Exactly forty years ago, Lisa Macuja Elizalde made the defining choice to leave behind a flourishing career at the Kirov Ballet, now Mariinsky Ballet in Moscow, and return to the Philippines. That homecoming became the cornerstone of her mission to bring ballet to the people and people to ballet, a vision that continues to shape generations of dancers and audiences.
Four decades later, she commemorates this milestone through Ballet Manila and its PRIMA Performance Season. The curated program of classical works highlights the company’s Vaganova roots and reaffirms its commitment to sustaining excellence while making ballet accessible to Filipinos. This 40th homecoming anniversary stands as both a celebration of legacy and a reaffirmation of Ballet Manila’s role in Philippine performing arts.
PRIMA Performance Season and the Ballet & Ballads Collaboration
A highlight of the milestone year is a special collaboration with The Dawn, staged at Aliw Theater on February 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m. Both Lisa Macuja Elizalde and The Dawn are icons of their generations, and the production bridges their parallel 40 year journeys through a fusion of ballet and rock music. The performance features some of The Dawn’s most popular and iconic songs reimagined through dance, reinforcing Ballet Manila’s ongoing effort to keep ballet relevant and accessible to modern audiences.
The collaboration is presented as part of the Ballet & Ballads series and produced by Manila Broadcasting Company. A brainchild of Fred J. Elizalde during the early years of Ballet Manila, Ballet & Ballads has significantly contributed to the mission and vision of Macuja Elizalde. By performing alongside mainstream artists and keeping ticket prices either free or minimal, the series has helped introduce classical ballet to a broader public.
Through initiatives such as Ballet & Ballads, Ballet Manila strengthens its advocacy of making ballet part of Filipino cultural life while preserving the integrity of classical technique.
Landmark Productions: Sleeping Beauty, Paquita, and La Bayadère
The PRIMA Performance Season continues with a series of major classical productions that underscore Ballet Manila’s Vaganova heritage and artistic discipline.
Sleeping Beauty will be staged on March 14 and 15, 2026 at Aliw Theater, accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alexander Vikulov. This production reflects Ballet Manila’s dedication to full-length classical works performed with live orchestral accompaniment.
The season proceeds with Paquita on June 20 and 21, 2026. The production showcases the company’s Vaganova heritage and classical precision, reinforcing its reputation for technical excellence.
Finally, the season culminates with La Bayadère on August 22 and 23, 2026. The performances feature the return of guest artists Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim of the Mariinsky Ballet. Both artists made their Philippine debut in 2025 with Don Quixote, and their participation adds international distinction to the season finale.
A Cultural Milestone and Continuing Legacy
Reflecting on the milestone, Lisa shared: “Forty years ago, I came home with a mission to make ballet part of Filipino life. To see that vision continue through Ballet Manila and the PRIMA performance season is deeply meaningful not just for me but for everyone in the company. It proves that ballet can endure, adapt, and belong to everyone.”
Beyond the major productions, Ballet Manila’s 2026 calendar includes additional performances throughout the year. These include Ibong Adarna in Dumaguete in February and at Ateneo’s Areté in October, an international tour in Kuala Lumpur in September, and the Holiday Cheer Series in December.
Together, these events position 2026 as more than a performance season. The year represents a completed cultural cycle, a fulfilled legacy, and a renewed future opened by a ballerina who chose to return home at the height of international success. Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s 40th homecoming year stands as a testament to endurance, artistic excellence, and the realization of a vision that ballet belongs to the Filipino people.
For updates on Ballet Manila’s PRIMA Performance Season, collaborations, and celebration events, visit Ballet Manila’s official website at www.balletmanila.com.ph or its Ticketworld page at www.ticketworld.com.ph.
