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.
A popular fairy tale transformed into a 21st century reality show – that is Ballet Manila’s Sinderela which had its world premiere in 2012.
If people stand in a circle long enough, they’ll eventually begin to dance.
From the years that Ballet Manila has been staging Giselle since 1999, here are a few select photographs.
In this clip are two performances of Reve - the first with Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Anselmo Dictado, and the second with Geri and Rudy De Dios.
Life is short and there will always be dirty dishes, so let’s dance.
Dance with me showcased nearly 30 photographs measuring 20” x 30”, each one focusing on movement rather than on poses.
This clip features excerpts from the emotional yet powerful October and November 2019 performances where BM, as a company, showed they could live up to their new motto to “rise like a phoenix.”
This is why the idea of finding love across the dance floor endures - symbolizing that, when we know the true rhythm of our heart, we know the other.
From Swan Lake to Ibong Adarna, Ballet Manila has enthralled audiences with enchanted creatures.
In this clip from the 2018 season, Mark Sumaylo reprised his role but this time with Abigail Oliveiro as his partner.
Come Faeries, take me out of this dull world, for I would ride with you upon the wind and dance upon the mountains like a flame!
La Bayadere (The Water Bearer or The Temple Dancer) was brought to the stage by Ballet Manila in all its intrigue-filled glory in September 2004 at Aliw Theater.
This clip was taken from a Circus D’Ballet performance in 2019 featuring Tony Fabella’s Magandang Gabi and Osias Barroso and Gerardo Francisco’s Sumayaw Sumunod.
At a time of immense uncertainty, Ballet Manila is sharing a message of hope through an achingly touching dance film that celebrates love while underscoring the immeasurable value of the arts.
This clip shows the two performances of Les Sylphides staged 19 years apart – a long but worthy wait for some stunning Ballet Manila moments.
Dancing is creating a sculpture that is visible only for a moment.
In the school’s long history, there has never been a recital like this one.
This clip features scenes from three shows of Le Corsaire – one in 1998 (with Osias Barroso and Pamela Asprer) and two in 2018 (with Katherine Barkman and Nicole Barroso as Gulnara, and with Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro).
We dance to seduce ourselves. To fall in love with ourselves. When we dance with another, we manifest the very thing we love about ourselves so that they may see it and love us too.
