"Filipinas have an innate sense of musicality and artistry, and they are very, very emotional. A lot of Filipinos, they perform as if it's the last performance of their life... and that really adds a lot of magic to the performance."

"Filipinas have an innate sense of musicality and artistry, and they are very, very emotional. A lot of Filipinos, they perform as if it's the last performance of their life... and that really adds a lot of magic to the performance."

Lisa Macuja-Elizalde remains the country’s most recognizable face in the world of ballet.

An acclaimed and multi-awarded prima ballerina, Lisa has been heralded across the globe for her spirited dancing as well as her strong, precise yet graceful movements. With 25 years of ballet behind her, Lisa’s love for the art continues to burn, though this time, her passion goes beyond the rigorous 6-8 hours of daily training.

That ballet is only for the elite is a perception that Lisa vows to change in the Philippines. The beauty of dance is that it is universal - no child is too young, no adult is too old to appreciate the art. Thus the dream to bring ballet to the masses was born.

Together with a talented and equally passionate team, Lisa traveled the Philippines to stage over 4,100 free ballet performances in 47 cities enthralling a diverse audience from street children and orphans, to NGOs, to priests and nuns, and more.

But it was by founding her own ballet company Ballet Manila, did she fulfill her mission of bringing ballet to the people by providing affordable and accessible performances to the Filipinos. In doing so, Lisa began her legacy. More than a decade later, Lisa, world performer, national icon, and now teacher, has really earned herself the title as the Ballerina of the People.

“Filipinas have an innate sense of musicality and artistry, and they are very, very emotional. A lot of Filipinos, they perform as if it’s the last performance of their life… and that really adds a lot of magic to the performance.”

LISA IN ACTION

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Lisa as The Girl in Sergey Vikulov's world premiere of Night in Ballet Manila's 12th season opener of Halo-Halo 2

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Lisa with the beginner scholars of Ballet Manila

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Lisa posing for “Swan Song Series”