Maternal instinct

From the affectionate queen in Swan Lake to the complicated Lady Capulet in Romeo & Juliet, Ballet Manila has depicted a full range of mothers in its productions. To mark Mother’s Day, we take a quick look at these figures whose maternal instinct – or lack of it – contribute to making each story interesting.

The nature goddess Luningning (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) joyfully reunites with her daughter Sibol, who takes after her as a nurturer of the environment, in Alamat: Si Sibol and Si Gunaw (2009). Mother and daughter join forces and with the help of giant flowers seek to rid Sibol’s twin, Gunaw, of his destructive disposition. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Himpaya (Eileen Lopez, center) is a doting mother to Lotta (Erika Basilio, right), but a harsh stepmother to Yani (Joan Emery Sia, left). At the end of Ang Palasyo ng mga Duwende, one of the stories comprising Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2013), the kind-hearted Yani forgives Himpaya and Lotta for their cruelty. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Lady Capulet (Abigail Oliveiro, right) tries to be the best mother to Juliet (Jessica Pearl Dames) in Martin Lawrance’s Romeo & Juliet (2023) but still comes off as detached and distant. Trapped in a troubled marriage, she seeks solace in booze and pills and even a dalliance with a younger man. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

In Swan Lake (2005), the Queen Mother (Marika Capati) comforts her son, Siegfried (Francis Cascaño), who breaks down in tears upon realizing he has been tricked by the sorcerer Rothbart into believing that Odile is Odette, the enchanted swan princess he actually fell in love with. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Mother-of-three Reyna Valeriana (Rissa May Camaclang, second from left) is the glue that holds the royal family together in Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna (2023). After Haring Fernando (Reparado Marino, third from left) recovers and learns that their two older sons Pedro (Mark Sumaylo, leftmost) and Diego (Romeo Peralta, rightmost) had betrayed their brother Juan (Joshua Enciso, foreground) in bringing home the healing Adarna, she is the one who entreats the king to forgive them, leading to a happy ending. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Mother Simone (Jonathan Janolo, right) is very protective of her daughter Lise (Marian Faustino) in La Fille Mal Gardee (2005). Having already promised her hand to Alain, son of the wealthy Thomas, Simone makes sure Lise does not sneak off to meet up with her true love Colas by locking the doors and keeping her at home. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Giselle (Abigail Oliveiro) dies of a broken heart and her mother (Kong Ke Xin) is in despair as she enfolds the soon-to-be wili, a restless ghost, in this scene from Giselle (2019). Equally devastated is Hilarion (Elpidio Magat Jr.) whose love for Giselle was unrequited as she had fallen for Albrecht, the prince whose deceitful ways sadly contributed to her demise. Photo by Ercikson Dela Cruz