Three decades on, and the prima ballerina still dances

By Daisy CL Mandap

Not age, nor injury, has stopped prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde from donning her pointe shoes to indulge her lifelong passion for dancing.
At the age of 51, she is set to take to the stage again to play the lead dancing role of Inang Bayan (West End star Joanna Ampil is doing the singing part) in "The Rebel", a play on the Edsa People Power Revolution that she helped write.
“Ballet is a short-term career,” she says. “I am more the exception rather than the rule, to be dancing at more than 50”.
For sure, there were times when the Philippines’ first prima ballerina thought she couldn’t dance anymore, especially after surgeries to both her ankles, which sidelined her for a year. But with her usual tenacity honed from years of rigorous practice to perfect her art, Lisa was soon back to doing what she has always wanted to do.
Most recently, she scored another first in her illustrious career when she was invited to sit as a juror in the Asian Grand Prix, an international ballet competition that has been held annually in Hong Kong for the past six years.
Lisa and her school, Ballet Manila, has been sending dancers to the competition since the start, and last year scored its biggest win when its principal dancer, Katherine Barkman, won the Asian Grand Prix Award.
This year, with 276 dancers from 15 countries competing, Ballet Manila’s promising young dancer, Nicole Barosso, won the silver medal in the junior division for the second consecutive year. Six other dancers from the school landed in the top 10 in their respective divisions.
Though winning is obviously the end goal in any competition, it should not be the only objective of those who want to make a career out of dancing, says Lisa. Failures are often inevitable.
“You have to rise above it,” she says, “because it could be very subjective and intense”.
Speaking from years of experience in auditioning for nearly all the major roles a ballerina could aspire for, Lisa knows that for every dancer who lands the position, there are dozens others who go home in tears.
Thus, one should look at competing as a chance to hone skills, get noticed, and if one gets lucky, to be offered a scholarship or a contract with a prestigious dance company.
“It’s the way things are in our world”, Lisa says matter-of-factly.
Life in ballet can also be brutal because after all the grueling time spent rehearsing and perfecting one’s craft, the payback is often too short, and too little.
“If you’re lucky and you don’t get injured you can have 20 years of dancing,” she says, then adds, “but it doesn’t pay much”.
Given this reality, the fallout from the profession is high, with many dancers eventually opting out to look for jobs that offered better and steadier income. Others take the more commercial route, like joining HK Disneyland and cruise ship shows.
Lisa says there’s no shame in any of these. “It’s a job, and it offers opportunities”, she says.
Still, she says parents should encourage their children to take up ballet, or any form of dance education.
“It is entertaining, and it great training ground for developing a lot of skills that help you get through life. It teaches you the meaning of sacrifice, dedication, commitment and plain hard work.”
If Lisa were to be the gauge, these life skills are certainly worth aspiring for.

Pinoys win in Asian Grand Prix

The Philippine delegation to the 6th Asian Grand Prix continues victorious streak.

Ballet Manila’s Nicole Barroso won the silver medal at the 6th Asian Grand Prix, repeating her feat last year in the same ballet competition.
As part of her prize, Barroso also received the Elmhurst and Shanghai Scholarships at the awarding rites held Friday night at the Y-Theater in Hong Kong.
Ballet Manila artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and co-artistic director Osias Barroso also celebrated the triumph of the following BM competitors in their respective categories:
• Shaira Comeros, 5th Place, Junior B; Most Promising Female Award
• Alvin Dictado, 6th Place, Junior B
• Ana Andes, 5th Place, Senior A
• Raymond Salcedo, 4th Place, Senior B
• Rodney Catubay, 5th Place, Senior B
• Loraine Gaile Jarlega, 5th Place, Pre-competitive 2
Finalists:
• Junior B Finalists: Danielle De Guzman; Joshua Enciso
• Junior A Finalists: Ashley Salonga; Lyssa Apilado
Shortly after the awarding ceremonies, Macuja-Elizalde enthused:
“The Asian Grand Prix has certainly evolved over the six years it has been in existence and I am so happy and proud that Ballet Manila and our delegates have grown together with this competition,” Macuja-Elizalde said. “For the first time, with an inside look into the job of the jury, I saw the meticulous attention to detail in giving the scores and the criteria for the decisions involved in giving these much coveted awards and prizes.”
Macuja-Elizalde stressed: “I am, of course, greatly pleased that our dancers have danced well and reaped honors for Ballet Manila and for our country. But more so, I am touched by the sincere comments of the jury in their praise for the high quality of training that we give our competitors. They had the strength, technique and style necessary to get those points. But at the end of the day, the fact that they all danced from the heart was the quality that brought them home!”
Barroso who personally led the training of the dancers for the AGP noted that throughout the week, he has been receiving positive feedback about the schooling of the Ballet Manila competitors.
“A lot of people noticed how BM dancers simply seemed to sail until the finals,” he said.
Eleven of BM’s 18-member delegation made it to the finals.

