by Kenneth K. Ong
IT felt like I was a kid again from the very first second Lisa Macuja Elizalde, the Philippines premiere prima ballerina stepped on-stage. It has been fifteen years since Lisa’s last performance in Davao and her return to Davao was met with much anticipation and joy. Her every pirouette, saut and jete creates waves of magic over the crowd at the jam-packed SM City Davao, Event Centre. That included Davao’s very own Carmen Locsin, and piano maestras Pacita Dizon and Nenita Azarcon.
The Ballet Masterpiece show is a celebration of Lisa’s 25 years in ballet was a quick 45-minutes and features Lisa’s favorite ballet pieces like Swan Lake, Giselle and Don Quiote plus a few modern numbers that literally had the crowd up on it’s feet and cheering for more.
And there will be more this coming October 2 and 3 with her anniversary performace at the SM Mall of Asia together with Ballet Manila, where she sits as principal artist, artistic director, teacher and company administrator.
When asked about what keeps her dancing even at an age where most of her peers retire from dancing. “It is my Russian training” Lisa replies with an ageless smile and a child-like demeanor, “but above all I look forward to moving my body, to dance.”
