A Journey Written In Waves and Movement
Ballet Philippines stages PAGLALAKBAY, a sweeping tribute to Austronesian roots, resilience, and the enduring pull of home.
Words Mian Centeno
Photos courtesy of Ballet Philippines
April 03, 2026
Ending its 56th season, Ballet Philippines presents PAGLALAKBAY: The Journey of the Sea People—a graceful tribute to the cultural heritage that endures, even in harshest tides.
Inspired by the Austronesian Migration, the ballet's libretto by Sheree Chua traces the journey of the sea people as they return to their homeland in Batanes. At its core is a movement—migration across islands, steps that shape dance, and emotion that carries the narrative forward. It is both a physical and spiritual journey, unfolding through every gesture on stage.
An Anecdote Behind The Tale
Librettist Chua roots the story in something deeply personal. "My mother is the emotional architecture of the piece," she shares. Through her, she came to understand that heritage is not fixed, but evolving, yet remains anchored.
The ballet becomes both epic and intimate: a sweeping story of migration and a tribute to the woman who shaped her sense of identity.
For Chua, migration is not just displacement, but expansion—a widening of self without losing origin. "In her life, I witnessed resilience, adaptability, and a deep, unshakable sense of identity."
This perspective mirrors the resilience and adaptability at the heart of the Austronesian story.
History's Choreographic Narrative
Artistic director Mikhail Martynyuk translates this into movement. "Batanes is wind, rocks, and ocean," he explains. "As the scenery changes, the quality of movement changes as well." The choreography reflects this: grounded, resistant, and purposeful.
Bodies lean into invisible gusts, steps push against imagined currents, and gestures remain functional rather than decorative—like those of seafarers navigating the elements.
The result is a language of movement that feels both complex and accessible.
A Vivid Experience Of Origin
Movement also takes center stage with the production design. The ballet's production designer, Filipino contemporary fine artist Leeroy New, envisioned the design to perfectly encapsulate what it truly felt like back in Batanes.
"We wanted the stage design to emulate the key visuals and movement of the Batanes landscape—waves crashing on the shore, jagged rock beaches, wild winds hitting the grass, eroding soil from cliffs," says Leeroy.
Alongside his assistant Arvie Santos, Leeroy personally visited Batanes to capture its essence firsthand. Encounters with locals further shaped their vision, grounding the work in lived experience and shared memories.
More Than A Ballet Routine
More than a performance, PAGLALAKBAY grew from Ballet Philippines' Ballet Brigade Program in Batanes, where over 200 locals participated in a cultural exchange through dance, strengthening the connection between the community and craft.
The result is a powerful reminder: dance can preserve, connect, and tell stories that feel both ancient and immediate. PAGLALAKBAY: The Journey of the Sea People may be deeply Filipino, but it is universally understood.
Catch PAGLALAKBAY: The Journey of the Sea People on April 10 - 12, 2026, at Theatre at Solaire. Avail tickets via www.ticketworld.com.ph, www.ballet.ph, and the Solaire Box Office.
