If my career in PR doesn't pan out, I think I'll pursue my original dream and become a ballerina instead.
... is what I was thinking of on our way to The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila's new branch in Fisher Mall.
Such wishful thinking. Such lofty dreams.
Yes! As part of its continuing effort to bring ballet closer to the people and the people closer to ballet, Ballet Manila opens a new branch in Quezon City to bring the signature discipline and technique that it has come to be known for closer to aspiring ballerinas and danseurs residing north of Metro Manila.
Such wishful thinking. Such lofty dreams.
Yes! As part of its continuing effort to bring ballet closer to the people and the people closer to ballet, Ballet Manila opens a new branch in Quezon City to bring the signature discipline and technique that it has come to be known for closer to aspiring ballerinas and danseurs residing north of Metro Manila.
See? I can even look the part!
I changed into my Penshoppe Power Stretch Jeans before the actual ballet lesson, though. I also changed into actual dancing shoes given by Ballet Manila because my Ylla Ballerina Shoes, although very pretty, are not really for dancing.
The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is the only ballet school in the Philippines with direct links to the Russian Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, staying true to the principles of the art form and for teaching the rigorous Vaganova Academy method of dancing, which is widely accepted as the highest standard of style when it comes to classical ballet.
Yesterday, Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde herself gave us a special ballet class ahead of the new branch's opening, and I consider it a huge privilege and honor. Did you know that she is the only prima ballerina in the Philippines? I didn't know this also but she's the only Filipina in this list.
But first, some of the school's seasoned students presented a special show.
Such beauty, elegance, strength, and grace... That I found extra challenging to emulate when it was my turn to do it!
We were promised a light workout using basic ballet techniques, and we got that and more. It was my fervent wish as a kid to take ballet classes, but my Mom enrolled me for piano lessons instead. It's never too late because I got to have the chance to do it last Thursday, under Miss Lisa to boot!
We were taught the basics, and it's so despairing to learn how out of shape I am because my whole body felt sore immediately after the class until the the day after! I really should exercise more.
I got a gift certificate for unlimited ballet classes good for one month, and I'm already thinking how I can fit this in my schedule. Ballet Manila's Fisher Mall branch offers a lot of courses to choose from like Creative Movement for Toddlers (for ages 2-3), Baby Ballerinas (for ages 3-5), Twinkle Toes (for ages 5-6), Level 1B-Beginner and Level 1A-Advanced (for ages 6-9), Level 2B-Beginner and Level 2B-Advanced (for 10-12 years old), Level 3B-Intermediate (for boys and girls aged 12-16 with previous ballet training and intermediate pointe work), Level 3-A Advanced (for 14 years old and above), and Refresher Class (for those with aged 16 and up with substantial past training and want to be reintroduced to the art’s basic concepts). There’s also a Ballet for Fitness class and Yoga and Conditioning classes. Both are perfect for those with zero background in ballet and wish to learn it for fitness’ sake. In addition, the school will also have specialty classes like Modern Ballet, Zumba, Street Dance and Ballroom. I'm very interested in Ballet for Fitness especially to correct my posture as I always slouch.
It was truly an honor, Miss Lisa! Thank you for doing what you do and for uplifting the art of ballet in the Philippines. ♥
After even just one lesson, I now know that being a ballerina is not a pirouette in the park. It's a long and difficult process and seeing how passionate they are and how much they love their craft made me admire them even more. I don't think I will nor can fulfill my ballerina dreams anytime soon, but I am so happy I got to try it once, with Miss Lisa Macuja-Elizalde herself no less.
The new The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is now open to the public. Free trial classes for other select courses will be held from August 7-14. For a complete list of the schedules and courses, you may visit Ballet Manila’s website or call their office at telephone numbers 400-0292 and 525-5967. You may also send an email to info@balletmanila.com.ph. Connect with them on social media by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Disclosure: I work in PR and Ballet Manila is one of our clients but I was not required nor compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. You may read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.
The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is the only ballet school in the Philippines with direct links to the Russian Ballet Academy of St. Petersburg, staying true to the principles of the art form and for teaching the rigorous Vaganova Academy method of dancing, which is widely accepted as the highest standard of style when it comes to classical ballet.
Yesterday, Prima Ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde herself gave us a special ballet class ahead of the new branch's opening, and I consider it a huge privilege and honor. Did you know that she is the only prima ballerina in the Philippines? I didn't know this also but she's the only Filipina in this list.
But first, some of the school's seasoned students presented a special show.
Such beauty, elegance, strength, and grace... That I found extra challenging to emulate when it was my turn to do it!
We were promised a light workout using basic ballet techniques, and we got that and more. It was my fervent wish as a kid to take ballet classes, but my Mom enrolled me for piano lessons instead. It's never too late because I got to have the chance to do it last Thursday, under Miss Lisa to boot!
We were taught the basics, and it's so despairing to learn how out of shape I am because my whole body felt sore immediately after the class until the the day after! I really should exercise more.
I got a gift certificate for unlimited ballet classes good for one month, and I'm already thinking how I can fit this in my schedule. Ballet Manila's Fisher Mall branch offers a lot of courses to choose from like Creative Movement for Toddlers (for ages 2-3), Baby Ballerinas (for ages 3-5), Twinkle Toes (for ages 5-6), Level 1B-Beginner and Level 1A-Advanced (for ages 6-9), Level 2B-Beginner and Level 2B-Advanced (for 10-12 years old), Level 3B-Intermediate (for boys and girls aged 12-16 with previous ballet training and intermediate pointe work), Level 3-A Advanced (for 14 years old and above), and Refresher Class (for those with aged 16 and up with substantial past training and want to be reintroduced to the art’s basic concepts). There’s also a Ballet for Fitness class and Yoga and Conditioning classes. Both are perfect for those with zero background in ballet and wish to learn it for fitness’ sake. In addition, the school will also have specialty classes like Modern Ballet, Zumba, Street Dance and Ballroom. I'm very interested in Ballet for Fitness especially to correct my posture as I always slouch.
It was truly an honor, Miss Lisa! Thank you for doing what you do and for uplifting the art of ballet in the Philippines. ♥
After even just one lesson, I now know that being a ballerina is not a pirouette in the park. It's a long and difficult process and seeing how passionate they are and how much they love their craft made me admire them even more. I don't think I will nor can fulfill my ballerina dreams anytime soon, but I am so happy I got to try it once, with Miss Lisa Macuja-Elizalde herself no less.
The new The Lisa Macuja School of Ballet Manila is now open to the public. Free trial classes for other select courses will be held from August 7-14. For a complete list of the schedules and courses, you may visit Ballet Manila’s website or call their office at telephone numbers 400-0292 and 525-5967. You may also send an email to info@balletmanila.com.ph. Connect with them on social media by following them on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Disclosure: I work in PR and Ballet Manila is one of our clients but I was not required nor compensated for this post. All opinions are my own. You may read my blog's complete Disclosure Policy here.
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