Jaclyn Jose best actress sa Cannes

Ipinagbunyi ng Pilipinas ang pagwawagi ni Jaclyn Jose bilang best actress sa prestihiyosong Cannes Film Festival para sa pelikulang Ma’ Rosa ng batikang director na si Brillante Mendoza. Si Jaclyn ang kauna-unahang Pilipino na nagwagi ng acting award dito, at tinalo niya ang mga sikat na Hollywood actresses na sina Marion Cotillard at Charlize Theron.
Naging madamdamin ang pagtanggap niya ng award nang hilahin niya upang isama sa stage ang kanyang anak na si Andi Eigenmann, na kasama rin niya sa Ma’ Rosa. "I’m at a loss for words! I am so surprised and moved. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to all the jury members. I thank the director Brillante Mendoza, whose instructions I simply followed,. He’s a brilliant director, a genius. I am so happy you liked the film. I’d like to salute the Philippine people,", ang sabi ni Jaclyn.

Sinabi pa ng aktres na hindi raw siya nagpaka-stage mother nang isama niya ng kanyang anak, at hindi daw niya ibinebenta si Andi sa mga foreign producers na nasa audience. Gusto lang daw niyang i-share ang kanyang special moment kay Andi. Kailangan din nya ng moral support dahil nanginginig siya habang nasa stage, pero nang hawakan niya ang kamay ng anak ay nakapagsalita siya ng maayos dahil nabigyan siya ng lakas nito. Tinanggap daw niya ang Ma’ Rosa upang mabigyan ng tsansa si Andi na maka-attend ng film festival na gaya ng Cannes. Gusto daw niyang ibigay sa anak ang mga naging karanasan niya sa pagdalo sa mga ganitong okasyon.
Ang iba pang nanalo sa Cannes sa taong ito: best picture (Palme d’Or) – I, Daniel Blake, Grand Prix – It’s Only the End of The World, Jury Prize – American Honey; best actor – Shahab Hosseini (The Salesman); best directors: Cristian Mungiu (Graduation) at Olivier Assayas (Personal Shopper).
Nang bumalik ang kanilang grupo sa Pilipinas noong May 24 ay sumabak na agad sa trabaho si Jaclyn. Matapos siyang magpaunlak sa mga sumalubong sa kanya sa airport ay tumuloy siya sa presscon ng kanyang bagong Kapuso TV series na “A1 Ko Sa ‘Yo”. Kinabukasan ay binigyan siya ng munting salu-salo nga kanyang mga kasamahan sa “A Millionaire’s Wife”. Kasama ding binigyan ng cake na may “Congratulations” ang isa pa nilang kasamahan na si Sid Lucero na nanalo ring best actor sa Los Angeles Comedy Festival para sa pelikulang “Toto”, na nanalo ring best foreign film.
Ang Ma’ Rosa ay balak isali sa Metro Film Festival sa December, at kung sakali itong mapiling kalahok, halos nakatitiyak nang panalo ulit si Jaclyn bilang best actress.


