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
That Alvin Dictado was born for the stage is the first thing that comes to mind when you meet this teenage danseur.
Gian Nathalie C. Francisco may not remember the very first ballet she'd seen, but she sure recalls what she felt when the performance ended: that she wanted to be a ballerina herself.
Coming from a neighborhood that has produced a lot of talented danseurs, Sixto didn’t hesitate about auditioning for the Project Ballet Futures (PBF) scholarship program.
Two years ago, Shaira Comeros was named the Most Promising Female Dancer at the Asian Grand Prix (AGP) International Ballet Competition.
Blessed with a dancer’s build, long artistic lines and a vivacious presence, Brian Sevilla – whose ballet resumé shows that he’s been collecting awards and scholarships locally and internationally since 2015 – seems to have it easy unlike other teenage danseurs.
Days after the surprise revelation, Romeo Peralta, Elpidio Magat and Joan Emery Sia still can’t believe that it had actually happened.
Alvin is the young teenager who never danced, but upon entering BM, wondrously transformed his life and became an accomplished danseur.
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
John attributes his entire journey as a danseur to soloist Anselmo “Elmoe” Dictado who has a knack for recruiting talents.
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.
Aria will have its world premiere in Ballet & Ballads, the production that wraps up BM’s 22nd performance season this February.
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.
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.
The young ballerina had broken her left leg as she was participating in the Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition.
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.
Abigail Oliveiro and Godwin Merano are excitedly preparing for their villainous roles in the company’s upcoming production of Snow White.
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.”
As the show dates come closer, the pressure these ballerinas are going through just keeps becoming more pronounced, but these Swan Queens are ready.
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.
