Maniya Barredo’s pointe of stellar achievement in the international stage of ballet

by Dominique James

Our achievement as a Filipino people in America is correctly and properly measured in individual and not through collective terms. We do not draw up a big book of accounts with rows upon neat rows of numbers all lined up. Like we do in Excel sheets, it probably won't make any sense if and when we try sum it all up with a final score at the bottom just to show how well we are doing, how far we've come, or, how far we've gone.

Instead, and rightfully so, we measure the Filipino achievement in the international arena person by person, name by name. We look up to individual Filipinos who have made their indelible mark in America, and who have raised our sense of pride, if not reputation, because of their success and with what they have achieved.

When it comes to successful Filipinos, there is always one name that is mentioned. Maniya Barredo. She is an international superstar in the world of ballet. She is the first authentic Prima Ballerina from the Philippines who made it into the American and the international stage of ballet. And rightfully, we are proud of her.

Who would have imagined that out of the more than 66 million Filipinos, Maniya Barredo would be transported into the middle of the prestigious international stage to be a world-recognized and very well loved Prima Ballerina?

Was it destiny? Was it self-fulfilling prophecy? Was it willpower? Was it tenacity? Was it hard work? Was it a lifelong dream fulfilled? Maybe, it was a combination of many of these, and then some. Whatever the case, Maniya Barredo rose to stellar heights to become the first internationally acclaimed Prima Ballerina from the Philippines. It was a stunning genuine worldwide accolade. It was a real acceptance for a Filipino dancer whose name now stands besides the great Prima Ballerinas of the world. This feat has not been duplicated before or since.

The title of Prima Ballerina was first bestowed on her by Dame Margot Fonteyn at a reception following her performance of Giselle at the Cultural Center of the Philippines in 1978.

With such a public proclamation, Maniya Barredo was lifted, but at the same time, she had to bear the weight of one big question: "Why me?"

Throughout her life, she worked hard and made countless sacrifices to become a Prima Ballerina. All along, she also had to understand and to live up to the meaning and purpose of her life's achievement. While she accepted her fate with grace, the answer made itself apparent not during the early years of her career but almost ironically at the time when she retired from dancing. With her unqualified success, she now serves as an inspiration to many young talented dancers of today's generation. As the founder and the Artistic Director of the world reknowned Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, she is paving the way for future ballet dancers.

Maniya Barredo celebrated her 56th birthday a day before my appointed face-to-face interview. Gifts and sweets with handwritten notes littered the top of her table, cut from a thin smooth slab of marble, where we sat opposite each other.

Her incredible success story, and her stellar world-class achievements, is an inspiration that all Filipinos need to know. Reported several times in the Philippine and international press, this is a story that bears repeating.

She was four years old when she started dancing. At the age of 18, she went to New York City and joined the famed Joffrey School on a scholarship. As a symbolic gesture of recognition for earning the right to dance, Robert Joffery, the school's founder, bestowed on her the name Maniya. Transformed from a sweet Honey to a beautiful Maniya, it was a magnificent tribute to Manila, the city of her origin.

After Joffery School, she joined the Les Grandes Ballets Canadiens. In 1976, she was selected to represent Canada in the International Ballet Festival in Cuba. She danced with Mickhail Baryshnikov. She became the only dancer outside of New York and Europe invited to tour with the Stars of the World Ballet. She received the Gawad CCP Para Sining Award of Excellence from then Philippine President Fidel Ramos. She has given command performances to almost all visiting presidents and dignitaries to the Philippines including American President Johnson and Indonesian President Sukharno. And for 20 years, she danced as Prima Ballerina for the Atlanta Ballet.

The past 37 years, she called Georgia, USA her home. "I love the people and the climate here; and I love the warm and natural pace of life," she beamed. Her retirement as a dancer opened the next chapter of her life. She became the Artistic Consultant to the Ballethenic in Atlanta, the Cultural Attache for the Philippines, and was the Artistic Director of the ASB Performing Ensemble. She then founded, and to this day, serves as the Artistic Director of the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre in Georgia.

