In their own words, the artists of Ballet Manila share their thoughts and experiences on not merely surviving but flourishing in the very challenging world of dance. This series is a collection of personal anecdotes, as well as words of wisdom that can be heartwarming, funny or dramatic, but always inspiring regardless of what field one is pursuing.

It’s part of being an artist. It’s part of being a dancer. Ganoon talaga siya. When you go to a studio, you get there and then mostly talagang gagawin is to check kung ano ang mali. Ipo-point out sa iyo ng teacher mo – not just because gusto niyang sabihin na ang pangit mo o mali ka. It’s how it’s done. You go there. You do class. You rehearse. And then of course ang i-che-check is kung ano ang mali na nagagawa mo. It’s part of that. There’s no perfect show. There will always be a mistake, even if it’s just a small mistake – nahulog ang bulaklak, nahulog ang prop. It’s a mistake that you cannot afford to repeat on the next show, or the next time you perform. It’s always like that. After the curtains fall, there will always be a correction and you should always look for it. If you don’t, you will stagnate in your dancing. 

It’s part of being an artist. It’s part of being a dancer. That’s really how it is. When you go to a studio, you get there and then what you will mostly do is to check what you did wrong. Your teacher will point it out not just because he wants to tell you that you’re terrible or you’re wrong. It’s how it’s done. You go there. You do class. You rehearse. And then of course they need to check what you did wrong. It’s part of that. There’s no perfect show. There will always be a mistake, even if it’s just a small mistake – the flower fell, you dropped a prop. It’s a mistake that you cannot afford to repeat on the next show, or the next time you perform. It’s always like that. After the curtains fall, there will always be a correction and you should always look for it. If you don’t, you will stagnate in your dancing. 

Top photo by Mark Sumaylo