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Prima ballerina Lisa Macuja earns her rightful place in Pinoy hearts
by IME MORALES
Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s win as Entertainer of the Year in the recent Aliw Awards confirms the place of ballet on the map of the popular entertainment industry. She was pleasantly surprised, and was emotional as she accepted her award.
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GMA News Online got in touch with Macuja to get her reaction to this recent feat, and to talk about her ankle injury. She also shared her plans for the final stretch of her professional career as a ballerina, as well as what she looks forward to after her retirement.
Did you ever think that you would get an Aliw Award (Entertainer of the Year)? Or is it something totally unexpected? What does this Award mean to you, to someone who is recognized not only here, but all over the world?
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Lisa Macuja as the Sugar Plum Fairy in Ballet Manila's 'The Nutcracker.' Photos courtesy of Lisa Macuja
Looking back on that evening, the only hint was when I was encouraged to stay until the end by one of the organizers when he visited our table. We (Ballet Manila and myself) were nominated in three categories. We won in all three. I was dumbstruck and super thrilled when they announced that I was named Entertainer of the Year. It was a huge surprise. I started to cry and blubber my way through the acceptance speech.
I was very happy that the award affirmed the fact that the classical arts represent a huge form of entertainment today that remains current and marketable. Whether it’s ballet, opera, or the symphony—classical artists work very, very hard to perfect their craft. So the award was a victory for all classical artists. And particularly for dancers, we have relatively short careers as live performers so I was very moved by the recognition as Entertainer of the Year.
What are your plans for the next months before your retirement? What are the shows lined up for the remaining period of your series?
I need to choose my next performances very, very carefully. The next few months I will spend in recovery. I had an MRI of my ankles three weeks ago and was advised by my doctor to immediately rest for at least a month to up to three months. I will be undergoing treatment to protect my cartilage. Obviously, my body is already showing the wear and tear of dancing for the last 28 seasons.
My plan is to do my Year 3 Swan Song Series with final performances of the full-length classical ballets “La Bayadere,” “Le Corsaire,” and “The Nutcracker” in October to December 2013. And also be able to do a repeat performance of “The Legends & The Classics” (Aliw Awards Best Concert Collaboration) with Cecile Licad and Lea Salonga. I will also prioritize my performances to be ones that will raise funds for charitable organizations, particularly for scholarships and education, which are my personal causes. However, these plans will all depend on the results of my treatment. I will be able to make more concrete plans by February next year.
Can you share with us some of your post-retirement plans?
I want to travel for pure pleasure. No need to keep in shape for upcoming performances after the trip. I also plan to keep on working behind the scenes in Ballet Manila—as a teacher, coach, mentor and director. I would love to dabble in choreography more often. Also, I would love to be able to have several Ballet Manila satellite schools.
Lisa with Rudy De Dios at the Aliw Theater in 2007
What would you consider the highlight of your career in ballet?
My performances as the principal ballerina with so many different companies abroad and here in the Philippines. I am proudest of the fact that I have enjoyed being an international guest artist while being based in my own country for the greater part of my career.
(Another highlight would be) the first time I danced my dream classical ballerina roles. If I have to pick one particular highlight, that would probably be celebrating my 25th anniversary as a prima ballerina, because I danced so much that night and never got tired. It was a dream concert that centered on all the different roles I have performed throughout my career.
As a ballet dancer who has been actively performing for more than two decades, what would you say are the biggest benefits that ballet has given you, in terms of health, discipline, relationships, personal fulfillment, and even financial or practical gains?
I think the BIGGEST benefit of all was that I was able to keep doing something I loved to do, something that I was passionate about. So, I had a job that I didn't consider work at all but pure pleasure.
In terms of health, I was fortunate to have a job that kept me physically fit and required me to maintain my body at peak performance levels all the time.
The discipline that has been instilled in me to keep dancing has rubbed off on everything I do today. I remain committed and 100 percent dedicated to any task that I set before me.
I don't think I would have even met my husband had I not become a ballerina. So even my personal life, such as having three beautiful children and a loving husband, I owe to my career as a ballerina. — KG/HS, GMA News
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