Ballet Manila Archives

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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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In Their Own Words: Jessica Pearl Dames and Sean Pelegrin on their challenging experience in partnering

Aug 15

Aug 15 In Their Own Words: Jessica Pearl Dames and Sean Pelegrin on their challenging experience in partnering

Ballet Manila Archives

In Their Own Words

It was the first time for both to tackle the lead classical roles as professional dancers so they were eager to take on the joint assignment.

Talk About Dance: Anand Thakur

Aug 13

Aug 13 Talk About Dance: Anand Thakur

Ballet Manila Archives

Talk About Dance

Let the moon teach you the art of being beautiful and lonely at the same time.

Ballet Manila newbie Reign Pelegrin follows in her brothers’ dancing footsteps

Aug 10

Aug 10 Ballet Manila newbie Reign Pelegrin follows in her brothers’ dancing footsteps

Ballet Manila Archives

Having grown up with three brothers who trained and performed with Steps Dance Studio, it didn’t take long before Reign developed an interest in ballet herself.

Ballet Manila in Full Color: Basic black and white

Aug 8

Aug 8 Ballet Manila in Full Color: Basic black and white

Ballet Manila Archives

Ballet Manila goes back to basics with black and white.

PBF scholars, LMSB students win big at International Ballet Grand Prix in Singapore

Aug 6

Aug 6 PBF scholars, LMSB students win big at International Ballet Grand Prix in Singapore

Ballet Manila Archives

The delegation to Singapore was headed by LMSB assistant director and faculty member Sofia Sangco-Peralta and Ballet Manila guest choreographer Martin Lawrance.

Ballet Manila powers through curveballs for sold-out ‘Swan Lake’ shows in Dumaguete

Aug 2

Aug 2 Ballet Manila powers through curveballs for sold-out ‘Swan Lake’ shows in Dumaguete

Ballet Manila Archives

At the ballet classic’s end – when the swan corps waves to a reunited Odette and Prince Siegfried in the afterlife – the crowd would break into wild applause and animated cheers as the stage grew dark and the curtains closed.

This Month in BM History : July 2018

Jul 31

Jul 31 This Month in BM History : July 2018

Ballet Manila Archives

This Month In BM History

Ballet Manila has always aspired to bridge artists and audiences from different cultures through the universal language of dance.

Unexpected promotion of four Ballet Manila dancers caps ‘Swan Lake’ performance series in Dumaguete

Jul 30

Jul 30 Unexpected promotion of four Ballet Manila dancers caps ‘Swan Lake’ performance series in Dumaguete

Ballet Manila Archives

Company artists Rodney Catubay and Jos David Andes were promoted to soloists while apprentices Shamira Drapete and Ainslea Esplana were named company artists.

A return to the “Lake”

Jul 26

Jul 26 A return to the “Lake”

Ballet Manila Archives

In this clip, we return to 2017 when Abi and Mark debuted as Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried in their first full-length performance of Swan Lake.

Ballet Manila danseurs win top honors at Taiwan Regionals of 2025 Dance Open America

Jul 23

Jul 23 Ballet Manila danseurs win top honors at Taiwan Regionals of 2025 Dance Open America

Ballet Manila Archives

All three dancers that the two institutions fielded to the competition – company artist Jos David Andes, apprentice Germaine Dawal and scholar John Sixto Dones – all earned medals and scholarships.

13 years after their high school ‘Swan Lake,’ Pearl and Pia Dames are ready to be Odette and Odile once more

Jul 22

Jul 22 13 years after their high school ‘Swan Lake,’ Pearl and Pia Dames are ready to be Odette and Odile once more

Ballet Manila Archives

Swan Lake holds a special place in the hearts of Ballet Manila principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames and Jasmine Pia Dames.

Noah Esplana makes Prince Siegfried his own in ‘Swan Lake’

Jul 20

Jul 20 Noah Esplana makes Prince Siegfried his own in ‘Swan Lake’

Ballet Manila Archives

“It’s important to remember that the Siegfried I’m performing is my own.”

Talk About Dance: Richard Bach

Jul 19

Jul 19 Talk About Dance: Richard Bach

Ballet Manila Archives

Talk About Dance

True love stories never have endings.

Shaira Comeros takes maiden flight as Odette and Odile in full-length ‘Swan Lake’

Jul 16

Jul 16 Shaira Comeros takes maiden flight as Odette and Odile in full-length ‘Swan Lake’

Ballet Manila Archives

Principal ballerina Shaira Comeros never pictured herself as a Swan Queen.

In Their Own Words: Judith Po on the value of competitions

Jul 15

Jul 15 In Their Own Words: Judith Po on the value of competitions

Ballet Manila Archives

In Their Own Words

“You have to be mentally strong.”

Jul 11

Jul 11 Bow-struck

Ballet Manila Archives

We aimed high and went on a hunt for ballets that feature bows – and surprisingly hit our mark!

Rothbarts rising: John Balagot and Rodney Catubay on portraying one of ballet's iconic villains

Jul 9

Jul 9 Rothbarts rising: John Balagot and Rodney Catubay on portraying one of ballet's iconic villains

Ballet Manila Archives

Among the new faces to play the story’s evil sorcerer Von Rothbart are soloist John Ralp Balagot and company artist Rodney Catubay.

Talk About Dance: Tomas Schramek

Jul 7

Jul 7 Talk About Dance: Tomas Schramek

Ballet Manila Archives

Talk About Dance

Follow your passion. Find that something that makes you want to work at it. Work hard. Nothing comes without hard work.

Soundbites: ‘It felt good to be a Filipino that night’

Jul 5

Jul 5 Soundbites: ‘It felt good to be a Filipino that night’

Ballet Manila Archives

“The audience was so enthralled by the 21-member troupe’s stirring performance of pure energy.”

In Their Own Words: Rissa May Camaclang on always looking presentable

Jul 3

Jul 3 In Their Own Words: Rissa May Camaclang on always looking presentable

Ballet Manila Archives

In Their Own Words

“It’s part of being professional. It’s the training. It’s the respect.”