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.
“I have to be fit kasi kailangan ito sa trabaho ko. That’s my main motivation,” underlines Joshua. “Being fit is really about knowing your body so you can manage it.”
We join the celebration of International Fairy Day, June 24, with a look at the fairies who have enchanted their way into our hearts through Ballet Manila’s stories.
In 2016, the country's three professional ballet companies – Ballet Manila, Ballet Philippines and Philippine Ballet Theater – joined forces to stage the first of what was envisioned as a biennial event: Dance.MNL.
For I have trained myself and am training myself always to be able to dance lightly in the service of thought.
For sure, being in ballet helped prepare Romeo for fatherhood. “I’ve learned many things during my 23 years here, and really, I’m nothing but grateful,” concludes the danseur.
With the upcoming observance of Father’s Day on June 18, we take a look at the dads – the good, the bad and the in-between – that have made their presence felt at the ballet.
“I really just have to work with what I’ve got and try to make it work and do the best that I can.”
In this clip are excerpts of Sayaw Pinoy – a tribute to a vibrant culture stemming from over a hundred years of independence.
Ballet Manila finds inspiration in the colors of the Philippine flag.
When Ballet Manila principal artist Abigail “Abi” Oliveiro first arrived in the Philippines, she was absolutely not a vegetarian.
In 1997, the Department of Tourism and the Intramuros Administration commissioned Ballet Manila to create a Filipino-themed production for the Intramuros Evenings Performing Arts Series.
This clip is a slideshow of photographs featuring highlights of the beloved ballet classic that is synonymous with technically difficult but high-spirited dancing.
While waiting for the curtains to rise, here’s a sneak peek into the rehearsals.
For Don Quixote, Ballet Manila’s co-artistic associate has the best seat in the house – as rehearsal master, coach and dancer.
San Francisco Ballet principal artist Esteban Hernandez got on a plane that took him halfway across the globe and, upon reaching the Philippines, was pleasantly surprised to find himself feeling like he was back in Guadalajara, Mexico where he was born and raised and first dreamt of becoming a ballet dancer at age 7.
In this clip from 2010, the entire corps of Ballet Manila opens Pistang Pinoy with a dance highlighting assorted Filipino games – from luksong baka to bato-bato-pik.
With the performance dates of Don Quixote coming up, the two are living for every rehearsal, hoping to make everyone fall in love with the passionate couple known as Mercedes and Espada.
To celebrate Mother’s Day today, we asked seven Ballet Manila artists to talk about the most important female figure in their lives growing up.
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.
