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
Her connection to the company actually started five years ago, when she visited the Philippines for the first time.
Like many ballerinas, Ballet Manila 2’s Kong Ke Xin, in her early years, had no clue that regularly attending dance classes would eventually evolve into a profession.
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.
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.
Pia says the pirate ballet also demands its female leads to be completely warmed up as soon as they enter the stage.
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.
When she finally processed that she was going to dance Gulnara in a full-length production of Le Corsaire, she had goosebumps all over.
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.
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.
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.
Ballet Manila's Brian Sevilla and Rafael Perez claim that their AGP journey involved many challenges, especially when it came to their mental game.
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.
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
Starting June 2018, Katherine became a resident guest principal of Ballet Manila, transitioning from her principal dancer status in the last three years.
Since he joined Ballet Manila, Joshua Enciso has traveled and performed in Hong Kong, Russia, China and Vietnam.
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.
Fate surprised Abigail Oliveiro anew when she learned of her promotion from soloist to principal dancer for Ballet Manila’s upcoming season.
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.
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.
Asked if she has always been passionate about the dance form, the Jarlegas reveal that Gaile actually almost left ballet for good.
