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.

It is a story that every Filipino child knows by heart. A king taken ill, an enchanted singing bird his only hope, and three princes attempting the impossible task of capturing the bird that could save their father’s life and secure their future — Ibong Adarna has been told and retold through various art forms including theater and film. Thus, when Ballet Manila principal dancer Gerardo “Geri” Francisco proposed to create a ballet version of the 16th century epic poem, BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde did not hesitate to give her approval.

But how does one interpret this story that has been retold so many times? For that, Geri turned to his arsenal of Filipino dance movements to breathe new life to this old story. 

“Gusto ko talagang gawin ‘yung mga Filipino classics, ‘yung sariling atin. Pag sinabi kasing Ibong Adarna, it’s so Pinoy. (I really want to do the Filipino classics, our very own. Because when you say Ibong Adarna, it’s so Filipino.) So this is also part of preserving our culture,” he explained.

Ibong Adarna premiered on Aug. 26, 2017. In this clip, leading the charge is principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro and Gia Macuja-Atchison as the dancing and singing Ibong Adarna respectively, with principal dancers Mark Sumaylo, Romeo Peralta and Rudy De Dios as Don Pedro, Don Diego and Don Juan respectively, and BM co-artistic directors Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Osias Barroso gracing the stage as Reyna Valeriana and Haring Fernando.