In Their Own Words: Principal dancer Shaira Comeros on knowing ballet would be her life
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.
I knew. Other than ballet, I don’t see myself anywhere else. I have other hobbies. I know how to sew pero pag nandoon ako, wala pa doon ang full self ko. Kaya I knew I would last long in ballet. Ballet is my identity kasi dito na ako lumaki. I experienced a lot of things. I started dancing when I was seven. Buong buhay ko na ’yung ballet kaya I really knew I would last long kasi malakas ang passion ko sa ballet.
Na sa Hong Kong ang Kuya ko. Inaaya na ko na, “Dito ka na! Think of your future. Kasi nga makakaipon ka dito. Try mo lang. Baka mas makapundar ka ng mas maaga.” Kahit alam ko na mas malaki ang kikitain ko, I would rather stay here.
I’m still open pero knowing that I can still move, knowing that saglit lang ’yung time para makapagsayaw (ng ballet), why would I risk that? Heto na lang ’yung time ko para magsayaw. I would rather stay and do what I love.
I knew. Other than ballet, I don’t see myself anywhere else. I have other hobbies. I know how to sew but when I’m there, my full self isn’t there. That’s why I knew I would last long in ballet. Ballet is my identity because this is where I grew up. I experienced a lot of things. I started dancing when I was seven. Ballet is my whole life so I really knew I would last long because my passion for ballet is strong.
My brother is in Hong Kong. He was asking me to join him like, “Come over! Think of your future. You can save more here. Give it a try. You might build something here faster.” Even if I knew that the pay is higher, I would rather stay here.
I’m still open but knowing I can still move, knowing that the time I can dance (ballet) is short, why would I risk that? This is my only time to dance. I would rather stay and do what I love.
Top photo: Ballet Manila principal dancer Shaira Comeros takes company class at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre in Malaysia where she performed as Cinderella in 2025. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Shaira Comeros dances in Paquita, Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s full-length adaptation of the classical ballet staged by Ballet Manila in June 2026. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
