This year marks a cultural milestone in the Philippines — the 30th anniversary of the establishment of Ballet Manila (BM), founded by its current chief executive officer and artistic director, Lisa Macuja-Elizalde.

The prima ballerina, who is the first foreign soloist to ever join the famous Kirov Ballet of Russia, has been a leading figure in popularizing ballet in the country. With BM, she continues to nurture dancers and stage ballets with a program of international, Filipino and original ones. It is admirable how she is committed to her passion, leading BM to reach 30 years, a major feat.

For its Pearl anniversary, BM has prepared a special program for the year, starting with The Pearl Gala: The 30th Anniversary Show, held from 7 to 9 March at their home theater, Aliw Theater, in Pasay City.

Unveiled during the gala was an exhibit, “Dance. Breathe. Repeat: Thirty Years of Ballet Manila,” curated and mounted by Art Project Inc., of journalists and curators Susan de Guzman and Giselle Kasilag. The exhibit is very informative as it tells the story of BM in pictures and words.

Aside from Macuja, BM was founded in 1995 by 11 other dancers — Osias Barroso Jr., Pamela Asprer, Kristin Dabao, Elline Damian, lanne Damian, Aileen Gallinera, Sandra Lynn Huang, Eileen Lopez, Eduardo Espejo, Jeffrey Espejo and Christopher Mohnani — with Eric V. Cruz serving as it first artistic director. Thus, their slogan is “by the dancers, of the dancers and for the dancers.”

“The idea for Ballet Manila bloomed in the living room of Lisa’s supportive parents, Cesar and Susan Macuja, who would become president and treasurer, respectively, of Ballet Manila Foundation,” the exhibit tells. “The other parents turned into the informal BM secretariat, willingly taking on tasks to help the group — from serving as ushers and ticket sellers during shows to ferrying costumes and props in their cars.”

“Everyone assumed multiple roles to get the dream going. Aside from being principal ballerina, Lisa was also artistic associate and chief of staff. Osias (Shaz) was principal danseur and ballet master while lanne Damian was rehearsal mistress. Coaxed out of retirement, the venerable Tito Eric served as artistic director, lighting designer and costume designer all rolled into one,” it further narrates.

BM’s first patron is business tycoon Fred J. Elizalde, who provided the company with headquarters and a studio, and whom Macuja married in 1997.

The exhibit details their performances around the country and abroad; tells about their mission of discovering and training new talents; and the many accolades they received. It also tells that BM dancers adhere to the Vaganova technique, “a training method that Lisa Macuja learned as a student at the Leningrad Choreographic Institute (Vaganova Academy of Russian Ballet).”

A highlight is BM’s contributions to Filipino ballet with original productions such as adaptations of Filipino literary works including Severino Reyes’ tales in Tatlong Kuwento ni Lola Basyang and Tatlo Pang Kuwento ni Lola Basyang, the korido Ibong Adarna, and Francisco Balagtas’ metrical romance Florante at Laura.