Ballet Manila Archives

Feb 22

Feb 22 This Month in BM History: February 2005

In February 2005, Ballet Manila set a challenge for itself that was unheard of in Philippine dance history – to dance two completely different full-length ballets on two consecutive weekends as the finale of its tenth season.

Feb 20

Feb 20 The naked sylph: Learning the art of the subtle and the effortless with Chopiniana

Ballet Manila Archives

Features

In this YouTube age where one-minute clips of dancers spinning and executing complicated aerial acrobatics account for most people’s exposure to ballet, teaching the young ballerinas to slow down and focus on deliberate movements was a challenge.

Feb 17

Feb 17 Under construction: The breathtaking entrance of Aramica

Ballet Manila Archives

Videos

First performed in 2015, this stunning piece highlights the strength and grace of the company’s male dancers.

Feb 13

Feb 13 From ‘Chopiniana’ to ‘Les Sylphides’: Memories of a Russian ballet classic

Ballet Manila Archives

Features

A budding choreographer named Michael Fokine – then only 26 – created a ballet that broke away from the classical ballet tradition championed by Marius Petipa.

Feb 11

Feb 11 Kotomi Narai: Using ballet as her voice

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

This talent from Japan moves so effortlessly and fearlessly that one would think that she's been dancing professionally for years. In truth, however, this ballerina is still going through many firsts.

Feb 8

Feb 8 How Ballet Manila is spreading the Vaganova dance method beyond the Philippines

Ballet Manila Archives

Features

If the journey of the Vaganova ballet method were to be charted from its beginnings in Russia, it would show an unlikely destination in the Philippines that then branches out to other points in the Asia-Pacific region.

Feb 7

Feb 7 Long and winding road leads Martin Lawrance to a Beatles-inspired choreography – at last!

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

Much like his previous collaborations with Ballet Manila, The Winding Road – which will premiere in the company’s season finale Deux – is very close to his heart, especially since the songs used is music he began listening to as a boy

Feb 6

Feb 6 Under construction: Celebrating “ballet blanc” with Chopiniana

Ballet Manila Archives

Videos

Featured in this brief rehearsal clip are principal dancers Joan Emery Sia and Romeo Peralta, soloist Nicole Barroso, and company artist Rissa May Camaclang.

Feb 1

Feb 1 Ballet Manila artists: Then and now

Ballet Manila Archives

Features

The 10-year challenge – a game wherein people are encouraged to post photographs of themselves from 10 years ago alongside a current photo – has proven to be a popular source of amusement on social media.

Jan 30

Jan 30 Ballet Dictionary: Headpiece (Ballerina)

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Dictionary

A headpiece is an object worn on the head for decoration purposes and completes the costume on a dancer.

Jan 28

Jan 28 Under construction: Chopiniana’s poet and sylph

Ballet Manila Archives

Videos

In this peek into the rehearsals, principal dancers Joan Emery Sia and Romeo Peralta take on the lead roles of the production.

Jan 25

Jan 25 20 Questions with Jasmine Pia Dames

Ballet Manila Archives

20 Questions

20 Questions returns with Ballet Manila soloist Jasmine Pia Dames.

Jan 24

Jan 24 This Month in BM History: January 2013

Ballet Manila Archives

This Month In BM History

Ballet Manila started off the year 2013 engaged in cultural and artistic exchange – with a show simply called Duo, a joint performance of the company and a Korean counterpart, the Yewon Dance Company.

Jan 22

Jan 22 In Their Own Words: Joan Emery Sia on giving advice to younger dancers

Ballet Manila Archives

In Their Own Words

“Everyone has something to offer. But not everyone looks interesting.”

Jan 18

Jan 18 Ballet Dictionary: Effacé

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Dictionary

The term Effacé is used to describe the direction of the body using the legs as reference.

Jan 16

Jan 16 In Their Own Words: Rudy De Dios on dealing with frustrations

Ballet Manila Archives

In Their Own Words

“You have to prepare your mind because you will reach that point wherein you feel frustrated when you can’t do it.”

Jan 14

Jan 14 Company artist Rodney Catubay on going with the flow of ballet

Ballet Manila Archives

Interviews

To date, Rodney’s most memorable production has been Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, which also happened to be his first performance as a professional danseur.