Soundbites: ‘You never really know to what heights you can soar until you spread your wings’
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.
Just four months after its debut concert in 1995, Ballet Manila was invited to go on a six-week performance tour of four Russian cities.
“In that first month after we formed our group, I would lie awake at night and end up wishing that there were 36 hours in a day so I could get all the work done.
“I knew that ‘giving birth’ to a new ballet group would not be easy. In a way, this admission has put me one step ahead from the time when I did not know that becoming a ballerina was difficult. There are many instances in a ballet when I close my eyes, turn away and make a running leap into the arms of my partner. For several split seconds while you fly through the air, you literary take a ‘leap of faith.’
“It was a similar leap that I – no, we 12 spirited and dedicated classical ballet dancers – undertook by forming ourselves into Ballet Manila.
“That first month, as we prepared for our launching concert in February 1995, I saw my dancers as they blossomed in strength, technique and artistry. Ballet Manila’s eight ballerinas (the youngest being only 16 and about to graduate from high school) and four danseurs, danced like they’d never danced before. Each magical transformation I saw take place in rehearsals became a leap forward.
“It’s true what they say about adversity. Never fear it. A kite rises against the wind, and you never really know to what heights you can soar until you spread your wings.”
—LISA MACUJA ELIZALDE
Ballet Manila principal dancer and co-founder
Ballerina of the People
2006
Top photo: Led by principal dancers Lisa Macuja and Osias Barroso Jr. (center couple, back), Ballet Manila’s Pioneer 12 also included (couples, from left) Aileen Gallinera, Jeffrey Espejo, Pamela Asprer, Eduardo Espejo, Christopher Mohnani, Elline Damian, (ballerinas, from left) Ianne Damian, Kristine Dabao, Sandralynn Huang and Eileen Lopez.
With a mission to bring ballet to the people, Ballet Manila went on a Mindanao tour during its first year.
