Ballet Manila in Full Color: Golden moments

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. 

The title of George Birkadze’s choreography is Imperial and the music is Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov's Procession of the Nobles so it follows that the costume must be equally regal. Abigail Oliveiro channels that characteristic as she wears a classical tutu in the tradition of the old-style imperial look. And what could be more suitable when it comes to nobility than a color that best signifies it? Featuring five dancers, Imperial premiered in American Stars Gala in 2018. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

The Roman centurions in Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Morions wear improvised breast plates and helmets with a metallic touch, their masks further giving them a formidable appearance. Gold studs on the rest of their gear and footwear complete the look. After winning the Bronze Medal in South Korea’s World Maskplay Festival Contest in 2011, Morions was performed in Lab Ko ‘to in 2012. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

As Princess Aurora and her beloved prince, Katherine Barkman and Joseph Phillips celebrate their happy-ever-after in matching outfits in the royal color of gold. The pair danced the Sleeping Beauty variation in Flight (2017), the Manila preview of their performances at the Asian Grand Prix Winners’ Gala in Hong Kong. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

In Romeo and Juliet (2015), Gerardo Francisco Jr. portrays Mercutio, Romeo’s best friend who proves to be worth his weight in gold. When Tybalt confronts Romeo, Mercutio stands in for his friend and fights Juliet’s hot-headed cousin who ends up killing him. The loyal Mercutio projects his noble lineage in a coat trimmed in gold. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

It’s meant to be a dazzling moment when Rissa May Camaclang wears a golden tiara to match her golden skirt in the Neapolitan Dance of Swan Lake (2017). Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

With her golden plumage, the titular mythical bird in Gerardo Francisco’s Ibong Adarna portrayed by Joan Emery Sia amazes those who aim to capture her. But they’re often foiled in their attempts when she makes them drowsy with her singing voice and transforms them into stone. Photo by MarBi Photography

Juliet (Abigail Oliveiro) basks in the glow of an evening tryst with newfound love Romeo in Romeo and Juliet (2015). She symbolizes youthful innocence and swoon-worthy romance in the Shakespearean tale, the intensity of her feelings contrasting with her dress and cape in a subdued gold tone. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

In La Bayadere (2014), the glimmer of the Bronze Idol (also referred to as the Golden Idol) played by Gerardo Francisco Jr. is complemented by the touches of gold in the accompanying dancers’ costumes. The Bronze Idol Variation may only be a few minutes in length but it is always a scene-stealer. Photo by Ocs Alvarez