Ballet Philippines' 53rd Season: Lineup, Collaborations, and More

After a two-year hiatus from live onstage performances, Ballet Philippines steps out to take us into an incredible 53rd season

The country's premier ballet school and company, Ballet Philippines (BP), recently hosted its annual season launch at Gallery by Chele—a highly anticipated luncheon by the company's patrons and friends after the series of quarantine restrictions due to the global health crisis.

"We wanted a launch that would reflect the inspired and invigorated spirit of the company," explained BP president Kathleen Liechtenstein. "Think of this as ‘revenge dancing.’ After years of online classes, live streaming, and digital migration, we wanted to step out again–and go where ballet has never been. We’re not just talking about locations, although that has been in the pipeline, but also new partnerships and collaborations."

Photo 1 of 9 Alonggée in Happy Andrada, worn by Ballet Philippines’ Maisie Briones, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 2 of 9 Developpé in Seconde in Randy Ortiz, worn by Ballet Philippines’ Maisie Briones, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 3 of 9 Epaulé in 4th in Rajo Laurel, worn by Ballet Philippines’ Paloma Laforteza, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 4 of 9 Posé en pointe in Dong Omaga Diaz, worn by Dani Kleiner, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol Shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 5 of 9 Developpé devant by Noel Crisostomo, worn by Paloma Laforteza, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 6 of 9 Soussus in JC Buendia, worn by Paloma Laforteza, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 7 of 9 Arabesque in Vic Barba, worn by Dani Kleiner, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 8 of 9 Arabesque in Jojie Lloren, worn by Maisie Briones, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

Photo 9 of 9 Arabesque by Joey Samson, worn by Dani Kleiner, imagery by Jo Ann Bitagcol, shot on location at Okada Manila

The guests were welcomed with Proclamation Gin cocktails, which they enjoyed while appreciating the exhibition of Jo Ann Bitagcol's fashion photographs featuring BP's core dancers. The company dancers exhibited grace and beauty in a visual narrative that is distinctly Bitagcol's, all while donning couture creations by the Fashion Design Council of the Philippines (FDCP). Shot on location at Okada Manila, the photographs gave a glimpse of what BP has in store for its 53rd season.

This collaboration between BP and FDCP continues at this year's production of Nutcracker where esteemed fashion designer and FDCP president JC Buendia will be helping with the costume design.

Photo 1 of 4 BP's production of 'Dance Through Time'

Photo 2 of 4 BP's production of 'Dance Through Time'

Photo 3 of 4 BP's production of 'Dance Through Time'

Photo 4 of 4 BP's production of 'Dance Through Time'

The celebrated restaurant Gallery by Chele prepared a sumptuous luncheon for BP's friends, patrons, board members, and some of the country's revered art enthusiasts.

Gallery by Chele's partner, owner and architect Juan Carlo Calma was hands-on with preparations. He worked closely with chef Chele Gonzalez to put together a three-course meal of tuna salad with tomato sorbet, snapper hollandaise, and sobao.

Photo 1 of 3 BP's production of 'Bolero'

Photo 2 of 3 BP's production of 'Nutcracker'

Photo 3 of 3 BP's production of 'Paquita'

“More than the usual preview of performances, we also wanted to showcase the new collaborations of Ballet Philippines in our aim to empower the creative community,” added Liechtenstein.

For its 53rd season, BP's artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk teased the guests with a dance excerpt with one of the company's core dancers Jemima Reyes. "I look forward to going back onstage and returning to the scene. Every artist knows the importance of getting back into his element and to his audience," Martynyuk said. "I’m also excited to have the opportunity to create new productions for the company. Now, we are doing a great job of restoring our bodies and spirits to discover new images."

The vision for the 53rd season is grounded in the idea of showcasing "new emotions, new discoveries, and a new crop of talented dancers on stage that audiences will fall in love with", according to Martynyuk. Thus, BP will be mounting productions of the Philippine cultural show Dance Through Time (June 2022), the Spanish classic pieces Paquita and Bolero (Act One, September 2022 Gala), the ballet adaptation of the critically acclaimed British play Equus (Act Two, September 2022), the timeless Christmas classic Nutcracker (December 2022), and the biographical piece Rizal (March 2023).

Above BPDS Pre-professional Training will mentor students to be the best dance professionals they can

Furthermore, Ballet Philippines Dance School (BPDS) launches three studios to encourage more enthusiasts to enrol in BP's rigorous and nurturing training programme. BPDS Studio One at the CCP Complex has a mix of both online and in-person classes, BPDS SM Aura in Taguig has in-person classical and contemporary dance classes as they are different dance-related health and fitness programmes, while BPDS Online offers virtual classes perfect for regional and international students.

For more information, visit ballet.ph and follow @balletphlippines on Instagram

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Ballet Philippines Goes Full Gear for its 53rd Season