DANCE INTO WONDER: BALLET MANILA’S 30-YEAR LEGACY SHINES BRIGHTER THAN EVER

Philippines  – Like a pearl whose luster and sheen get better with age, Ballet Manila’s 30th-year celebration reflects the graceful passage of the years, marked by a series of stellar productions featuring world-renowned ballet superstars from the US and Russia, all set to take place at the Aliw Theater, Pasay City.

Dubbed the “The Pearl Year,” Ballet Manila is opening the performance season with The Pearl Gala on March 7, 2025, at 8 PM, and on March 8 & 9, 2025, at 5 PM. A collection of the best and most exquisite performance pieces from Ballet Manila, the gala features the world premiere of “Pearls,” choreographed by none other than Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila’s CEO, and artistic director, along with fellow award-winning choreographers Martin Lawrance and Gerardo Francisco Jr.

(L-R) Ballet Manila choreographer Martin Lawrance; principal dancers Joshua Enciso, and Romeo 
Peralta and Junmark Sumaylo; CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde; principal dancers Abigail Lynn Oliveiro and Shaira May Comeros; artistic associate Gerardo Francisco Jr; and event host Mitch Valdes

Details of the anniversary celebration and the new performance season were announced during Ballet Manila’s 30th-anniversary launch, held recently at the Shangri-La Mall, which extended its support to Ballet Manila by hosting the event as part of its initiatives for National Arts Month. “This is a wonderful opportunity to emphasize our mission of bringing ballet to the people and people to ballet, as well as highlight ballet as a beautiful art form,” shared Macuja-Elizalde. 

CELEBRATING 30 YEARS OF BALLET MANILA'S LEGACY AND INSPIRING GENERATIONS

Philippines – Against all odds and surpassing every expectation, Ballet Manila triumphantly celebrates its 30th anniversary – a testament to its resilience, unwavering passion and boundless creativity. From its humble beginnings beset by skepticism and naysayers, Ballet Manila has risen to become a symbol of artistic excellence, and a beacon of hope that has inspired countless individuals to pursue their own dreams with passion and hard work. 

Lisa Macuja Elizalde and Osias Barroso Jr. were long time creative partners. This partnership was pivotal in shaping Ballet Manila to what it is today.

Three decades of dedication and passion for excellence

Reflecting on the journey, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila's CEO and artistic director, shares that Ballet Manila has built a legacy that speaks for itself and at its core are values instilled by its first artistic director, Eric V. Cruz, and her co-artistic director of many years, the late Osias Barroso Jr. 

“Taking company class every day and jumping until the end of class is a must-do for everyone in the company. The rule really was no class, no rehearsal. No rehearsal, no performance. All part of the discipline needed to stay in top form to be able to dance well,” recounts Lisa. She emphasized daily class, discipline, and prioritizing dancers' welfare have been a cornerstone of the company's success.

Deeply rooted in its Russian Vaganova roots, the classics are at the heart of Ballet Manila’s repertoire.