In Their Own Words: Company artist Marinette Franco on what it takes to be in the corps de ballet
In their own words, the artists of Ballet Manila share their thoughts and experiences on not merely surviving but flourishing in the very challenging world of dance. This series is a collection of personal anecdotes, as well as words of wisdom that can be heartwarming, funny or dramatic, but always inspiring regardless of what field one is pursuing.
You have to have awareness. You have to have the ability to memorize everything. Quick pick-up! Kasi kung wala ’yun, paulit-ulit tayo. Kaya masisigawan na kami na, “Ah! Makinig kayo kasi uulitin natin ito kapag hindi niyo nakuha!”
There are dancers na mas mabagal ang pick-up with musicality. ’Yung sa counting, meron namang mabilis ’yung counting ng iba so hindi rin siya magsi-sync. Mahirap!
You have to have awareness. You have to have the ability to memorize everything. Quick pick-up! Because without that, we will just keep repeating. We get yelled at “Ah! You have to listen because we will keep repeating this if you don’t get it!”
There are dancers who have a slower pick-up with musicality. With counting, some would count faster than others so we don’t end up synching. It’s hard!
Top photo: Ballet Manila company artist Marinette Franco leaps as she joins company class on stage at the Petaling Jaya Performing Arts Centre in Malaysia. Photo by Missy Macuja Elizalde
Marinette Franco performs as part of the Mazurka Dance in Swan Lake (2025). Photo by Giselle P. Kasilag
