Ballet Manila’s memorable moments in 2025
From a milestone anniversary to shows that enthralled audiences here and abroad, Ballet Manila has had quite an incredible year! As the company gears for another busy and prolific season, we look back on some highlights of 2025 for that extra boost of inspiration. Cheers!
A gem of an anniversary
If there was still any doubts left, Ballet Manila managed to show that it has staying power. In its infancy in 1995 as a touring group of just 12 dancers, many doubted the company would last long. Reaching its 30th anniversary proved the naysayers wrong. The milestone reaffirmed its status as the country’s premiere classical ballet company – one able to mount a full season, tour locally and internationally, and squeeze in other performances in between. Ballet Manila opened the season with its celebratory production, The Pearl Gala, a combination of the classic Paquita, the contemporary Bloom, and the new choreography aptly dubbed Pearls.
Ballet Manila opened its 30th anniversary season with The Pearl Gala in March. Photo by MarBi Photography
Return of a classical warhorse
Swan Lake showcased Ballet Manila’s key asset – a strong corps de ballet. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Ballet Manila brought back Swan Lake to Aliw Theater in March, eight years after its last staging. The return of the classical warhorse in post-pandemic times was much awaited, one that was thoroughly prepared for as the company built up its corps de ballet gradually. As artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde has said, “Being able to perform a great Swan Lake is a sign that a ballet company is formidable and a true classical ballet company in every sense of the title. This is because Swan Lake demands a strong corps de ballet. At least 20 girls who have the stamina, technique and artistry to dance all four acts... A good Swan Lake is a company’s triumph.” Ballet Manila also brought the production to Dumaguete in July, wowing audiences predominantly composed of students. As 2025 drew to a close, Swan Lake received an Aliw Award as Best Dance Production.
Ballet Manila is greeted by an enthusiastic audience after a performance of Swan Lake in Silliman University’s Luce Auditorium. Photo courtesy of Gerardo Francisco Jr.
Exporting fairy tales
Revisiting three countries it had performed in in 2024, Ballet Manila brought the enchantment of two of its productions from Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Princess Trilogy. Cinderella, the first fairy-tale ballet in the series, made its debut in Malaysia last September in a partnership with DanceLink Performing Arts, and in Indonesia last November, in collaboration with Etoile Dance Center. Snow White, the second ballet from the trilogy, meanwhile made its international debut at the Taoyuan Rose Festival in Taiwan in November, in a joint presentation with Zhongli Youth Ballet.
Partnering with counterpart dance schools has paved the way for successful shows, with Ballet Manila featured alongside dancers from each place. The flexibility of the ballets’ choreography is another winning ingredient, as this is tweaked to include special numbers to suit local talents. Cinderella in Jakarta became Ballet Manila’s grandest version yet as it involved 70 dancers from Indonesia.
Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Cinderella graced stages in Malaysia and Indonesia.
Principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo danced as Snow White and the Prince in Taiwan (above) before premiering the same roles in a Christmas run of the fairy-tale ballet at Aliw Theater. Photo courtesy of Zhongli Youth Ballet
That Don Quixote flair
In another classical offering, Ballet Manila went fierce and feisty with Don Quixote last August. With any cast, the Spanish-flavored ballet easily connects with audiences for its light story and lively choreography. But this staging went further up a notch in appeal with guest artists Kimin Kim and Renata Shakirova, principal dancers of the Mariinsky Ballet, in the lead roles of Basilio and Kitri. As Ballet Manila dancers shares a bond with the pair through their Vaganova training, it just clicked.
While the Russian couple delivered on the star power and seamless partnering, the company matched their technique and energy. As dance critic Marge Enriquez pointed out in her review: “The performance carried the mark of a seasoned company, with soloists reliably strong and every artist committing themselves fully to their roles. What came through most was the fruit of years spent working side by side – trust, camaraderie, and high morale that translated into dancing with a shared pulse and spirit.”
Mariinsky Ballet superstars Kimin Kim and Renata Shakirova give an electrifying performance as Basilio and Kitri in Don Quixote. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
