Ballet Manila is set to make history this June with the Philippine premiere of the full-length classical ballet Paquita, a landmark production spearheaded by the company’s founder and artistic director, Lisa Macuja Elizalde.

The historic staging will run at the Aliw Theater in Pasay City on:

  • June 19, 2026 (8:00 PM)
  • June 20, 2026 (5:00 PM)
  • June 21, 2026 (5:00 PM)

Alternating in the lead roles are two pairs of Ballet Manila artists:

  • Principal dancers Mark Sumaylo and Abigail Oliveiro
  • Soloists Jos David Andes and Shamira Drapete

From Gala Highlight to Full-Length Production

The idea for the production emerged after Ballet Manila presented the Paquita divertissement during its Pearl Gala celebration in March 2025.

Macuja Elizalde recalled being fascinated by the famous ballet excerpt and wanting to explore the story behind it.

“I have always wondered where this beautiful ballet excerpt comes from in the context of the story of Paquita. The ballet excerpt is always described as the culmination of the love story of a gypsy girl Paquita with a French officer Lucien.”

After researching the ballet’s origins and narrative, she became convinced that a complete staging would resonate strongly with Filipino audiences.

A Story of Love, Identity, and Triumph

Set in Spain, Paquita follows the journey of a young Romani woman who saves the life of French officer Lucien from an assassination plot orchestrated by a governor.

As the story unfolds, Paquita discovers her noble heritage, allowing her and Lucien to overcome social barriers and pursue their love. The ballet’s themes of romance, self-discovery, and triumph over adversity offer a narrative that Macuja Elizalde believes will appeal deeply to local audiences.

A Unique Ballet Manila Interpretation

Rather than drawing inspiration from existing productions, Macuja Elizalde intentionally chose not to watch other versions of Paquita.

Instead, she immersed herself in extensive research and music studies to develop an entirely original interpretation.

“I read the lengthy text in a book about rare Russian ballets that included Paquita. I listened to the music of the full-length ballet by Anna-Marie Holmes, Kevin Gaile, and Li-Mei Liang. I started to build the ballet chapter by chapter in my head.”

Her version blends classical traditions with fresh storytelling choices. She restructured portions of the score and redistributed some of the ballet’s most celebrated variations throughout the narrative rather than presenting them solely in the traditional finale.

“I combined and interchanged music pieces. Included some of the famous variations but to be danced in the beginning and middle portions of the ballet, instead of having all the variations in the end divertissement the way it is normally performed.”

Showcasing Ballet Manila’s Vaganova Heritage

The production also highlights Ballet Manila’s strong foundation in the Russian Vaganova method, brought to life by the company’s 40-member ensemble.

Macuja Elizalde expressed particular pride in lead dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Shamira Drapete, both of whom are making their debut as Paquita.

For Oliveiro, working with Macuja Elizalde has been both inspiring and collaborative.

“It is always a good experience, and she is very clear in what she wants while keeping an open mind. I try to listen and observe what Ma’am Lisa wants from the ballet, character, or scene so I can understand her vision and fulfill it.”

The role has also allowed Oliveiro to explore new dimensions of her artistry.

“I realized I had to tap into my more playful side, which, dare I say, is not a common theme in a lot of my repertoire. So I’m certainly enjoying being playful.”

A Lasting Legacy

For Macuja Elizalde, Paquita represents more than another production in Ballet Manila’s repertoire—it is a deeply personal artistic achievement and part of her enduring contribution to Philippine ballet.

“Personally, this particular world premiere of Paquita is like a baby of mine. When you create a new full-length ballet almost from scratch, it is like giving birth to a living, breathing creation. It is a ballet that will be uniquely Ballet Manila’s. A part of our classical ballet legacy!”

With its blend of classical elegance, original choreography, and compelling storytelling, Paquita promises to be one of Ballet Manila’s most significant productions to date.

For schedules, tickets, and updates, visit Ballet Manila Official Website or TicketWorld Philippines.