UMVA has learned that Ballet Manila is set to stage the first full-length production of Paquita in the Philippines, featuring two star pairs of dancers in the lead roles.
The company's artistic director, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, has handpicked Principal dancers Abigail Oliveiro and Mark Sumaylo, and soloists Shamira Dropete and Jos David Andes for their exceptional technique and endurance. They will perform at the Aliw Theater on June 19 at 8 p.m., June 20 at 5 p.m., and June 21 at 5 p.m.
The journey to staging this full-length production began in March 2025, with a divertissement performed during Ballet Manila's Pearl Gala serving as an excerpt of Paquita. Macuja-Elizalde had always been curious about staging the entirety of the ballet, saying that creating a full-length ballet is like giving birth.
At its core, Paquita is a story of love, self-discovery, and triumph, centered on the titular young Romani woman in Spain who saves the life of a French officer, Lucien, from a governor's assassination plot. For Oliveiro, embodying the character for the full story feels different, as Paquita is very free-spirited and loves dancing a lot.
However, due to an injury, Oliveiro's original partner Joshua Enciso had to back out, and her real-life partner and fellow principal dancer Mark Sumaylo stepped in. The pair had to recalibrate to be stage partners and not just partners in life, with Sumaylo expressing excitement and gratitude for the opportunity.
Macuja-Elizalde's version of Paquita adds more depth to the backstory, with a prologue and two acts, plus more developed comic parts. She explained that her goal was to create a story that can be understood without needing to read the program, and that Paquita is a little bit easier to do as a full-length ballet because of preexisting choreographies.
The story is a fun trope with twists and turns, opening with a murder-kidnapping, then a love triangle, and finally a betrothal. Macuja-Elizalde concluded that story ballets are an art form that must be kept alive, as they allow dancers to tell a story without words and showcase their technical skills.
Filipinos can expect a version that merges tradition with Macuja-Elizalde's own artistic sensibilities, perfect for Ballet Manila's capabilities. The company's 38 dancers will bring the story to life, portraying characters, setting a mood, and moving the audience with their performance.