"I am happy here," she said. "At this stage in my life's work, it is here that I feel, I am me, the most. I have to be true to myself and true to my visions and true to my dreams. It is here in America where I felt I can be who I can be, and no one can stop me but myself. I own my life. I learn from my experiences, and I can move on. I feel that I am a citizen of the world. I am successful because I am a Filipino living in the United States. It is here that I tap on the vast knowledge and complex experience that allows me be a part of the world's stage. It is here in the US where I felt and realized we are all the same, and we all have equal opportunities. It is here where we can stop awhile, look around, and not be afraid."

Next year, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre will celebrate its 10th year. For the 2008-2009 season, it will mark its milestone with with a number of undisputed achievements. "Most ballet schools are years and years old," she said. "We are a relatively young and new ballet school compared to the many all around us. And yet, in less than ten years to date, we've managed to send five boys and four girls to different professional companies all over the world." As a pre-professional school, this accomplishment is saying something. This is a feat that Maniya Barredo is particularly proud of.

"I am passionate about my students. They are my children, I hand-pick them, and I nurture their big dreams to perform for various professional ballet companies," Maniya said. 

The Metropolitan Ballet Theatre belongs to the 88 recognized pre-professional ballet companies all over the United States. It is a part of the ballet association, Regional Dance America, from the Southeast region. It is one of the youngest ballet companies in the US. And even as early as its 4th year, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre was chosen to perform at the gala performance in its National Festival in Pittsburg, and has since become one of the companies from the Southeast region where summer auditions are held. The auditions, which used to be held at the Atlanta Ballet, is now being conducted at the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. Among the prestigious companies holding auditions at Maniya Barredo's ballet school include the American Ballet Theater, Boston Ballet, Washington Ballet, Nashville Ballet, San Francisco Ballet, Kirov School, Virginia School, North Carolina School, and the Joffrey Ballet.

While Maniya Barredo has achieved so much, and dispite making Georgia her home this past 37 years, she still dreams of a homecoming. While she has been living in the United States through the years, she never changed her status as a Permanent Resident. It was only 2 years ago that she agreed to become an American citizen only because immigration laws now allowed for dual citizenship. She never gave up on her Filipino citizenship.

Leighton, Francesca, and Molly are three of Maniya Barredo's students. After my 2-hour interview with Maniya Barredo, and before the photo shoot, she proudly introduced them to me.

Leighton, 15, has been attending Metropolitan Ballet Theatre for three years. Her mother, Clemmie, whom Maniya met while they were both with the Atlanta Ballet, sent her to Maniya's school the moment it opened. She has nothing but high praises for Maniya Barredo and for the Metropolitan Ballet. "One of the things I appreciate the most," Leighton said, "is how Ms. Maniya Barredo teaches us life lessons and not just ballet. We are taught real life experiences in this school, and I'm just glad to be here. I am learning and living life at the same time."

Fourteen-year-old Francesca is a first year student. "Unlike other places," she confided, the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre provides training that not only focuses on the technical aspects of ballet but also on style and creativity. I enjoy the total program, and we learn the technical, creative, and artistic aspects of the ballet. It's a comfortable, holistic and well-rounded learning experience, and that is what I like the most."

Molly, who is also 14 years old and now on her 3rd year, says, "Ms. Maniya Barredo is the best teacher I've ever had. She teaches each one of us to do things the right way. Her program and methods are all based on what is right."

Leighton, Francesca and Molly all share big dreams. Leighton and Molly hope to someday join the prestigious American Ballet Theater or the Royal Ballet. Francesca, on the other hand, hopes to be part of the Lyons Contemporary Ballet. When they are done with the pre-professional ballet training, these three beautiful and talented kids will soon be joining the roster of Metropolitan Ballet Theatre's alumni some of whom to go on to pursue their love and passion for ballet by joining a professional ballet companies. Others, on the other hand, pursue academic studies where they earn degrees on ballet scholarship.

