Ballet Manila in Full Color: Maroon mode

Ballet Manila has showcased a rich palette of hues in its productions over the years. Now, the company’s true colors are revealed! Gathering photographs from the Ballet Manila Archives, we present the vibrant and the somber, the heavenly to the earthy, in a series of virtual exhibitions – one shade at a time.

In Gerardo Francisco’s Paunjalay, Francis Cascaño and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde don matching maroon outfits bearing influences from Southern Philippine culture that also inspired the choreography. Touches of yellow in fabric and beadwork provide interesting details to the ensembles. Paunjalay was an international competition piece that was performed in Aliw Theater for the first time in 2008. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Jazz, modern ballet and contemporary dance combine in Francis Jaena’s Shutter, featured in Heart 2 Heart (2014). The women are in maroon and black dresses as they simulate the movements and sounds of a camera shutter as it captures images in this Charlie Chaplin-influenced choreography. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The courtesan Violetta (Joan Emery Sia), overwhelmed with feelings for Alfredo who has professed his love for her as symbolized by the white rose she holds, is driven to dance in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s La Traviata (2020). Joan wears a tutu in maroon, the color as deep as her character’s emotions, perhaps a foreshadowing of the tragedy that is soon to follow. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz

Gerardo Francisco makes a grand entrance, flashing the “V’ sign for victory and coming from the audience, as his character – the wily politician Ferdinand – reappears in Act 2 of Martin Lawrance’s Rebel (2016). Just like all the costumes featured in the People Power Revolution/ Spartacus-inspired choreography, Ferdinand’s maroon barong Tagalog with black and white accents was designed by the late Jeffrey Rogador. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

For the Christmas production Nutkraker (2014), Abigail Oliveiro channels the spirit of the season in a maroon tutu with a crisp skirt that glints with gold embellishments. Nutkraker combined excerpts of the holiday ballet classic, Nutcracker, and new Filipino choreographies inspired by the merriest month. Photo by Daniel Trinidad

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde looks every inch the queen in Swan Lake (2017), what with an elegant frock of maroon and black lush with floral patterns and spiced up by sequins on the full skirt and beadwork on the bodice and sleeves. The sparkle is complemented by the pearl choker that adorns her neck and the glittering crown that sits prettily on her head. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Pointing to his ring finger, the maroon-clad king (Francis Cascaño) proclaims that it is time for his son to take a bride from among the princesses who have come to the ball in Cinderella. Premiering in 2016, Cinderella was the first in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Princess Trilogy which was eventually followed by Snow White and Sleeping Beauty. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Christine Rocas, doting mother to the carefree Prince Siegfried (Jonathan Janolo) in Swan Lake (2005), is resplendent in a maroon gown in rich velvet with puff details on the sleeves and a glittery empire-cut trim. Pearl strands, pearl earrings and a sparkly headdress complete the regal outfit. Photo by Ocs Alvarez