Lisa Macuja Elizalde Celebrates 40 Years of Ballet and Homecoming with Landmark Performances

Forty years ago, Lisa Macuja Elizalde made a life-defining decision: she left a promising career at the prestigious Kirov Ballet in Moscow (now Mariinsky Ballet) to return to the Philippines.

That bold move became the foundation of a mission that has shaped generations, bringing ballet closer to Filipino audiences and nurturing the next wave of dancers.

This year, Lisa celebrates four decades of her homecoming through Ballet Manila’s PRIMA Performance Season, a curated lineup of classical works that showcase the company’s Vaganova roots and commitment to artistic excellence while keeping ballet accessible to all. The milestone year is made even more remarkable with a special collaboration with iconic Filipino rock band The Dawn, staged at Aliw Theater on February 20 and 21 at 8:00 p.m.

Uniting two icons of their respective fields, this groundbreaking performance merges ballet and rock music, presenting The Dawn’s most beloved hits reimagined through dance. It’s a vibrant tribute to the parallel 40-year journeys of both Lisa and the band, highlighting Ballet Manila’s ongoing mission to make ballet culturally relevant and widely appreciated.

The collaboration is part of the Ballet & Ballads series, produced by Manila Broadcasting Company (MBC). Conceived by Fred J. Elizalde during Ballet Manila’s early years, Ballet & Ballads has been instrumental in fulfilling Lisa Macuja-Elizalde’s vision of presenting classical ballet alongside mainstream artists while keeping performances accessible through free or low-cost tickets.

The PRIMA Performance Season continues with several landmark productions:

• Sleeping Beauty on March 14 and 15, 2026, at Aliw Theater, accompanied by the Manila Symphony Orchestra under Maestro Alexander Vikulov.
• Paquita on June 20 and 21, 2026, highlighting the company’s classical precision and Vaganova heritage.
• La Bayadère on August 22 and 23, 2026, featuring the triumphant return of Mariinsky Ballet stars Renata Shakirova and Kimin Kim, who made their Philippine debut in 2025 with Don Quixote.

Reflecting on the milestone, Lisa said, “Forty years ago, I came home with a mission to make ballet part of Filipino life. To see that vision continue through Ballet Manila and the PRIMA Performance Season is deeply meaningful not just for me but for everyone in the company. It proves that ballet can endure, adapt, and belong to everyone.”

Other performances throughout 2026 include Ibong Adarna in Dumaguete in February and at Ateneo’s Areté in October, an international tour in Kuala Lumpur in September, and the Holiday Cheer Series in December.

The year marks more than just performances, it is a celebration of a legacy fulfilled, a vision realized, and the promise of ballet as a vital part of Filipino culture. Lisa Macuja Elizalde’s 40th homecoming year stands as a testament to perseverance, artistry, and the enduring power of choice.

For the latest updates on Ballet Manila’s performances and celebration events, visit www.balletmanila.com.ph or www.ticketworld.com.ph.