Filipino audiences have long embraced stories of sweeping romance, hidden identities, and hard-won triumph. Ballet Manila now brings these themes to life in a landmark moment with the country’s first-ever full-length staging of the classical masterpiece Paquita. Choreographed by the company’s founder and artistic director, Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the production goes onstage at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City, with performances on June 19 at 8:00 p.m. and June 20 to 21 at 5:00 p.m.
Though Paquita is a cornerstone of classical ballet, it is rarely performed in its entirety. Because of its dramatic narrative, Lisa believes the ballet will be remarkably relatable to Filipino audiences. Lisa describes the narrative as “quite like a soap opera, with twists and turns that are amusing and entertaining which is perfect for Filipinos who love a great story or telenovela.”
Set in Spain, the story follows a young Romani woman who saves the life of a French officer, Lucien, from a governor’s assassination plot. Along the way, she discovers her own noble heritage, allowing the couple to overcome rigid social barriers and marry in a happy ending that many Filipinos love.
A Rare Full-Length Staging of Paquita
The journey to this landmark production began in March 2025, when Paquita’s grand divertissement was performed during Ballet Manila’s Pearl Gala celebration. The brief excerpt sparked a deeper curiosity in Lisa as she recalled starting to dig into the story behind the ballet excerpt.
“When I finally read it in full, I decided that it would be exciting and perfectly manageable to present a two-act classical ballet to the Filipino audience.”
That discovery eventually led to Ballet Manila’s decision to present the complete ballet, bringing one of classical ballet’s most celebrated works to local audiences in its full form. The production represents a significant achievement not only for Ballet Manila but also for the Philippine ballet community.
Bringing the Classical Ballet to Filipino Audiences
While the production honors its classical roots, Macuja Elizalde intentionally avoided watching existing versions in order to make the choreography entirely her own.
“I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head,” she explained. “But the actual creation didn’t happen until I was in the studio in front of the dancers.”
The creative process allowed the ballet to develop organically through collaboration with the dancers while remaining grounded in Ballet Manila’s strong Russian ballet foundation. Lisa noted that the company’s 40-member ensemble is the perfect size to handle the intricate and challenging choreography required by the production.
At the heart of the ballet, two pairs of dancers alternate in the lead roles. Principal dancers Joshua Enciso and Abigail Oliveiro share the spotlight with soloists Shamira Drapete and Jos David Andes. Together, they embody the dual spirit of Paquita and Lucien, bringing fresh brilliance to one of classical ballet’s most dazzling showcases.
For Oliveiro, taking on the role of Paquita under Lisa’s direction has been both rewarding and collaborative.
“It is always a good experience, and she is very clear in what she wants while keeping an open mind,” Oliveiro shared. “I try to listen and observe what Ma’am Lisa wants from the ballet, character, or scene so I can understand her vision and fulfill it.”
The role has also allowed Oliveiro to explore a different side of her artistry.
“I realized I had to tap into my more playful side which, dare I say, is not a common theme in a lot of my repertoire,” she added. “So I’m certainly enjoying being playful.”
A Historic Milestone for Ballet Manila
Ultimately, the creative team and cast hope the production leaves audiences feeling uplifted and delighted. Lisa expressed her hopes for the audience experience, saying:
“I hope the audience will laugh at the comedic scenes and swoon in the romantic ones; as well as stand up and scream during the technically difficult portions! I hope the audience comes out of the theater smiling and humming the music.”
The Philippine ballet scene will reach another milestone with the historic world premiere of Paquita on June 19 at 8:00 p.m. and June 20 and 21 at 5:00 p.m. The production highlights Ballet Manila’s continued commitment to presenting world-class classical ballet while making timeless stories accessible and engaging for Filipino audiences.
Those interested in following Ballet Manila’s schedule of performances and celebration events may visit Ballet Manila’s website or Ticketworld page for updates and ticket information.
