Ballet Manila newbie Reign Pelegrin follows in her brothers’ dancing footsteps

*Reign says Dumaguete was a memorable experience for her since it was there that she made her debut in two roles in* Swan Lake, one being part of the pas de trois (above) and of the cygnets. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman Culture and Arts Office

By Jv Ramos

Ballet Manila has seen several dancing siblings in its 30-year history, the latest of which are the Pelegrins: soloist Sean Pelegrin, who’s been with the company since 2015, and company member Vian Reign Pelegrin, who just joined last May.

Ballet Manila company member Vian Reign Pelegrin says she was inspired by her brother, soloist Sean Pelegrin, who showed her the possibilities of being a professional dancer. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

If one were to ask Reign if her older brother had anything to do with her decision to sign up with Ballet Manila, she’d quickly say yes, following it with, “Siya ang inspiration ko ever since, dahil siya talaga ang nag-start ng daan sa ballet para sa amin.”

It was through Sean’s example, says Reign, that she saw it was possible to become a professional dancer and perform one’s dream roles. She was also further motivated by another brother, Vince, who, after heading to New York on a ballet scholarship, became part of the ABT Studio Company and then just this July was named a member of American Ballet Theater’s corps de ballet.

Having grown up with three brothers (including Kyle) who trained and performed with Steps Dance Studio, it didn’t take long before Reign developed an interest in ballet herself. When she was eight and ready to audition, her mom approached the dance school and asked if they could take her in as a scholar as well. “Buti na lang nakapasok ako at nagawa kong maging scholar sa bawat taon (It’s a good thing that I was accepted and got to maintain my scholar status every year), recalls Reign. She ended up training with Steps for 12 years, starting with Friday and Saturday classes that eventually increased to six times a week when she was in high school.

*Ballet Manila’s* Swan Lake at Aliw Theater was a “baptism of fire” for Reign (leftmost), being her first production with the company where she was part of the swan corps. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Asked what kept her interested in coming to the studio, even when she was already busy with her academic studies, Reign says she really enjoyed the feeling of not knowing how to do a particular step or combination and ending up learning how to do it after a period of practice. “’Yan talaga ang nagustuhan ko sa ballet (That’s what I truly liked about ballet),” she points out.

As she grew older, she began liking the idea of turning professional too like his older brothers. “Kaya ayun, kahit pagod na at nakakatulog na sa Move It sa pagod, pinipilit kong mag-training pa rin.” (That’s why, even if I was so tired and found myself falling asleep while riding Move It due to exhaustion, I persisted in continuing my training.)

Reign shares it was her willingness to make it through the challenging times that got her to experience the best moments in her dance journey. “Dahil itinuloy-tuloy namin ang training, pati noong time na nag-pandemic, nabigyan kami ng opportunity na sumali sa Youth America Grand Prix (YAGP), at dahil nanalo ang ensemble namin, nakatapak kami sa New York noong 2024! Sobrang grateful po ako sa Steps sa opportunity na ’yon.” (Because I continued my training, even during the time of the pandemic, I was given the opportunity to join YAGP, and because our ensemble won, we were able to make it to New York in 2024! I’m very grateful to Steps for that opportunity.)

***Reign and her*** *brothers Sean (leftmost) and Vince* ***all studied and trained in ballet at Steps Dance Studio and came together to perform in the school’s 30th anniversary program in April 2024. Photo courtesy of Reign Pelegrin***

Dancing Obstacle Course, a piece by their teacher Jun Saagundo, their group emerged in the Top 12 of the Contemporary Ensembles division at the YAGP Finals. What made the trip even more memorable for Reign was having the chance to meet up with brother Vince who was able to join them in seeing the sights in his adopted city.

Another debut for Reign (leftmost) in Dumaguete was dancing as a cygnet, together with (from left) Nanami Hasegawa, Sayaka Ishibashi and Jessa Balote with whom she enjoyed being in sync. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman Culture and Arts Office

Reign is grateful her non-stop 12-year training in Steps got her into Ballet Manila and has allowed her to adjust quickly to the company’s fast-paced ways. She recalls that she and close friend and fellow Steps alumna, Samantha Garay, had to study the corps work in Act 4 of Swan Lake on their first day with the company. They made sure to watch the video at lunch time so they would be attuned with the rest of the girls when they did their first run. “Sobrang kabado ako noon, pero nakayanan dahil sobrang welcoming at patient ng mga dancers dito!” (I was so nervous but we made it through because everyone was just so welcoming and patient towards us.)

While she expected to dance in full-length productions as a professional ballerina, Reign never thought that her debut would be in the highly technical Swan Lake. “Nakakakaba pero gaya nga ng laging sinasabi ni Kuya Sean, kailangan mong gawin ang best mo sa bawat opportunity na ibigay sa iyo ng company. Kaya ’yon, inaral ko lang ang bawat assignment na binigay.” (I felt nervous about it but as Kuya Sean would say, you have to do the best in every opportunity that’s given to you. So there! I studied for every assignment given to me.)

*Taking on multiple roles in* Swan Lake at Aliw Theater, Reign (second from left) dances as one of the Jesterettes. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Aside from the difficult corps work, she also served as the understudy for the Act 1 pas de trois and the cygnets part – something she thought she would only get to perform in front of audiences many years after. She was surprised when she was soon told after the shows in Aliw Theater that she would take on both roles in Ballet Manila’s performances of Swan Lake in Dumaguete in July.

