Soundbites: 'Despite all the hardships, the group held on tightly to its goal'
Ballet Manila was a newsmaker from the very beginning. Over the years, as it grew and reached milestones, it has been the subject of countless stories in media. With the company celebrating its Pearl Anniversary in 2025, we mine the Archives for published tidbits describing moments from its 30-year history, as spoken by its own leaders and dancers or as said by those writing about them.
As artistic director, Eric V. Cruz (standing, fourth from left) led Ballet Manila in its first performance tour in Russia – just four months after the company's debut in February 1995.
“With Lisa Macuja as principal ballerina and artistic associate, and Osias Barroso as principal danseur and ballet master, Ballet Manila forged onward with its rallying cry ‘ballet for the people’ with a series of provincial tours that became the baptism of fire for everyone. Low on funds and short of staff, no job was too menial for anyone. The venues for our performances were dilapidated gymnasiums and semi-abandoned multi-purpose halls, and in several instances, BM danced amidst a corps de ballet of frogs and bats, with the occasional guest appearances of a dog or cat. Despite all the hardships, the group held on tightly to its goal of bringing ballet to the masses and rendered commendable performances. Ballet Manila's first year was made memorable by a six-week Russian tour of four cities in Siberia – highlighted by its well-received participation in the international dance festival in Krasnoyarsk. A feat for a company that was just four months old.”
– ERIC V. CRUZ
Ballet Manila founding artistic director
August 2000
A Tribute
