Ballet Manila Moments: A choreographer finds his wings

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.

Early works - whether big or small - play an integral part in understanding and fully appreciating the journey of an artist. Dance is no exception. Ballet Manila principal dancer Gerardo “Geri” Francisco Jr. may have started out as a dancer but has grown into a formidable choreographer. His first full-length piece, Ibong Adarna, has won critical acclaim and has now become part of the company’s most iconic productions. 

But Ibong Adarna owes its success to dozens of short pieces that allowed Geri to explore himself and his choreography. One such piece, which directly contributed to his first full-length ballet, was Corvus. From the Latin word meaning “crow,” the piece was inspired by the perceived menacing nature of the bird and its aggressive movements.

In this excerpt is the world premiere of Corvus featuring former Ballet Manila dancers Rudy De Dios, Alvin Santos, and Roduardo Ma. The choreography is eight minutes long and offers an insight into Geri’s artistry, leading to that moment when the choreographer found his wings and took flight.