The Ballet Manila Archives is the repository of documents, print, photographic, audio and video materials and memorabilia relating to the history of Ballet Manila and the life and career of its founder, prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. This site is powered by Ms. Elizalde and Project Art, Inc.
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.
The playful street dancer Mercedes (Abigail Oliveiro) is an instant attention-getter in this scene from Don Quixote (2025) as she is greeted by a group of bullfighters. It’s not just her starkly colored outfit – a violet number with black trimmings – that wows the crowd in the town plaza though as she struts on top of a table, flits on her toes among bottles, and displays the most stunning back bends. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
On Christmas Eve, one of Masha’s friends (Marinette Franco) – clad in a violet ensemble – is agape at the Fairy Doll (Jessa Balote) who has seemingly come to life to entertain them in The Nutcracker (2013). Photo by Ocs Alvarez
The violet hue of this female dancer’s dress stands out in the dim light for Ernest Mandap’s El Sol. Using music by Bau Raquel, Celluloid Mata and Mandap himself, the choreography has a light and sexy beat. It premiered in Halo-Halo: Lisa@20 (2006). Photo by Ocs Alvarez
Violet and lilac are the complementing colors worn by Pedro (Anselmo Dictado) as he sets out to find his three missing sisters in Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Marya, one of the stories featured in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2024). Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
The pirates in Le Corsaire (2013) are brave and bold not just in their demeanor but in their choice of colors. Two of them are shown in shades of violet, ready for action at as they embark on adventures with their leader Conrad. Photo by Jojo Mamangun
Matching his colorful personality and comedic persona, the Jester (Rafael Perez) is in a bright and dazzling costume of violet and orange with sparkly gold elements and a two-pointed hat. The character in Swan Lake (2025) entertains guests who have gathered to celebrate Prince Siegfried’s birthday. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Ricardo Mallari’s leap is as vibrant as his ensemble composed of a violet bottom, a lilac vest with violet trim and buttons, and a crisp white top as he dances his part in Bruges pas de deux by August Bournonville. He was paired with Marian Faustino in the pas de deux, featured in OPM at OPB (2003). Photo by Ocs Alvarez
