By Jv Ramos

Already training for six years with a number of competition medals under his belt, teen danseur Stanley Alamer never thought that he’d be spending so much of his time in ballet. “Noong bata po kasi ako, ang hilig ko talaga ay basketball. Napunta lang ako sa ballet audition nu’ng narinig ko na kung pumasa, maaaring makapag-abroad para mag-compete.” (When I was a kid, what I really liked to do was play basketball. I only ended up in a ballet audition because I heard that if you make it, you can go abroad and compete.)

Here, he’s recalling that time in 2016 when faculty members from Ballet Manila visited his grade school to scout for kids who have the potential to be ballet dancers. “Pinag-stretch nila kami noong time na iyon, at doon ko nalaman na hindi talaga ako flexible na tao. Natanggap lang talaga ako dahil mataas ang talon ko.” (They asked us to stretch during the audition and that's when I realized that I'm not flexible. I think they just took a chance on me because my jumps were high.)

In the studio, as he learned how to properly stretch and do basic positions, he’d find that his non-flexibility led to aches and pains, causing him to question if he should still continue his training with the Lisa Macuja School of Ballet. "Kapag tinatanong ng magulang ko kung gusto ko talaga ang ballet, ang sagot ko lang ay di ko alam," shares Stanley, laughing at his younger self. "Hindi ko kasi talaga alam noon kung ano ang ballet at kung saan patungo ang mga ginagawa namin." (Whenever my parents would ask me if I liked ballet, I'd say I don't know. That’s because I really didn't know what ballet was and the opportunities it could bring.)

His detached attitude towards the art form disappeared however when he witnessed some male company members of Ballet Manila practicing in the studio. "Kung anu-ano ang ginagawa nila – matataas na talon, maraming pag-ikot at mataas na pagbuhat sa mga ballerina," he recalls. "Siyempre, na-impress talaga ako at doon ko rin sinabi na ipagpapatuloy ko ang training para balang araw, magagawa ko rin ang ginagawa nila." (They were doing all sorts of things – high jumps, multiple pirouettes, and lifting female dancers high. Naturally, I was very impressed and told myself that I'd continue my training so I could be like them.)

With this newfound motivation, Stanley endured the awkward body adjustments ballet required, and soon, he found himself paying less attention to discomforts and looking forward to what more he could learn and how else he could improve in ballet. Obviously aware that he doesn't have the ideal danseur's body, this Project Ballet Futures scholar made up for what he's lacking by taking his classes more seriously and absorbing whatever knowledge he could from his teachers. His efforts soon led to opportunities to perform in front of audiences and his dream of going outside the Philippines to compete.

In recent years, Stanley has been a regular at the Asian Grand Prix International Ballet Competition (AGP), allowing him to gauge what his standing is among other dancers his age. "Ako ang isa sa nanonood sa ibang dancers kapag nag-ko-compete na sila. Gusto ko kasing malaman kung may laban ba ako," comments Stanley about his experience at the AGP finals in December 2023. "Pero puwede rin pala talaga itong magpakaba sa iyo!" (I'm one who watches the performances of other competitors. Because I’d like to know if I have a chance at winning... But apparently, this can also make you rather nervous.)

Eventually bagging the silver in AGP’s Junior B category in Hong Kong, this serious competitor was very pleased with the results, as it reflected how much work he put into improving his art, as well as combating the pressure he felt. "Ang napakita ko nu’ng bago kami mag-finals ay 50-50. Ramdam ko na medyo tagilid ang performance ko. Kaya nu’ng nalaman ko na pasok ako sa finals, sinabi ko sa sarili ko na ibibigay ko ang lahat ng makakaya ko. Ayaw ko rin na may pagsisihan ako. Nakapasok ako sa finals! Ang ibig sabihin nito ay may opportunity akong makakuha pa ng isang medal." (My performance before the finals was 50-50. I felt that I didn't do my best. So, when I found out that I made it through, I told myself that I'd give it my all. I don't want to regret anything. After all, being in the finals means that I could win another medal.)

