How company artist Idelle Buhia finally fell in love with ballet
Dancing in Ballet Manila’s Don Quixote in August 2025 was a thrill for Idelle Buhia as the ballet is one her favorites among the classics. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
By Jv Ramos
Idelle Lauryn Buhia joined Ballet Manila in 2025 at age 22, but her dance journey began when she was only six years old in a baby ballet class. “It was my mom’s idea to put us in the arts, and since my sister was already doing theater, she thought of enrolling me in a class with Ballet Philippines. And I never stopped dancing since.”
Ballet Manila company artist Idelle Lauryn Buhia believes sustaining a dance career depends on “focusing on yourself, keeping a good mindset, and enjoying each moment.” Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Her constant training, however, wasn’t because she fell in love with ballet. Idelle, in fact, didn’t like ballet at the start as it would take away time with her friends, and she also had to miss some school activities due to dancing. “When I was young, I remember being the one who wasn’t happy when I’d get promoted. Because that would mean having to move into a different class and dealing with changes and more things, which I hated,” she expresses. “Why I made it this far really has to do with my mom. No matter how many times I told her that I’d like to stop or how many times I would be a difficult girl because I wanted to quit, she would just encourage me to continue my training. I guess she saw something in me and knew that I could it.”
So, when did Idelle completely embrace ballet? She admits that it took her not getting into a school that her supportive mother really wanted for her. “She even got me a coach to help me get in, and when that didn’t happen, I really felt bad and resolved to take my training more seriously… There was also a specific performance – it was part of Don Q (Don Quixote) – where I decided to let myself go and just enjoy the dance, and after giving it my all, I got a lot of compliments. That was the time I realized that I could really be something in ballet, and that’s when I chose to continue it for me.”
Idelle displays her form dancing the Diane Variation as a competitor in the 2018 CCP Ballet Competition. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
At the age of 12, Idelle was already being cast in Ballet Philippines’ company shows. “It took me quite some time to realize that I was already a professional dancer,” she comments as being paid wasn’t why she showed up at the studio every day. “What I love about ballet is I get to express myself . I get to express how I see things, even if it's like through another character. I just love how I could express myself – even if there are no words!”
Recalling her experiences with her previous company, Idelle says she found Swan Lake particularly tough but it also challenged her to step up. “We practiced in the studio until 12 because we all wanted to get it right, then on the performance day, they pulled me aside to learn to dance Cygnet. I had very little time and was panicking, because much of Swan Lake is really your coordination with the other. And if you mess up, it looks really bad!”
She adds, “I also remember being given the opportunity to dance Kitri, one of my favorite characters in ballet. And I was able to do it with Ballet Manila’s principal Kuya (Elpidio) Magat.” This was back in 2022, when Ballet Philippines invited guest artists from various local companies to train with them and join them for a final performance before their home theater at the Cultural Center of the Philippines closed for renovations. “Since I’ve always loved Kitri, that role was easy to do. Our pas de deux also went really well because Kuya Magat was such a good partner. He knows how to center a girl. He knows how to calm a girl down before going on and on stage! He’s the type who would whisper, ‘Okay, let's just relax at this point.’ And that really helped me get through the dance.”
After performing with the corps in Ballet Manila’s Swan Lake for its Dumaguete tour in July 2025, Idelle (third from left) joins the company’s curtain call. Photo by Ryly Pontino/ Silliman University Culture and Arts Council
Idelle also remembers achieving a full circle with her stay in Ballet Philippines. “My first ever performance with the company was Peter Pan, where I played Tinker Bell, and when I decided to leave, my final performance with BP was in Peter Pan – but a different choreography – and I also played Tinker Bell there!”
Why Idelle left her previous company has to do with seeking growth. “Since I had been there for a long time, I wanted to see what else ballet had to offer. At first, I thought of just doing freelance, then maybe go and try it abroad, but my plans changed when I tried taking a class here in Ballet Manila, which was suggested by my coach.”
Having been training in classical ballet, Idelle found Ballet Manila’s approach suited her preferences. “My first class here was with Teacher Eileen [Lopez, co-artistic associate] and I loved it so much. It also made me realize that I would grow more as a dancer if I continued having those classes… I remember being so excited when Ballet Manila allowed me to take classes with the company!”
In the 2018 CCP Ballet Competition, Idelle also shows her mettle in contemporary dance. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
This ballerina officially joined Ballet Manila as a company artist when they were in the middle of their preparations for Swan Lake in Dumaguete tour. “I was very anxious in rehearsals, of course! Because in my head, I already painted a picture that they would be so mad and maybe throw a chair at you if you messed up. But what happened instead, even if we messed up badly, was Sir Geri [Gerardo Francisco, co-artistic associate] was still very patient.”
In Dumaguete, Idelle shares that she once again faced having to learn a part quickly. “One of the ballerinas had food poisoning, so I was asked to be part of Act IV suddenly. Thankfully, the corps were all so helpful! That tour was such a special experience. The audience were high-fiving the dancers and even asking us for autographs. That must be the first time I experienced an audience like that.”
After the tour, Idelle experienced more firsts with the company, including performing the contemporary piece Florante at Laura and sharing the stage with Mariinsky Ballet stars Kimin Kim and Renata Shakirova in Don Quixote. “Dancing multiple roles is something that I also had to do with my former company, so that wasn’t a shock for me. But you still have to be careful even if you’re used to things, you know. Because what if you put on the wrong costume,” comments Idelle with a laugh.
Idelle is looking forward to being part of more season performances and joining company tours. For Sleeping Beauty in March, she’ll be dancing as one of the fairies. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
“As for dancing with Kimin and Renata, they’re so good that there was a moment in Act III when I had forgotten that I was onstage performing for the show! Oh, we are lucky to have experienced dancing with them and watching them close.” Idelle adds that watching Renata as Kitri has inspired her to take notice of artistry in small movements. “Even if it was a simple move, Renata knew how to do it in such a way that she would get all these reactions from the audience! I hope to achieve that one day! I’ll continue working hard.”
Idelle is very excited to be part of more season performances, especially classic pieces, and tours with Ballet Manila. “I’m currently rehearsing for my first major role as one of the fairies in Sleeping Beauty among many other roles for other shows. We’ve been very busy since we got back (from the holiday break), and I’m just looking forward to all the performances we’ll be doing.”
And while our ballerina still has no idea how she was able to get through six years of training even if she hated ballet, she knows that sustaining a dance career strongly depends on, “focusing on yourself, keeping a good mindset, and enjoying each moment.” She underlines, “Whatever happens or comes your way, you would have to work and enjoy every moment.”
