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.

Dumating po ako sa time na parang na-bu-burn-out na ko, na parang walang nangyayari. Lagi po akong sinasabihan ni Pearl (soloist Jessica Pearl Dames), ‘Laban lang! Laban lang! Malay mo, any time, bumalik sa dati.’ Pati si Coach Robert (Ballet Sport Science Philippines coach Robert Osorio), palagi niya kaming sinasabihan na it’s better to be ready kahit wala pang nangyayari kasi once na bumalik, ready ka. Hindi ka ‘yung back to zero tapos mahihirapan ka lalo. ‘Yun ang pinaka-naging motivation ko, na if ever bumalik bigla, gusto ko sana ready ako.

Lagi kong kausap ‘yan si Pearl, si Pia (principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames), at si Coach Robert. Sila ‘yung parang advisers ko. May opinion ako tapos tatanungin ko ‘yung opinion nila para if ever may hindi ako maintindihan, baka sa kanila maintindihan ko.

I reached a point when I was burning out, nothing was happening. Pearl (soloist Jessica Pearl Dames) would always tell me, “Just keep fighting! Just keep fighting!” You never know, everything might return to how it was before any time now. Even Coach Robert (Ballet Sport Science Philippines coach Robert Osorio) would always tell us that it’s better to be ready even if nothing is happening yet because once we actually return, we will be ready. We won’t be back to zero and have a harder time. That became my biggest motivation, that when the time comes to return, I want to be ready.

I always talk to Pearl, Pia (principal dancer Jasmine Pia Dames), and Coach Robert. They are like my advisers. I may have an opinion but I ask for their opinion too so if there’s something I don’t comprehend, maybe I would understand it better through them.

Top photo by MarBi Photography