Maniya Barredo's influence isn't confined to the students of the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre. Her accomplishments are included in the Social Studies curriculum of grade school students in Georgia. Who would imagine that the life and achievements of a living Filipino Prima Ballerina are being studied by American kids at school. But other than this recognition, what is really impressive is that the Metropolitan Ballet Theatre, as a non-profit organization, continues to be well supported and well funded by numerous companies. A few days ago, for example, the school received an unsolicited grant in the amount of 15,000 USD from a private institution. This is a grant that was not applied for. "I am truly grateful there are institutions all across America that recognize the value of what we are doing for the talented kids. Their generous support helps us realize the dreams of developing young American ballet dancers," she said.

Despite the fulfillment of being able to develop young talents in the United States, and despite the numerous recognitions she and her school has received, Maniya Barredo dreams of one day nurturing talents from the Philippines. "I am constantly drawn to my roots," she said. "We have so much talent back home, and we all have to help develop them. It is our moral duty to take care of our young talents in the Philippines. We should pave the way and open up opportunities to those who deserve them."

"I am glad," she continues, "that the United States claimed me heart and soul. I've been taken cared of. This experience have taught me that the Philippines should do the same for their young talents. From the start, I've always believed that I've been chosen for a special reason and a special purpose. I was given the title of Prima Ballerina, and I accepted it in behalf of the Filipino people. That title stood for the soul of the artist. When I think about it, it is a huge and daunting responsibility. I took it to heart. I took my role seriously. But, I'm not claiming it just for myself. I'm claiming it for our country. It is not the applause or the recognition for myself that keeps driving me, but the applause and recognition that it brings to our country. And hopefully, with the collaboration of others, I'll be able to one day do something for the next generation of Filipino artists. I hope that the Philippines will recognize, develop and nurture more talented young people. America saw my talents, gave me opportunities. The United States have been very good to me. It is painful for me to see that Filipinos are not given this kind of opportunities in our own country. I hope to be able to change that. This is one of the ways that I hope I can do to help. I hope to be a part of building the future of Filipino children. It is a big dream."

Almost every year, Maniya Barredo would return to the Philippines and tap into possible links to bring her dreams to fruition. "I've been approached to open a school in the Philippines," she recalled. "I've met with a lot of different people. But so far, nothing concrete has come to pass. Everyone seems interested whenever I talk to them, but that's what it all has been: talk, and a lukewarm 'maybe.' My time is worth more than a 'maybe.' We know that we can't sit and wait for others to decide on these things. We need to take things by the horn. We need to take the initiative. And by continuing my quest, I hope that I am doing my share in taking the initiative that will one day will open up opportunities for kids. As a graduate of St. Paul's College of Manila, the value of service to others has been instilled in me. I hope to serve through my art."

"I've never ruled out the possibility of yet another successful homecoming," Maniya said. "I look forward to returning to the Philippines. With grace and our flexibility, the Philippines can be one of the most amazing countries in the world. I believe that as a people, we have a good core. I want to fulfill my vision of uplifting the arts. Talent is so great in our country but the state of the arts is just so sad right now. I want to be able to help more in opening up the arts to many of our young people through an alliance of various disciplines of the arts ranging from the performing to the visual arts."

After a very engaging and lively interview, I invited her out into the lawn for an informal photo shoot. On a lovely golden autumn afternoon, I photographed Maniya Barredo. I smiled inwardly as I was snapping away. That's because, a year ago, I received a most unexpected call from author Ronnie Alejandro, who was looking for me just to tell me that I should photograph Maniya Barredo for a particular project. After that call, I was expecting to photograph her at my studio in Manila, but as it turned out, the photo shoot would be in Atlanta, Georgia. With this meeting, and with this photo shoot, I have a feeling this but the first of many more to come.

When the pictorial was over, I asked what would her advise be to the young Filipino creative talents and artists.

The answer came quickly: "Never sell out. Find it. Look for it. Go after it. Never ever sell out no matter how hard the experiences you may have to go through in life. Life is not a dress rehearsal; do what your heart, mind, body and soul says you should do. Be original. Be true to yourself. And believe in the power of your dreams."