There was so much anticipation and excitement for the start of the new millennium in the year 2000. Ballet Manila marked this auspicious beginning by staying true to its ideal of bringing ballet to the people, performing in a free show on January 22 at Rizal Park’s open-air auditorium.

In the performance sponsored by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts and the National Parks Development Committee, the company showcased its strength in both the classical and modern genres.

Its repertoire included original choreography such as Tony Fabella’s Dancing to Verdi, Jojo Lucila’s South Road and Ric Culalic’s Ouch! and provided a sneak peek at Ballet Manila’s season opener, Chopiniana. Back then, the company’s season began in February (in recent years, it has opened every August), and shows were held at its previous performance home, the GSIS Theater.

Five years old at the time, Ballet Manila had the late Eric V. Cruz as its artistic director and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso as principal dancers.