Soundbites: ‘It felt good to be a Filipino that night’
The Ballet Manila delegation, led by principal dancer Osias Barroso Jr. (second row, leftmost) and treasurer Susan Macuja (front, second from left), meets Philippine Ambassador to the United States Albert Del Rosario (front, in suit), in Washington DC during the company’s 2005 US Tour.
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.
The flag-waving finale, Sabihin Mo Ikaw ay Pilipino (Tell Them You are Filipino), was an audience-rouser during Ballet Manila’s 2005 US Tour which had stops in Ohio, Texas, Louisiana, Illinois, Washington DC, Tennessee and Michigan.
“Ballet Manila conquered Washington with a bravura performance Saturday night that brought a small but enthusiastic audience, made up mostly of Filipinos, roaring to its feet with applause and cheers.
“For one magical moment, the audience all but forgot the political crises and corruption scandals in the Philippines. The audience was so enthralled by the 21-member troupe’s stirring performance of pure energy – a performance that was capped with the flag-waving number Sabihin Mo Ikaw ay Pilipino (Tell Them You are Filipino).
“‘It felt good to be a Filipino’ that night, embassy cultural attaché Joy Quintana said.
“People filing out of the Ernst theater at the Northern Virginia Community College agreed, shouting out superlatives – “fantastic,” “terrific,” and “great” were the three most heard – to describe the unique blend of Philippine folk dances and traditional ballet that held them spellbound for over an hour.”
– JOSE KATIGBAK
Philippine Star Washington Bureau
Manila Ballet wows Washington Pinoys
The Philippine Star
June 27, 2005
