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.
Dapper in his purple tailcoat, the Duke (Romeo Peralta Jr.) escorts two young princesses played by Celine Astrologo (left) and Jasmine Pia Dames as they arrive at the ball in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s Cinderella (2025). The fairy-tale ballet was brought to Malaysia for a series of performances co-presented by the Kuala Lumpur-based DanceLink Performing Arts and Ballet Manila. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
This purple-topped tutu with silver swirls on the skirt in light purple gradient was the choice for Katherine Barkman when she guested in Tuloy ang Sayaw-an (2021). The ballerina, then with Washington Ballet, danced the Grand Pas Classique in the same outfit she wore when she bagged silver medals at the USA International Ballet Competition and the Varna International Ballet Competition. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
Purple is the predominant color in the outfits of these Jesterettes who provide entertainment during palace festivities in Swan Lake (2017). Photo by Ocs Alvarez
King Stephan (Mark Sumaylo), in a courtly purple suit, and Queen Leah (Rissa May Camaclang), in a pink dress, celebrate the birth of Princess Aurora in this scene from Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Sleeping Beauty (2026). Behind them, the Lilac Fairy (Abigail Oliveiro) bestows blessings in a complementing tutu. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Shamira Drapete and Alvin Dictado are in matching purple wear as a dancing couple in Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s Cinderella (2023), Ballet Manila’s Holiday Cheer offering. She’s in an elegant dress with a flouncy skirt and he’s in a fitted suit while they twirl the night away at the Prince’s ball. Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
Garbed in a sarong in luxurious tones of purple and teal, Gerardo Francisco Jr. takes on the lead in Augustus Damian III’s all-male choreography Aramica. It was one of the numbers showcased in Deux (2019). Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
The color purple comes off as a striking accent in this white tutu worn by Rissa May Camaclang, one of the village girls who is a friend of the titular character in Giselle. The purple bodice is complemented by lilac touches on the neckline, sleeves and the hem. Photo by Erickson Dela Cruz
