How Ballet Manila breathes new life into the epic poem ‘Florante at Laura’—bridging generations through dance

While productions like The Nutcracker or Giselle are staples of classical ballet, reimagining Filipino literary classics like Florante at Laura—a long, epic poem—in dance form is a bold move. Indeed, Ballet Manila’s commitment to fusing literature with the art of ballet sets it apart from others, proof of Macuja-Elizalde’s enduring ambition and vision. “What we wanted was not just to tell the story, but to celebrate it in a way that felt new,” she says. “This ballet isn’t just about movement; it’s about storytelling, about reminding people of the importance of our cultural roots.”

The first act, though beautifully staged, felt quite burdened by its pacing. The transition from the prologue to the main narrative was abrupt, a momentary confusion that felt more like a misstep than an intentional decision. However, both Enciso and Abigail Oliveiro quickly recalibrated the performance with their portrayals of Florante and Laura. Oliveiro, in particular, was a revelation. Her Laura was regal yet tender: her movements embodying the grace and nobility of a princess while still conveying the vulnerability of a woman caught in a whirlwind of political and personal turmoil.

The set, designed by Mio Infante, was another strong element of the production. Unlike the elaborate sets often seen in shows like varieties of Swan Lake, Infante’s approach here was about fluidity. Rather than rely on elaborate props, Infante created a monochromatic world that transformed seamlessly from palace halls to dense forests. “When we put in the set, it felt like giving the choreographers a playground,” Infante says. Unlike productions such as Giselle, where the set often competes with the dancers for attention, here, the set was an extension of the movement—a subtle but impactful choice that complemented the choreography without overshadowing it.

After the intermission, the second act found a much-needed sense of urgency and dynamism. Here, the character of Flerida, portrayed by Stephanie Santiago, became a memorable point. Santiago’s performance was commanding, especially in the climactic moment when Flerida saves Laura by launching an arrow—represented by a dancer soaring across and above the stage. The audience erupted in cheers as Flerida’s decisive action brought the story to its apex, a moment that perfectly encapsulated the ballet’s blending of narrative drama with dance.

The partnership between co-choreographers Gerardo Francisco Jr and Martin Lawrance was another highlight. With Francisco focusing on one act and Lawrance on another, the production found a delicate balance between classical tradition and contemporary innovation. Francisco’s act leaned into sweeping movements and grand gestures, while Lawrance introduced more modern, angular choreography. “We did a lot of research, even watching the 1950s film adaptation of Florante at Laura,” Lawrance shares. It was clear that their partnership was built on mutual respect. “We feed off each other’s energy,” Francisco adds, highlighting the integration of their two styles.

Ballet Manila’s Florante at Laura succeeds where it counts. It brings to life a tale that is both timeless and distinctly Filipino, all while pushing the boundaries of how we engage with cultural classics. Much like previous productions that have reinterpreted literary works through ballet, such as Romeo and Juliet or Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, this latest offering proves the power of dance to transform the familiar into something revelatory.

Related: Passing down the magic one generation at a time: A review of Ballet Manila’s ‘Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang’

As the final notes of Cayabyab’s score faded and the curtain fell, the sense of collective pride was thick in the air. For the young children in the audience, perhaps this was their first experience of ballet. But for many adults, it was a return to a text that once seemed like a distant memory. It was more than just a performance—it was a bridge between generations, a reminder of the stories that shape us and the power of art to keep those stories alive.

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