Soundbites: ‘Ballet Manila dancers proved what excellent ballet training can do’
Staged in 1999, An Evening of Filipino Ballet was a showcase of Filipino talent in dance and choreography. Souvenir program from the Ballet Manila Archives
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.
Sugar-Step Elizalde, with its moments of wit and humor afforded the company members a chance to display their versatility. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives
“In An Evening of Filipino Ballet, Ballet Manila proved, with style, verve and energy, that contemporary Filipino ballet choreography is flourishing, and indeed breaking new ground in the melding of Asian sensibilities with a modern, sleek outlook. BM dancers proved, too, what excellent ballet training can do. For while the numbers required them to explore areas far removed from the classical repertoire, they also showed off the sound technique and admirable strength and flexibility that a grounding in the basics gives a dancer.”
– RINA JIMENEZ-DAVID
Columnist
July 1999
A world-class evening in
Philippine Daily Inquirer
Led by Osias Barroso Jr., Ric Culalic’s Arnis showcased Ballet Manila’s male dancers in all their athleticism and grace. Photo from the Ballet Manila Archives
