Philippine Ballet Theatre Premieres “Maria Makiling”

In line with its mission to promote Philippine heritage, literature, and oral tradition while advancing the art of ballet, the Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) has created another original Filipino full-length ballet – Maria Makiling – that reimagines the legendary guardian of Mount Makiling.

The Filipino ballet production captures the essence of Filipino folklore and serves as a reminder to uphold good values through powerful choreography and captivating music.

Winning Collaborations
The centerpiece of PBT’s 2025 dance season, Maria Makiling marks the third creative collaboration of PBT Artistic Director Ronilo Jaynario (choreography) and award-winning composer and arranger Paulo Zarate (original musical score). They are the creative duo behind the successful staging of two PBT original Filipino full-length ballets, Ibalon (2023) and Sarimanok (2024), which have been well received by audiences both locally and in the U.S.A.
 
Maria Makiling will once again showcase world-class Filipino talent in dance and in music.
 
“After creating hero-based ballet Ibalon and romantic ballet Sarimanok, I wanted to tell a story that centers on the Filipino community. My goal is to present a ballet that grounds us and evokes a time when love, kindness, and gratitude sustained our communities. This ballet explores the enduring power of love, the pain of loss, and the importance of preserving nature and heritage. Ultimately, it highlights the consequences of a lack of integrity within a community,” shared Jaynario.
 
Creating this ballet was particularly meaningful to him. Being an alumna of the Philippine High School of the Arts in Mt. Makiling, Los Baños, Laguna, which had been his home for four years, he heard many stories about Maria, a household name at the school.
 
Composer Paulo Zarate views Maria Makiling as an exciting challenge, characterized by a collaborative spirit of mutual respect that allows both him and Jaynario to enjoy creative freedom. Their shared vision unifies their work.
 
“We try to set musical identities to each ballet. For instance, in Ibalon, it was more anthemic and big, as a superhero movie would sound. In Sarimanok, it was more rhythmic and percussive, where I played around using meters from 4/4, 3/4, 6/8, 5/8, and 7/8. For Maria Makiling, Ron suggested we go for a more Filipino/Spanish sound, a bit more guitar-driven since both our cultures (Spanish/Filipino) have strong roots with guitar-driven songs like our Filipino kundimans and Spanish flamencos,” said Zarate.
 
He hopes that the nuances he created to personify each character and the fantasy treatment in the melodies could really allow the story to flourish on stage.
 
For this ballet, PBT reached out to Los Baños Tourism office to really ensure that the ballet characterizes Laguna’s diwata in the best possible light.
 
UP Los Baños Vice Chancelor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno, also one of known local cultural historians, assisted the creative team.
 
Quick Synopsis
Set in the scenic town of Laguna, Maria Makiling brings to life the cherished myth of a mountain goddess who protects the land and its people. During a harvest celebration, three men — an arrogant Spanish officer, a scholarly educator, and a kind-hearted farmer — compete for Maria Makiling’s affection. Her choice ignites a dark conspiracy, resulting in heartbreak and injustice.
 
In a poignant climax, nature itself mourns, and Maria Makiling withdraws from the world, choosing to protect it from afar. Though unseen, Maria Makiling’s spirit remains a living force in the land’s prosperity and the people’s hearts.
 
Casting Choices
Sharing the spotlight in the titular role of Maria Makiling are Gabby Jaynario and Jessa Tangalin. Each brings their own voice, energy, and heart to the mythical diwata, offering audiences two beautifully distinct portrayals of this iconic character. Their performances promise to highlight both Maria’s strength and her vulnerability in ways that are deeply personal and moving.

Stepping into the role of Juan, Maria’s love interest, are Matthew Davo and Justine Orande. Alternating in the part, they bring fresh chemistry and different emotional shades to Juan’s journey — from romance to heartbreak, and everything in between.

Co-presented by the Philippine Airlines, Maria Makiling will have a limited run on July 5, 3pm and 7:30pm, and July 6, 3pm,  at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.

The Philippine Ballet Theatre aims to continue its streak of success in Filipino ballets and looks forward to engaging new audiences to get to know what is in the heart of our Filipino stories.

Tickets are available through Ticketworld or the Philippine Ballet Theatre Secretariat. For ticket inquiries, call 09688708887, 09129455151, and +63286711968 or email secretariat@pbt.org.ph

Supplementary Write up of Collaborators
 
Ronilo Jaynario (Choreographer)
Appointed as Artistic Director of Philippine Ballet Theatre since 2009. Ronilo has had extensive classical and contemporary ballet training, starting as a select scholar at age 13 at the Philippine High School for the Arts in Mt. Makiling, Laguna. He continued his studies at the University of the Philippines and joined the U.P. dance company. His talent recognized early, he was invited after graduation to join the 1992 Singapore Arts Festival under the Lab. Project Philippines and later in the Baguio Arts Festival and the Bay Area Dance Series USA. In 1995, having joined the Philippine Ballet Theatre, he rose from the ranks to become Premier Danseur, essaying major classical roles. He toured extensively with the company in Europe, USA, Canada, Asia, Japan, and Taipei. He also represented the Philippines as he took part in the ASEAN Flagship Voyage that performed and toured ASEAN Countries and Europe. He is the youngest and most experienced Artistic Director of the Philippine Ballet Theatre, having danced most major classical and contemporary roles of the company.

Paulo Zarate (Composer)
A musical arranger, songwriter, film composer, musical director, music consultant and a music producer. his works have received numerous nominations and awards in various award giving bodies ( Awit, Araw, Ad Congress, Anvil, Stevie Awards to name a few.), He presently owns and manages Studio Z Audio Productions and Recording Studios, a music production house that produces works for all the major network, record labels, event production companies and ad agencies here and abroad, He is also the President of RO3ph Studio Corp a Media Production Company, He is also a Co Founder and former Co-Program Head for Music Business Management in Meridian International College ( Mint College).