tights

Ballet Manila Archives

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.

The balancing act of Brian Ramos Sevilla

Aug 9

Aug 9 The balancing act of Brian Ramos Sevilla

Ballet Manila Archives

2015 marked a turning point in the very young life of Ballet Manila (BM) trainee Brian Ramos Sevilla.

The princes of ‘Ibong Adarna’: Brothers through twinkle toes and woes

Aug 7

Aug 7 The princes of ‘Ibong Adarna’: Brothers through twinkle toes and woes

Ballet Manila Archives

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.

Gerardo Francisco and the flight of the ‘Ibong Adarna’

Jul 25

Jul 25 Gerardo Francisco and the flight of the ‘Ibong Adarna’

Ballet Manila Archives

Finally, after a seemingly interminable wait, Gerardo Francisco’s Ibong Adarna is ready to spread its wings.

Sofia Sangco-Peralta: Growing up with Ballet Manila and loving it

May 3

May 3 Sofia Sangco-Peralta: Growing up with Ballet Manila and loving it

Ballet Manila Archives

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.

Rissa May Camaclang: A scholar dances her way to success

Mar 3

Mar 3 Rissa May Camaclang: A scholar dances her way to success

Ballet Manila Archives

At nine, Rissa May Camaclang unknowingly stumbled into the world of dance.

‘Bad Boy’ of ballet makes good

Feb 21

Feb 21 ‘Bad Boy’ of ballet makes good

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila danseur Francis Cascaño can aptly draw comparisons with Robin Padilla, the so-called “Bad Boy” of Philippine cinema.

Susan Macuja: Ballet Manila’s mom for all seasons

Jan 12

Jan 12 Susan Macuja: Ballet Manila’s mom for all seasons

Ballet Manila Archives

Motherhood is the hardest job in the world, says Mrs. Susan Macuja, mother of the Philippines’ most famous ballerina, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

The fall and rise of Abby Bonifacio

Jan 6

Jan 6 The fall and rise of Abby Bonifacio

Ballet Manila Archives

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: Ballet Manila's real-life Cinderella

Dec 28

Dec 28 Jessa Balote: Ballet Manila's real-life Cinderella

Ballet Manila Archives

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.