Mother knows best

Mothers are nurturers and protectors. They would go to great lengths to ensure their children are well, safe and loved. In celebration of Mother’s Day, we turn the spotlight on these women of many facets – fierce, gracious, hopeful – as they have been portrayed by Ballet Manila.

Though born with a fragile heart, Giselle (Lisa Macuja Elizalde, center right) wants nothing more than to join her friends for a day out in the fields. But her mother (Eileen Lopez) advises her to take things easy as she may become too exhausted. Ultimately, in Giselle (2010), the young girl’s heart will be broken by a deceitful suitor. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Little Masha (Missy Macuja Elizalde) takes her cue from Mom (Abigail Oliveiro, in red), the epitome of social graces, as they prepare to be the perfect hosts on Christmas Eve. Little do they know that Masha will have an unbelievable adventure later in the evening. The opening scene is from the holiday ballet, The Nutcracker (2013). Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Martin Lawrance’s Romeo & Juliet (2024) transports the Shakespearean tale to present-day Manila where Paris (Gerardo Francisco Jr.) gets the all-out support of his mother (Jasmine Pia Dames)—the influential town mayor running for re-election—in his intention to marry Juliet. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

As Traviesa in Hazel Sabas-Gower’s Sinderela (2012), Jonathan Janolo (rightmost) is a cruel stepmother to Sinderela. But she is also the over-eager drumbeater of her awkward daughters Avaricia (Gerardo Francisco Jr., left) and Media (Michael Divinagracia), often leading to hilarious results. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

The fervent wish of Queen Leah (Rissa May Camaclang) has been granted—to have a child that she and King Stephan will cherish in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Sleeping Beauty (2026). Holding the baby Aurora aloft, the queen is surrounded by fairies who are about to shower the princess with gifts. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto

Mother Simone (Christopher Mohnani) almost can’t keep up with her irrepressible daughter Lise (Pamela Asprer) in La Fille Mal Gardee. She has big plans for her only child—to marry her off to a wealthy man’s son even if she knows Lise favors Colas. Photo by Ocs Alvarez

Wanting only the best for her daughter Juliet (Abigail Oliveiro, left), Lady Capulet (Lisa Macuja Elizalde) assures her that Paris will be a good match for her as the nanny (Eileen Lopez) witnesses this tender moment. The scene is from Paul Vasterling’s Romeo and Juliet (2015) which made its Asian premiere through the Ballet Manila production. Photo by Ocs Alvarez