An emotional homecoming for Ballet Manila dancers as they return to the Aliw Theater stage

Two weeks before Ballet Manila’s Giselle was to open at Aliw Theater in October 2019, tragedy struck. A devastating fire razed the Star City compound where the theater stood, suddenly plunging the company in uncertainty. Still, it valiantly managed to complete its season, even if it meant hopping from one unfamiliar stage to the next. Just as the rebuilding of its damaged theater had begun, yet another obstacle cropped up in the form of a pandemic in March 2020. Theaters were shuttered and all live shows stopped. Weathering the seemingly unending lockdowns, the company eventually coped with the “new normal” by holding online company classes and creating dance films. “We were forced to adapt,” artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde summed up the situation.

Finally, last August 10, she led the launch of the revitalized Aliw Theater, part of an expanded Elizalde Complex, with the dancers of Ballet Manila performing on their own stage again nearly three years after the fire. As promised by the prima ballerina during those dark, dismal days, the phoenix had at last risen. Though the audience may still have been limited to media, theater colleagues and other special guests, it didn’t diminish the impact of those moments as Ballet Manila’s artists – craving for live performances all this time – poured their hearts into dancing excerpts of Macuja-Elizalde’s La Traviata and Cinderella and Martin Lawrance’s Romeo and Juliet. Here, the dancers share what the return to their old home felt like and what it meant to them to take the stage once more, as well as what their hopes are for the near future.

Abigail Oliveiro, principal dancer

Stepping into Aliw felt like coming home. Warm, familiar and it honestly felt like no time had passed. Performing on stage again brought out a mix of emotions! Eagerness and gratitude were by far the most overwhelming emotions. Having an audience with us again was definitely a highlight! Truly, what a treat to be able to feel and hear them again. It hasn’t been an easy journey but if anything, it’s only kept the fire burning even brighter than before. Together, we are so ready.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Shaira Comeros, soloist

I felt home! It was what my soul craved for the past two and a half years. And Aliw Theater being back, improved and functioning, after a devastating setback validates the saying: “Comeback is always greater than the setback.” Possibilities are endless but I trust it would be everything we hope for.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Alvin Dictado, company artist

Super happy ko po we can perform again on the stage with an audience po. For me po, ang saya kasi nga po ‘yung mga ginagawa namin sa loob ng theater nagagawa namin ulit ang bonding naming mga dancer. As a dancer po, mas masayang sumayaw sa stage at bumalik sa dating tahanan ng BM.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Jessica Pearl Dames, soloist

Ang dami kong naramdaman nu’ng araw na ‘yun. Masaya, dahil finally after two and half years, we are back in Aliw Theater! ‘Yung hinihintay ko na mangyari, nangyari na. Seeing everyone preparing for the show, the green room, quick changes, curtain call, lahat ng mga ginagawa backstage, nakaka-miss lahat! Ganito pala ulit ‘yung pakiramdam! Siyempre may kaba rin akong naramdaman bago sumayaw, hindi naman nawawala ‘yun sa ‘kin. Nanibago sa stage, sa ilaw. Habang sumasayaw na ako, in-enjoy ko na lang at inisip na ito na ‘yung pinakahihintay kong moment. Habang nag-curtain down na, nakatitig lang ako sa curtain hanggang sa bumaba, sabay sabi ko kila Pia, "Na-miss ko ‘yun!" Sobrang thankful talaga ako na nakasayaw na ulit kami sa Aliw Theater. Iba ang pakiramdam talaga. Napagod ako nu’ng araw na ‘yun pero ang saya sa puso. I really pray na sana magtuloy-tuloy na ito. I am really excited for our upcoming shows especially now that Aliw Theater is back!

Photo by Erica Jacinto-Marquez

Romeo Peralta, principal dancer

It felt nostalgic performing back at the Aliw Theater, the stage with the lights and the curtains. It was nerve-wracking but in a good way. Knowing that some of our long-time supporters are in the audience, you know you are back home. I'm very excited and optimistic about the future. The possibilities are endless, especially with the upgrades done in the theater.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Jessa Balote, company artist

First, I’m very thankful and blessed, dahil nabigyan muli kami ng opportunity to dance on stage sa Aliw Theater kung saan maraming pagbabago at mas na-improve ang facilities. Natutuwa ako dahil sa pagbabago ng Aliw Theater, naramdaman ko ‘yung excitement sa puso na sumayaw muli sa malaking stage at full performance talaga ang ipinakita ko dahil dito dama ko na ‘yung unti-unting simula muli na babalik na kami na makapagsayaw nang live sa harap ng maraming tao.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

John Balagot, soloist

It was amazing and overwhelming. It feels like being home again. Sobrang excited na sumayaw sa theater. Sa tagal na din namin naghintay bumalik ‘yung tahanan. Ngayon lalong gumanda ‘yung theater and upgraded ‘yung mga gamit at saka maraming nagbago na sa mga area na nakakaganda sa theater. I hope this is the beginning of the theater's renewed rise. I hope it will go back to normal. Many people watch and enjoy the performances of Ballet Manila. As dancers, we are excited to perform for them again.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Jasmine Pia Dames, principal dancer

I missed the feeling of performing in Aliw Theater even with a small audience. Every stage performance is a blessing. We are all looking forward to having a full season after not having shows for two and half years. We are very happy. It felt good and promising knowing that we have a theater now and I feel more motivated to dance and I hope that with the reopening of Aliw, we will continue to thrive and we will have more shows to come.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Marinette Franco, company artist

It's been a long while since our last live performance in Aliw Theater, and when we got back, it was a surreal feeling to go back to dance again on the stage we have known for years. It was the same theater we know but it had a different feeling; maybe it was because of the excitement of being back on stage again, or also because of the hope that we all thought was lost, but we slowly realized that things are finally looking up for all of us. The theater’s opening was definitely an emotional ride for me, for it was a little overwhelming to be back to dance in huge theaters after being stuck in small, closed spaces. But I am for sure looking forward to the greater things that's about to happen for everyone, and that I would always keep in mind to not take these wonderful opportunities for granted.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Joshua Enciso, soloist

Performing on stage last August 10 made me forget about the pandemic the last two and a half years. We’ve been waiting for this for so long that being back on stage made me feel like those years came by at such a quick pace. I hope to dance more repertoire and principal roles on the Aliw Theater stage.

Photo by Erica Jacinto-Marquez

Mark Sumaylo, principal dancer

Being able to perform with stage lights, on a huge stage and with an audience was surreal. It was like déjà vu; it felt like we were just there yesterday. It was nerve-wracking, but at the same time I was very thankful that finally we were able to perform live after all the uncertainties. Art is forever. Artists and their community will find ways to continue no matter what. Hoping that this will be the start for us to continue our passion and to keep inspiring others through dance.

Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Top photo by Giselle P. Kasilag