Ballet Manila Archives

Feb 11

Feb 11 Choreographer Martin Lawrance embraces Pinoy music and culture in his reimagining of ‘Romeo & Juliet’

Embracing the tale’s flexibility, Martin Lawrance decided to set the beloved Shakespearean tale in modern-day Metro Manila, wherein the star-crossed lovers come from different social classes.

Feb 6

Feb 6 Physics major Angelika Tagupa makes time for ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Ballet Manila company artist Angelika Tagupa is a Physics major who is determined to dance professionally, even as she’s busy working on her thesis.

Jan 26

Jan 26 Bullied for dancing, AGP bronze medalist Noah Esplana is determined to make good in ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Originally from Australia, with a Filipino father and an Australian mother, Noah always knew that he would like to pursue ballet since he first witnessed a performance of it.

The best is yet to come: A conversation on unexpected promotions and new beginnings with Jessica Pearl Dames, Joshua Enciso, Shaira Comeros and Jessa Balote

Jan 23

Jan 23 The best is yet to come: A conversation on unexpected promotions and new beginnings with Jessica Pearl Dames, Joshua Enciso, Shaira Comeros and Jessa Balote

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

We invited the four to the Ballet Manila Archives to tell us what they remember from those moments that they could only collectively describe as surreal.

Nov 12

Nov 12 After a pandemic detour, Eva Chatal continues her journey with Ballet Manila

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Asked what made Ballet Manila a great option for her, despite having to move far away from home again, Eva replies, “There are several reasons why I came back. The first has to do with the classes being done in the Vaganova method.”

Oct 19

Oct 19 After London, Juan Angelo De Leon’s ballet journey continues

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Last August, Gelo was finally able to avail of a Royal Ballet School scholarship that was part of his prize at the Asian Grand Prix in 2020, long delayed by pandemic constraints.

Sep 29

Sep 29 The show must go on: Guest choreographer Martin Lawrance turns to dance to heal from loss

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

When the Rebel choreographer stepped into the company’s unique three-walled studio, he saw Lisa Macuja-Elizalde busy as ever with teaching. Once the company members spotted him, they all paused and applauded to welcome him, as he and Lisa hugged each other and cried.

Sep 18

Sep 18 Three weeks in Russia: Marinette Franco emerges a better and braver dancer

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

In July, this ballerina found herself flying to Russia to take part in the Innopraktika & Russian Seasons School’s (IRSS) Choreography 2022,.

Aug 31

Aug 31 After pandemic job-hopping, Elyssabeth Apilado follows her heart and returns to ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced many teenagers to quickly mature, and ballerina Elyssabeth Apilado is no stranger to this.

Jul 22

Jul 22 Teacher Sofie’s passion for dance education continues, pandemic or not

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Recently promoted as Assistant of the Directress, this educator observes that as more months were spent learning from home, she and the other teachers were able to master the online platform more and more.

Jul 13

Jul 13 After 14 years, dancing is still magical for scavenger-turned-ballerina Jessa Balote

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

In 2018, this ballerina thought that she had already seen the last of her days in pointe shoes as motherhood brought about many changes to her body.

Jul 1

Jul 1 Ballet and coffee make a happy mix for danseur and newbie barista Sean Pelegrin

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

These days, Ballet Manila’s resident barista is trying to balance his duties in Ballet Manila and SP Coffee.

Jun 22

Jun 22 After pandemic blues, Marinette Franco embraces a renewed love for ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

A different kind of enthusiasm is evident in Marinette Franco's face each time she talks about ballet.

Jun 19

Jun 19 How fatherhood is inspiring Jamil Montibon to be a better dancer

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

As a young man who entertained vices at one point, ballet gave him purpose and a second chance at a better life; and as a father in his twenties, dancing helped him to give his wife and daughter the means to live comfortably.

Nov 19

Nov 19 Hope at the crossroads: Principal danseur Romeo Peralta’s pandemic joys and struggles

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

And though the future is unpredictable for him at the moment, Romeo fights to keep moving forward.

Oct 27

Oct 27 For principal ballerina Pia Dames, the dancing never stops

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

“Ready na! Sobrang ready na ako!” (I’m ready! I’m so ready to dance!) These were the words of Ballet Manila principal dancer Pia Dames when asked if she was prepared to take the stage should the theaters suddenly open tomorrow.

Oct 1

Oct 1 Principal danseur Elpidio Magat Jr. on creative firsts, dancing for film, and the future

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Danseur Elpidio Magat Jr. was perhaps in the worst place one could be when the first pandemic lockdown was announced in March 2020.

Aug 25

Aug 25 After 20-plus years and amid the pandemic, Eileen Lopez still finds joy in teaching ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Eileen, who is a Ballet Manila pioneer, paints a picture of how face-to-face classes are different from online ones.

Aug 19

Aug 19 For Abigail Oliveiro, rough patches always lead to beautiful things

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

“Do I go home?” This was one of the big questions that Abigail “Abi” Oliveiro faced when things began to take a different turn in 2020.

Aug 7

Aug 7 Soloist Shaira Comeros chooses to stitch a brighter future

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Shaira always sports a smile that we couldn't help but ask if she's ever weighed down by the uncertainty of the pandemic.

Categories

Feb 11 Choreographer Martin Lawrance embraces Pinoy music and culture in his reimagining of ‘Romeo & Juliet’

Feb 6 Physics major Angelika Tagupa makes time for ballet

Jan 26 Bullied for dancing, AGP bronze medalist Noah Esplana is determined to make good in ballet

Jan 23 The best is yet to come: A conversation on unexpected promotions and new beginnings with Jessica Pearl Dames, Joshua Enciso, Shaira Comeros and Jessa Balote

Nov 12 After a pandemic detour, Eva Chatal continues her journey with Ballet Manila

Oct 19 After London, Juan Angelo De Leon’s ballet journey continues

Sep 29 The show must go on: Guest choreographer Martin Lawrance turns to dance to heal from loss

Sep 18 Three weeks in Russia: Marinette Franco emerges a better and braver dancer

Aug 31 After pandemic job-hopping, Elyssabeth Apilado follows her heart and returns to ballet

Jul 22 Teacher Sofie’s passion for dance education continues, pandemic or not

Jul 13 After 14 years, dancing is still magical for scavenger-turned-ballerina Jessa Balote

Jul 1 Ballet and coffee make a happy mix for danseur and newbie barista Sean Pelegrin

Jun 22 After pandemic blues, Marinette Franco embraces a renewed love for ballet

Jun 19 How fatherhood is inspiring Jamil Montibon to be a better dancer

Nov 19 Hope at the crossroads: Principal danseur Romeo Peralta’s pandemic joys and struggles

Oct 27 For principal ballerina Pia Dames, the dancing never stops

Oct 1 Principal danseur Elpidio Magat Jr. on creative firsts, dancing for film, and the future

Aug 25 After 20-plus years and amid the pandemic, Eileen Lopez still finds joy in teaching ballet

Aug 19 For Abigail Oliveiro, rough patches always lead to beautiful things

Aug 7 Soloist Shaira Comeros chooses to stitch a brighter future

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