Ballet Manila in Full Color: White season

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.

After defeating the Mouse King in a battle, the Nutcracker Prince (Gerardo Francisco Jr.) goes on an adventure with the young girl Masha. In this scene from the Christmas ballet, The Nutcracker (2003), the Prince commands attention in the Land of Snow as he entertains the crowd in his all-white ensemble. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

As the Queen of the Wilis in Giselle (2024), Stephanie Santiago (center, foreground) leads the spirits of women wronged by their men in seeking revenge. With everyone wearing white on a moonlit night in the forest, these ghostly apparitions are a chilling sight to behold. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz

In La Bayadere (2004), Nikiya (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) is a vision of purity and innocence in white. She is chosen as the lead temple dancer by the High Brahmin who professes his love for her which she rejects as she has fallen in love with the warrior Solor. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Dancing in white, the eldest princess in Labindalawang Masasayang Prinsesa portrayed by Sofia Sangco-Peralta is actually a vision seen by Silvio in his dreams about a love he longs for. Ballet Manila interprets Severino Reyes’ tale of twelve princesses who mysteriously leave the castle and return with muddied shoes in Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2013). Photo by Jojo Mamangun

Showing off physicality and grace, Osias Barroso Jr. wears white bottoms and takes the lead in Tony Fabella’s Nais Ko. The piece was originally choreographed for the four men of the original twelve members of Ballet Manila. Set to the song with the same title sung by Basil Valdez, it has become a sought after number for the men of the company. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Abigail Oliveiro makes her debut in the full-length classic Swan Lake (2017), wearing white as the sweet princess Odette who has been cursed to be a swan by day. At night, she returns to human form and that’s when a beguiled Prince Siegfried comes upon her and falls in love with her. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz

The fortune teller (Judith Po) has dealt out her tarot cards and a band of traviatas (from left, Elyssabeth Apilado, Jessa Balote, Jessica Pearl Dames, Jasmine Pia Dames, Shaira Comeros and Ainslea Esplana) – literally, those who have strayed – await her predictions. Though they’re wearing white, suggesting light and positivity, what lies ahead turns out to be tragic. Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s ballet version of the acclaimed opera La Traviata by Giuseppe Verdi was staged in a send-off show for the Malaysia-bound Ballet Manila’s Greatest Hits in 2024. Photo by Erica Jacinto