Ballet Manila in Full Color: Totally teal

Ballet Manila has showcased a rich palette of hues in its productions over the years. Now, the company’s true colors are revealed! Gathering photographs from the Ballet Manila Archives, we present the vibrant and the somber, the heavenly to the earthy, in a series of virtual exhibitions – one shade at a time.

National Artist for Dance Agnes Locsin’s Sayao sa Pamlang is a suite of five pieces inspired by the rich culture of the Philippine South. In Pang-alay, three women wearing teal catsuits draped in aquamarine sheaths – Jessa Balote, Angelika Tagupa and Elyssabeth Apilado – show the beauty and gracefulness of the hands. The choreography was performed for the touring production, Ballet Manila’s Greatest Hits in Malaysia (2024). Photo by Larry Salgado

Bell-bottomed teal pants, a geometrically patterned top with matching hair band, and an Afro hairdo complete the groovy vibe for Gerardo Francisco Jr. in a Mamma Mia Medley featuring ABBA’s hit songs. The number served as the finale for Ballet & Ballads with the West End Mamas (2013). Photo by Ocs Alvarez

A teal fan is the perfect accessory to go with this flouncy teal dress worn by one of the village girls (Nanami Hasegawa) in Don Quixote (2025). Merriment erupts in the plaza as Kitri and Basilio evade her disapproving father to steal some moments together with their friends. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Romeo (Rudy De Dios) is giddy with excitement, having just met Juliet in Romeo and Juliet. The smitten young man has arranged to see her in secret, with a teal cloak over his white top and tights. Choreographed by Sergey Vikulov, the choreographic miniature was featured in Gold (2014), the golden birthday celebration of Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde who danced as Juliet. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Garbed in an all-teal ensemble with flecks of gold, Ali (Joshua Enciso) is the loyal servant to the pirate Conrad in Le Corsaire (2023). The character figures prominently in the adventure as he saves his master from the scheming Birbanto and helps rescue Conrad’s beloved Medora. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

After his elaborate hairpiece reveals a bald head, a stunned Gamache (Jonathan Janolo) is led away by Basilio (Mikhail Martynyuk) as Kitri (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) gleefully cheers at finally being rid of her unwanted suitor. Every inch the town dandy, Gamache exits in his gaudy teal outfit paired with royal blue tights and shoes in this scene from Don Quixote (2012). Photo by Jojo Mamangun

The queen mother in Swan Lake (2025) is expecting Prince Siegfried to choose a wife at a ball celebrating his 21st birthday. A bevy of princesses is being introduced to him, including one portrayed by Alene Tan who wears a teal gown and, like the other hopefuls, is carrying a feathery fan in her hand. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag