Ballet Manila

Ballet Manila has featured full-length performances of Swan Lake, Don Quixote, The Nutcracker, Giselle, La Bayadere, Romeo and Juliet, Carmen, Le Corsaire, and other classical staples, as well as contemporary Filipino ballet pieces by some of the Philippines most distinguished choreographers. Ballet Manila has also performed non-classical pieces such as the major production piece Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang{{cite web | title= Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang at the Star City | url= http://www.philstar.com/article.aspx?articleid=440180| work=The Philippine Sta Online | access-date=2011-09-27}} (The three stories of Grandmother Basyang). The company also performs short non-classical pieces which they perform at the Star City amusement center to cater to the masses, such pieces include Paskong Pista{{cite web|title=Paskong Pista |url=http://www.kudyapi.com/index.php/view/Balitang%20Pinoy/ballet-manila-stages-paskong-pistaballet-revives-the-colorful-filipino-christmas-traditions-in-ldquobipaskong-pistaibbrdquo-bbr/7639 |work=Kudyapi |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424225929/http://www.kudyapi.com/index.php/view/Balitang%20Pinoy/ballet-manila-stages-paskong-pistaballet-revives-the-colorful-filipino-christmas-traditions-in-ldquobipaskong-pistaibbrdquo-bbr/7639 |archive-date=2012-04-24 }} (Christmas Fiesta) and Hi-skul Musikahan{{cite web|title=Pop music and classical dance in 'Hi-Skul Musikahan' |url=http://telebisyon.net/balita/Pop-music-and-classical-dance-in-HiSkul-Musikahan/artikulo/29260/ |work=Telebisyon |access-date=2011-09-27 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131029202829/http://telebisyon.net/balita/Pop-music-and-classical-dance-in-HiSkul-Musikahan/artikulo/29260/ |archive-date=2013-10-29 }} which directly translates and is also a Filipino ballet rendition of High School Musical. The company's season runs from April to February of the following year, where they do four major productions annually. Ballet Manila's major production calendar for 2011 includes Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang in August, Swan Lake in October, Maligayang Pasko (Happy Christmas) in December and Love ko to (I love this) in February 2012.

Ballet Manila's tie-up with Manila Broadcasting Company has paved the way for the concert series “Ballet and Ballads” {{cite web | title='Ballet & Ballads' moved to March 19 | url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=551725&publicationSubCategoryId=79 | work=The Philippine Star | access-date=2011-09-27}} where the show features the artistic merger of pop songs and classical dance. To date, Ballet Manila has done collaborations{{cite web | title=Lisa Macuja and Side A in ‘Ballet, Band & Ballads’| url=http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/artsandbooks/artsandbooks/view/20110214-320111/Lisa-Macuj.. | work=Inquirer.net | access-date=2011-09-27}} with the bands’ Side A and Freestyle, as well as musicians Ariel Rivera, Lani Misalucha, Janno Gibbs, Jaya, Luke Mijares, Karylle, Toni Gonzaga, Kyla and Nyoy Volante.

Ballet Manila, in partnership with Areté hosted Martin Lawrance’s Filipino iteration of “Romeo + Juliet” at Hyundai Hall in Areté from 16-17 September 2023, as part of its concluded 25th performance season “Of Hope and Homecoming.”{{cite news |last1= |first1= |title=Ballet Manila partners with Ateneo's Arete to expand audience|url= https://news.abs-cbn.com/life/09/04/23/ballet-manila-partners-with-arete-to-expand-audience|accessdate=April 28, 2024 |publisher=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs |date=September 4, 2023}}{{cite news |last1=Teo |first1=Eleanor |title=The stage is set for Ballet Manila’s partnership with Areté|url= https://www.ateneo.edu/features/2023/09/06/stage-set-ballet-manilas-partnership-arete|accessdate=April 28, 2024 |publisher= Ateneo de Manila University|date=September 26, 2023}}

On January 31, 2024, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde announced at Aliw Theater, Ballet Manila's 2024 events in its 26th ballet season "Ballet Master Pieces." Lisa's "Le Corsaire (The Pirate)" opened the season on February 24-25. With partner partner Anvil Publishing, the dance adaptation of "Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang" which started in 2008 will be performed on May 11, May 12 and 18 at Aliw Theater. Mga Kuwento ni Lola Basyang includes "Ang Prinsipe ng mga Ibon", "Ang Kapatid ng Tatlong Maria", and "Ang Mahiwagang Biyulin". In the portrayal, Comedian Mitch Valdez', now in her 53rd year in show business, unlike Luz Fernandez, will "move around with the dancers" and will present a modern, “groovier” and “more hip” Lola Basyang, wearing a daster.{{cite news |last1= Cerezo|first1=Ana |title=Mitch Valdes to introduce 'groovy' and 'hip' Lola Basyang|url=https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/5/9/mitch-valdes-to-introduce-groovy-and-hip-lola-basyang-739 |accessdate=May 10, 2024 |publisher=ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs |date=May 10, 2024}}{{cite news |last1= Guiral|first1= Angela Nicole|title=Ballet Manila’s ‘Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang’ returns on stage with Mitch Valdez on the titular role|url= https://www.tatlerasia.com/lifestyle/arts/ballet-manila-tatlong-kuwento-ni-lola-basyang|accessdate=May 10, 2024 |publisher= Tatler|date=May 2, 2024}}

The season will end with Giselle, on August 31 and September 3, followed by premieres of Florante at Laura with a modern Ang Ibong Adarna and finally Snow White.

