Christmas wishes, New Year hopes
After almost two years of pandemic-related restrictions, resulting in Zoom company classes and performances confined to the virtual space, Ballet Manila’s dancers are still trying to keep optimism afloat amid the continuing challenges. This season brimming with hope and the prospect of change as 2022 approaches seems to be the best time for these performing artists to share the desires of their hearts. So we asked them: If a fairy godmother just like in Cinderella were to suddenly appear and grant them their wishes, both personal and professional, what would these be? Here’s what they had to say:
Romeo Peralta
My first wish would be to keep my family and friends safe from the pandemic or any sickness, especially in these difficult times.
The second wish is to have the strength to continue to share the passion of dancing and performing regardless of whether it's on or off stage.
Principal dancer Romeo Peralta in The Nutcracker, excerpted in Nutkraker, 2014. Photo by Daniel Trinidad
Joan Emery Sia
I wish for my family and loved ones to be safe and healthy always. I lost my closest aunt in 2019 to cancer after seeing her in so much pain and it was the worst heartbreak of my life. It was very traumatic. I also wish that my family will always be connected by heart even when we’re apart.
To rescue all stray, injured, and orphaned animals and give them homes. I’ve always dreamed of going to a wildlife reserve (like the ones in Africa or Australia) to visit and help save animals.
I wish to dance forever! To never stop performing. To watch all the concerts and ballets and theater shows I want – live. No matter where it is in the world. I wish that we go back to performing live again. I pray that the world – and our dance world – recovers soon. It’s getting quite difficult. But I’m still praying.
Principal dancer Joan Emery Sia in Belen, 2017. Photo by Jimmy Villanueva
John Balagot
My wish for myself and for my family is to still be in good health, to have strength and to avoid getting sick especially in today's situation. I hope this Christmas will give them happiness, love and a beautiful time. I hope I can spend it with them. I miss them so much.
And for BM, I hope we can go back to performing in our theater so that we can give people happiness again. I’m praying for a better, normal situation today so we can go back to the studio and see each other.
Soloist John Balagot in Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin (Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang), 2018. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Gerardo Francisco
I want to travel around the world and try to explore and experience different kinds of cuisine. I would also like to watch or attend shows, workshops and different classes in both contemporary dance and ballet. As a choreographer, it will help me in my future creations.
I wish we could all go back to dancing on stage with a live audience and no more online classes but rather face to face. I wish that this pandemic will end soon and we can all go back to our normal lives.
Principal dancer Gerardo Francisco in The Nutcracker, 2010. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Jasmine Pia Dames
One of my wishes is to travel again to see my mom and stepdad. Another is to go to the beach and hike again because the last time I did so was two years ago before the pandemic happened, so it would be nice to go back again and enjoy fresh air and nature with loved ones.
My only wish for Ballet Manila is for us to be back on stage again. We really would love to share our passion and inspire other dancers. I know that will happen very soon.
Principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Sleeping Beauty, 2020. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Joshua Enciso
My wish for myself and my family is for us to stay healthy all the time. Being healthy allows us to do our jobs that’ll provide our daily needs.
My wish for Ballet Manila is to keep on fighting. It’s been a tough ride for BM and I hope that we can rise again and share our art with the people like how we used to.
Soloist Joshua Enciso in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Snow White, 2019. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
Abigail Oliveiro
To be reunited with my family and friends soon (please!) and be able to celebrate our wedding together with loved ones. (Abi is engaged to fellow principal dancer Mark Sumaylo.)
To be able to share the stage with my Ballet Manila family again. To dance, to express, to share our love and passion through performance – the thought alone makes my heart sing!
Principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro in Pasko na Naman Muli (Nutkraker), 2014. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Mark Sumaylo
I would love to travel to Greece (Santorini) with my fiancé Abi (Oliveiro) and Louie, our puppy. And of course, to see my family and spend time with them because I miss them so much!
To be able to perform with a live audience in the theater. I miss the full experience of performing on stage.
Principal dancer Mark Sumaylo in Pasko na Naman Muli (Nutkraker), 2014. Photo by Daniel Trinidad
Shaira Comeros
If I had a fairy godmother, I would most definitely wish to see my Inang (grandmother) once again and grant her the favor she asked me for her 80th birthday – to watch me perform for her birthday. Another wish I’d want is for me and the people I love to be healthy and safe.
I wish that we can all dance together again, not through the screen but in person, with no borders and restrictions. I hope we can do shows again with live audiences. I just wish for everything to go back to the way it used to be before the pandemic.
Soloist Shaira Comeros in The Swan, the Fairy and the Princess, 2016. Photo by Kurt Alvarez
Elpidio Magat
Siyempre, my wish is for my family, loved ones, and friends to have good health. Health is always first, lalo na this pandemic threatens everyone's safety. Health is wealth po talaga. Pero what I would wish for myself if a fairy godmother exists? I’d want to be rich so I can travel the world and bring everyone I love with me.
For the company, my wish is for us to have a live performance again and to dance outside and tour para malaya na ‘yung dancing spirit na matagal nang na-lockdown.
Principal dancer Elpidio Magat in The Nutcracker, excerpted in Nutkraker, 2014. Photo by Daniel Trinidad
