A year after Ballet Manila comeback, Rafael Perez gets promoted to soloist
Rafael “Paeng” Perez is now a soloist, his promotion announced by Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde shortly after the third and final show of The Pearl Gala last March 9 at Aliw Theater. Photo from Rafael Perez’s Facebook page
By Susan A. De Guzman
Just a year after his comeback to Ballet Manila – preceded by three years of not dancing – Rafael Perez got a seal of approval that his return was worth it.
Acknowledging his promotion to soloist and the cheers of his colleagues and the audience, Paeng goes centerstage to take a bow. Photo by Jacqueline Go-Ramon
The company artist was promoted to soloist, an announcement made by artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde shortly after the third and final show of the company’s 30th anniversary season-opener, The Pearl Gala, last March 9 at Aliw Theater.
“I’d actually been considering it for quite some time now. But I needed to see him first in a real soloist role like the pas de trois of Paquita,” said Macuja Elizalde. “It’s very much deserved especially after his third Pearl Gala show when he danced the pas de trois so well. That’s why I made the decision after watching him in both shows and in Pearls.”
In a post on Facebook, Perez later that evening, Perez wrote: “After a challenging Pearl Gala production, every moment on stage was worth it. Grateful for the strength and energy from the Lord and the countless blessings along the way. Huge thanks to @balletmanila for this incredible opportunity beyond words, just pure gratitude.”
“After a challenging Pearl Gala production, every moment on stage was worth it,” wrote newly named soloist Rafael Perez in a Facebook post. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
Macuja Elizalde described Perez as a “real success story,” commending how the danseur dedicated himself to ballet after deciding to dance again and signing up anew with Ballet Manila in 2024. “Rafael stopped dancing during the pandemic and went to school. He came back and simply wanted to take class. When I saw that he hadn’t lost his initial promise and talent, I signed him up as a company member mid-season. And he hasn’t stopped working since. He would do extra work with Ballet Sport Science coach Robert Osorio.”
The artistic director added all these efforts combined to make Perez a better, much improved danseur. “He grew stronger than ever. He has the ability to turn and has a super light jump. He is a technician. Multiple pirouettes and jump tricks come easy to him. I think he truly loves to dance. That’s what makes him really special.”
Paeng dances the pas de trois in Paquita, one of the featured show pieces in The Pearl Gala, with Jessica Pearl Dames and Nanami Hasegawa. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
In an interview in 2024 shortly after he returned to Ballet Manila, Perez said he didn’t forget about dancing even while he chose to concentrate on academics in the meantime. “Kahit babad ako sa pag-aaral ng ilang taon, lagi ko talaga napapaginipan ang ballet. Pakiramdam ko kasi, hindi pa ako tapos, natigil lang ng pandemic. Hindi pa ako kontento sa mga nagawa at nasayaw ko dati.” (Even if I was immersed in school for a few years, I always dreamt of ballet. I felt that I wasn’t done with it yet, that it was just abruptly ended by the pandemic. I wasn’t content with what I had achieved and what I had danced before.)
After a personal assessment, Perez said then that he felt he still had a shot at a comeback. “Naisip ko rin kasi na hindi forever magiging malakas ang katawan ko. Napakaikli lang ang career ng isang danseur, at nakasalalay din 'yan sa fire sa puso. Corny pakinggan, pero naisip kong bumalik habang may fire pa akong natitira sa ballet.” (I also realized that my body won’t be strong forever. We all know that a danseur’s career is so short and is dependent on one’s passion for dance. This may be corny to hear, but I thought of going back while I still have a passion for ballet.)
Of his decision to dance again, Paeng has said: “Naisip kong bumalik habang may fire pa akong natitira sa ballet.” (I thought of going back while I still have a passion for ballet.) Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
In the same interview, he disclosed that he wants to dance classical roles such as Ali in Le Corsaire, Prince Desiré in Sleeping Beauty and Basilio in Don Quixote, as well as iconic contemporary pieces in Ballet Manila’s repertoire.
During his first stint with Ballet Manila, Perez was a consistent award-winner in competitions. Among his accolades was being silver medalist at the Asian Grand Prix in Hong Kong and silver medalist at the Cultural Center of the Philippines Ballet Competition, both in 2018.
Read also:
After not dancing for years, Rafael Perez follows his heart and returns to ballet
Prized pliés: Ballet Manila’s AGP winners share the stories behind the medals
Teenage danseur Rafael Perez: Saved and made better by ballet
