Unexpected promotion of four Ballet Manila dancers caps ‘Swan Lake’ performance series in Dumaguete

By Susan A. De Guzman
Photos by Giselle Kasilag

For four Ballet Manila dancers, the exhilarating experience of dancing six Swan Lake performances over three days at Silliman University in Dumaguete became even more memorable when artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde announced their promotion at the end of the final show last Saturday night.

*Rodney Catubay flicks his cape as a toreador in* Don Quixote (2023).

Company artists Rodney Catubay and Jos David Andes were promoted to soloists while apprentices Shamira Drapete and Ainslea Esplana were named company artists. In video clips posted on Facebook and Instagram, the four could be seen in shock as they were each called to the front as their fellow dancers on stage – and the packed audience at the Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium – erupted in applause at the unexpected announcement.

*Jos David Andes performs as Haring Araw in the* Lola Basyang story, Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya *(2024).*

Macuja Elizalde said she decided to promote the four during the last day of the tour, having seen to it that she kept an eye if some dancers were up to soloist status or company membership after casting the Dumaguete shows earlier this year. “I made it a point to watch them perform from the backstage even as I was performing alongside them as the Queen Mother. And then based on all my observations, I made the decision for the promotions,” she noted.

***Shamira Drapete dances as a dryad in Act 2 of* Don Quixote *(2023).***

She further described the four as being reliable, hard-working and consistent, and took note of each dancer’s strengths that weighed heavily in their favor:

*Ainslea Esplana is part of the corps in the Naila Waltz of* Le Corsaire (2024).

***Rodney Catubay, soloist: A technically strong Rothbart in four performances of* Swan Lake *at Silliman University.***

On Rodney: “Rodney has been a reliable corps member and is sometimes cast in soloist roles. When I cast him as Rothbart, I was really eyeing him for promotion should he pass the test! And he did! Not only was his Rothbart technically strong, he also embodied the character – going the extra mile with his interpretation and even his make-up! He danced with contact lenses looking quite like Voldemort or Dracula! It was amazing to see him transform.”

***Jos David Andes, soloist: Double-gold medal winner at the Taiwan Regionals of the 2025 Dance Open America.***

On David: “David was literally off the plane from his double gold medals in the Dance Open America Taiwan Regionals and we flew to Dumaguete the next day! He was debuting in Pas De Trois of Swan Lake Act 1 – a role that is not easy, especially the variation. But David was so consistent in his performance. He danced the role four times – once doing it twice in one day – and every single time, he nailed all his turns and double tours. Even though he is still quite young and relatively new in the company, he really deserved that promotion.”

***Shamira Drapete, company member: Showed exceptional promise in her assignments as Cinderella and Ibong Adarna.***

On Shamira: “Shamira has been dancing consistently with the company almost like a company dancer already because she is homeschooled. She had even danced Cinderella in the school recital and an excerpt from Ibong Adarna for a corporate event with the company away in Jakarta.”

On Ainslea: “Ainslea has been with us in the school and then as an apprentice for some time now. She has also been very reliable but always had a problem with expression and artistry as she is quite shy as a person. But, I saw her lead the swan corps as the first girl in several formations of the swans and this is not easy to do.”

*Ainslea Esplana, company member: Led the corps as the first girl in swan formations in Dumaguete* Swan Lake.

Macuja Elizalde said she hopes the dancers will be motivated even more as Ballet Manila faces a full slate of performances for the rest of the year, including Don Quixote in August and Florante at Laura in October at Aliw Theater, and tours in Malaysia, Taiwan and Indonesia.

“For every dancer in their respective careers, I always wish each and everyone of them the best. I hope they all stay healthy and injury-free. I hope that they all get to dance their dream roles and be challenged by their work. I hope they get artistic fulfillment and that they continue to always find joy in their chosen profession. It is such a short and difficult career. So I hope that they all make the most of their dancing years ahead!” Macuja Elizalde enthused.

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