SOLENN, BONGGA ANG KASAL
Isang masayang pagtitipon ang kasal ng Kapuso star na si Solenn Heussaff  kay Nico Bolzico, isang Argentinian businessman na limang taon na niyang karelasyon. Ginanap ang kanilang kasal sa Eglise Notre Dame sa Combourg, France noong May 21. Sinaksihan ito ng pamilya ni Solenn, kabilang na ang kanyang ama na isang French, ang kanyang ina na isang Filipina at mga kapatid. Naroon din ang barkada ni Solenn na tinaguriang mga IT girls na binubuo nina Georgina Wilson, Anne Curtis, Liz Uy, at Isabelle Diaz, kasama ang kani-kanilang mga kapartner.
Simple pero elegante ang wedding gown ni Solenn, na gawa ni Lihi Tod na isang Israeli designer. Ang suot ng mga bridesmaids at maging mga guests ay pawang pastel shades at earth tones, at walang mga makikintab na ornaments.
Sunud sunod nang nagpapakasal ang mga IT girls. Nauna si Georgina na nagpakasal sa England sa isang Briton na si Arthur Burnand. Pagkatapos ni Solenn, si Isabelle naman ang nakatakdang ikasal sa Italy sa kanyang French boyfriend na si Adrien Semblat bago matapos ang taong ito. Si Anne ay baka magpakasal na rin kay Erwan Heusaff na kapatid ni Solenn, dahil matagal na rin ang kanilang relasyon.
Dumalo rin sa kasal sina Tim Yap, Rajo Laurel, Carla Humpries, at mga kaibigan ni Solenn na pawang mina-manage ni Leo Dominguez na sina Lovi Poe, Paulo Avelino at Bianca King. Naroon din ang kapatid ni Anne na si Jasmine Curtis-Smith, kasama ang bagong boyfriend na si Jeff Ortega.Tila hindi nakadalo ang isa pang barkada nina Solenn na si Raymond Gutierrez. Magpapakasal muli sa Pilipinas sina Solenn at Nico na gaganapin naman sa San Antonio Parish sa Forbes Park sa Makati.

39th URIAN AWARDS NOMINEES
Pinangungunahan ni John Lloyd Cruz ang mga nominado sa 39th Gawad Urian Awards na gaganapin sa June 21 sa Kia Theatre. Nominado bilang best actor si John Lloyd para sa pelikulang “Honor Thy Father” at “A Second Chance”. Ipinagdarasal daw niya na sana ay manalo siya sa Urian dahil ito ay matagal na nilang pangarap ng kanyang ina
Ang beteranong aktor na si Lou Veloso ay nominado rin bilang best actor ( Da Dog Show) at best supporting actor ( Taklub), samantalang si Alessandra de Rossi ay nominado bilang best actress (Bambanti) at sa best music (Water Lemon)
Ang iba pang mga nominado:
Best Actress: Nora Aunor ( Taklub ), Angeli Bayani ( Iisa ), Mercedes Cabral ( Da Dog Show), Alessandra de Rossi ( Bambanti), Anika Dlonius ( Apocalypse Child), Jennylyn Mercado ( Walang Forever), Ces Quesada ( Imbisibol), LJ Reyes (Anino sa Likod ng Buwan) .
Best Actor: Luis Alandy ( Anino sa Likod ng Buwan), John Arcila ( Heneral Luna), John Lloyd Cruz ( Honor Thy Father at A Second Chance ), Ricky Davao ( Dayang Asu), Anthony Falcon(Anino sa Likod ng Buwan) , Sid Lucero  (Apocalypse Child) , Junjun Quintana ( Water Lemon), Jericho Rosales (Walang Forever), Dennis Trillo ( Felix Manalo), Lou Veloso (Da Dog Show), Francisco Guinto ( ARI: My Life with a King)
Best Supporting Actor: Julio Diaz ( Taklub), Lou Veloso  ( Taklub), Tirso Cruz III (Honor Thy Father), JM De Guzman (Imbisibol), Bernardo Bernardo ( Imbisibol),
Micko Laurente ( Bambanti), RK Bagatsing ( Apocalypse Child), Alion Ibanez (Da Dog Show)
Best Supporting Actress: Rio Locsin ( Iisa), Anna Abad Santos (Apocalypse Child),  Gwen Zamora (Apocalypse Child), Mylene Dizon ( Heneral Luna), Tessie Tomas (Water Lemon), Liza Dino ( Toto), Cecil Yumol (ARI: My Life with a King).
Best Film: “Anino sa Likod ng Buwan”, “Ari”, “Bambanti”, “Da Dog Show”, “Heneral Luna”, “Honor Thy Father”, “Imbisibol”, “Taklub”, “ARI: My Life with a King”
Director: Ralston Jover ( Da Dog Show ), Jerrold Tarog ( Heneral Luna), Brilliante Mendoza (Taklub), Jun Lana (Anino sa Likod ng Buwan), Erik Matti (Honor Thy Father), Lawrence Fajardo (Imbisibol), Carlo Enciso Catu (Bambanti), Zig Madamba Dulay (Apocalypse Child), Mario Cornejo (Balikbayan #1: Memories of Overdevelopment), Kidlat Tahimik ( Redux III)
Special Award: Natatanging Gawad Urian Award: Mr. Romy Vitug

