Philippine Ballet Theatre re-imagines the legendary guardian of Mount Makiling through a fantastical original full-length ballet that pays homage to Philippine heritage, literature, and oral tradition through dance.
In line with its mission to promote the country’s rich culture and traditions through the art of ballet, Philippine Ballet Theatre (PBT) has created Maria Makiling, an original full-length ballet that centers on the beloved mythological guardian of Mount Makiling. Through powerful choreography and captivating music, the show aims to inspire audiences through world-class Filipino talent and a heartfelt story about the importance of integrity.
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The Tale Of Maria Makiling
Set in the scenic town of Laguna, Maria Makiling brings to life the cherished myth of the Philippine 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.
The Powerhouse Collaboration Behind Maria Makiling
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).
The two 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.
“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,” shares Jaynario. “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.”
Creating this ballet was particularly meaningful to the artistic director. 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, who’s a household name at the school.
Meanwhile, 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,” the composer explains. “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 kundiman and Spanish flamenco.”
Zarate hopes that the nuances he created to personify each character and the fantasy treatment in the melodies will allow the story to flourish on stage.
PBT reached out to the Los Baños Tourism office to really ensure that the ballet characterizes Laguna’s diwata [a gender-neutral Filipino term that refers to nature spirits, fairies, and even deities] in the best possible light. UP Los Baños Vice Chancelor for Community Affairs Roberto Cereno, also one of the known local cultural historians, assisted the creative team.
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 diwata, offering audiences two beautifully distinct portrayals of the iconic character. Their performances promise to highlight both Maria’s strength and her vulnerability in ways that are deeply personal and moving.
Dancers Matthew Davo and Justien Orande will be stepping into the role of Juan, Maria’s love interest. Alternating the part, they both 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 (with a matinee at 3 PM and an evening show at 730 PM), and July 6 (3 PM) at the Samsung Performing Arts Theatre.
Tickets are available through Ticketworld or the Philippine Ballet Theatre Secretariat. For ticket inquiries, call 09688708887, 09129455151, and +63286711968 or email [email protected]
Photo by Erica Marquez Jacinto, courtesy of the CCP.
