Ballet Manila powers through curveballs for sold-out ‘Swan Lake’ shows in Dumaguete
Principal dancers Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro are reunited in the full-length Swan Lake, which they first performed together in 2017. Photo by The Weekly Sillimanian
By Susan A. De Guzman
A series of unfortunate events threatened to derail Ballet Manila’s six-performance run of Swan Lake at Silliman University’s Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium last week. The back-to-back typhoons resulting in a massive deluge not only made it tricky for the company to get to the airport in Manila, even possibly affecting their flight, but it also ultimately led to the delay in the arrival of the sets, costumes and linoleum to the venue in Dumaguete City after an arduous land travel. When the company finally got there, a brownout disrupted rehearsals.
Ballet Manila completed six performances of Swan Lake at Silliman University’s Claire Isabel McGill Luce Auditorium, each show receiving rapturous applause from the audience. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
Despite the surge of challenges, however, Ballet Manila emerged triumphant, delivering impassioned performances to a packed auditorium each time. At the ballet classic’s end – when the swan corps waves to a reunited Odette and Prince Siegfried in the afterlife – the crowd would break into wild applause and animated cheers as the stage grew dark and the curtains closed.
Back in Manila, Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde summed up, “What I think no other company has ever done is three double-show days of Swan Lake in a row – as a result of the delays and re-scheduling of the shows. It was very difficult for everyone, especially the girls who were in all four acts! That’s eight acts every day for three days! On the third day, many were in tears due to exhaustion; and we also had to deal with some changes in blocking and casting because one dancer got sick. But we carried on. Everyone did their bit! It was an amazing experience!”
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde does double duty, also performing as the Queen Mother to Prince Siegfried. Photo by the Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
She admitted that many adjustments had to be made to get the shows on track. “Basically, we had to reschedule the two performances that we had for July 23 so that we could get a proper technical dress rehearsal in before opening. We only got the linoleum, sets and costumes at 6 p.m. on July 22! What was so great about this is the company powered through and everyone did their fair share of the work. Even the boys who were less busy in Swan Lake than the girls helped install the linoleum and bring the costumes and sets into the theater while the girls were rehearsing Act 2 in the studio. We had to rehearse and take class in the studio which was small and hot but we adjusted.”
Swan Lake was meaningful for Jasmine Pia Dames (right) not only because it was her comeback on stage after an injury, but also because she shared this full-length debut with twin sister Jessica Pearl. Photo courtesy of Jasmine Pia Dames
Swan Lake – presented by the Silliman University Culture and Arts Office, with 101.1 Yes! FM and the MBC Media Group – was finally staged on July 24, 25 and 26, with two shows unfolding on each day.
What happened actually brought Macuja Elizalde back to the beginning of Ballet Manila when, as a touring company of just twelve dancers, they had to overcome a gamut of difficulties as they brought ballet to far-flung places all over the country. “The original Ballet Manila had to go through much worse conditions when we were touring 30 years ago! So this was a piece of cake!” she laughingly said.
Swan Lake follows Ballet Manila’s performance of Cinderella in the same venue last year which was received just as warmly by local viewers composed of students, faculty and members of the immediate community. “I feel very hopeful and inspired by the following that we have in Dumaguete,” Macuja Elizalde said. “What makes me so happy is the feedback that we got from the audience and the organizers. Like for example, how as soon as our Swan Lakes were announced, the Silliman University Culture and Arts Office got calls for reservations and ticket sales right away. And all the shows were sold out! That really makes me happy!”
Principal dancers Shaira Comeros and Joshua Enciso make their full-length debut as Odette/Odile and Prince Siegfried. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
She is satisfied with the performances of the dancers, with a number of principal dancers and soloists making their debuts in the lead and supporting roles. Casting twin principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames and Jasmine Pia Dames as Odette and Odile, respectively – a first for Ballet Manila – she noted: “The audience, I think, really got surprised and started to murmur among themselves when Pearl went onstage as the White Swan with Pia as the Black Swan in the apparition scene in Act 3. It really looked so realistic! Noah (Esplana) was a sensitive Prince Siegfried, almost to the point of being melancholy. Both new casts really stepped up to their roles and I was very happy for all of them to have been given the opportunity to explore these roles in not just one but two performances on two consecutive days. The growth from the first performance to the next was unmistakable and such a joy for me to witness as their artistic director.”
