Abloom at the ballet

Whether used as a symbol to underscore certain themes or as an element that is purely decorative, flowers undeniably create an impact or add visual appeal to a ballet. Once again, we usher in May – designated as “Flores de Mayo” or the month of flowers – by looking at scenes where blooms figure prominently or serve as a subtle touch.

Sibol (Yanti Marduli) is all grown up and true to her name – which means growth – she is a nurturer of nature. In this scene from Alamat: Si Sibol at Si Gunaw (2012), she rejoices amid a beautiful assortment of flowers and plants she has cared for, and proves to be the complete opposite of her twin brother Gunaw who is bent on destroying the environment. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Roses adorn the tutu of Abigail Oliveiro as she takes on the female lead in Paquita Divertissement, kicking off Ballet Manila’s 30th anniversary season-opener The Pearl Gala (2025). The excerpt, just like the romantic ballet it comes from, is a showcase of classical technique featuring challenging steps and virtuosic turns. Photo by Erica Jacinto

Albrecht (Nazer Salgado) professes his love for Giselle (Lisa Macuja Elizalde), offering her a daisy in this scene in Giselle (2010). But she subsequently tests him, chanting “he loves me, he loves me not” as she removes each petal from the stem. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The Living Garden scene, also known as the Naila Waltz, in Le Corsaire is always a showstopper. And understandably so, as the stage bursts into a floral wonderland. In Ballet Manila’s staging of the pirate epic in 2018, Katherine Barkman as Medora leads the dream sequence as she holds roses in her hands while the corps girls daintily carry their garlands. Photo by Ian Santos

Prince Siegfried (Rudy De Dios) lovingly presents a bouquet of white roses to the woman he mistakenly thinks is Odette in Swan Lake (2010). But this is the lookalike Odile (Joan Emery Sia) who is being used by the sorcerer Rothbart (Alfren Salgado) in his evil scheme to trick the prince into betraying Odette. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

A shower of rose petals descends on Stephanie Santiago, creating a powerful image on stage as Annabelle Lopez Ochoa’s Bloom comes to a close. Drawing on Asian influences, the contemporary piece premiered in 2015 and was the choreographer’s first work for an Asian company and was most recently restaged for The Pearl Gala (2025). Photo by Erica Jacinto

As the lead temple dancer in La Bayadere (2004), Nikiya (Mylene Aggabao) is given the honor of performing in a key ceremony. Little does she know that it marks the betrothal of Solor – who had earlier sworn eternal love to her – to Gamzatti, the Rajah’s daughter. Nikiya is also unaware that the basket of blooms she is carrying is from Gamzatti and actually hides a poisonous snake. Photo by Ocs Alvarez