Asked what it was that he did differently, Stanley notes that he finally understood what it meant to feel the dance he was assigned. If before he was more conscious about doing each step and doing better than his co-competitors, he simply concentrated on projecting his character in the Franz variation from Coppelia. "Artistry din ang kulang sa akin, kaya naman ito rin ang tinatrabaho ko sa sayaw ko." (Artistry is also something I lack, so I really try to improve that part of my dancing.)

Beyond the finals, Stanley says he’s very grateful that the AGP has continued its in-person runs, as meeting other teachers and students added to his ballet knowledge and experience. "Nakita ko kung paano ang training ng ibang danseurs na ka-age ko at nalaman ko kung anu-ano ang hinahanap ng mga iba-ibang mentors at judges." (I saw how other danseurs of my age train and learned what mentors and judges from different backgrounds would look for among us students.) Now 17, the young danseur also adds that being with students from other ballet schools makes one appreciate what he has back home.

"May mga teachers doon na hindi kasing strict ni Sir Shaz," points out this scholar who spent his early training years under Ballet Manila's former co-artistic director, Osias Barroso Jr. Meticulous with the art, Sir Shaz took pains to always give corrections to young dancers to adhere to the strict standards of ballet. "Nu’ng nag-kaklase kami sa Hong Kong, naisip ko tuloy na kung hindi naging maghigpit si Sir Shaz sa amin, di ako matututo nang mabuti at kalat-kalat ang focus ko. Mas na-appreciate ko talaga ang lahat ng ginagawa ng mga mentors namin para sa amin." (There were teachers there who weren't as strict as Sir Shaz... And when we were taking class under them, I realized that without Sir Shaz, I wouldn't learn as much as I have or develop a good focus in class. I am now much more appreciative of all that the mentors do for us.)

Stanley also brings up Ballet Manila co-artistic associate Gerardo "Geri" Francisco Jr. who took over the scholars’ main training after Teacher Shaz. "Noong hindi ako nagpapakita sa mga klase namin sa Zoom noong pandemic, dahil tinatamad ako sa sunod-sunod na klase sa bahay, tsina-chat ako ni Sir Geri para ipagpatuloy ang ballet ko. At tama siya! Hindi rason ang COVID para itigil ko ang matagal ko nang pinaghihirapan." (Whenever I wouldn't show up in our Zoom classes over the pandemic, because dancing at home just made me lazy, Sir Geri would always reach out via chat. And he's correct. The COVID pandemic was no reason for me to quit something I had worked hard on.

And what does Stanley look forward to after ending his 2023 on a high note? He expresses that he's open to participating in more competitions and enriching his dancing by attending classes and rehearsals and being part of Ballet Manila’s season productions. "Opportunity para mag-improve ang bawat klase at rehearsal. Habang tumatagal, mas nagugustuhan ko pa ito!" (Every class and rehearsal is an opportunity to improve. The more I learn, the more I keep loving it.) Stanley hopes that with continued dedication and hard work, he'd be able to emulate the artistry and skills of the Ballet Manila danseurs he admires, and in the future, maybe even be able to perform his dream role of Basilio in Don Quixote.

Teacher Geri observes that Stanley has steadily grown from his days as a beginning scholar. "I didn't expect na ang laki ng in-improve niya from the first time I saw him. At first kasi, hindi mo makikita kay Stanley na he is serious in what he is doing." (I didn't expect Stanley to improve so much from the time I first saw him. Because when he started, it seemed that he wasn't serious about ballet.)

But ever since Stanley decided that ballet is the activity he'd like to get better at, he just kept improving and letting out the unique dancer that he is. The co-artistic associate notes, "Though he may not be that perfect material with beautiful lines and turnout, he is strong, has great power and strength for his age, which are strengths too of a danseur. Another good thing about Stanley is that he is a performer!"

Without any doubt, if Stanley continues to put in the disciplined work that ballet entails, he will be part of Ballet Manila's next generation of dancers.