By Susan A. De Guzman
Four of Ballet Manila’s teenage dancers are heading to St. Petersburg on April 19, bringing their Vaganova training back to its home in the heart of Russia.
It will also be a rare opportunity for them to show foreign audiences that the Russian ballet tradition – often acknowledged as the best in the world – is thriving in the Philippines, thanks in no small measure to Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, BM artistic director.
It is well-known that Lisa studied at the Leningrad Choreographic Institute in the early 1980s and was subsequently signed up by the Kirov Ballet as a soloist. She eventually established Ballet Manila, now on its twenty-first year, and has been passing on what she learned from Russia to generations of young Filipino dancers.
The prospect of joining their peers from other countries both thrills and terrifies Ballet Manila dancers Nicole Barroso, Alvin Dictado, Joshua Enciso and Marinette Franco. Chosen to participate in the forthcoming Dance Open International Ballet Festival – dubbed as “one of the biggest ballet forums in the world” today – they feel the responsibility weighing on their young shoulders.
“Sir Shaz (Barroso) has been telling us repeatedly that this is not a vacation or a gift that was just given to us. That we are there to represent the School of Ballet Manila and also the Philippines. Everything that we will do there will be a reflection on all Filipinos, so the four of us must understand our responsibility,” 14-year-old Nicole says.
The four dancers recall that when they were first told that they would be going to the Dance Open, they couldn’t quite believe it. Marinette, in fact, recalls that her first thought when they were called into the office was, they would be reprimanded for something they might have done. But when they were informed they were going to Russia, they were incredulous.
“I thought Sir Shaz was just joking,” recalls Marinette, 16. “When it finally sank in, I was so close to crying because I never thought I would be given an opportunity as big as this. Of all the great dancers in Ballet Manila, I am really, really grateful they chose me to be one of the representatives.”
“Biglang-bigla po kaming lahat pagsabi sa amin ng balita. Na-excite kaming lahat at kinabahan (We were surprised when we were told the news. We all got excited and nervous at the same time),” says Alvin, 15, who joined Ballet Manila in 2011.
Even as they admit to this mix of emotions, they have been busy preparing intensively for their trip. Joshua, 16, is looking forward to the experience and the exposure. “I want to learn more about ballet and to meet other coaches and dancers,” he enthuses. Joshua dreams of one day becoming a principal dancer and a ballet teacher.
Now on its 15th year, Dance Open International Ballet Festival gathers the best students, artists and choreographers from as many as 18 countries for such activities as master classes, lectures, tours to Russia’s art venues and performances including a Young Stars’ Gala and a Main Gala.
The four Ballet Manila dancers will get to perform the lively number Tara Let’s, a choreography of Ballet Manila company artist Gerardo Francisco.
Careful consideration went into choosing the representatives to Dance Open. Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde chose the girls while co-artistic director Osias “Shaz” Barroso chose the boys.
Lisa notes that Nicole and Marinette are both incoming members of Ballet Manila 2 at a very young age and were finalists in last year’s Asian Grand Prix competition in Hong Kong, with Nicole even landing the silver medal in her Junior B category. Both have also performed lead roles in the company’s Must Dance 2 recital in last year’s school performance – Marinette as Medora and Nicole as Gulnara in Le Corsaire.
“Most importantly, they both exude the style and technique of the Russian Vaganova trained dancer, having trained exclusively in the School of Ballet Manila,” Lisa points out. “But they are complete opposites when it comes to strengths. Whereas Marinette is tall and long with beautiful lines and extensions that go up, up and away, Nicole is a compact soubrette who is fast, charming and a turner.”
Shaz looks at the Russian exposure as being advantageous for the company in the long run as he sees Joshua and Alvin being future guardians of the BM dance tradition. He says that while both male dancers may not have the perfect bodies, they have other key traits that work in their favor.
“Both have marvelous stage presence. Joshua has wonderful ballon, while Alvin is light on his feet. Both have improved tremendously, have good attitude and deliver on stage,” he assesses.
He further believes the four dancers’ participation in Dance Open will be invaluable. “It will reaffirm their training in Ballet Manila,” stresses Shaz, noting that his own performance opportunities in Russia through the 1990s and in the early 2000s did that for him. As head of the group going to Russia this month, he himself is looking forward to meeting teachers and students alike and to seeing “what’s happening out there.”
Meantime, preparations have been going full-blast for the four dancers. On top of their daily classes, they are training for Dance Open and also for this year’s Asian Grand Prix. “May dagdag pa po na 100 percent effort para po hindi mabigla ‘yung katawan kasi po baka mas mahirap at malamig din po. Mas inalagaan din po ang health para hindi po mapalagpas ang opportunity na ito (We’re adding 100 percent effort so that our bodies are prepared because it might be harder because it’s colder there. Also, we’re taking better care of our health so that we won’t miss this opportunity,” says Nicole.
“We’re trying to remember all of the tips and corrections our teachers are giving us so that we’ll be ready in Russia,” adds Marinette.
All of them are eager to participate in the master classes and interact with dancers of different nationalities. They are also excited to see Russian sights and get a taste of Russian culture, particularly visiting museums and watching ballet performances which are part of the Dance Open schedule.
Naturally, these youngsters are going to Russia brimming advice from their teacher Shaz and their parents.
Apart from practical tips on what clothes to pack and what to expect in Russia, Marinette says that Shaz has been encouraging them to do really well in class. She also shares, “My mom told me to continue improving because why stop now when the opportunity is already in front of you. Work harder to do better.”
As for Alvin, “Sabi po ng Mama at Papa ko na mag-ingat sa biyahe at lagi nakatututok sa aking mga kasama sa Russia. Ang sabi sa akin ni Sir Shaz dapat mag-behave, magsulat sa ballet class, magpasalamat sa BM at maging mapagpakumbaba. (My mother and father told me to take care while on this trip and to be always mindful of my companions in Russia. Sir Shaz said we should behave, take down notes in class, thank BM and stay humble).”
Adds Joshua, “Teacher Shaz told us that we should take class everyday to keep our body in shape because the weather is different in Russia. My parents are so excited and happy for me. Their advice is to be humble and always keep my feet on the ground.”
“Sabi po nila mama and papa, isa-isa na daw po natutupad mga dreams ko. Sabi nga daw po nila makakapunta po ako sa mga iba’t ibang lugar basta mahalin ko po itong pagba-ballet ko. Proud daw po sila sa akin, stay humble daw po at ‘wag kakalimutan si Lord po (My parents told me I’m achieving my dreams one by one. They said I could go to different places as long as I put my heart into ballet. They said they are proud of me, that I should stay humble and to not forget thanking the Lord),” says Nicole.