Twenty-two Ballet Manila dancers have made it to the Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition 2016 which will be held on November 17 (Junior Category) and on November 19 (Senior Category) at the CCP's Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.

The company's contenders in the Junior Category are Ana Katharina Andes, Elyssabeth Apilado, Precious Bacolod, Nicole Barroso, Abiegail Bonifacio, Shaira May Comeros, John Carl Concepcion, Kayla Ann Coseteng, Natasha Danielle De Guzman, Alvin Dictado, Joshua Enciso, Marinette Franco, Brian Sevilla and Monique Valera.

Meanwhile, the competitors in the Senior Male Category are Rodney Catubay, Jayrald Magat, Jim Carlo Magat, Godwin Merano, Chriz Nouelle Nebril and Raymond Salcedo, while those in the Senior Female Category are Faith Calingo and Jillian Villanueva.

The competitors are expected to perform a classical variation and a modern solo. They will draw their competition numbers on October 27, the same date as the submission of music and final title for their dance entries.

Osias Barroso, Ballet Manila co-artistic director, said training and rehearsals for the competitions are going full-blast now that the company has wrapped up its second production for the season, The Swan, The Fairy and the Princess.

He pointed out that the company's daily classes serve as the best preparation for the dancers.

“That is the foundation of their technique,” he stressed.

He added that previous experience in other competitions would help give dancers confidence.

Several BM contenders competed and landed in the finals at the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong last August. Nicole Barroso won a silver medal in her category, while Shaira May Comeros was given a Most Promising Female Dancer Award.

According to organizers, a jury of five adjudicators – four Filipinos known in the field and one from the Asian region – will evaluate the CCP Ballet Competition. Awards at stake are P35,000 for the first prize, P25,000 for the second prize, and P15,000 for the third prize in each category. 

The CCP Ballet Competition is also a showcase for choreography, with new pieces being created specially for participating dancers. The Trudl Dubsky Award will be given for the best choreography.

Ballet Manila's Rissa May Camaclang won the third prize in the Junior Category when the 1st CCP Ballet Competition was held in 2014.