Snapshots: From ‘Sayaw Soul Sisters’ to Ballet Manila
The Ballet Manila Archives abounds with photographs documenting moments from the company’s colorful history. This series features images from the vast collection and the corresponding behind-the-scenes stories as shared by those who were there when the pictures were taken.
The night Ballet Manila was unexpectedly formed in 1994 in the Macuja home: Lisa Macuja (seated, fourth from left) with her colleagues in the new company – (standing from left) Osias Barroso, Elline Damian, Pamela Asprer, Jeffrey Espejo, Eduardo Espejo, (seated from left) Eileen Lopez, artistic director Eric V. Cruz, Ianne Damian, Aileen Gallinera, Sandralynn Huang, and (foreground) Christopher Mohnani. Kristin Dabao was unable to make it but was part of the Pioneer 12. Photo by Angela Blardony Ureta
By Anjie Ureta
When it comes to the creation of Ballet Manila, this is probably as close as anyone could get to an eyewitness account. As a journalist, I had been trained to keenly observe how significant events unfold, especially when there is a promise of an exclusive story.
However, on the evening of December 11, 1994, I was more than just an impartial spectator. I unwittingly became part of the birth of Ballet Manila!
And yes, it was – and will always be for me – an exclusive story!
The day didn’t start out too well for my best friend, Lisa Macuja. Christmas was just a couple of weeks away but she wasn’t feeling any holiday cheer. Certain events had put her dream of being a Philippine-based prima ballerina at risk; she felt there was no longer a place for her in her own country. She had tearfully conceded to what seemed to be her only option at the time – leaving Manila for good.
Later that day, I went over to her house to comfort her. Words didn’t come easy, even for a writer like myself. Sometimes, presence is all you can offer. And maybe a shoulder to cry on. But at a certain point, I recall telling her: “Lisa, when God closes a door, He makes sure He opens a window. Look through that window and face the warmth of His sunshine. The One who gave you wings to fly will also be the One to carry you home.”
Shortly before dinner, the phone started ringing incessantly and with every conversation, Lisa’s mood changed – from despondent to anxious to confused… and eventually, to utterly elated! Within the hour, her partner and good friend Osias Barroso had appeared at her doorstep, together with their former artistic director Eric V. Cruz. Nine young dancers followed, all informing her of their decision not to renew their contracts with their previous company. Together, they all decided to take a leap of faith and form a group of their own – a ballet company of the dancers, by the dancers, and for the dancers!
The photo you see here was the very first one of the new company, taken by yours truly. It captured a moment of courage – not the absence of fear, but the ability to move forward and triumph over it. Could they actually make it work? Well, they were certainly going to try!
(Unfortunately, one of the 12 pioneers, Kristin Dabao, wasn’t able to make it that evening because she had chicken pox, so in her stead, we brought in a furry friend – Kopek, the family poodle!)
Back then, we didn’t have a name for the group yet. So, for the next few weeks, everybody just referred to it as “SSS” – Sayaw Soul Sisters.
Thankfully, that didn’t stick!
