Three Dancers Rise to the Top

Last Sunday was a milestone. Lisa Macuja announced that three of her homegrown talents were to join her roster of Principal Dancers. Congratulations are in order for Joan Sia, Elpidio Magat and Romeo Peralta  who now join Katherine Barkman, Rudy De Dios and Gerardo Francisco at the top bench.  Coming from an outsider's standpoint, it feels  pleasantly surreal. I'm having a "time-flies" moment. Wasn't it just yesterday when Magat was being introduced as someone to watch out for? Wasn't it just last week that Sia won in the Asian Grand Prix? Wasn't it just a month ago when Peralta took over Arachnida?  Hearing the news was pretty much like  taking a bite of a tasty desert. The sweet taste  lingers in your mouth and  reminds you of why the calories were so worthwhile. It's both satisfying and promising. I'm quite sure they feel the same way. The erratic but rich  journey of injuries intrigues, debuts and triumphs paid off and now they can look forward to better things ahead.  Surely if they keep on being loyal to their craft, the future will be nothing but great. But before we get too excited about what's to come, let's take a look at some of their past moments. #RoadtoPrincipal

Joan Sia and Romeo Peralta in Arachnida in Dance Manila 2016

Joan Sia in Giselle  Dance Manila 2016 

Romeo Peralta and Joan Sia in Bluebird Pas De Deux 2016

Joan Sia and Elpidio Magat Snow White 2017

Elpidio Magat as Benno Swan Lake 2017

                     

Elpidio Magat as Prince Siegfried Ballet and Ballads 2018 

Romeo Peralta as the Second Prince in Ibong Adarna 2017

Joan Sia and Romeo Peralta El Adwa Ballet and Ballads 2018 

Sia started her BM story in 2009 when she was accepted as a scholar. She has enjoyed every role she has been given  but mentions  Giselle and Swan Lake as one of her favorites.  Truly these are the roles that have made an impression on people. Moving forward she dreams of dancing Carmen and La Bayadere with Ballet Manila. She also looks forward to more contemporary works. She has loved performing Arachnida by Agnes Locsin, El Adwa  and MAZN by Bam Damian. 

Magat has been with the Company since 2005. He started as a scholar. He was one of the few featured artists who performed in the World Stars of Ballet Gala alongside Sia  back in  2012. He hopes one day he'll get  to perform the full length of Don Quixote.  So far, Basilio is one of his favorite roles to play. (He has performed the grand wedding pas de deux).

Peralta has served Ballet Manila the longest having started with the Company as early as 2000 as a scholar. He enjoys  both classical and contemporary dancing. Particularly memorable to him was the role of Albrecht in Giselle which he performed at the CCP Main Theatre as a tribute to the great Mrs. Felicitas Radaic. He enjoys intense roles whether they are classical or modern. Among his favorites are Arachnida by Agnes Locsin, Velvet Wings by David Campos and Widmung by Bam Damian. 

The three seemingly have enjoyed every bit of their career. I am certain they will just love everything about tomorrow and beyond.