Every child deserves the opportunity to dream, explore, and discover their potential. In this article, get to know Princess, who dreams of becoming a ballet dancer and how she has just been given the chance to take a step closer to making that dream a reality.  

On December of 2024, the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI), in collaboration with Ballet Philippines, brought the magic of dance to children in its neighboring barangays through a special three-day ballet workshop. 

For the participants, like Princess, this experience was a dream come true. “I remember telling my parents when I was three years old that I always wanted to learn ballet, but it was expensive. So I just kept practicing at home until now. Then my mom told me there were ballet classes available,” she shared. 

The workshop introduced the children to basic ballet forms and movements, allowing them to develop an appreciation for the art of dance. The culmination of their hard work and dedication was showcased in a recital during Pasko sa E. Aboitiz Street, where the young dancers confidently performed for an audience, embracing the grace and discipline of ballet. 

Beyond teaching technique, the initiative was about inspiring creativity, building confidence, and fostering a love for the arts. According to Ballet Philippines instructor Clarize Miranda, “Usually, in the Ballet Brigade that we conduct, what we do is teach, and since we’re teaching IP (Indigenous Peoples) students, they also teach us their culture and practices, like a cultural exchange. But here, since they’re not IPs, we just shared our knowledge with them and taught them their dance for their upcoming performance.” 

RAFI believes that every child has unique talents and interests waiting to be nurtured. By providing access to meaningful learning experiences like this ballet workshop, the foundation hopes to empower children to pursue their passions and build a brighter future. 

“It’s really hard to get into ballet because it’s expensive, and there are only a few foundations left that help children who want to dance. But because of RAFI, I’m thankful because here, in this place, there are so many kids who want to dance ballet. My hope for them is, if they truly love ballet and really want to dance, they just need to have dedication and patience because I’ve been dancing for 15 years. That’s a long time. Actually, I never thought I’d be where I am today. I also came from a foundation, and we didn’t have money for ballet shoes, leotards, or skirts. But there was a foundation that opened doors for us, and all we had to do was work hard. Just work hard,” Clarize explained. 

“Like a dream finally coming true, Princess beamed after the recital during Pasko sa E. Aboitiz. ‘I’m really happy,’ she said. ‘Even though it was just three days, I’m really happy because, at least, I learned something.'” 

RAFI, in partnership with organizations such as Ballet Philippines, is dedicated to advocating for education, the arts, and culture. They believe that one of the most precious gifts we can offer children is the opportunity to dream, learn, and grow.