Ballet Manila Archives

Jul 30

Jul 30 Principal dancer Mark Sumaylo: Ballet is in the heart

The principal dancer says that engaging in other activities such as redecorating their living space, playing games on an old PS4, and taking on photography assignments helped him deal with pandemic pressures so much better.

Jun 20

Jun 20 For principal dancer Gerardo Francisco, being ‘Dad’ is the greatest role ever

Ballet Manila Archives

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.

Jun 7

Jun 7 Soloist John Balagot: Ready and raring to dance onstage again

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

May 15

May 15 For soloist Pearl Dames, the future is still ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Unwaveringly optimistic, ballerina Jessica Pearl Dames wasn’t weighed down by anxieties when the enhanced community quarantine was first imposed in March 2020.

Apr 27

Apr 27 For Joshua Enciso, all roads lead to ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Anyone who follows Ballet Manila soloist Joshua Enciso in social media knows that his artistic pursuits go beyond ballet.

Apr 6

Apr 6 Joan Emery Sia: Lost and found

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Apr 22

Apr 22 Hard work pays off for newly promoted soloist John Ralp Balagot

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

John was obviously in shock when Ballet Manila co-artistic director Osias Barroso made the announcement on stage during curtain call.

Mar 1

Mar 1 Shifting gears: Lisa Macuja-Elizalde turns from fairy tales to tragedy in new choreography

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Feb 13

Feb 13 Recrafting ‘Carmina Burana’: Rudy De Dios and the biggest project of his life

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Jan 29

Jan 29 From Portugal to the Philippines: Eva Chatal follows in her parents’ footsteps for the love of ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Ballet Manila has become her second home and the dancers like her own family.

Jan 16

Jan 16 Dancing as Sleeping Beauty keeps Pia Dames wide awake and on her toes

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Jan 8

Jan 8 Maleficent becomes Emma Harris – but only on stage

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Many ballerinas dream of adding a princess role to their repertoire. Ballet Manila’s Emma Harris is no exception to this.

Dec 10

Dec 10 Nicole Barroso: Out of the shadows and into the light

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Dec 6

Dec 6 Determined dancer: Xiu Ling Tan gets up – again and again and again – to pursue her passion

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Nov 17

Nov 17 Grateful to be Giselle: Abigail Oliveiro and Sayaka Ishibashi take a winding path to dance an iconic ballet role

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Nov 16

Nov 16 Dying to be Albrecht: Romeo Peralta and Mark Sumaylo tackle the challenges of dancing the full-length ‘Giselle’

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Oct 24

Oct 24 Juan Angelo de Leon: A promising future in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Oct 16

Oct 16 Joan Emery Sia finds new meaning in Ballet Manila’s 'Giselle'

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Despite having performed the role twice before, Joan is never one to rest on her laurels.

Oct 14

Oct 14 Why ‘Giselle’ is special to Osias Barroso

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

The ballet classic Giselle has a soft spot in Osias “Shaz” Barroso’s heart.

Oct 11

Oct 11 Ballet Manila's young dancers learn on and off the stage in Taiwan

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

“It was very fulfilling because it showed off Ballet Manila and the teaching we can offer.”

Categories

Jul 30 Principal dancer Mark Sumaylo: Ballet is in the heart

Jun 20 For principal dancer Gerardo Francisco, being ‘Dad’ is the greatest role ever

Jun 7 Soloist John Balagot: Ready and raring to dance onstage again

May 15 For soloist Pearl Dames, the future is still ballet

Apr 27 For Joshua Enciso, all roads lead to ballet

Apr 6 Joan Emery Sia: Lost and found

Apr 22 Hard work pays off for newly promoted soloist John Ralp Balagot

Mar 1 Shifting gears: Lisa Macuja-Elizalde turns from fairy tales to tragedy in new choreography

Feb 13 Recrafting ‘Carmina Burana’: Rudy De Dios and the biggest project of his life

Jan 29 From Portugal to the Philippines: Eva Chatal follows in her parents’ footsteps for the love of ballet

Jan 16 Dancing as Sleeping Beauty keeps Pia Dames wide awake and on her toes

Jan 8 Maleficent becomes Emma Harris – but only on stage

Dec 10 Nicole Barroso: Out of the shadows and into the light

Dec 6 Determined dancer: Xiu Ling Tan gets up – again and again and again – to pursue her passion

Nov 17 Grateful to be Giselle: Abigail Oliveiro and Sayaka Ishibashi take a winding path to dance an iconic ballet role

Nov 16 Dying to be Albrecht: Romeo Peralta and Mark Sumaylo tackle the challenges of dancing the full-length ‘Giselle’

Oct 24 Juan Angelo de Leon: A promising future in ballet

Oct 16 Joan Emery Sia finds new meaning in Ballet Manila’s 'Giselle'

Oct 14 Why ‘Giselle’ is special to Osias Barroso

Oct 11 Ballet Manila's young dancers learn on and off the stage in Taiwan

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