Forty years ago, Lisa Macuja Elizalde made a bold choice that would shape Philippine dance for generations. At the height of an international career with the Kirov Ballet in Moscow, she returned home, driven by a mission to bring ballet closer to the Filipino people. Today, she marks this milestone with a season of carefully curated performances through Ballet Manila’s PRIMA Performance Season, culminating in a landmark collaboration with iconic rock band The Dawn as part of the Ballet & Ballads series.

This milestone year unfolds through Ballet Manila’s PRIMA Performance Season, a carefully curated lineup that reflects the company’s Vaganova heritage while reaffirming its long-standing commitment to accessibility. More than a celebration of longevity, PRIMA is a statement of continuity, of how classical ballet can remain rigorous, relevant, and rooted in the local imagination.

Anchoring the anniversary is a landmark collaboration with iconic Filipino rock band The Dawn, staged at the Aliw Theater on February 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m. Presented as part of the Ballet & Ballads series and produced by Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC), the production brings together two institutions that have each shaped their respective art forms for four decades. The Dawn’s most recognizable songs will be reimagined through ballet, creating a dialogue between movement and music that bridges generations and genres.

Ballet & Ballads itself is a fitting vehicle for this collaboration. Conceived in the early years of Ballet Manila by Fred J. Elizalde, the series has played a vital role in making ballet more approachable by pairing it with mainstream artists and keeping performances either free or affordably priced. The partnership with The Dawn continues that legacy, reinforcing Ballet Manila’s belief that classical art thrives when it meets audiences where they are.

Beyond Ballet & Ballads, the PRIMA season unfolds with three major productions. Sleeping Beauty takes the stage on March 14 and 15, 2026, at Aliw Theater, accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under the baton of Maestro Alexander Vikulov. This is followed by Paquita on June 20 and 21, 2026, a work that places Ballet Manila’s Vaganova training and classical precision firmly in the spotlight. The season culminates with La Bayadère on August 22 and 23, 2026, featuring the return of Mariinsky Ballet guest artists Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim, who first captivated Philippine audiences in 2025 with Don Quixote.

The year’s calendar extends beyond Metro Manila, with Ibong Adarna touring Dumaguete in February and Ateneo’s Areté in October, an international engagement in Kuala Lumpur in September, and the Holiday Cheer Series closing the year in December.

Reflecting on the journey, Macuja-Elizalde shared, “Forty years ago, I came home with a mission to make ballet part of Filipino life… It proves that ballet can endure, adapt, and belong to everyone.” In 2026, that mission feels not only intact but renewed, shaped by PRIMA, amplified by The Dawn, and sustained by a vision that began with one dancer’s decision to come home.

For schedules and updates, visit Ballet Manila’s website at www.balletmanila.com.ph or its Ticketworld page at www.ticketworld.com.ph
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