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
As the Queen of the Dryads in Don Quixote (2025), Abigail Oliveiro is radiant in a tutu made up of two shades of lilac accented with shimmering beads, petite flowers and delicate lace lining its skirt’s scalloped edges. She appears in the dream sequence in Act 2, leading her band of dryads or forest nymphs. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Fashion meets ballet in Tony Fabella’s Dalagang Pilipina where the ballerinas dance in gowns by designer Auggie Cordero. A range of colors are represented in the showcase, including this flowing one in lilac. Dalagang Pilipina premiered in OPM at OPB (2003). Photo by Ocs Alvarez
The lilac tutu of Medora serves as the delicate backdrop for silver floral embellishments that complement her crown in Le Corsaire (2013). In this scene from the pirate-themed ballet, she dances with Ali (Gerardo Francisco Jr.), the loyal servant of Conrad. Photo by Jojo Mamangun
As the Lilac Fairy in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Sleeping Beauty (2026), Stephanie Santiago dons – what else but – lilac! In this scene from Ballet Manila’s Prima season-opener, her character has marshalled her fellow fairies to welcome the birth of Princess Aurora and shower her with blessings. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Channeling a ballroom vibe, Tifanny Chiang-Janolo wears a glamours gown in lilac opposite Romeo Peralta Jr. in a tuxedo for their part in the contemporary ballet piece Musika’t Pag-ibig. Choreographed by Jonathan Janolo, it premiered in Kay Ganda ng Ating Musika (2014). Photo by Ocs Alvarez
The subtle shades of lilac and lavender are usually reserved for ballerinas, which makes this choice for danseur Francis Cascaño an odd but bold choice. In Sergey Vikulov’s Night, which premiered in Halo Halo 2 (2007), he is cast as The Stranger in a love quadrangle with The Girl, The Dreamer and The Lover. The pastel outfit stands out beside the black-clad allies helping him carry out his scheme. Photo by Joel L. Caampued
Tita Nia (Hana Oh) is a vision in lilac, appearing before a captivated Sinderela (Erika Basilio) in Hazel Sabas-Gower’s adaptation of the popular fairy tale that premiered in 2012. Layers of lilac cloth form her skirt, with the same color used in the bodice, sleeves and even her headdress. Photo by Ocs Alvarez
