In Their Own Words: Principal dancer Romeo Peralta Jr. on the joy of working with a seasoned cast
In their own words, the artists of Ballet Manila share their thoughts and experiences on not merely surviving but flourishing in the very challenging world of dance. This series is a collection of personal anecdotes, as well as words of wisdom that can be heartwarming, funny or dramatic, but always inspiring regardless of what field one is pursuing.
It’s easier because we have worked for so long together with Mark (Sumaylo) and Abi (Oliveiro), and even Joshua (Enciso). We’ve done so many (ballet) stories before wherein it’s the same – they’re the pair and then I’m the villain. It’s much easier to work and to tell the story because I know that they are also doing their job. I know that they understand it because there’s maturity. They understand the characters that they want to portray and, for me, it comes naturally when I’m with them.
Top photo: Principal dancer Romeo Peralta Jr. rehearses at DanceLink Performing Arts for Ballet Manila’s recent Sleeping Beauty shows in Malaysia. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Romeo (leftmost) is the antagonist gypsy leader Iñigo who plots against the military officer Lucien (Mark Sumaylo) who is also his rival for the affection of Paquita (Abigail Oliveiro) in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Paquita. Photo by Erica Marquez Jacinto
