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.
(L-R) Ballet Manila choreographer Martin Lawrance; principal dancers Joshua Enciso, 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
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.
Ballet Manila CEO and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde
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.
Ballet Manila’s The Pearl Gala will open with “Paquita,” which was first performed by Ballet Manila during its first ballet concert 30 years ago. After three decades, the dance company is performing it once again to highlight how a ballet company’s mettle, strength, and quality are measured by its corps de ballet and not only by its soloists or principals. The production will also allow the ballerinas to shine on their own in different variations and codas.
From the very classical “Paquita,” the gala will present “Bloom,” originally choreographed by Annabelle Lopez Ochoa in 2014, and performed by many American companies such as Cincinnati Ballet and Los Angeles Ballet. Once again, the number will showcase the diversity and strengths of the company in its 30th year, but this time with a male-dominated corps de ballet – a unique feature in a ballet company.
(L-R) Ballet Manila’s The Pearl Gala featuring Benidict Sabularse, Francesca Nicole Raypon and Jessa Balote
Ballet Manila’s Paquita Adagio featuring Noah Esplana and Shaira May Comeros
Ballet Manila’s Bloom Pas De Deux featuring Joshua Rey Enciso and Stephanie Kerilen Santiago
Ballet Manila’s White Swan Adagio featuring Junmark Sumaylo and Abigail Lynn Oliveiro
(L-R) Ballet Manila’s Don Quixote Fandango featuring Jos David Andes, Nanami Hasegawa, Romeo Peralta and Ris May Camaclang
“Pearls” will complete the gala to show how the development of the pearl is similar to that of a dancer. The dance company’s journey will be depicted through different kinds of pearls. The ballet is divided into six parts, with each dancer representing a unique jewel that is trained for years before achieving such effortless grace – just like a pearl composed of many layers that ultimately create a beautiful gem. The ballet will culminate with the pearls dancing in both classical and contemporary styles.
From The Pearl Gala, Ballet Manila continues the performance season with the classical ballet production “Swan Lake” on May 30, 2025, at 8 PM, and on May 31 and June 1, 2025, at 5 PM. A special matinee on May 31, 2025, at 1:00 PM will feature Ballet Manila principal dancer Abigail Oliveiro and San Francisco Ballet company artist Nathaniel Remez as the leads.
Adding to the acclaim, guest celebrity ballet dancers from San Francisco Ballet -- soloist Katherine Barkman, who was formerly a principal dancer with Ballet Manila, and principal dancer Esteban Hernandez -- will grace the stage. Barkman will perform the dual roles of Odette (White Swan) and Odile (Black Swan), alongside Hernandez as the male lead. The duo will perform in all three shows.
A fitting choice for the company’s 30th year, “Swan Lake” is one of the most difficult ballets to perform for a prima ballerina because of the extreme technical demands of Odile and the soft lyricism of Odette. “Swan Lake” will once again highlight Ballet Manila’s commitment to excellence as it showcases the Russian Vaganova training that Ballet Manila continues to specialize in.
Closing the performance season is “Don Quixote,” another classical ballet featuring the return of ballet superstar, Mariinsky Prima Ballerina Renata Shakirova.
For Macuja-Elizalde, “Don Quixote” is a brilliant way to end the season as it has become a signature full-length ballet of the company. Kitri has also become Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's signature role as a ballerina, and it is also a signature role for Renata, who will be able to showcase her light gigantic leaps, multiple and fast pirouettes, and the 32 fouettés that everyone can look forward to. Playing alongside Renata is Joshua Enciso, making his debut as Basilio.
“Don Quixote,” emphasizes Macuja-Elizalde, is a great way to close the season on a positive note as it is a ballet that seems like a two-hour nonstop celebration. “We have a very packed and exciting performance season, and I’m excited for the audience to finally see what we have worked so hard for on our Pearl Year,” she said.
