Ballet Manila’s shows in Angeles City in November 1995 were doubly meaningful, coming just months after it had staged its first-ever performance as a company. For one, these shows were to be their debut in Pampanga, and secondly, were specifically organized by a locally based non-governmental organization to benefit two of its allied groups.

The May 8 Multi-Sectoral Movement had just been formed a few months before and was composed of vendors, businessmen, professionals, women, youth and the marginalized. The group – dedicated to the continuing rehabilitation and revitalization efforts for their city following the eruption of Mt. Pinatubo in 1991 – was also keen on presenting a ballet performance for the local community.

As principal ballerina Lisa Macuja wrote in her newspaper column, it marked the first time in more than 15 years that a classical ballet concert was coming to Angeles. “It was an honor for Ballet Manila to be their inaugural project for culture.”

The repertoire for the matinee and gala shows featured a varied fare that Ballet Manila would bring on their touring shows all over the Philippines. It was heavy on the classics as that was the company’s forte, including the likes of Paquita Pas de Trois, The Nutcracker Pas de Deux, Le Corsaire Pas de Trois (The Living Garden) and Le Corsaire Grande Pas de Deux. It also featured Filipino pieces such as Ianne Damian’s Mosquerade, Jojo Lucila’s Sari’t Bahag and Eric V. Cruz’s Water Pas de Deux from his The Four Elements choreography.

Proceeds from the two shows were earmarked for projects of the Kapanalig Foundation and the Social Action Center of Pampanga with the lahar-stricken people of the province as beneficiaries.