Lisa Macuja's unique contribution to Philippine culture and the arts over the past 15 years was further enhanced when she was recently elected as vice -chairperson of the Philippine UNESCO National Commission.

As an artist and a Filipino, Macuja has received numerous citations attesting to her world-class achievements. These include: The Order of International Friendship awarded by Russian President Vladmir Putin (2001); The Ten Outstanding Young Persons of the World (TOYP U.S.A.) IN 1997; The Outstanding Young Filipino Nation's Service (TOWNS) in 1989; the Special Prize for Artistry by the House of Diaghilev (Moscow) in 1992; Quezon City's Outstanding Citizen Award in 1989; and Manila's Patnubay ng Kalinangan at Sining in 1988.

Macuja remains to be the only Filipino ballerina to bring home a laureate prize - a silver medal from the 1987 Asia-Pacific Ballet Competition in Tokyo. She also completed the semi-finals (senior division) at the 1990 USA International Ballet Competition in Jackson, Mississippi, and won the fifth place at the 1992 International Diaghilev Ballet Competition in Moscow, Russia.

As a scholar of the USSR Ministry of Culture, Lisa Macuja entered the Vaganova Choreographic Institute (now the Academy of Russian Ballet) in Saint Petersburg in 1982, where she trained under former Kirov ballerina Tatiana A. Udalenkova. Graduating at the top of her class in 1984, she became the first foreigner to be invited to join the Kirov Ballet - a 260-year old institution in Dance. At the Kirov, Macuja came under the tutelage of the formidable mistress Galina P. Kekisheba. It was in the historical Maryinsky Theatre that Macuja first premiered as principal ballerina in The Nutcracker, Don Quixote, and Giselle.

Wishing to share her love for dance with fellow Filipino, Macuja returned to Manila in 1986 and became the first artist-in-residence of the Cultural Center of the Philippines. She has since remained Philippine-based, performing as principal ballerina in major local productions and as international guest artist in Russia, Lithuania, Latvia, Ukraine, Georgia, Armenia, the United States, Cuba, Mexico, Japan, South Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and New Zealand.

To date, Macuja has performed the principal roles in over 160 full-length and contemporary ballets in some 81 cities, spanning five continents. Her repertoire as principal includes: Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, Sleeping Beauty, The Nutcracker, Le Corsaire, La Fille Mal Gardee, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, Les Sylphides, Carmen Pineapple Poll, El Amor Brujo, Serenade, and the role of Cio-Cio San in the world premiere of Thomas Pazik's Madame Butterfly. Several contemporary Filipino ballets have also featured her in the lead role, or have been created especially for her.

Hailed as the "ballerina of the people" , Macuja is committed to bringing ballet closer to the hearts of the Filipino masses-the same inspiration that continues to spur Ballet Manila, which she helped create in 1995.

In January 2001, Macuja scored another first when she brought hey very own company, Ballet Manila, to perform in St. Petersburg (Leningrad) to the very same audience that watched her during her performances with the Kirov Ballet 15 years ago. Ballet Manila performed original Filipino choreographies in the cities of Moscow, Krasnoyarsk, Ioshkar-Ol, Cheboksary, Nizny Novgorod, Novgorod and St. Petersburg.

Virtually unerring in technique and style, yet unassailable in musicality and artistry, Lisa Macuja has aptly been called "The Filipino ballerina at her best".

Macuja is married to Fred J. Elizalde, with whom she has two children, Michelle Elizabeth and Manuel Cesar.

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As one of the finest danseurs of his generations, Osias Barroso has been hailed as a "ballerina's Prince" for his exceptional skill in partnering, as well as for his impressive accomplishments as a solo artist. He was a dance achieve '84, Arts Monthly cited by Steve Villaruz and received the Outstanding High School Alumnus Award from San Sebastian College March 1997. He also received a plaque of recognition as an Outstanding Alumnus for Arts & Culture of San Sebastian College during its 50th year Anniversary in 1997 and an awardee for Arts & Culture for the 7th Annual Young Achievers Awards in 1991.

Since 1990, Osias Barroso has performed the lead roles in both local and international productions of major full-length ballets, including La Fille Mal Gardee, Petrushka, Le Corsaire, Don Quixote, Swan Lake, Giselle, La Bayadere, The Nutcracker, Coppelia, La Sylphide, Romeo and Juliet, Les Sylphides, Carmen, El Amor Brujo, Pineapple Poll, Serenade, Firebird and several contemporary Filipino works. He has performed as guest artist in Russia, the United States, Mexico, Cuba, Japan, South Korea and Singapore. Performed his first Don Quixote & Giselle in Russia with Lisa Macuja the only Filipino danseur who has this achievement.

Critics have called Barroso the "true heir" to the line of Filipino premier danseurs fir his ability to come up with the right combination of technique and panache in every performance. His dancing has been described as secure and meticulous, yet exciting to watch. "Passion and genius", wrote one reviewer," are the gods responsible for his transformation into a dancing eloquence". In 1993, Barroso became the first Filipino classical danseur to reach the semi-final round of the First International Ballet and Modern Dance Competition held in Nagoya, Japan.

He completed the special Vaganova Method Master Class program conducted by visiting teacher Tatiana A. Udalenkova of the Academy of Russian Ballet (Vaganova Choreographic Institute) from 1996-2003, worked with Sergei Vikulov, Viktor Saveliev and Evgeny Scherbakov.

In 1993, Barroso became the first Filipino classical Danseur to reacht he semi-final round of the First International Ballet and Modern Dance Competition held in Nagoya, Japan.

In 2004, Barroso and Macuja celebrated 16 years of dance partnership with a farewell performance of their signature DOn Quixote. For the past fourteen years, they have been teaching young scholars in ballet, many of whom have now reached professional status. Proving himself to be an excellent teacher, Barroso coached the seven Ballet Manila soloists who competed in the 1997 International Ballet Competition for Asia Pacific held in Tokyo, where two of the BM dancers made it into the finals. He recently attended the 7th New York International Ballet COmpetition as coach last June 2003. Last August 2003, Barroso coached seven Ballet Manila artists in the 9th Asian Pacific International Ballet Competition held in Tokyo. One reached the semi-finals in the Senior Division, two reached the final rounds in the Junior Division.

With astonishing ease, Barroso has likewise ventured into choreography. His first neo-classical piece, In quest, premiered in Ballet Manila's debut performance in 1995. Other works include Gabriela ng Vigan, which was especially crafted to commemorate the Centennial of the Philippine Revolution, and choreographed the well received Philippine Premiere of Pinocchio in November, 2002.

He also choreographed Classical Impromptus, The Enchanted Garden, Ecole de Ballet, The Magical Bird & Masquerade which were presented during Ballet Manila's Summer Workshops from 1997-2003, he created Masquerade for the fifth Ballet Manila Dance Workshop. He choreographed and directed the very popular "Belen, Can Can and Princess of the Moon" for Star City.

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