She comments, “Kabado ako nu’ng na-announce dahil sobrang bago ko pa lang, pero dahil isang magandang opportunity siya para sa akin, game ako na sayawin ang mga roles na ito at makasama pa sa iba pang full-length shows at tours ng Ballet Manila.” (I felt anxious when the casting was announced because I had just joined the company, but since these roles are such a good opportunity for me, I was game to dance them and to do more full-length shows and tours with Ballet Manila.)

Post-Dumaguete, Reign is a bit critical about her first pas de trois, remarking how nervous she was that the previous day’s stage rehearsals didn’t go as well as she had expected. Still, she is thankful and happy that she pulled through. “Nu’ng second show ko po sa pas de trois, mas relaxed na po ako. Hindi na po ako masyadong kinabahan, mas na-enjoy ko na po ’yung time ko sa stage. Sa cygnets, naman po, I always enjoyed dancing it – lalo na kasama ko po ’yung three other dancers. Iba rin po ’yung connection, ang saya kapag sabay-sabay kaming apat sa stage.”

Reign was reunited in New York with brother Vince, now a corps de ballet member of American Ballet Theater, when she and her fellow Steps Dance Studio students competed in the Youth American Grand Prix Finals in 2024. Photo courtesy of Reign Pelegrin

She continues, “Super grateful po ako sa lahat ng experiences ko. First tour ko po ito with the company, first time ko rin po sa Dumaguete, at first time ko rin po maisayaw yung pas de trois at cygnets. Overall po, sobrang happy and blessed po ako sa lahat – sa opportunities, sa chance na makasama sa tour, and sa memories na nabuo namin doon.” (I’m super grateful for all the experiences I had. It was my first tour with the compnay, my first time in Dumaguete and my first time to dance the pas de trois and cygnets. Overall, I’m so happy and blessed with everything – the opportunities, the chance to be part of the tour, and the memories that we made there.)

What Reign particularly treasures is the warmth of the audiences at the Luce Auditorium where Ballet Manila staged six shows of Swan Lake. “Sobrang nagulat po ako sa lakas ng cheer at palakpakan nila during and after the shows. Nakaka-touch po talaga! Nakaka-excite din po mag-perform kasi even before pa man po umakyat ’yung curtain, mararamdaman at maririnig mo na po agad ’yung energy at support ng audience – lalo na po nu’ng mga students po ’yung nanood. Sobrang love ko na po ang Dumaguete at ang mga tao doon (I was so surprised by their loud cheers and clapping during and after the shows. It was so touching! It was also exciting to perform because even before the curtain went up, you could already feel and hear the energy and support of the audience – especially when it was the students who would watch. That’s why I already so love Dumaguete and the people there),” Reign enthuses.

This company artist shares that whenever things get overwhelming, she just reminds herself that she could ask for help from the more experienced dancers. “Bukod sa kuya ko, marami akong mga ate dito na willing lagi na magbigay ng tips para mas mapaganda ko pa ang pagsayaw ko. Very grateful po talaga ako na napunta ako sa Ballet Manila.” (Aside from my older brother, I have so many older sisters here that are always willing to give me tips so I can dance a role better. I’m really very grateful that I joined Ballet Manila.)

*Reign (left) and bestie Samantha Garay made sure to have a photo taken with artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde after one of the* Swan Lake shows at Aliw Theater. Photo courtesy of Reign Pelegrin

Reign looks forward to dancing the full versions of the excerpts she has performed with Steps, including the role of the feisty Kitri in Don Quixote, when she’s more experienced. In addition, she hopes to dance like Renata Shakirova, principal dancer of the world-renowned Mariinsky Ballet. “Nu’ng napanood ko kasi siya sa Giselle, parang ang dali-dali lang para sa kanya gawin ang iba’t-ibang mahihirap na steps at technique. Ang galing din niya mag-adagio at bravura. Excited nga ako sa pagbalik niya dito para sa Don Q.” (When I got to watch her in Giselle, she effortlessly executed all the hard steps and technique. She is also very good with both adagio and bravura roles. I’m very excited for her return in Don Q.) This time, of course, Reign won’t just be watching her idol; they will be dancing on the same stage!

And what does this young ballerina do when she’s done with studio time? Like most of the company, she’s developed the habit of doing Ballet Sports Science regularly. “Tapos, nagkikita-kita rin kami ng ibang dating Steps dancers na part na ngayon ng ibang company. Kapag nasa bahay naman ako, nanonood ako ng mga K-drama, dahil nakakatulong ito sa mental health ko.” (Then, I would meet up with former Steps dancers who are now part of other companies. At home, I watch K-drama because it helps with my mental health.)

When it comes to offering advice to young ballerinas, Reign echoes her brother Sean’s philosophy of seeing an opportunity to be a better dancer in every challenge that comes one’s way. “Ang lahat ng dancer ay makaka-experience ng pagod at ng disappointments. Part po ang mga ’yan ng pagigiging dancer. Para makapagpatuloy, kailangang isipin nila kung ano ang mahal nila sa pagsayaw, at iyon ang makakapag-motivate sa kanila!” (All dancers will experience exhaustion and disappointments. These are all part of being a dancer. To get through such moments, they should think of why they love dancing, and that’s what will motivate them!)