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.

The singkil — a beautiful Maranao folk dance — is among the most important dance traditions in the Philippines. This richly nuanced dance draws from the epic Darangen which tells the story of the abduction of Princess Gandingan by Prince Bantugan. Criss-crossed bamboo poles create the landscape where the parts of the story are set. The dance is performed in and around the bamboo poles, and culminates in the safe return of the princess with the prince.

This stunning folk dance with its texture and colors has served as the inspiration for many contemporary pieces, including the wedding scene of Ballet Manila’s Alamat: Si Sibol at Si Gunaw. This full-length, original ballet premiered in 2009 and was based on Ed Maranan’s children’s book. It told the story of the goddess Luningning, the mortal king Kapuy, and their children: Sibol and Gunaw. The piece, a discourse on nature and the importance of protecting the environment, was choreographed by Osias Barroso and Gerardo Francisco Jr. 

In this video are images from the wedding scene of the 2012 performance of Alamat: Si Sibol at Si Gunaw. It features prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as the goddess Luningning and Nazer Salgado as Kapuy.