A bountiful lunch at Waterside Solaire in Parañaque was the perfect opportunity for Ballet Philippines to present its glorious 55th season. Ideal because the Theater at Solaire is the current ‘home’ of the ballet company and because BP President Kathleen ‘MayMay’ Liechtenstein has always been one for good food, and Waterside is one of my favorite F&B outlets at the integrated resort. 

The 55th season opens with La Sylphide on Aug. 9, 10 & 11; then the Christmas season treat of Peter Pan, on Dec. 6, 7 & 8. The season culminates with Ang Panaginip on Feb. 28, March 1 & 2 of 2025. In Ang Panaginip, we’ll be treated to a unique collaboration with the FDCP (Fashion Design Council of the Philippines) for costume design. That promises to be some spectacle, the national dance company working with the vanguard of local design on a homegrown, full-length ballet that celebrates the multi-hyphenate Filipina. 

La Sylphide ushers in the new season a romance ballet that hinges on elements of magic and the other world. Director Mikhail ‘Misha’ Martynyuk spoke during the press launch and lauded the dancers for taking on this most physically demanding of ballets. He also hinted about a distinctive Filipino twist on this romance classic. The Ballet Philippines rendition will weave in Filipino romanticism and mysticism to the ballet’s original narrative, blending enchantment with everyday life. To wit, it’ll be a ballet with our brand of magical realism. 

The ballet, if one recalls, opens in Scotland, where James, engaged to Effie, is enchanted by a forest fairy—the Sylphide of the title. What follows is a story that includes another man who also lines for Effie, a witch, and grave consequences for all as James succumbs to his obsession with the fairy nymph. 

With Peter Pan, BP President MayMay was proud to say this version would be very different from the Disney adaptation of the J.M. Barrie story we’re familiar with. This ballet would be more true to the original material, highlighting the Lost Boys and the notion of not wanting to grow up… or old. 

It’s no coincidence that Ang Panaginip will be mounted in March of 2025. This is Women’s Month, and the Filipiniana ballet is all about celebrating the potential and accomplishments of the Filipina. As such, it’ll be a wonderful way to close the 55th season.

There’s certainly much to look forward to in this 55th year. With the health crisis behind us, there’s also much to be grateful for in terms of persevering and surviving. MayMay touched on this and was emotional, knowing the struggle has all been worth it, and there’s so much to look forward to.