Apprentice Maxeene Castillo dances for the joy of ballet
Maxeene Castillo likes moving and this she got to do a lot of in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Paquita where one of her roles was a gypsy.
By Jv Ramos
“I was never really supposed to be in ballet,” says Ballet Manila apprentice Maxeene Castillo. “My parents enrolled my younger sister for ballet classes, but what happened was her first class became her last.” Feeling guilty that the ballet shoes her parents bought would go to waste, Maxeene, who was already eight at that time, decided to be the one to take up ballet. “Starting at the age of eight is pretty late, but when I took that first class, I just kept dancing ballet.”
Ballet Manila apprentice Maxeene Castillo loves dancing as it allows her to express herself and connect with others. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Maxeene started her training at the JNA Dance Studio, then when the pandemic hit, enrolled in online classes with Perry Sevidal who saw her potential to compete and recommended her to take private sessions with competition coach and teacher Effie Nañas. “They’re good friends! And since she knew that Teacher Effie was very good with training ballerinas for competitions, I spent my time training with Teacher Effie until I moved to Ballet Manila early this year.”
Why she decided to sign up as an apprentice with said company also had to do with her mentor’s recommendation. “I told Teacher Effie that I wanted to take a break from competitions. There was just too much pressure that it didn’t feel like I was enjoying ballet anymore. She then suggested that I try out dancing with Ballet Manila, mainly because the training and performances here are very good.”
Working as one with the other girls in the corps in Paquita was a huge challenge for Maxeene (rightmost) and she is glad to have hurdled it. In photo with her are (from left) Celine Astrologo, Jessa Balote and Elyssabeth Apilado.
And Teacher Effie was right! When Maxeene took her first company class, she immediately saw how being with other dancers can make things different and contribute to one’s growth. “I was not trained in the Vaganova method, so that was the first adjustment for me. I mean, I’m still adjusting to it until now, but really, the more I do it every day, the more my body gets used to dancing Vaganova,” she comments.
The teenager explains how difficult it is to learn a new method while also learning to be part of the corps de ballet. “But maybe, that was the point of my coming here. Teacher Effie mentioned that she wanted me to experience dancing with older dancers. I was very nervous in my first class, but I came out of it feeling very inspired. I really like how focused in ballet everyone here is. They’re focused but still willing to help you out!”
Through Ballet Manila, Maxeene was reminded of what made her fall in love with ballet in the first place. “Like many, I fell in love with it because I like moving. Then I kept doing it because I felt that dance allows me to express myself and to connect with others. There’s also a kind of quiet that I experience in ballet. When I dance, I forget about the things that stress me out, which I really like.”
Maxeene is grateful to Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde for the opportunity to be part of Paquita, the first full-length version of the ballet to be seen in the Philippines.
In addition, especially due to joining the corps of Ballet Manila, Maxeene likes how her dancing has made her think differently about things. “Dance taught me how to be smart, especially about my surroundings. It taught me how to be very versatile and be aware of things.”
Dancing the Giselle variation in the International Ballet Grand Prix Thailand 2025, Maxeene emerged as the Regional Grand Prix winner.
Maxeene recently danced in the full-length Paquita, Ballet Manila’s second offering for its 31st year. “It’s very different from my first production here, Sleeping Beauty, but it’s really been great to learn something new each time, and to dance for the joy of ballet and not confront any pressure. Sure, there’s a lot of pressure to dance corps, but that’s still not the same pressure you go through in competitions.”
Asked if she’s completely done with competitions, Maxeene shares that since her age is still within competition-bracket, she will probably consider going back, but currently she’s taking a break from it. “I agree, there really are dancers who are made for it! And while I have that advantage of knowing how competitions go – what the judges are looking for – I’m not really thinking about it. Maybe, when I am older. Right now, I’m focused on dancing with Ballet Manila.”
At the Asian Grand Prix Manila 2025, Maxeene was named the Regional Grand Award winner in her age category with the Paquita variation as her competition piece.
After the premiere run of Paquita, Maxeene wrote a post on Instagram that expressed the mixed emotions she felt to be part of the ballet. “Thank you for four incredible days! What an experience! As the final curtain went down, I felt a rush of gratitude, sadness, relief, exhaustion, and joy all at once. It was such a bittersweet feeling. My heart was overflowing with happiness,” she enthused.
Maxeene (left) celebrates with fellow apprentices Keisha Almira (middle) and Michi Nabus after one of the shows of Paquita.
Recalling the past few months of preparation, she added, “Rehearsals were tough. There were days when my mind and muscles just wanted to rest, when all I wanted was to go home. I also had brief moments of self-doubt, wondering if I will be able to keep up with the others. But the joy and excitement that dancing brings to my heart kept me going.”
Maxeene is already raring for the next challenge, La Bayadere, which Ballet Manila will bring back in August. In the meantime, when asked for the tip she’d give to young girls who are taking an interest in ballet, this apprentice keeps it simple – for them to try it and see if they love it. She underlines, “It’s my love for ballet that has allowed me to keep training. My love for dance is stronger than all the difficulties.”
Although she’s done well in ballet competitions and the possibility of competing is still there, Maxeene wants to focus on dancing with Ballet Manila for now. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