Ballet Manila’s swan corps are the real stars of Swan Lake, describes artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde, as they turned in “extremely consistent, aligned performances.” Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
It is worthy to note that Pia Dames was actually making her return to the stage after months of being sidelined while recovering from an injury. “It's been quite a journey to get here, but every step, every tear and every moment leading to this day was so worth it. Grateful beyond words to have the opportunity to dance Black Swan in Dumaguete with my beautiful amazing White Swan, Pearl, and our amazing Prince Siegfried, Noah, who helped me so much before stepping on stage once again,” she wrote on Facebook, also expressing thanks to Macuja Elizalde and co-artistic directors Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Eileen Lopez for the trust and guidance in making her comeback one she will never forget.
The Silliman University series also marked the return of Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo in the full-length Swan Lake as the lead couple. For the shows of Swan Lake in Aliw Theater last May 31 and June 1, Abi was partnered by San Francisco Ballet guest artist Nathaniel Remez as Prince Siegfried while Mark debuted as the sorcerer Rothbart. “Abi and Mark were of course the most mature and experienced lead couple in their two performances. Abi is simply breathtaking as Odette/Odile as she literally can just stand onstage and already looks and moves like the Swan Queen!” observed Macuja Elizalde.
Soloist Noah Esplana (Siegfried) and twin principal dancers Jessica Pearl Dames (Odette) and Jasmine Pia Dames (Odile) are congratulated by artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde after their collective debut in Swan Lake. Photo from the Instagram page of Jessica Pearl Dames
She was impressed by the performance of principals Shaira Comeros and Joshua Enciso who were making their Swan Lake debut. “For a first performance, Shaira’s Odette and Odile showed a very high artistic and technical quality that most ‘first-timers’ in Swan Lake are not normally able to show. Joshua’s prince as well was very impressive technically. He still has to grow into his ‘princely’ character but he was such a great partner for Shaira and their combined performances were really special.”
Days after the Dumaguete shows, Shaira Comeros practically said it for everyone in Ballet Manila when she shared in a Facebook post how their hearts were still dancing across the lake. She mused, “Swan Lake tested the very core of our being. The technicality, artistry, and maturity this ballet demands is something hard to top off. Given a month to rehearse and two shows to perform, obviously not enough to get where we need to be. But nevertheless, we enjoyed every achingly beautiful moment on stage and that's what matters.”
Rodney Catubay went to Dumaguete a company artist and returned to Manila a soloist after his powerful debut as Rothbart led to a promotion. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
Swan Lake was similarly meaningful for Rodney Catubay who went to Dumaguete a company artist and came home to Manila a soloist after his powerful debut as Rothbart. Macuja Elizalde was effusive, saying of his performance: “Not only was his Rothbart technically strong, he also embodied the character – going the extra mile with his interpretation and even his make-up! It was amazing to see him transform.”
View from the tech booth: Jessica Pearl Dames and Noah Esplana in one of the two shows they headlined in Dumaguete. Photo by Gerardo Francisco Jr.
Of his surprise promotion, Rodney reflected in a Facebook post about his journey in ballet that led to this moment. “Ten years of showing up. Of dancing with all my heart even when no one was watching. Of smiling through the tired days, and holding on through the silent seasons. Ten years of wondering quietly, ‘Kailan kaya ako?’… But every single time, I chose to stay. To trust the process. One rehearsal at a time. One show at a time. One quiet prayer at a time. And today…it finally happened… my heart is so full I don’t even know where to begin...”
The Jester (Rafael Perez) and the corps make for a colorful scene in Swan Lake, reflecting the triumph over multiple challenges that faced the production. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
Macuja Elizalde reserved the highest praise for “the real stars” of Swan Lake – the corps de ballet of swans. “They gave extremely consistent, aligned performances. They really were a flock of swans and they delivered each and every time on stage in six very difficult and exhausting shows! Bravo to the swan corps! If you want to see if a ballet company is strong, you look at the corps de ballet – and Ballet Manila’s corps de ballet is super strong!”
The artistic director is gratified that they have continued to uphold the ideals of the company she co-founded with Osias Barroso Jr. to this day. “Ballet Manila’s mission and vision has not changed over thirty years! Ballet for the people! We will go wherever there is an invitation to bring ballet to the people in the provinces, as long as we are able to.”
Even as the success of Swan Lake is still fresh on her mind, she said she is looking ahead to what’s next in Dumaguete. “We are already talking about the next performance run of Ibong Adarna in February 2026!”
Students get up on their feet at curtain call to cheer for the cast of Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake. Many would approach the stage to have their pictures taken with the dancers and to get autographs. Photo by Gerardo Francisco Jr.
