Ballet Manila's Giselle: A major step "On pointé" towards rebuilding

The cast of Ballet Manila's Giselle

After a massive fire gutted Star City, completely destroying Star Theater and damaging Aliw Theater that has housed Ballet Manila's performances for years, the remainder of company's 24th season was put in major doubt. But the company's CEO and Co-Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde's determined resolve to rise from the ashes, her dancers' desire to perform no matter what, coupled with the arts community rallying behind Ballet Manila, the impossible was made possible.

Eventually staged at the Cultural Center of the Philippines through a venue grant with backdrops, sets, props and fog machine lent by Ballet Philippines and the Manila Symphony Orchestra led by Alexander Vikulov offering a discount on their services, Ballet Manila's staging of Giselle pushed through with a one night performance at the CCP's Main Theater.

Looking back as 2019 starts to wind down, this has got to be one of the key moments in the arts and culture scene of the year or possibly even this decade.

To say that the company gave an inspired performance would be a complete understatement. Dancing the titular role of Giselle was principal Joan Sia who already did the part at the very same venue for Dance MNL a little over three years before. Being the veteran in the role, she took charge and danced as if everything depended on her which is no small feat for a character who was supposed to be naive, vulnerable, and frail.

Elpidio Magat's Albrecht provided more than just ample support for Sia's Giselle. His acting gave the audience an avenue to channel their grief. And his brisés towards the end of Act II had power and excitement that further heightened the sense of urgency as his death at the hands of the willis was becoming more imminent.

Conductor Alexander Vikulov, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, and Ballet Manila

The confident pairing of Nicole Barroso and Joshua Enciso at the Peasant Pas de deux showed why Ballet Manila's future is secure.

Akari Ida as Myrtha embodied coldness in character as she executed her steps without fail. And Mark Sumaylo take on Hilarion made me feel sorry for him as someone who always had Giselle's best interest at heart only having to meet a tragic end while the deceptive Albrecht lived to see another day.

The corps were more mature and showed improvement in leaps and bounds compared to how they were at Chopiniana from their Deux 23rd season ender earlier this year. Every time the audience showered applause to the corps whenever they were spot on, it felt like it was not just an applause for an exceptional performance, but also an applause to show their assurance, a way of communicating to the entire Ballet Manila company that the arts community have their back, that they will not be alone as they rebuild and rise from the ashes. It was one of the moments that makes an impact for life even if one was just a member of the audience.

As always, having Alexander Vikulov lead the Manila Symphony Orchestra means that one can just sit back and be immersed with the ballet without worrying that the tempo and dynamics aren't suited or tailor made to whoever is dancing on stage.

Present on that night were dancers from the Philippine Ballet Theatre who led the loudest cheers from the audience, officials from Ballet Philippines, members of the diplomatic corps, personalities from various arts and culture organizations, and even people who one would never imagine bumping into at the ballet.

The coming year will not be easy for Ballet Manila. But the way they showed their strength as a company with their recent staging of Giselle, one cannot help but feel optimistic that they will eventually rise once again.