LOTLOT, BALAK NANG MAGPAKASAL
Balak nang magpakasal ni Lotlot de Leon sa kanyang Lebanese boyfriend na si Fred El Soury. Ayon sa aktres, “Maikli lang ang buhay. Stop the hate. Dapat lahat tayo ay nagmamahalan. Kapag may pagkakataon kayong magmahal, magmahal kayo nang magmahal. Walang masama doon.
Noong  2008 nagkahiwalay sina Lotlot at asawang si Ramon Christopher Gutierrez, matapos ang halos 19 taon nilang pagsasama. Sila ay may apat na anak: sina Janine, Maxine, Jessica at Diego Gutierrez, na mga dalaga’t binata na. Tila wala namang magiging problema si Lotlot sa mga anak dahil tanggap na nila ang kanyang boyfriend.
Ayon sa panganay niyang anak na si Janine Gutierrez, masaya silang magkakapatid para sa kanilang ina, kahit na noong una ay nagseselos daw sila na may bagong tao sa buhay nila dahil nasanay sila na sila-sila lang ang magkakasama. Gusto rin nilang protektahan at manigurado na okay ang taong ito para sa kanilang ina. Pero nang makilala nila ito ng husto ay napapayag sila dahil mabait at maalaga si Fred. Masaya na rin daw siya dahil alam niyang may magbabantay sa kanilang ina.
Kapwa abala sina Lotlot at Janine sa kani-kanilang projects sa GMA Network. Napapanood si Janine sa “Once Again”, katambal si Aljur Abrenica, samantalang si Lotlot ay gumaganap bilang ina ni Heart Evangelista sa sexy romantic comedy na Juan Happy Love Story.

VICKI AT HAYDEN, MAY BABY NA
Marami ang nagulat nang biglang inilabas ni Hayden Kho ang mga larawan ng isang cute na baby na ipinakilala niya sa Facebook bilang si Scarlet Snow, na anak daw nila ni Dr. Vicki Belo. Lingid sa kaalaman ng publiko, noong nakaraang taon pa ito bininyagan, pero ayaw muna nila itong ilantad.
Bago inamin ni Hayden ito, marami na ang nakapansin sa larawan ng baby sa mga billboard ng Belo products. Ayon kay Hayden, isinilang ang kanilang anak sa pamamagitan ng isang surrogate mother sa Amerika, pero anak nila ito ni Vicki.
Sinabi ni Vicki na na tama lang na magkaroon na sila ng anak dahil may pera siya at marami siyang oras.
Si Hayden ay napakahusay ding ama dahil matiyaga itong mag-alaga. Mas lalo din daw tumibay ang kanilang pagsasama ngayon dahil kay Scarlet, na kamukhang kamukha ng ama.