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
Geri is referred to as "Dad" as he has always stayed true to this real-life role of his, regardless of how tough and crazy his ballet schedule would get.
Because the coronavirus hit the country just days after his promotion – announced before the audience at the close of Ballet Manila’s 24th season in March 2020 – John Balagot found himself taking on a different set of challenges.
Unwaveringly optimistic, ballerina Jessica Pearl Dames wasn’t weighed down by anxieties when the enhanced community quarantine was first imposed in March 2020.
Anyone who follows Ballet Manila soloist Joshua Enciso in social media knows that his artistic pursuits go beyond ballet.
Used to having days packed with company classes and rehearsals, principal dancer Joan Emery Sia saw the March 2020 lockdown as nothing else but a two-week opportunity to rest and recharge for what was to come for Ballet Manila.
John was obviously in shock when Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso made the announcement on stage during curtain call.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde makes an abrupt turn as she tackles the tragic tale of La Traviata in her follow-up choreography.
Though Rudy De Dios, one of Ballet Manila’s longtime principal danseurs, has been doing choreography work since his days at the Philippine High School for the Arts, it’s only now that he is creating a full-length ballet – his own version of Carmina Burana, which premieres in March.
Ballet Manila has become her second home and the dancers like her own family.
Though Ballet Manila principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames has seen many versions of Sleeping Beauty, it is still the first adaptation she encountered – the 1959 Disney animated film – that holds a special place in her heart.
Many ballerinas dream of adding a princess role to their repertoire. Ballet Manila’s Emma Harris is no exception to this.
Nicole Barroso is a newly minted 18-year-old. But Ballet Manila’s youngest soloist didn’t need to reach this age to feel like an adult.
To describe the life and career of Ballet Manila company artist Xiu Ling Tan is to recite every single inspirational meme that social media has ever produced and made viral.
Gratitude was foremost in the minds of Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro and company artist Sayaka Ishibashi upon learning that one show of Giselle would still push through after a fire devastated the Star City complex.
Like the character they are set to portray in special shows of Giselle this weekend, Ballet Manila principal dancers Romeo Peralta and Mark Sumaylo describe their journey to performing Albrecht with one word: emotional.
Ballet Manila's delegation to the 2019 Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong last August ended with the triumph of their “bunso” (youngest member), then 11-year-old Juan Angelo de Leon.
Despite having performed the role twice before, Joan is never one to rest on her laurels.
The ballet classic Giselle has a soft spot in Osias “Shaz” Barroso’s heart.
“It was very fulfilling because it showed off Ballet Manila and the teaching we can offer.”
When she stopped, she began to realize that she missed the body pains ballet brings, the constructive criticism that teachers would give her, and of course, the joy of dancing.
