Three masters, one stage
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Manila Symphony Orchestra plays live music by Prokofiev and others for the twin bill.
Fred and Lisa Macuja Elizalde.
Vina Francisco and Sandy Lamb Moran.
Kathy and James Ileto.
Terly Chikiamco and Loida Tan.
Maria Elena and Argentina Ambassador Ricardo Bocalandro.
Philip de Mack and Naynay Velez.
Roswhita Brieger and Austria Ambassador Johann Brieger.
Denise Lopez Sta Maria, Penny Lopez Katigbak and Francesca Lopez Manotoc.
Maria Ressa, Myrza Sison and Gem Padilla.
Marie Field-Faith with daughters, Isla and Sophie.
Marlene Krishnan, Maribel Calma, Jona Romualdez
MJ Lastimosa, Bianca Bauer and Kc Halili.
Maria Barbie Arcache, Jorel Espina and JR Arce.
Maximus, EM, Isabel and TJ Sulit.
Mindy Perez Rubio, Kathleen Liechtenstein, BP chairman Antonio Cojuangco and Maan Hontiveros.
Russia Ambassador Marat Ignatyevich Pavlov, Madame Irina Pavlova, Mrs. Martynuk and Mikhail Martynuk.
Korean Ambassador Lee Sang Wa, Japanese Ambassador Kazuya Endo and Madane Akiko Endo, Anna and Chito Sobrepeña.
Dr. David Endriga, Cat Huang Endriga, Ping Valencia, Nanette De Lara and former Egyptian Ambassador Ahmed Shehabeldin.
Abelardo Galang II Dr. Diana Cua, Roque Tordesillas, Maritoni Tordesillas, Tessa Tordesillas, Mars Hidalgo and Emilio Tordesillas.
Rhoda, Petchie Beltran, Jacqui Dizon, Candy Dizon, Ginny Dizon, Cerise Dizon and Gillian Dizon.
Martina Qua, Mandy Qua, Katty Qua, Junie Peña, Julie Boschi, Isabella Fernandez, Lucia Boschi, Kali huff and Natalia Peña.
Ballet Philippines opened its historic 56th season last Friday, 1 August, at The Theatre at Solaire.
Maria Ressa lent her voice to Repertory Philippines’ (REP) Peter and the Wolf, as Ballet Philippines (BP), REP and the Manila Symphony Orchestra (MSO) came together in a rare artistic union.
Three masters, one stage — it was a gala evening of art, music and movement that brought together BP, REP and MSO for a captivating show designed for audiences of all ages.
Opening the evening was REP’s Peter and the Wolf, brought to life by artistic director Jeremy Domingo and choreographer PJ Rebullida. Narrated by 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Ressa, the piece seamlessly wove storytelling and symphonic richness, led by MSO under Maestro Marlon Chen, with Jeffrey Solares as Executive Director.
Repertory Philippines president and chief executive officer Mindy Perez-Rubio shared that the inspiration for this production traces back to her time with the San Francisco Symphony League, where she envisioned merging live theater and orchestral music to engage young audiences. That long-held dream took shape through this collaboration with BP and MSO — both of them, she noted, embraced the idea wholeheartedly.
Maan Hontiveros, MSO chair, described the evening as a true celebration of creative synergy — the first time MSO, BP and REP shared one stage. She reflected on MSO’s enduring legacy in both ballet and theater, emphasizing how orchestral music enriches storytelling and brings every performance to life.
BP’s Little Red Riding Hood, choreographed by artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk, closed the evening with whimsical grace and storytelling.
In her welcome remarks, BP president Kathleen Liechtenstein introduced the season’s theme, “Our Stage, The World” — a tribute to artistic legacy, global vision and meaningful community engagement.
She also highlighted the significance of the evening’s partnership, uniting BP, REP and MSO — three cultural pillars whose collective histories span over two centuries of Philippine performing arts.
