Ballet Manila's dancers, choreographer, and artistic associate with artistic director and CEO Lisa Macuja Elizalde (center) and singer-comedienne Mitch Valdes (rightmost). Handout
"Hibang" was how prima ballerina Lisa Macuja Elizalde was described by singer-comedienne Mitch Valdes when the former wanted to put up Ballet Manila 30 years ago.
Hence, Valdes aptly rendered the OPM tune "Hibang sa Awit" to open the 30th year of Ballet Manila recently. Admittedly at 73, she still hosts events and she doesn't mind.
Ballet Manila was established in 1995 because it was the only other option for Macuja, its artistic director and CEO, other than going abroad and working for another company overseas.
"The situation was such that I only had those two options and 11 other dancers joined me in order to form Ballet Manila," Macuja said. "There was really no other decision, no other choice that was best for myself and the company."
"My aspiration was to have a company that was run by dancers, for dancers," she added. "Ballet Manila is trekking on, more or less, the same path that my life has taken. It has far exceeded all its initial dreams, all its initial plans, all its initial vision and mission. It has exceeded that in reality."
In 1995, Ballet Manila staged its maiden performance, "Ballet Manila Dances," with Lisa and Osias Barosso. The following year, it mounted "An Anniversary of Russian-Filipino Rarities."
"We were only 12 very young dancers in the company -- 10 very young dancers, myself, and [the late] Osias Barroso, our principal dancer," Macuja shared. "We were led by our first artistic director, the late Eric Cruz.
"We were idealistic, maybe a bit naive. But at the same time, very hopeful. That hope, that idealism has continued over the last 30 years to keep us true to our mission of bringing ballet to the people and more people to the ballet. We tell the story without having to say a single word."
Through the years, Ballet Manila has staged acclaimed productions of "Dracula" (1999), “Firebird” (2000), "Romeo and Juliet" (2001), "Giselle" (2002), "Carmen" (2003), "La Bayadere" (2004), "Swan Lake" (2007), "Don Quixote" (2017), and "Sleeping Beauty" (2020).
It shared its knowledge and experience not only with audiences, but also with many students who have benefitted from ballet school.
"We look forward to what Ballet Manila, at 30, the pearl year, has been for us in 2025," Macuja said. "We look forward to the coming years."
Accomplishments
Inviting international guest dancers and ballerinas from other countries, like Katherine Barkman and Renata Shakirova, enhanced the prestige and artistic value of Ballet Manila productions and create opportunities for the dancers.
Macuja does not deny that having guest artists from abroad translates to better ticket sales for Ballet Manila. "It's a great marketing advantage for us when you are able to attract more audiences," she said.
"Our audiences don’t have to fly to San Francisco or St. Petersburgh (Russia)," she added. "They can see those dancers here. Every time they are exposed to a new artist, it’s a learning experience for us."
But among the stellar highlights and enviable accomplishments Ballet Manila has charted through three decades, Macuja is most proud of the original Filipino ballets the company has presented.
Among these are "Florante at Laura" by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, "Ibong Adarna," "Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang," at "Tatlo Pang Kwento ni Lola Basyang."
"Bringing ballet to the masses is an achievement, with our Circus de Ballet productions and our Ballet and Ballads productions. We sort of make it reachable, understandable and likable. Something that the audience can relate to," Macuja said.
For its 30th anniversary, Ballet Manila collaborated with Jewelmer to create a ballet titled "Pearls."
The gala show starts at 8 p.m. at the Aliw Theater this Friday, March 7, followed by performances at 5 p.m. on March 8 and 9.
Macuja cannot be thankful enough for three decades of Ballet Manila as they bring more people to the ballet. She cannot wait to unveil more shows the company will stage in the coming years.
Ballet Manila set to restage 'Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang'