A beloved Filipino story is returning to the stage in an enchanting new form as Ballet Manila brings Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna to Quezon City this October. The production transforms the classic tale of an enchanted bird, royal brothers, forbidden love, and a quest for healing into a theatrical experience of music, movement, and dance.

One of Ballet Manila’s most beloved and frequently performed productions, Ibong Adarna will be staged at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University on October 9 at 7:30 p.m. and October 10 at 5 p.m.

“Ibong Adarna is one of Ballet Manila’s most requested offsite performances. This year, it already had two shows at Jose Rizal Coliseum in Laguna, and now the production is bound to return to Areté in Ateneo before continuing its way to Iloilo,” said Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila CEO and Artistic Director.

A Filipino Classic Through Dance

The story follows the three princes of Berbanya—Don Pedro, Don Diego, and Don Juan—as they embark on a journey to find the mythical Adarna, whose magical song can heal their ailing father, King Fernando. The prince who succeeds in capturing the legendary bird will inherit the throne.

For the Areté performances, Shaira Comeros will portray Ibong Adarna alongside Mark Sumaylo as Don Pedro, Rafael Perez as Don Juan, and Romeo Peralta as Don Diego. The alternate cast features Jessica Pearl Dames as Ibong Adarna, Juan Angelo De Leon as Don Juan, Ralp John Balagot as Don Pedro, and Sean Pelegrin as Don Diego.

Although the production has been staged numerous times, each restaging brings a fresh interpretation shaped by its evolving cast. “Every time we bring Ibong Adarna to a new audience, we discover something new about the story and the characters,” Macuja Elizalde shared. “It remains familiar to many Filipinos, but ballet allows us to experience the story in a different way.”

The Areté run is part of Ballet Manila’s continuing effort to bring ballet closer to wider audiences by taking performances beyond traditional theater spaces and into communities and cities.

For those who grew up with Ibong Adarna through school, books, or childhood stories, the production offers a new way to experience the classic tale through the artistry of live ballet.

Catch Ibong Adarna at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University on October 9 and 10 only. Tickets are available through TicketWorld. For performance updates, visit Ballet Manila.