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.
All in Interviews
While he is enjoying the view from the technical booth, Geri is far from hanging up his dancing shoes.
As it was her first time to experience an injury, Marinette didn’t know what the next steps were.
“And I’m very happy to be back with Ballet Manila!” exclaims the Japanese dancer.
“My mom recommended that I take classes with Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s company, and though I was only a guest at her studio for two days, it made a big impact on my technique and dancing.”
Among the newest faces in Ballet Manila is Benedict Sabularse, a Filipino dancer whose resumé includes a five-year stay with Pole National Supérieur de Danse of Marseille and a stint with the Hong Kong Ballet.
Ticking off items from their personal lists of dance goals must be the theme of Stephanie Santiago and Noah Esplana's 2024.
For Giselle, one of the most cherished works in classical ballet, world-renowned principal dancer Renata Shakirova and soloist Alexei Timofeyev of the Mariinsky Ballet in Russia, have been flown in to the Philippines to perform with Ballet Manila.
Turning 17 just last June 30, this dancer has come quite a long way since he first unexpectedly entered the world of ballet several years ago.
Ballet Manila apprentice Ainslea Esplana says that at age nine, she already knew she wanted ballet to be her career.
Veteran singer-actress-comedienne Mitch Valdes was in a quandary before receiving Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s offer to essay the iconic role of Lola Basyang in the company’s restaging of its beloved Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang trilogy.
She identifies motherhood as the main reason she refused to give up on her ballet dream.
Six of those stories have since been transformed into dance pieces through Ballet Manila's Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2008) and Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang (2013), with the first trilogy returning to the stage this month as the company's second offering for its 26th performance season dubbed "Ballet Masterpieces".
Knowing that Ballet Manila is also interested in her progress, Margarida is determined more than ever to strengthen her technique in the Vaganova way and at the same time learn the contemporary pieces of the company.
The beginning of Judith Po’s ballet journey is similar to those of many female dancers. It was an activity to do for fun and through the years, it turned out to be the one activity they couldn’t live without.
To make his return possible, Paeng addressed the things that were holding him back.
Ballet Manila company member Marinette Franco has always been a deep thinker, and this trait of hers has become even more pronounced when ballet returned after the worldwide pandemic.
Of all the classics in Ballet Manila’s repertoire, it’s Le Corsaire that Romeo Peralta Jr. knows quite well – from the most minor of characters to the lead roles.
In Jasmine Pia Dames’ case, from being the supporting female character, Gulnara, in 2018, she will be portraying Medora, the lady love of Conrad in Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s choreography of the pirate ballet.
A mouseling who loves ballet has introduced millions of little girls all over the world to classical dance. Ballet Manila apprentice Shamira Drapete is no exception.
