Ballet Manila Archives

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.

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Ballet Manila’s love affair with Philippine literature

Apr 8

Apr 8 Ballet Manila’s love affair with Philippine literature

Ballet Manila Archives

Acclaimed as the “storytellers on toes,” Ballet Manila has enjoyed a love affair with Philippine literature – transforming tales familiar to Filipino readers into dance and making beloved characters leap off, as it were, from the page to the stage.

Talk about dance: Monique Duval

Apr 4

Apr 4 Talk about dance: Monique Duval

Ballet Manila Archives

Talk About Dance

She decided to free herself, dance into the wind, create a new language. And birds fluttered around her, writing “yes” in the sky.

Ballet’s Leading Ladies: The vulnerable Odette and the cunning Odile

Apr 1

Apr 1 Ballet’s Leading Ladies: The vulnerable Odette and the cunning Odile

Ballet Manila Archives

“I think what makes Swan Lake so challenging is that this is really a ballet meant to be danced by two different ballerinas…”

This Month in BM History: March 1995

Mar 30

Mar 30 This Month in BM History: March 1995

Ballet Manila Archives

This Month In BM History

In March 1995, barely a month after its formal launching concert, Ballet Manila embarked on a performance tour of Mindanao – specifically in the provinces of Sultan Kudarat and South Cotabato.

Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Juliet, from playful to passionate child-woman

Mar 28

Mar 28 Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Juliet, from playful to passionate child-woman

Ballet Manila Archives

“Juliet is a dream role for any ballerina. She is playful and carefree in the beginning but soon evolves into a passionate, obstinate – even desperate – child-woman the minute she falls in love.”

Talk about dance: Ernst Bacon

Mar 26

Mar 26 Talk about dance: Ernst Bacon

Ballet Manila Archives

Talk About Dance

Dancing is the body made poetic.

Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Madly-in-love Giselle

Mar 24

Mar 24 Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Madly-in-love Giselle

Ballet Manila Archives

“Giselle is one of the most sought-after ballerina roles not just because of the ballet’s technical demands but more so because of the dramatic intensity and interpretation that the role requires.”

Talk about dance: Inga Muscia

Mar 21

Mar 21 Talk about dance: Inga Muscia

Ballet Manila Archives

Talk About Dance

I dance. A lot. I work grief and sadness out of my body when I dance, and I bring in joy and rhythm.

Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Sensual and sexy Carmen

Mar 18

Mar 18 Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Sensual and sexy Carmen

Ballet Manila Archives

“I waited a very long time before choreographer Eric V. Cruz announced that I was ready to dance his Carmen.”

Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Nikiya, the tragic heroine

Mar 16

Mar 16 Ballet’s Leading Ladies: Nikiya, the tragic heroine

Ballet Manila Archives

Lyrical and dramatic, Nikiya demands a deep understanding of love and sacrifice.

Remembering Luz Fernandez, Ballet Manila’s beloved Lola Basyang

Mar 14

Mar 14 Remembering Luz Fernandez, Ballet Manila’s beloved Lola Basyang

Ballet Manila Archives

In 2008, when Ballet Manila premiered Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang based on the stories of Severino Reyes, there was no other choice to play the popular storyteller than her.

Ballet Manila Moments: Tribute to a dance genius

Mar 11

Mar 11 Ballet Manila Moments: Tribute to a dance genius

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila Moments

In celebration of his 204th birth anniversary, this video clip highlights four pieces that have been distinctively shaped by Petipa's genius.

Ballet’s Leading Ladies: The feisty Kitri

Mar 8

Mar 8 Ballet’s Leading Ladies: The feisty Kitri

Ballet Manila Archives

“When I first danced the role of Kitri in Russia, not only did I wake up with swollen legs from all the mandatory jumping and turning, I also had sore cheeks from all the smiling and laughing that came with such a euphoric ballet.”

Amid pandemic blues, Ballet Manila artists share the joy of dancing – and dancing live

Mar 7

Mar 7 Amid pandemic blues, Ballet Manila artists share the joy of dancing – and dancing live

Ballet Manila Archives

There was jubilation in Ballet Manila’s Studio 1 after the show, as the dancers who have missed performing onstage during the pandemic got to practice their craft once more.

Swan Lake: Prince Siegfried comes of age

Mar 4

Mar 4 Swan Lake: Prince Siegfried comes of age

Ballet Manila Archives

Spotlight On The Classics

It is this flair for the dramatic that makes Prince Siegfried a much sought-after role among male ballet dancers.

Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Snow White

Mar 1

Mar 1 Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Snow White

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila Moments

In this clip is an excerpt of that first meeting with principal dancer Romeo Peralta as the Prince and soloist Shaira Comeros as Snow White in Ballet Manila's 2019 production of Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's Snow White.

Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Swan Lake

Feb 28

Feb 28 Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Swan Lake

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila Moments

In this clip is a romantic expression of Siegfried's and Odette's love performed by principal dancers Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro in Ballet Manila's 2017 production of Swan Lake.

Ballet Manila returns to Star City with program echoing hope

Feb 25

Feb 25 Ballet Manila returns to Star City with program echoing hope

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila will perform at the Activity Center of the refurbished Star City starting February 26, Saturday, and February 27, Sunday.

Dancing the Osias Barroso way

Feb 24

Feb 24 Dancing the Osias Barroso way

Ballet Manila Archives

In this clip, we celebrate Shaz's choreographic vision with three of his trademark pieces: In Quest performed in 1995, Pinocchio in 2004, and Ecole in 2018.

Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Giselle

Feb 21

Feb 21 Ballet Manila Moments: In love with Giselle

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila Moments

In this clip, principal dancers Joan Emery Sia and Elpidio Magat Jr. are Giselle and Albrecht in Ballet Manila’s 2019 production of Giselle held at the Main Theater of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.