Beloved Filipino tale returns with a fresh cast, enchanting choreography, and a magical night of ballet at Hyundai Hall

 A Filipino childhood favorite is getting another chance to spread its wings — this time through the artistry and spectacle of ballet.

Ballet Manila brings back Gerardo Francisco Jr.’s Ibong Adarna to the stage this October, transforming the beloved story of a magical bird, three royal brothers, love, betrayal, and a quest to save a kingdom into an enchanting theatrical experience.

The production will take center stage at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University in Quezon City, with performances on October 9 at 7:30 p.m. and October 10 at 5 p.m.

For longtime fans of Ballet Manila, the return of Ibong Adarna is another opportunity to revisit one of the company’s most beloved productions. For those seeing it for the first time, it offers a colorful introduction to ballet through a story that has long been part of Filipino culture.

A Familiar Story, A Different Kind of Magic

At the heart of Ibong Adarna is the mythical bird whose enchanting song has the power to heal.

When King Fernando of Berbanya falls seriously ill, his three sons — Don Pedro, Don Diego, and Don Juan — embark on a dangerous journey to find the legendary bird and bring it home.

The prince who succeeds in capturing the Adarna will also have a chance to inherit the throne.

Through ballet, the familiar story takes on another dimension as music, movement, elaborate choreography, and expressive performances bring its magical world to life.

Meet the New Cast

Adding fresh energy to this staging is a new set of principal dancers from Ballet Manila’s powerhouse lineup.

Taking on the role of Ibong Adarna is Shaira Comeros, who will perform alongside Mark Sumaylo as Don Pedro, Rafael Perez as Don Juan, and Romeo Peralta as Don Diego.

The alternate cast features Jessica Pearl Dames as Ibong Adarna, with Juan Angelo De Leon as Don Juan, Ralp John Balagot as Don Pedro, and Sean Pelegrin as Don Diego.

With every new cast comes a new interpretation, giving audiences a chance to see familiar characters from a different perspective.

Why Ibong Adarna Continues to Charm

According to Lisa Macuja Elizalde, Ballet Manila CEO and Artistic Director, Ibong Adarna remains one of the company’s most requested offsite productions.

“This year, it already had two shows at Jose Rizal Coliseum in Laguna, and now the production is bound to return to Areté in Ateneo before continuing its way to Iloilo,” she shared.

Although Ballet Manila has performed Ibong Adarna in different venues over the years, the production continues to evolve.

“Every time we bring Ibong Adarna to a new audience, we discover something new about the story and the characters. That is what makes it special. It remains familiar to many Filipinos, but ballet allows us to experience the story in a different way,” Macuja Elizalde said.

From Childhood Story to Ballet Classic

For many Filipinos, Ibong Adarna is a story first encountered in school, books, or childhood conversations.

But on the ballet stage, the familiar tale takes on a whole new life.

The characters don’t simply speak their story — they express it through movement. The mythical bird becomes a living presence onstage, while the adventures of the three princes unfold through the language of dance.

It is this combination of familiarity and theatrical spectacle that has helped make Ibong Adarna a recurring favorite in Ballet Manila’s repertoire.

Bringing Ballet Closer to Filipino Audiences

The Areté staging is also part of Ballet Manila’s continuing effort to bring ballet beyond traditional theater venues and closer to different communities and audiences.

By presenting stories that Filipinos already know and love, the company creates an accessible way for audiences to discover or rediscover ballet.

And for those who grew up knowing the story of the magical bird, watching Ibong Adarna onstage can be a chance to revisit a childhood classic — this time through music, movement, and the artistry of Filipino dancers.

So get ready to watch the mythical bird take flight once again.

Ballet Manila’s Ibong Adarna will be staged at Hyundai Hall, Areté, Ateneo de Manila University, Quezon City, on October 9 at 7:30 p.m. and October 10 at 5 p.m.

For tickets, visit TicketWorld.

For Ballet Manila’s upcoming performances and events, visit Ballet Manila.