Ballet Manila Moments: Honoring our heroes

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.

Heroes — men and women of courage, honor and outstanding achievements in service of the country — are often venerated through art. Ballet is no exception. In celebration of National Heroes Day, we look back on a choreography by Ballet Manila artistic associate and principal dancer Gerardo Francisco Jr. on Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio. It evokes the emotions of the father of the revolution to reveal a vulnerable side of the man often depicted as a powerful figure.

Ka Andres was created as a piece for the CCP Ballet Competition in 2018. It was performed by Rafael Perez who went on to win the second prize in the Junior Male category.