Ballet Manila Moments: A fiery dance for two

Since 1995, Ballet Manila has been creating unforgettable performances on stage. As the acclaimed storytellers on toes, they have breathed life to an amazing range of classical and contemporary fare. The Ballet Manila Archives celebrates some of those moments from the company’s first 25 years through this series.

Gerardo “Geri” Francisco Jr. was already a veteran principal dancer when Jasmine Pia Dames joined Ballet Manila as a soloist. As he watched her dance during class, he felt in his heart that his prayer had been answered at last. No, this is not a love story. Geri had been without a dancing partner for a few years and had seen some major roles elude him because of that. Seeing her move, Pia was clearly a perfect fit.

Finding the right partner is one of the most important, life-altering decisions that a ballet dancer will ever make in his or her professional career. The considerations range from the physical attributes to that elusive X-factor and chemistry that make the crowd want to see more of a dancing pair.

In this clip from Ballet Manila's production of Don Quixote in 2017, Geri and Pia — as Basilio and Kitri — complement each other's dancing at every step. She was vibrant as he was energetic. He was mischievous as she was flirty. And as they moved across the stage during this electrifying moment, they captured the hearts of audience members in this fiery dance for two.