Four Ballet Manila dancers got an unexpected Christmas bonus in the form of promotions, as announced by artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde after the last performance of the company’s holiday offering, Cinderella, at Aliw Theater on December 30.

Soloists Shaira Comeros, Jessica Pearl Dames and Joshua Enciso were named principal dancers while company member Jessa Balote was designated soloist amid cheers from their colleagues and from the audience that included their family members and friends.  

“We wanted them to have that experience of everyone sharing in the happy news – from their fellow dancers on stage and from the people in the theater,” enthused Macuja-Elizalde who made similar announcements in previous years at the end of a performance season.

A dancer’s advancement in the company is based on an evaluation factoring in a range of qualities such as technique, artistry, maturity, track record, work ethic and attitude.

It was a welcome surprise for the four dancers, capping a hopeful year that saw Ballet Manila’s return to live performances but also a grueling one as the company had become leaner in number as a result of the pandemic. They have also been tapped as teachers and demonstrators of the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet.

All four expressed gratitude on social media the following day, already preceded by a deluge of congratulatory greetings stemming from posts announcing their promotion.

“Thankful for all the blessings this year. Last night was one of the best moments of my life!” wrote Dames, who shared clips of herself during rehearsals, performances and off-stage moments in 2022 as she took the opportunity to thank those who have supported her, including her teachers in Ballet Manila and her twin sister Pia whom she now joins as principal dancer.

Similarly, Comeros showed clips of highlights from her year which she described as a time of discovery, healing and growth. “I am so lucky to be surrounded by people who push me to my limits and continuously bring out the best in me. I made it this far and I owe it to them,” she said, before listing her Ballet Manila mentors, her family and others she was thankful to.

Balote, a Ballet Manila scholar later hired to join the company, also expressed thanks particularly to “Ma’am Lise” for the breaks she’s gotten over the years and for her promotion. “My heart is full of warmth and gratitude for all the blessings I received this year… I’m happy to be continuing my love for dance and for the chance to improve more.”

Comeros, Dames and Enciso joins five other principal dancers – Gerardo Francisco Jr., Romeo Peralta, Jasmine Pia Dames, Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro.

Balote will be soloist along with Rissa May Camaclang, Anselmo Dictado and John Ralp Balagot.

Macuja-Elizalde said the newly promoted dancers should keep pushing themselves and continue working as hard as they have been in the past few years even amid the pandemic. “My expectation for them is to be able to dance as long as they can.”

The dancers will begin in their new positions in time for the opening of Ballet Manila’s 25th performance season with Romeo and Juliet in February, with Dames and Enciso taking on the lead roles in Martin Lawrance’s contemporary take on the Shakespearean classic. The season, which will actually happen as the company turns 28, will also feature Don Quixote in May and Ibong Adarna in August.

Photos by Jimmy Villanueva