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.
To mark her 20th anniversary as a professional ballerina, Lisa Macuja Elizalde went back in time to choose the roles for her celebratory production with Ballet Manila.
We join this celebration with a sampling of Filipino attire that Ballet Manila dancers have worn on stage.
Ballet class is like Life Lessons 101. You learn some of life’s most important lessons here that you will carry with you forever.
Here are three examples that show the bamboo’s versatility, from decorative element to functional implement.
In these examples, see how a simple toast leads the characters to differing unforgettable moments.
Like many girls, Katrene San Miguel started ballet to have something to do after school hours.
In 2004, Ballet Manila represented the Philippines when it participated in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival which unfolded from August 4 to 14 in Aberdeen, Scotland.
Our profession creates illusions. It is not a matter of having a perfect body, but of dancing in such a way as to look perfect.
Take a look at these scenes from three productions where the various characters use a common focal element, proving the might of the sword.
Ten years later and now a company artist, Gelo is stepping into Don Juan’s shoes for a Ballet Manila performance in Laguna.
Thirteen years have passed since Ballet Manila last staged La Bayadere, a story of love, betrayal, murder, mystery, fate, vengeance and justice.
For Ballet Manila’s full-length productions of La Bayadere, the role of Gamzatti was performed by Marian Faustino, Mylene Aggabao, Sandra Lynn Huang, Jan Erika Basilio and Violet Hong.
Though these three artists have starred in classical ballets, La Bayadere – being a full-length that hasn’t been staged by Ballet Manila since 2013 – is a first for them.
A closer look, however, reveals that the hero may not have been as willing to sacrifice for his temple dancer.
For Ballet Manila’s 31st year, Geri – now Ballet Manila co-artistic associate – is entrusting the role to soloists Jos David Andes and Rafael “Paeng” Perez.
Very few would suspect that its choreographer Marius Petipa was fighting almost every step of the way with prima ballerina Ekaterina Vazem who took on the lead role of Nikiya.
Company artists Marinette Franco and Angelika Tagupa take a lot of pride in corps dancing and are very serious about upholding the tradition of “being a single organism” on stage.
