Ballet Manila Archives

Feb 22

Feb 22 For Glenn Ragel, ballet is sweeter the second time around

Ballet Manila company artist Glenn Ragel may be soft-spoken and reserved; but when it comes to speaking about what matters most to him, this young man surely doesn’t hold back

Feb 7

Feb 7 Late starter John de Dios on making it in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

John attributes his entire journey as a danseur to soloist Anselmo “Elmoe” Dictado who has a knack for recruiting talents.

Feb 2

Feb 2 Carrying her crown: Henriette Garcia on life as a ballerina

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Like many ballerinas who began their journey with Baby Ballet classes, Henriette Dominique Garcia had no idea that her life would soon be studio and stage-focused.

Jan 18

Jan 18 Complicated love, complicated ballet: Soloist Mark Sumaylo on ‘Aria’

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Aria will have its world premiere in Ballet & Ballads, the production that wraps up BM’s 22nd performance season this February.

Jan 12

Jan 12 Martin Lawrance hits a high note in new choreography `Aria’

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

As the title reveals, this work of Martin’s makes use of expressive melodies from operas which he claims would surely showcase the artistry of BM dancers and the superb singing of Filipino classical performers.

Dec 25

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Dec 20

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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

Dec 12

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Nov 14

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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

Oct 4

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.”

Oct 2

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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

Sep 27

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

Ballet Manila Archives

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!

Sep 1

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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

Aug 29

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Aug 23

Aug 23 Elpidio Magat: More highs than lows in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

There is something so intriguing about Elpidio Magat.

Aug 16

Aug 16 Rudolph Capongcol: Prince of tights

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Aug 9

Aug 9 The balancing act of Brian Ramos Sevilla

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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

Aug 7

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.