Ballet Manila’s memorable moments in 2022
While the year 2022 still proved challenging, it also provided a spark of hope for many. As pandemic limitations lessened, the performing arts field started to emerge from its forced slumber.
For Ballet Manila, the virtual and the actual became a combined reality for classes and performances. Towards the latter part of the year, things got even better as its home – the renovated Aliw Theater – finally reopened, signaling the start of having live shows on a more regular basis.
While there are hurdles yet to overcome, Ballet Manila is fulfilling what its artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde had promised when adversity came knocking three years before: That the company will rise like a phoenix.
We recall Ballet Manila’s memorable moments in 2022 as it spread its wings to fly once more:
‘Rise!’ marks a new beginning
After a three-year drought, Ballet Manila returned to full live performance with the reopening of its performance home, Aliw Theater, and the staging of a two-night show called Rise! on October 7 and 9. The offering was unlike no other as it combined ballet, opera and pop concert with live orchestra. The twin bill – meant to highlight the company’s technique in classical and contemporary ballet – featured its popular Ballet & Ballads concert and BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s La Traviata. The company was joined on stage by pop powerhouse Bituin Escalante and opera singers Jade Riccio, Ivan Nery and Chris Arceo, supported by a 12-voice ensemble, and accompanied by a 60-piece orchestra under the baton of Maestro Gerard Salonga.
Ballet Manila dances to Rise Up, made more meaningful as the company marks a new beginning after a fire in 2019 and the pandemic in 2020 stopped it in its tracks. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Victory at the Asian Grand Prix
Ballet Manila’s young dancers made a good showing at the Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok, Thailand in December. It was the first on-site staging of the international ballet competition since the onset of the pandemic. Company artist Noah Esplana and scholars Juan Angelo De Leon and John Stanley Alamer – representing the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet – each won bronze in their respective divisions (Senior and Junior A) where they danced classical and contemporary pieces. Scholar Germaine Dawal and LMSB student Shamira Drapete were also cited in the Junior B division as 5th placer and 8th placer, respectively.
Smiling triumphantly at the Asian Grand Prix in Bangkok are, from left, bronze medalists Noah Esplana, Juan Angelo De Leon and John Stanley Alamer, 8th placer Shamira Drapete and 5th placer Germaine Dawal.
‘Cinderella’ launches Holiday Cheer series
Christmas has always been special for Ballet Manila in pre-pandemic years, deserving of a presentation fit for the whole family. With the return of live shows, the company decided to launch a Holiday Cheer series aimed as a treat for audiences. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella was just the perfect show to jumpstart the series – sure to be a must-watch every December – as the fairytale ballet combines humor, heart and a happy ending in one neat package.
As Cinderella and her Prince in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella, Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo meet, dance and fall in love at first sight. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
A return to Star City
Star City’s soft reopening in February – coming two years after a fire gutted the popular entertainment complex – signaled Ballet Manila’s return to its old stomping grounds. Providing entertainment fare to Star City visitors before the pandemic, Ballet Manila made its comeback through Ang Munting Pangarap, with free weekend performances at the Activity Center. This was followed on June 5 by a condensed version of Cinderella, with its choreographer Lisa Macuja-Elizalde reprising her role as the Fairy Godmother. For this past holiday season, resident choreographer and principal dancer Gerardo Francisco Jr. put together Tala, a suite of dances set to carols meant to celebrate the spirit of a Filipino Christmas.
Tala, staged at Star City throughout the holiday season, celebrated the spirit of a Filipino Christmas. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
‘Dance Day Live!’ reaches out to online audiences
While still unable to hold season performances as theaters remained closed, Ballet Manila found a way to bridge the gap. Following its series of dance films in 2021, it came up with Dance Day Live! in the early months of 2022. The series of 30-minute shows, livestreamed from Ballet Manila’s Studio 1 in Pasay, served two purposes simultaneously. It allowed the dancers to regain the stamina, confidence and skills to dance “live” again, for an eventual return to the stage, while also reconnecting with audiences in an intimate way through the company’s online platforms.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde hosted the fourth edition of Dance Day Live! on May 29, livestreamed from the company’s Studio 1.
