Ballet Manila’s memorable moments in 2019
Ballet Manila will remember 2019 as the year it was thrown its biggest curve ball yet. But while it may have experienced its lowest point, it also celebrated triumphs in the past months to balance that off. Indeed, the company has shown its strength and resiliency and will stay true to its calling to “just dance” amid any situation.
Here are Ballet Manila’s memorable moments in 2019:
‘Giselle’ in CCP
Giselle, featuring Joan Emery Sia in the title role, Akari Ida as Myrtha and the corps dancing as one as the wilis, highlighted the strength of Ballet Manila in classical ballet. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
No one could have predicted that Ballet Manila would perform its full-length Giselle at the Cultural Center of the Philippines instead of its home across the street, the Aliw Theater. When a devastating fire hit the Star City Complex last October 2, demolishing the Star Theater and affecting the Aliw as well, everyone thought Giselle – which would have gone onstage on October 19 and 20 – was off the table. But a venue grant from CCP allowed Ballet Manila to stage its production in a one-night-only performance on October 17 at the Main Theater. Though still reeling from the shock brought on by the fire, it was a chance for the company to show their commitment to dance with artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde vowing in an emotional speech that Ballet Manila would “rise like a phoenix”.
Ballet scholar wins in Asian Grand Prix
Project Ballet Futures scholar Juan Angelo De Leon (rightmost) received the bronze prize at the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong. Photo courtesy of AGP
While still a relative newcomer to ballet, 11-year-old Juan Angelo De Leon showed how dance can change lives. Representing The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila, the Project Ballet Futures scholar soared to a bronze finish in the Pre-Competitive B Division of the Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition in Hong Kong, dancing the Blue Bird Variation from The Sleeping Beauty. He is believed to be one of the youngest, if not the youngest, Filipino dancer to medal in an international ballet competition.
BM debuts in KL and Taipei
Opening night at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre was preceded by a pep talk given by artistic directors Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso. Photo by Mark Sumaylo
Continuing its mission to bring ballet their way beyond Philippine shores, the company made its debut in Malaysia, with two performances at the Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre last September. Dubbed Tour de Force, the shows featured a mixed program of classics, neo-classics and modern ballet pieces. In a country where professional ballet performances remain limited but where ballet schools abound, Ballet Manila elicited a warm reception from audiences, so much so that there are plans to return there in the near future.
Meanwhile, five junior dancers of the company – through BM co-artistic director Osias Barroso – were invited by Taipei’s Zhongli Youth Ballet to perform together with its students last August. Soloist Joshua Enciso and company artists Shaira Comeros, Alvin Dictado, Rafael Perez and Brian Sevilla danced excerpts from Giselle, Sleeping Beauty and Raymonda in a program that was the latest in a series of collaborations with the Taiwan ballet school. The overseas efforts, said Barroso, showcase what Ballet Manila can do and also serve as opportunities for its dancers to interact with colleagues in other countries.
Curtain call with the Zhongli Youth Ballet in Taipei
Awards for achievements in dance
Principal dancer and resident choreographer Gerardo Francisco Jr. was honored with a Ten Outstanding Young Men award by JCI Philippines for his achievements in Dance.
The tail-end of 2019 provided positive vibes for Ballet Manila with a string of awards coming its way. First, principal dancer and resident choreographer Gerardo Francisco Jr. was named one of the Ten Outstanding Young Men (TOYM) for the year by the Junior Chamber International Philippines (JCI Philippines). He was honored for his achievements in Arts and Humanities in the field of Dance.
Second, Ballet Manila bagged a double win at the Aliw Awards, also in December. Its fairytale adaptation, Snow White, was named as Best Dance Production while Ballet Manila principal artist Abigail Oliveiro earned a trophy as Best Classical Dancer for her portrayal of The Evil Queen in the same ballet. Snow White choreographer Lisa Macuja-Elizalde said the awards come at an auspicious time as she will premiere her Sleeping Beauty to cap her Princess Trilogy in January.
Principal dancers Elpidio Magat, Joan Emery Sia and Abigail Oliveiro celebrate Ballet Manila’s triumph at the Aliw Awards. The company won for Best Dance Production for Snow White, with Oliveiro named as Best Classical Dancer. Photo by Mark Sumaylo
