This Month in BM History: January 1996
Ballet Manila’s performance in Bugasong, Antique marked the first time that classical dance was brought there. Clipping from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Ballet Manila’s debut performance in Antique in January 1996 was a dual homecoming for two of its leaders, the late artistic director Eric V. Cruz and artistic associate/ principal ballerina Lisa Macuja.
The show was a homecoming for Ballet Manila artistic director Eric V. Cruz and for Lisa Macuja whose families hail from Antique. Clipping from the Ballet Manila Archives collection
Cruz’s family led by his father, the late Prof. Juan Cruz, was from Bugabong. Macuja’s grandfather, Julio Macuja, was born in Hamtik.
It was a particularly sentimental homecoming for Cruz as it had been his late father, Prof. Juan Cruz’s dream to put up a ballet show in their hometown as a way of sharing classical dance. “Unfortunately, the dream was never realized in his lifetime. But I’m sure he would be sharing in our joy, now that his vision has become a reality,” Cruz said back then.
It was also special for the host town as it was the very first ballet concert – billed A Night of Classical Ballet in Bugasong – to be held there.
Ballet Manila’s repertoire consisted of Russian classics and original Filipino pieces, with Russian guest artist Andrei Katuntsev joining the company.
A spread from the Bugasong fiesta’s souvenir program highlights Ballet Manila’s participation in the event. From the Ballet Manila Archives collection
