Ballet Manila Brings Florante at Laura Back to Life in a Dazzling Celebration of Filipino Heritage

Ballet Manila is set to rekindle the soul of a literary classic as it brings back Florante at Laura, Francisco Balagtas’ timeless epic, to the stage this October.

This bold and breathtaking production transforms one of Philippine literature’s greatest works into a moving spectacle of myth, music, and classical ballet.

After a sold-out world premiere and an emotionally resonant run at Areté, the reimagined Florante at Laura returns to Aliw Theater for another round of spellbinding performances. Mark your calendars: October 3 at 8:00 PM, and October 4 and 5 at 5:00 PM.

For Ballet Manila founder and artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, this staging is not just a performance, it’s a passionate call to reconnect with our cultural roots.

“Bringing Florante at Laura back to the stage feels like coming full circle. The first run was a dream realized. Now, with this third staging, it feels less like a return and more like a reckoning,” says Lisa. “This ballet continues to teach us how timeless our heritage can be.”

This production unites Ballet Manila’s finest creative talents. At the heart of it all is an original score by National Artist for Music Ryan Cayabyab, brought vividly to life by the Orchestra of the Filipino Youth under conductor Toma Cayabyab.

“To see and hear the music move again, it’s like watching a memory evolve,” Ryan shares. “Legacy isn’t static. This restaging proves our classics still speak powerfully today.”

Choreographers Gerardo Francisco Jr. and Martin Lawrance once again craft the ballet’s emotional pulse, masterfully blending tension and tenderness drawn from Balagtas’ poetic verse. The libretto, adapted by Dr. Michael Coroza, roots the production in rich, resonant language that bridges old-world tradition with contemporary storytelling.

Visually, the audience is transported into the heart of Berbania, thanks to set designer Mio Infante and costume designer Therese Arroyo. Their work draws from Persian influences and Filipino textures, creating a world where every element, movement, music, and design, flows in harmony.

This October, Ballet Manila invites both first-time viewers and returning audiences to be part of this rare cultural revival. Whether it’s your first encounter or a return to a beloved piece, Florante at Laura offers something profoundly moving and unmistakably Filipino.

All shows will be held at Aliw Theater in Pasay City.

🎟 For tickets, visit www.ticketworld.com.ph

📖 Learn more about Ballet Manila at www.balletmanila.com.ph