Shamira Drapete on building the character of Paquita

*Shamira danced one of the variations in the* Paquita divertissement showcased in The Pearl Gala, Ballet Manila’s 30th anniversary presentation in 2025. Photo by Erica Jacinto-Marquez

By Jv Ramos

In ballet, the reward for great work is more work, and in the case of Ballet Manila’s youngest soloist, Shamira Drapete, she has been busy with exploring the titular character in artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Paquita.

*Soloist Shamira Drapete gets the chance to flesh out the lead female role in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s full-length version of* Paquita. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

“Since it’s the first time that Ballet Manila is doing this full-length and Ma’am Lisa’s version is different, I’ve been working really hard on finding and even building little by little the character of Paquita,” says the ballerina.

Shamira takes us through the aspects that she has figured out about her character. “What stands out is that Paquita is a playful character, and I think that quality stems from her love of dancing. She’s someone who loves dancing that for her, it’s not just a job. She truly loves to entertain and dance for the people.”

As a lover of dance and as someone who’s still a teenager, Shamira can easily relate to this aspect of the gypsy character. But what Shamira is trying to stitch together is the duality to Paquita – a person who enjoys dancing with Iñigo’s traveling group but at the same time feels she doesn’t quite belong.

*Partnered with soloist Jos David Andes for the first time, Shamira Drapete says the two of them have been learning together throughout the process of making* Paquita. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

In the story, Paquita is kidnapped by Iñigo’s father and raised as a gypsy. But she is actually of noble birth, and has a necklace in her possession that proves her real ancestry. One day, she encounters Lucien, a military soldier who is also of noble birth. While they instantly fall for each other, the social divide between them threatens their relationship. While Paquita may sound like it has elements of a typical telenovela, it also has its light and comedic touches.

“Even if Iñigo is sort of her childhood friend, there’s a distance between them. She knows that the necklace she has means something,” points out Shamira. “Through miming or acting, I would have to show how smart Paquita is. Also in the sense that unlike Lucien, who’s confused, Paquita knows exactly what she wants and knows how to get it.”

*Shamira took on her first full-length classical role as Princess Aurora in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s* Sleeping Beauty last March. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde

As part of her preparations for the role, Shamira has watched different versions of Paquita, including the divertissement that Ballet Manila has been performing over the years. She has also tried to learn more about the character by talking to the choreographer herself, as well as the company’s Russian ballet master Alexander “Sasha” Kurkov and ballet mistress Natasha Radulgina, and principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro who is the other Paquita in the full-length ballet and who has danced the lead in the Paquita divertissement.

“They’ve all been really helpful. But what’s really been effective is being around in the process of the choreography. Through it, I’ve been able to really understand who Paquita is and to really build my character,” Shamira notes.

Principal dancer Romeo Peralta Jr. (left) is the gypsy leader Iñigo who stands between the relationship of Paquita whom Shamira portrays and Lucien, the military officer being played by Jos David Andes. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

The Ballet Manila soloist identifies the challenges of portraying Paquita. First would have to be not having a clear blueprint of the character. Other than not having any old company videos to review, there’s hardly any full-length version available online as staging it has become a rarity in the ballet world.

To address the lack of reference, Shamira just took it as an opportunity to imagine who the character is based on what Lisa has provided and has pieced together of who Paquita is. “I think, as a young dancer, there’s a tendency to copy what older dancers do or what we have as reference, but since this Paquita is a new choreography, you really have to take the time to build and understand who your character is, and I’m enjoying that process!”

Another challenge is readying her body for the full-length version. “To take on the role, I continued with Ballet Sports Science for the strengthening needed. Paquita is a hard role – one that’s technique- and stamina-heavy from beginning to end, so I even started doing my own cardio,” reveals Shamira.

***Shamira rehearses with David in Ballet Manila’s Studio 1. “We really had to adjust to each other, collaborate and communicate about how to do things.” Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde***

Improving her miming is another aspect that Shamira has been working on. “Being Paquita isn’t all about technique. You need to know how to do the mimes well, so you’re able to tell the story clearly. I’m really thankful for Sasha because he takes the time to work on our mimes. If he feels that it doesn’t suit your character, you’re quick to hear… ‘Maybe not!’ He also makes sure that the mimes are connected to the steps we do, so there’s a certain flow to our movement.”

Since she is paired for the first time with soloist Jos David Andes, who plays Lucien, Shamira is at the same time exploring a new partnership. “It’s definitely different to be dancing with David. Before, when I danced with Joshua [Enciso, the principal dancer who was Prince Desiré to her Aurora in Sleeping Beauty] and Paeng [soloist Rafael Perez, who was Florante to her Laura in Florante at Laura], I felt that they were solid with the way they approached partnering. You could tell that they have done it for so long and they simply guided me. With David, the feeling has been like we’re learning together. We really had to adjust to each other, collaborate and communicate about how to do things. But the experience of finding our characters while learning the choreography together has been a fun process.”

As for Romeo Peralta Jr., the gypsy leader Iñigo who stands between her character’s relationship with Lucien, Shamira describes his portrayal of the villain as helpful in bringing out Paquita. “When it comes to miming, it’s hard to give when you don’t receive. And with Kuya Romeo, who gives it his all as the villain, it’s easy to portray or find your character.”

*While she loves dancing the classics, Shamira enjoys dancing contemporary fare too as she did in last February’s* The Dawn of Ballet where Ballet Manila danced to the rock band’s hit songs. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag

Thrilled that performance time is at hand, Shamira is focused on maintaining calm nerves. “This production has taught me how to act more and really tell a story. I’m excited to show Paquita because she’s been so fun to do. I’ve really been enjoying the process so much, so I’m excited to perform!”

Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Paquita – the first full-length version of the ballet to be performed in the Philippines – will have its world-premiere run on June 19, 20 and 21, with an invitational gala on June 18, at Aliw Theater, Pasay City.