{{cite news |last1= Gatchalian|first1=Ched Rick |title=Ballet Manila set to restage 'Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang'|url= https://news.abs-cbn.com/lifestyle/2024/4/25/ballet-manila-set-to-restage-tatlong-kuwento-ni-lola-basyang-2331|accessdate=April 28, 2024 |publisher= ABS-CBN News and Current Affairs|date=April 26, 2024}}{{cite news |last1= Purnell|first1= Kristofer |title=Lisa Macuja unveils Ballet Manila's 2024 offerings; honors late dance partner Osias Barroso Jr.|url=https://www.philstar.com/lifestyle/arts-and-culture/2024/02/01/2329920/lisa-macuja-unveils-ballet-manilas-2024-offerings-honors-late-dance-partner-osias-barroso-jr |accessdate=April 28, 2024 |publisher= The Philippine Star|date=February 1, 2024}}{{cite news |last1=Lee |first1= Glaiza|title=Ballet Manila opens spectacular season|url=https://manilastandard.net/lifestyle/314418431/ballet-manila-opens-spectacular-season.html |accessdate=April 28, 2024 |publisher= Manila Standard|date=February 20, 2024}}

Ballet Manila has performed in international tours, more than 140 times since 1995. Notable tours{{cite web|title=Principals |url=http://balletmanila.ph/principals.shtml |work=Ballet Manila Old Site |access-date=2011-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101126144603/http://www.balletmanila.ph/principals.shtml |archive-date=November 26, 2010 }} include their United States tour of 2004 & 2005, their participation in the Aberdeen International Youth Festival{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila at the Aberdeen Festival| url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/178843 | work=Manila Bulletin | access-date=2011-09-30}} in 2004, the Angkor-Gyeongju World Culture Expo in Cambodia, Gyeongju World Performing arts festival in South Korea and tours in Russia, Taiwan, United Kingdom and Ireland. Ballet Manila received good raves{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila Gets Raves From UK Audiences| url=http://www.allvoices.com/contributed-news/10212260-ballet-manila-gets-raves-from-uk-audiences | work= ALL VOICES Global News| access-date=2011-09-30}}{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila earns raves from UK audiences | url=http://ph.news.yahoo.com/ballet-manila-earns-raves-uk-audiences-063812867.html | work=Yahoo News | access-date=2011-09-30}} and high praises{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila amazes London| url=http://www.arts-info.co.uk/ballet-manila-amazes-london/ | work= Arts-info.co.uk The performing arts guide| access-date=2011-09-30}}{{cite web|title=Ballet Manila Conquers London, Ireland |url=http://www.mnnetherlands.com/dir/_page/101328/index.php |work=Pablo Tariman |access-date=2011-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110919002759/http://www.mnnetherlands.com/dir/_page/101328/index.php |archive-date=2011-09-19 }}{{cite web | title=Phl Embassy Congratulates Ballet Manila’s Successful Tour in Ireland | url=http://www.dfa.gov.ph/main/index.php/news-from-rp-embassies/3427-phl-embassy-congratulates-ballet-manilas-successful-tour-in-ireland | work=Department of Foreign Affairs Philippines | access-date=2011-09-30}}{{cite web|title=Ballet Manila dominates in UK tour |url=http://www.malaya.com.ph/july15/liv4.html |work=Malaya Times |access-date=2011-09-30 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110918072124/http://www.malaya.com.ph/july15/liv4.html |archive-date=2011-09-18 }} in their performances of a recent 2011 United Kingdom and Ireland tour. The Philippine delegation was cited for performing difficult pieces such as Don Quixote, Alberto Dimarucut's "Dulce", Aguila (Eagle dance), Mga Awit at Savaw (Dances & songs), Arachnida (Spider dance), Sotto Voce, Arnis (Philippine stick-fighting combat art), Reve and excerpts from Romeo and Juliet. The company was said to have received eight standing ovations{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila gets 8 standing ovations in UK| url=http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/5953/ballet-manila-gets-8-standing-ovations-in-uk | work=Inquirer.net | access-date=2011-09-30}}{{cite web| title=Ballet Manila gets 8 standing ovations in UK| url=http://www.dancevillage.com/en/dance-news/ballet-manila.php| work=Dance Village| access-date=2011-09-30| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111025094901/http://dancevillage.com/en/dance-news/ballet-manila.php| archive-date=2011-10-25| url-status=dead}} in all of its eight performances in the same tour. The company performed in the Venetian Theatre in Macau in June 2013.

