Ballet Manila in Full Color: Mellow yellow

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.

Ballet Manila pioneers (from left) Sandralynn Huang, Eileen Lopez and Elline Damian dance the Pas de Trois (Odalisques) from Le Corsaire in this Ballet & Ballads show in Miriam College (2000). Their steps may be light, their tutus sunny and bright, but these traits belie the nature of the characters they portray. “Odalisques” refer to female servants or concubines in a harem. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

As the hunter Acteon, Niño Guevara is clad in yellow – a curious choice since the color is often associated with cowardice and weakness. The character is half of a tandem from Greek mythology portrayed in the popular pas de deux Diane and Acteon, which was part of Ballet Manila’s Halo-Halo 2 (2007). Photo by Joel L. Caampued

The glow of Jessica Pearl Dames’ yellow tutu suits the brilliance of the music used in Hazel Sabas-Gower’s Deconstructing Gershwin, restaged as part of American Stars Gala (2018). The choreographer says she also took inspiration with what the dancers could offer in terms of creativity, artistry and technique as she wanted to match what Ira and George Gershwin’s music is about – its different colors, dynamics and vibrancy.” Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Dawna Reign Mangahas as Corazon is the picture of grace in yellow, a color synonymous with the real-life widow and former Philippine President Corazon Aquino that the character in Martin Lawrence’s Rebel (2016) is based on. This scene from the Spartacus-EDSA People Power Revolution mash-up also shows Mark Sumaylo as Ninoy, Michael Divinagracia as Juan De la Cruz and Lisa Macuja-Elizalde as Inang Bayan. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Here comes the sun! Or at least a dancer in that color is! That jolt of yellow, worn by Sean Pelegrin in Martin Lawrance’s The Winding Road, pops even when matched with black pants and black vest on a dimmed stage. The Beatles-inspired choreography made its groovy premiere in Deux (2019). Photo by Ian Santos

With a tutu as cheerful as this one worn by Rissa May Camaclang, how can the season not be merry and bright? Yellow tutu and neon hula hoop make a splash in the Christmas production Nutkraker (2014). Photo by Daniel Trinidad

Joshua Enciso is debonaire in yellow coat and gray tights, performing as one of Prince Siegfried’s friends attending the royal’s 21st birthday ball in Swan Lake (2017). Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag