Ballet Manila in Full Color: Yes to yellow

Ballet Manila has showcased a rich palette of hues in its productions over the years. Now, the company’s true colors are revealed! Gathering photographs from the Ballet Manila Archives, we present the vibrant and the somber, the heavenly to the earthy, in a series of virtual exhibitions – one shade at a time.

Zaira Cosico is a shimmering presence in yellow, bathed by the spotlight for this dramatic solo as part of Manuel Molina’s Love Beyond Goodbye. Premiered in Ballet, Band and Ballads (2011), the piece – which explores the different stages of relationships – featured a full cast and was danced to a suite of Josh Groban songs. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Stephanie Santiago makes her debut in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya, one of the stories in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2024) based on the stories of Severino Reyes as retold by Christine Bellen-Ang. As Marya Loleng, she dons a yellow get-up with subtle stripes on the skirt and ornamentation on the neckline, waistband and sleeves, topped off with a double-stranded necklace of golden beads. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto

Amid the English countryside setting of La Fille Mal Gardee (2005), the villagers have joined together for an afternoon of revelry. In their swirly skirts in different shades of yellow, Eileen Lopez and Ea Marie Torrado lead their friends in dancing the day away. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

For Prince Siegfried’s grand 21st birthday celebration in Swan Lake (2014), guests from outlying kingdoms are in attendance, among them this nobleman portrayed by Michael Divinagracia who is in a yellow patterned coat bearing sparkling details on the waist, neck and chest and paired with a yellow cape. Photo by Daniel Trinidad

Nothing conveys joy and happiness more at the wedding of Kitri and Basilio in Don Quixote (2009) than the vivid yellow tutus of the bridesmaids, among them performed by (from left) Yanti Marduli, Czarina Villegas and Zaira Cosico. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The townsfolk have gathered for a celebration in Giselle (2019) and one of the lasses played by Akari Ida is the picture of charm and daintiness as she wears a frock in the mellowest shade of yellow. Photo by Erickson dela Cruz

Wearing a yellow transparent top, Rudy De Dios performs in The Light (Faith for Salvation), with choreography and concept by Manuel Molina. Premiered in Maligayang Christmas (2011), the number also featured Lisa Macuja Elizalde in red and Romeo Peralta in green. Photo by Ocs Alvarez