Ballet Manila School started as a spin-off from the “Lisa Macuja Summer Workshop”{{cite web|title=Ballet Manila School Profile |work=Ballet Manila School History |url=http://balletmanila.com.ph/ballet-manila-school/history/ |access-date=2011-09-29 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113013849/http://balletmanila.com.ph/ballet-manila-school/history/ |archive-date=January 13, 2012 }} which was originally conducted in the summer of 1995. Previously, the classes were held at the old Ballet Manila Studio which was located in Quezon city. The pilot class performed their first piece entitled Etudes in June 1996. The company officially opened its own summer workshops in April 1997, this time at the permanent facility, where the first enrollees were thirty six students.

The Ballet Manila School has direct links with the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. Here, the students are trained in the vaganova ballet methodology. The classes held at this school are split into five levels from 3 levels for girls, namely beginner, intermediate and finally to advance. The boy's levels however are only split into beginners and advance classes. From the time that the school opened, it has held several auditions wherein the company offers full and half scholarships to those who would successfully pass the screening. In previous years ballet was predominantly still viewed as a female art form{{cite web | title=Barre Boys| url=http://www.mb.com.ph/node/312316/barre-boy | work=Manila Bulletin | access-date=2011-09-28}} until recently wherein more people are now more appreciative of ballet which opened the opportunity for more male dancers to enroll at the institution.

Since then,{{when|date=May 2016}} the company opened up a facility located at Donada street within Pasay. The private compound currently has three rehearsal studios, a music library which houses a collection of books and videos which sole purpose is to ensure that the dancers and students are given continuous education. The company also holds ballet workshops during summers, this is done on top of the professional training and regular master classes for the company. Aside from the school, Ballet Manila is also equipped with a fully staffed office which provides marketing, logistical and administrative requirements for the company.

Project Ballet Futures (PBF) is a dance scholarship program established by Ballet Manila in 2008. It provides quality ballet education and training to elementary and high school students enrolled in public schools. As of 2011, the project has thirty-five underprivileged students{{cite web

|title=Ballet Manila Outreach Service

|url=http://balletmanila.com.ph/project-ballet-futures/backgroundhistory/

|work=Ballet Manila

|access-date=2011-09-27

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120113013947/http://balletmanila.com.ph/project-ballet-futures/backgroundhistory/

|archive-date=2012-01-13

}} from the Philippine Christian Foundation in Tondo, Manila and Gotamco Elementary School and Bonifacio Elementary School in Pasay. Along with ballet education, they are also given full meals, vitamins and other nourishment good for six days of the week, as well as ballet uniforms and shoes. The kids are chosen through an audition,{{cite web | title= In Search for a future in Ballet| url= http://www.mb.com.ph/articles/259087/in-search-future-ballet | work= Manila Bulletin| access-date=2011-09-27}} where the successful ones are given daily ballet class training in an accelerated dance program. In a 2010 interview with Macuja-Elizalde, she said that one of the first male scholar was the Macuja family's house boy, the late Rolando Tagaro. Tagaro then went on to become the company's costume master where he was earning enough to send money back to his family in the province and send several children to school.{{citation needed|date=May 2016}}

In March 2010, it was reported that Lisa Macuja-Elizalde had sustained minor injuries during rehearsal. This prompted the cancellation{{cite web | title=Lisa Macuja injured; 'Ballet and Ballads' postponed| url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/02/18/10/lisa-macuja-injured-ballet-ballads-postponed | work=ABS CBN News | access-date=2011-09-28}} of several shows that year. Upon consulting her physician, she underwent surgery{{cite web| title=Ballet Manila: standing en pointe, on its own| url=http://www.bworldonline.com/weekender/content.php?id=33214| archive-url=https://archive.today/20130118195913/http://www.bworldonline.com/weekender/content.php?id=33214| url-status=dead| archive-date=2013-01-18| work=Business World| access-date=2011-09-28}} to release her tendons in December 2011. Despite being able to walk a day after checking out of the hospital, she acknowledged that she might only have three to four years left before she finally retires from dancing. Subsequently, Macuja-Elizalde underwent another operation in August 2011, this time it was to correct her plantar fasciitis problem. In early September of the same year, Macuja-Elizalde announced{{cite web | title=Lisa Macuja holds farewell performances of 'Swan Lake'| url=http://lifestyle.inquirer.net/14695/lisa-macuja-holds-farewell-performances-of-%E2%80%98swan-lake%E2%80%99 | work=Philippine Daily Inquirer | access-date=2011-09-28}} that she will dance her last full-length Swan Lake in a series of shows scheduled in October 2011. She stated that she would eventually concentrate on being the company's artistic director after a series of farewell performances.

