After dancing tragic heroines, Abigail Oliveiro taps her playful side in ‘Paquita’
Abigail Oliveiro danced the lead in the Paquita divertissement which was last featured in Ballet Manila’s 30th anniversary presentation, The Pearl Gala, in 2025. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
By Jv Ramos
Excerpts of Paquita have long been part of Ballet Manila’s repertoire, especially in galas and in milestone seasons, where this romantic classic puts a spotlight on the Vaganova roots of the company. This month, Lisa Macuja Elizalde for her Prima season does the rare move of presenting a full-length version of Paquita that’s her own latest choreography.
In her previous roles as heroines or villains, principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro has been tragic, coy, sexy and flirtatious. As Paquita, she is exploring being playful and cheeky for the first time. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
“Fun is the word that comes to mind when I think of what we’ve worked on so far,” comments principal ballerina Abigail Oliveiro, who has been cast as the titular character. “I’ve watched the versions of Paris Opera Company and Mariinsky, and both are very different. The one of Ma’am Lise is also very different. I would say that it has her trademark. Ma’am Lise is very humorous and playful, and this characteristic is seen in her version of Paquita.”
Asked what particular element about the making of Paquita she finds fun, Abi points to being able to present her own version of playful. “It’s something that’s new to me. I mean, I have been coy, I have been sexy and flirtatious in the roles I’ve done. I even know how to die but being playful and cheeky – which is something different from being joyful and being playful as the villain – is something I have not experienced.”
She continues, “In rehearsals, I’ve noticed that being playful is something that comes naturally to Ma’am Lise and even Shamie [Shamira Drapete, the soloist who is also dancing as Paquita], but when it comes to me, I find myself thinking, ‘How do I become playful?’ So I guess the fun part really is discovering another aspect of me as a dancer. In some way, this is probably my version of Kitri [in Don Quixote]. Aside from being playful, my character does all these high jumps and turns, which have been very fun to do!”
The full-length Paquita is characterized by humor and playfulness which, Abi (left) says, reflects the nature of its choreographer Lisa Macuja Elizalde (right). Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Regarding which scenes in the ballet Abi enjoys doing, there is Paquita’s eavesdropping moment, which leads to her saving her love interest Lucien, then there’s also the part where the protagonist finds out that she’s of noble birth. “As a dancer, it’s been a treat to portray two very different aspects of a character: There’s the gypsy character who’s probably the best dancer among their group, and then, there’s the woman of noble birth. I kind of like the transition of playing something unfamiliar to something that is regal, which I have done in the past.”
Principal dancer Joshua Encisco was supposed to play romantic interest Lucien to Abi’s Paquita while principal dancer Mark Sumaylo, Abi’s husband, was going to be the childhood friend and gypsy leader Iñigo who also has feelings for Paquita. Unfortunately, Joshua was injured with just three weeks to go before opening night, and changes had to be made to address the situation. Now, Mark is playing Lucien while principal dancer Romero Peralta Jr. who is Iñigo to Shamira Drapete’s Paquita, will now also play the same role opposite Abi.
Having been injured herself just before a season performance and experienced the challenging road to recovery, Abi empathizes with Joshua who has been her partner in Ibong Adarna and Florante at Laura. “Joshua and I have established a baseline in our partnership that we’re able to discuss our characters and how we are going to approach things. We’d been working hard for this production to work! I feel for him. I understand what he is going through and will have to go through too. I was very much looking forward to presenting our Paquita together.”
Principal dancer Mark Sumaylo, originally cast as Iñigo to Abi’s Paquita, is now Lucien. The married couple has had to adjust quite quickly to the sudden change. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Abi admits she’s had to wrap her mind around the sudden switches quickly. “Our very first rehearsal was a little trippy because I spent time seeing Mark a certain way with Iñigo. And this particular dance is fast with a lot of back and forth with Iñigo and Lucien so it was confusing! I distinctly remember it was the third try of that dance where it righted itself and I went, ‘Ah, there we go. I see you now.’ I am curious and excited to discover who Mark’s Lucien is through Paquita’s eyes. So in a way, we are right back to the beginning of the process – express edition.”.
But working to her advantage – to them both – is that they have danced so many roles together before such as in Swan Lake, Giselle and Cinderella. “I have worked with Mark for a long time so we go by feeling our way through. As a wife though, I will admit I can’t help but worry a little extra and I just want to make sure he’ll be okay,” says Abi.
The ballerina notes it was easier to adjust to having a new Iñigo. “Unlike Mark as Lucien, there was no need to reformat my brain with Romeo. It was just like encountering a different Iñigo. And I have worked across Romeo a few times before so reading his Iñigo felt very organic. The experience shows.”
Abi and Mark, along with Ballet Manila’s female corps, dance in the Paquita divertissement during The Pearl Gala, the company’s 30th anniversary show in 2025. Photo by Erica Marquez-Jacinto
With ballet and live performances, Abi has learned to expect the unexpected. Now, she just wants to focus on the task at hand so she along with the rest of the cast can deliver come show time. What she can assure is that it will be a treat for audiences.
“There’s just something so special about seeing the girls do the Paquita divertissement within the (full-length) ballet! Really, there’s so much to look forward to! The music is so fun; my heart sings whenever I hear it, and Ma’am Lise’s choreography – though things are still changing and I’m still finding what I’d like my Paquita to be – this version is great! I cannot wait for everything to come together.”
Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s full-length Paquita will have its world premiere-run on June 19, 20 and 21 at Aliw Theater. Abi will be dancing as Paquita on June 20, 5 p.m.
