In Their Own Words: Abigail Oliveiro on fighting to achieve a dream
In their own words, the artists of Ballet Manila share their thoughts and experiences on not merely surviving but flourishing in the very challenging world of dance. This series is a collection of personal anecdotes, as well as words of wisdom that can be heartwarming, funny or dramatic, but always inspiring regardless of what field one is pursuing.
When I got here (Ballet Manila), I was happy. I’d give it a year, two years. It would be great then I’d go home (to Australia). I worked really hard. Ma’am Lise (Lisa Macuja-Elizalde), Sir Shaz (Osias Barroso) and Natasha (Raldugina), they would push me. It was when I got promoted to soloist that I realized I wanted to be a principal dancer. That’s the time I knew I wanted to be a dancer, if that makes any sense. Like this whole time I was too afraid, I was so afraid to hope for that. So when they promoted me to soloist, that means I can! That means I’m capable! I want more! If I can be here, I want to be a ballerina. I want to have more. I want to reach the top. That’s when I would put even more effort. I loved ballet even more when I came here, even more than I did. It wasn’t everything to me then but it’s the biggest thing to me right now because I never thought I would get here. I never even thought I could be a soloist to begin with and now that I’m here…
That’s why it’s so surreal when I was told about the promotion to principal dancer (in 2018). What?! That’s not true! I know I work hard but I can’t believe it! It’s the wildest thing that ever happened. It’s beyond my dreams because I didn’t even dream it to begin with. It’s insane but I like this insanity! I completely like the way I was told! I love everything about it! Honestly, it felt like I was hit by a bus! I was so down for a while… I was disappointed when Ballet & Ballads was announced and I wasn’t promoted but I told myself it was not my time. I was completely happy for everyone but I was so sad. For so long, I was crying and Mark (Sumaylo) said, “I hope one day when you wake up, you feel happy again.” And that made me so sad too! But I refused to give up. I wanted to work really hard. I refused to give up! I’ve come all this way and giving up now is too easy so I don’t care how long it took. I hoped someday someone would see it but it didn’t matter because I knew I don’t want to give up and I knew my passion is still there. So that’s the feeling. And after all the time of thinking that, of pushing myself, and getting over it and working through the difficult times, it’s worth it.
Top photo by Mark Sumaylo
Principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro enjoys her moment at the ball in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