• Lisa Macuja-Elizalde{{Cite news |last=Dillon |first=Sam |date=2007-02-11 |title=Troubles Grow for a University Built on Profits |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/11/education/11phoenix.html |access-date=2023-02-09 |issn=0362-4331}}Basilio Esteban S. Villaruz Treading Through: 45 Years of Philippine Dance, 2006, {{ISBN|978-971-542-509-4}}
• Osias Barroso{{cite web| title=et Manila’s Le Corsaire: Imports urge dancers to step up| url=http://www.runthru.com.ph/home/reviews-4/ballet-manila-le-corsaire| work=Run Thru Magazine| access-date=2011-09-28| archive-date=2012-04-25| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120425002730/http://www.runthru.com.ph/home/reviews-4/ballet-manila-le-corsaire| url-status=dead}}{{cite web | title=Osias Barroso hangs his dancing shoes| url=http://www.varsitarian.net/circle/osias_barroso_hangs_his_dancing_shoes | work=UST Varsitarian | access-date=2011-09-28}}{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila's Le Corsaire| url= http://www.clickthecity.com/events/details.php?id=9039| work=Clickthecity.com | access-date=2011-09-28}}
• Mylene Agabao-Salgado

{{cite web

|title=Ballet Manila Triumphs in 'Don Quixote'

|work=STAR – Archived by NewsFlash

|url=http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb003887.htm

|access-date=2011-09-29

|url-status=dead

|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111007065828/http://www.newsflash.org/2004/02/sb/sb003887.htm

|archive-date=2011-10-07

}}{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila's 'Le Corsaire' starts October 1| url=http://www.abs-cbnnews.com/lifestyle/09/28/10/ballet-manilas-le-corsaire-starts-oct-1 | work=ABS CBN News | access-date=2011-09-28}}

• Eileen Lopez

{{cite web

|title=Ballet Manila holds 2011 summer workshop!

|work=STAR – Archived by NewsFlash

|url=http://www.noypitayo.com/2011/02/22/ballet-manila-holds-2011-summer-workshop/

|access-date=2011-09-29

}}{{dead link|date=July 2017 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

• Jerome Espejo{{cite web|title=Jerome Espejo, First Soloist |url=http://deballet.com/artists/jerome-espejo |work=DeBallet |access-date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402203504/http://deballet.com/artists/jerome-espejo |archive-date=2012-04-02 }}
• Rudy de Dios{{cite web|title=Rudy De Dios, First Soloist |url=http://deballet.com/artists/rudy-de-dios |work=DeBallet |access-date=2011-09-28 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120402203508/http://deballet.com/artists/rudy-de-dios |archive-date=2012-04-02 }}
• Gerardo Francisco Jr.
• Niño Guevarra{{cite web | title= NAMCYA Fever: Niño Does Good | url= http://www.runthru.com.ph/home/features/namcya-fever-nino-does-good | archive-url= https://archive.today/20120908122428/http://www.runthru.com.ph/home/features/namcya-fever-nino-does-good | url-status= dead | archive-date= September 8, 2012 | work= Run Thru Dance Magazine | access-date= 2011-09-28 }}
• Zaira Cosico{{cite web|title=Dancers' Biographies |url=http://www.balletmanila.ph/demisoloists.shtml |work=Ballet Manila |access-date=2009-05-07 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090510022838/http://www.balletmanila.ph/demisoloists.shtml |archive-date=May 10, 2009 }}{{cite web | title=Ballet Manila presents 'The Swan, The Fairy and The Princess' | url=http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleid=436544 | work=Philstar.com | date=2009-02-02 | access-date=2009-05-07}}
• Jennifer Olayvar{{cite web|title=Demi-Soloists |url=http://balletmanila.ph/demisoloists.shtml |work=Ballet Manila Website |access-date=2009-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090610025735/http://balletmanila.ph/demisoloists.shtml |archive-date=June 10, 2009 }}{{cite web|title=STEPS Alumni |url=http://www.stepsdancestudio.ph/scholarship.html |work=STEPS website |access-date=2009-06-17 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090130062209/http://stepsdancestudio.ph/scholarship.html |archive-date=2009-01-30 }}{{cite web | title= New dance talents in Ballet Manila’s ‘Le Corsaire’ | url= http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=46662| work= Philippine Star| access-date=2009-06-17}}

{{Reflist|3}}

• {{Official website}}

{{Ballet companies}}

{{authority control}}

Category:Dance schools in the Philippines

Category:Ballet companies in the Philippines

Category:Performing groups established in 1995

Category:1995 establishments in the Philippines