Ballet Manila Archives

May 12

May 12 Feistier than ever: Pia Dames returns as a stronger Kitri

Much of a ballerina’s life has to do with being able to adapt to changes, and this seems to be what principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames has been experiencing this performance season.

May 9

May 9 The return of ‘Don Quixote’

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

With just three weeks to go before opening night, rehearsals are intensifying in Ballet Manila’s Studio 1 with artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde at the helm.

Apr 12

Apr 12 It’s ballet or nothing for company member Alvin Dictado

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Realizing that ballet opened up so many opportunities for him, Alvin chose to continue his training, even when some studio days involved a lot of mistakes and shouting of corrections from mentors.

Mar 24

Mar 24 After a long pandemic break, soloist Anselmo Dictado just wants to keep on dancing

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Ballet Manila soloist Anselmo Dictado is one of those who can’t imagine himself doing anything aside from dancing; but since the COVID-19 pandemic happened, he was forced to take on other paths.

Feb 27

Feb 27 Home sweet home: Soloist Rissa May Camaclang returns to Ballet Manila stronger and wiser

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Since returning, Rissa May has been adjusting quite well to the daily Vaganova classes she was once used to.

Feb 14

Feb 14 Principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Pearl Dames: Living for every Romeo & Juliet moment

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

The first time Ballet Manila principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Jessica Pearl Dames portrayed the tragic young lovers from Shakespeare’s masterpiece was back in 2019.

Feb 11

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

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

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.

Categories

May 12 Feistier than ever: Pia Dames returns as a stronger Kitri

May 9 The return of ‘Don Quixote’

Apr 12 It’s ballet or nothing for company member Alvin Dictado

Mar 24 After a long pandemic break, soloist Anselmo Dictado just wants to keep on dancing

Feb 27 Home sweet home: Soloist Rissa May Camaclang returns to Ballet Manila stronger and wiser

Feb 14 Principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Pearl Dames: Living for every Romeo & Juliet moment

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

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