The uncertain days of enhanced community quarantine have been difficult to face. For some, this challenging time has become more bearable with a little help from their pets. That’s certainly true for Ballet Manila’s artists who are finding joy and optimism in the company of their cuddly canines. Here are some of them:

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde with Galahad 

Galahad, a Welsh corgi, is a familiar sight in Ballet Manila’ studios in Donada, Pasay. That’s because he’s always on the heels of his human, artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. He is almost two years old now and according to Lisa is “little señorito” who can be very picky. 

“His favorite place to be is under the sofa in the porch or under my bed. He is my baby, especially now that both my kids are in the US and it’s quarantine,” says Lisa who notes that even when she is giving online ballet classes, Galahad is just nearby watching and waiting on her.

“I play ball with him outside every day. He snubs you a lot and then gets jealous when you don’t give him any attention,” she shares.

Ashley Salonga with Sochi and Bunggoy

Ballet Manila 2 member Ashley Salonga has two male Chihuahuas, Sochi and Bunggoy. She describes Sochi as ‘Daddy’s boy’ because he likes being cuddled by her father James, while Bunggoy is called ‘Mommy’s girl’ because he likes to be with Ashley’s mom, Globelle. 

Sochi is supposedly masungit (surly) at times while Bunggoy is “super kulit” (playful) but doesn’t like to be hugged maybe because, says Ashley, he finds it too hot or her hugs too tight. “Pero pag naglambing siya (but when he’s looking for affection), he is soooo cute!” she adds.

“They don’t want to be with me because nangfigigil po ako sa kanila. Ayaw po nila ‘yun! (They don’t want to be with me because I really go crazy with them. They don’t want that!),” laughs Ashley who showers them with all the attention anyway.

Alvin Dictado with Safa

Like Ballet Manila company artist Alvin Dictado himself, his poodle Safa tends to be makulit (playful). During quarantine, the two have been each other’s trusty companions at home. Alvin plays ball with Safa, her favorite toy, and feeds him dog treats, her favorite food. 

Eileen Lopez with Odile, Duchess and Hera

Ballet Manila assistant ballet mistress Eileen Lopez always has to play peacemaker among her fur babies. That’s because her dachshund Hera and poodle Duchess are perennially at odds. But thankfully, her third dog, Odile (also a poodle), helps act as a referee between the other two.

The three dogs sleep with Eileen on her bed. Sometimes, when she wakes up in the middle of the night, she comes back to find that they have left no space for her to lie on, leaving her scratching her head. 

But she says they really are a source of joy for her during these days of uncertainty. “They keep me sane and busy here at home. Kesa kung ano-ano maisip at ma-depress. (Rather than think of one’s worries or get depressed.)”

There is a simple routine that she’s been following with them – “Kain, tulog, repeat!” Eileen jokes, before clarififying, “May oras ng laro at harutan, kain, tulog. (There is time for playing and having fun, for eating and for sleeping.)”

John Balagot and Nanami Hasegawa with Luke

Soloist John Balagot “co-parents” a toy poodle with company artist Nanami Hasegawa. Nanami left for her native Japan shortly before community quarantine started, so John has been in charge of taking care of Luke in the meantime. But it’s not so difficult, he says, because Luke is so sweet that he is content just to stay on his lap or stay by side or play with him as the puppy has a lot of toys. 

“We’ve already adapted to this kind of situation,” John muses. “I spend a lot of time with him now so we have good bonding and I teach him new tricks. I’m excited to walk him outside because he’s always excited to go out but we can’t right now. I hope things will get back to normal soon.” 

Loraine Gaile Jarlega with Maya

If Ballet Manila 2’s Loraine Gaile Jarlega is around, her five-year-old poodle Maya can’t be far behind. Maya sleeps with Gaile and during the day they’re quite inseparable. “wherever I go, she follows me around, but whoever is eating in the family, doon po siya nagbabantay (that’s whom she waits on),” she laughs. “During my ballet class online, she just stays quiet but sometimes maybe she gets bored so she goes to my dad. When I work out in the afternoon, she’s there resting on my mat.”

While Maya is generally quiet, she can be very loud too. Says Gaile, “When she hears other dogs barking, she would run to the gate and barks as if she’s talking with those other dogs. She always runs after the chickens when she sees them and you have to call her back.”

Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo with Louie

The community quarantine has allowed principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo more time to spend with Louie, their Shih Tzu who is almost two years old. They’re loving every minute of it because on working days, they’d be in the studio for many hours away from him. 

“It wasn’t just an adjustment period for us but for him as well, having us around all the time,” Abi laughingly describes. “At first, he was so inquisitive with all the new things we’re doing at home. Now, he will have a lie down between Mark and I during warm up, and saunter off to the side on his own for a nap when ballet music is on and we are at the ‘barre’,” she relates.

Louie’s humans describe him as being delightful and having a loving personality with lots of energy. Abi rattles off about their furry bundle of joy: “He ALWAYS wants to be a part of what we’re doing – truly endearing. He makes us laugh all the time because he’s very silly too! His facial expressions are priceless. He’s very much a part of the family. He’s the star of our household. At first, we were worried he might have separation anxiety when we do eventually go back to work but we think we will be the ones to have that instead! I can’t get enough of him still!”