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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All in Interviews

‘Le Corsaire’ 20 years after: Osias Barroso on sustaining Ballet Manila’s pirate breakthrough

Oct 30

Oct 30 ‘Le Corsaire’ 20 years after: Osias Barroso on sustaining Ballet Manila’s pirate breakthrough

Ballet Manila Archives

Having recently wrapped up their latest staging of Le Corsaire – the eighth time in 20 years – Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias “Shaz” Barroso sits down for an interview to look back at the company’s history with the colorful pirate epic.

Abigail Oliveiro comes full circle with ‘Le Corsaire’

Oct 20

Oct 20 Abigail Oliveiro comes full circle with ‘Le Corsaire’

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro has come full circle now that she’s making her debut as Medora, the female lead in the pirate epic Le Corsaire.

Soloist Jasmine Pia Dames embraces the challenge of portraying Gulnara

Oct 17

Oct 17 Soloist Jasmine Pia Dames embraces the challenge of portraying Gulnara

Ballet Manila Archives

Pia says the pirate ballet also demands its female leads to be completely warmed up as soon as they enter the stage.

Ali is back: Gerardo Francisco on the joys and challenges of dancing the classics

Oct 15

Oct 15 Ali is back: Gerardo Francisco on the joys and challenges of dancing the classics

Ballet Manila Archives

Asked to expound on what makes Ali so enjoyable to dance, Geri first points out that adventure ballets are more his thing rather than those that are centered on royalty.

After USA IBC, fearless Nicole Barroso ready to experience more in ballet

Oct 14

Oct 14 After USA IBC, fearless Nicole Barroso ready to experience more in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

When she finally processed that she was going to dance Gulnara in a full-length production of Le Corsaire, she had goosebumps all over.

Why ‘Le Corsaire’ is memorable to principal danseur Romeo Peralta

Oct 12

Oct 12 Why ‘Le Corsaire’ is memorable to principal danseur Romeo Peralta

Ballet Manila Archives

Though seen by many as the production that almost ended his dancing days, what Romeo's first Le Corsaire really did for him is to see ballet as a serious endeavor from start to finish.

Jamil Montibon: Making the most of another chance in ballet

Oct 3

Oct 3 Jamil Montibon: Making the most of another chance in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila’s Jamil Montibon is no stranger to the camera, as his life story is essentially a modern take on the rags-to-riches tale.

The ‘Carmen’ connection: Two ballerinas on being transformed by the dramatic opus

Sep 19

Sep 19 The ‘Carmen’ connection: Two ballerinas on being transformed by the dramatic opus

Ballet Manila Archives

After alternating as the delightful street dancer named Mercedes in Don Quixote, Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail “Abi” Oliveiro and company artist Rissa May Camaclang have once again turned heads on stage.

Prized pliés: Ballet Manila’s AGP winners share the stories behind the medals

Sep 7

Sep 7 Prized pliés: Ballet Manila’s AGP winners share the stories behind the medals

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila's Brian Sevilla and Rafael Perez claim that their AGP journey involved many challenges, especially when it came to their mental game.

John Ralp Balagot: From athlete to ballet dancer

Aug 29

Aug 29 John Ralp Balagot: From athlete to ballet dancer

Ballet Manila Archives

Born with a long and lean body, John Ralp Balagot naturally gravitated to playing all kinds of sports while growing up in Cagayan de Oro.

Danseur Sean Pelegrin takes a step forward

Aug 22

Aug 22 Danseur Sean Pelegrin takes a step forward

Ballet Manila Archives

Sean Pelegrin sheepishly admits that he didn’t show up to ballet class after ballet class during his younger years because he was interested to learn the dance form

Katherine Barkman’s brave new world

Jul 31

Jul 31 Katherine Barkman’s brave new world

Ballet Manila Archives

Starting June 2018, Katherine became a resident guest principal of Ballet Manila, transitioning from her principal dancer status in the last three years.

Joshua Enciso on finding an escape and achieving perfection in ballet

Jun 14

Jun 14 Joshua Enciso on finding an escape and achieving perfection in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Since he joined Ballet Manila, Joshua Enciso has traveled and performed in Hong Kong, Russia, China and Vietnam.

Nicole Barroso: Facing her biggest challenge yet

Jun 12

Jun 12 Nicole Barroso: Facing her biggest challenge yet

Ballet Manila Archives

Nicole faces her biggest challenge yet as she and fellow Ballet Manila company artist Joshua Enciso engage in a dance-off with their peers at the 11th USA International Ballet Competition.

Abigail Oliveiro: Ready to take on more challenging roles as Ballet Manila’s new principal dancer

May 30

May 30 Abigail Oliveiro: Ready to take on more challenging roles as Ballet Manila’s new principal dancer

Ballet Manila Archives

Fate surprised Abigail Oliveiro anew when she learned of her promotion from soloist to principal dancer for Ballet Manila’s upcoming season.

Russian choreographer George Birkadze creates a tango on pointes for Ballet Manila

May 22

May 22 Russian choreographer George Birkadze creates a tango on pointes for Ballet Manila

Ballet Manila Archives

George Birkadze flew to Manila this summer to work on two pieces for BM (Bru and Imperial) aside from fulfilling his role as a judge in this year’s Asian Grand Prix regionals.

Envisioning a future for ballet in India

May 8

May 8 Envisioning a future for ballet in India

Ballet Manila Archives

Swara Patel, co-founder of Rhythmus HappyFeet, can still vividly recall the very first time she came to the room where she's currently being interviewed.

Loraine Gaile Jarlega and her family: It takes a village to raise a ballerina

May 2

May 2 Loraine Gaile Jarlega and her family: It takes a village to raise a ballerina

Ballet Manila Archives

Asked if she has always been passionate about the dance form, the Jarlegas reveal that Gaile actually almost left ballet for good.

Elyssabeth Apilado: Fated to be in ballet

Apr 25

Apr 25 Elyssabeth Apilado: Fated to be in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Today, Lyssa is so thankful that she made that decision to commit to ballet, as she finds so much joy in it despite the many hardships it entails.

Teenage danseur Rafael Perez: Saved and made better by ballet

Apr 19

Apr 19 Teenage danseur Rafael Perez: Saved and made better by ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

How 16-year-old Rafael "Paeng" Perez ended up in ballet seems to be the typical story of a boy who stumbles upon it.