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As Ballet Manila turns 20, Lisa’s passion for the dance lives on
Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. Photos by Riz Pulumbarit
Her eyes twinkled as she recounted poignant moments from the last 20 years of Ballet Manila.
'We couldn't see our feet'
'We couldn't see our feet'
Even with just a handful of dancers, they couldn’t rehearse all at the same time because they did not have a proper ballet studio and only used a makeshift rehearsal area at Lisa’s parents’ house in Quezon City.
“Six at a time” was how the dancers rehearsed, Lisa recalled. At their rehearsal area, they did not have something very basic to ballet studios: a floor-to-ceiling mirror that helps dancers correct their movements.
Their makeshift studio had a mirror, but only half of the required size. “We couldn’t see our feet,” Lisa said.
Despite the challenges, Lisa said they pushed through with putting up Ballet Manila because they wanted a dance company that promoted classical ballet showcasing the rigid Russian Vaganova training.
Un-vagueing Vaganova
During a recent press preview of Ballet Manila’s 20th anniversary concert at the Aliw Theater, Lisa said other ballet companies often ask her what differentiates their Vaganova training from other methods.
“What makes us different from other companies is our commitment to the highest standards of classical ballet, based on our Russian Vaganova roots,” Lisa said.
Lisa explained that one of the marked differences of the Vaganova style is the shoulder movement. In other ballet styles, the shoulders are mostly kept “square.” With the Vaganova style, Lisa said they use more shoulder movement in executing a dance.
Lisa is the Philippines’ first prima ballerina. In 1984, at the age of 20, Lisa became the first foreign soloist of the prestigious Kirov Ballet in Russia. She was a scholar at Vaganova Choreographic Institute in Leningrad and graduated at the top of her class. Throughout the years, Lisa’s passion for the highest standards of ballet has not wavered.
Ballet Manila School today is directly associated with the Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet in St. Petersburg, Russia. Ballet Manila now also has over 50 professional dancers. It has three rehearsal studios and even a music library.
The company holds performances at the Aliw theater and Star Theater, both located within Star City in Pasay City.
Down-to-earth
BM 2.0
Down-to-earth
One of Ballet Manila’s dancers, American Brian Williams, told GMA News Online that they train everyday from 1 p.m. to 10 p.m.
Williams said when he first arrived in the Philippines and joined Ballet Manila six months ago, he was a bit overwhelmed to be training under Lisa because of her renowned achievements in the world of ballet.
Later, however, he learned that Lisa was someone who was very supportive and “wanted each of us to perform at our best.”
Williams said he now finds it comforting to know that Lisa is watching over them during their trainings and secretly cheering them on during every performance.
Project Ballet Futures
Project Ballet Futures
Williams is one of the featured soloists in "Ecole," which will be shown during Ballet Manila’s anniversary concert. The gala night is on February 28 while the matinee is on the next day, March 1.
Lisa said “Ecole” is significant because it ushers in a new generation of talents.
“It will also show the future of Ballet Manila because it will feature our top students and scholars from both the BM School and Project Ballet Futures," she said.
Launched in 2008, Project Ballet Futures is a dance scholarship program that provides free ballet education to elementary and high school students from public schools.
The scholars receive a regular supply of ballet shoes and apparel as well as healthy meals, milk, and vitamins to help them cope with the rigorous demands of their training.
For the love of ballet
For the love of ballet
Meanwhile, asked which she preferred more – being a dancer or being a ballet company CEO and artistic director – Lisa said it is still dancing for her.
“Even up to now, I still love dancing very much,” Lisa told GMA News Online. In 2011, Lisa announced her retirement with a three-year "Swan Song Series" featuring her final performance of full-length ballet classics.
According to Lisa, her biggest wish is for more people to appreciate ballet. She emphasized that their aim at Ballet Manila is “to bring ballet to the people and the people to the ballet.”
Asked what her favorite performances were during Ballet Manila’s last 20 years, Lisa said she did not have a particular favorite, but she has fond memories of the non-classical piece “Tatlong Kwento ni Lola Basyang.”
Lisa said they hope to produce more concerts similar to “Lola Basyang” as it is something that more people can relate to.
Photo courtesy of Ballet Manila
For their 20th anniversary concert on February 28, one of the performances is entitled “Tara Let’s” where the dancers are wearing ordinary casual clothes—jeans, t-shirt, polo—and even rubber shoes.
“Tara Let’s” was originally done by BM principal artist Gerardo Francisco for the 2014 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference. Another special feature of their 20th anniversary concert is "Bloom" by Belgian-Colombian choreographer Annabelle Lopez Ochoa.
"Through the years Ballet Manila has worked with various international artists. 'Bloom' is actually Annabelle Lopez Ochoa's first work for an Asian dance company,” Lisa said.
During the anniversary concert, Lisa said they will “welcome back our alumna, Christine Rocas, who has been enjoying a successful career at Joffrey Ballet in Chicago. She will perform with her regular partner, Rory Hohenstein." — VC, GMA News
The anniversary concert—“BM 2.0”—goes on stage on February 28, 7:30 p.m. and March 1, 3:00 p.m. at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City. Tickets are available at Ticketworld, 891 9999.
