Sofia Zobel Elizalde: Ambassador of Ballet

Ayala Malls Area Head for Makati – Hamm E. Katipunan and STEPS Dance Studio Founder and Director Sofia Zobel Elizalde. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Written and photographed

By Jude Bautista

Sofia Zobel Elizalde, founder of STEPS Dance Studio, seated herself way at the back, the worst row. It was the final day of The Nutcracker Tour of Ayala Malls at the Glorietta Activity Center, last December 18, 2022.

And when some people came in late, she stood up and ushered them in her row. Later on asked them if they enjoyed themselves. Parents were constantly thanking and congratulating her for STEPS. She was the one hugging kids asking for pictures with them. She may be the hardest working ambassador for ballet in the country.

From left: Nanay Maura, STEPS Founder and Director Sofia Zobel Elizalde, Lighting Designer Katsch Katoy and daughter of Nanay Maura. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center, December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

While she sat at the back, she seated a very special person in her heart amongst the VIPs. It was her yaya who took care of her in her childhood, Nanay Maura. I only found out because Nanay Maura and family were introduced (by Sofia) to Lighting Designer Katsch Catoy who invited me to the event.

Annika Angeline Browne (Clara) and Benedict Sabularse (Nutcracker Prince). STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Action packed 48 Hours

The last show of the series, became an unintended culmination of activities. In an interview, Sofia shared how they converged, “Today, the last two days have been quite action packed. I had Pamela Espejo mounting NUTCRACKER in (Ayala Malls ) Manila Bay yesterday. We were in Bangkok and it was the finals of the Asian Grand Prix Competition. This morning, my former student Elwince Magbitang sent me the beautiful news that DANCE Magazine U.S.A just published 25 DANCERS TO LOOK OUT FOR 2023. And he was one of them. Great news.”

Fans got to take photos with the whole cast. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center, December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Generational Love for Ballet

The love and devotion to ballet is something that Sofia acquired from her parents. STEPS DANCE STUDIO – Head of Jazz Dance Faculty, James Laforteza related an incident that surprised even him. The mall tour premiered at Greenbelt where the venue was outdoors last November 18.

Log on to
https://smdc.com/

Don Jaime and Beatriz Zobel de Ayala, were in attendance. Unfortunately, it began to rain and audiences started to scamper for the nearest shelter. Unlike most people, the couple insisted on staying put, to finish the show under an umbrella.

Don Jaime Zobel de Ayala Sr. and Beatriz Zobel de Ayala at the Greenbelt premiere of STEPS’ The Nutcracker Ayala Malls Tour, November 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo from Manila Bulletin online
https://mb.com.ph/2022/11/27/christmas-at-ayala-malls/

James and other STEPS staff were so moved by the couple’s devotion, they had no choice but to follow suit. And themselves got wet, through the process. Their presence in a way, was an even stronger statement than the sponsorship of Bank of the Philippine Islands and Ayala Malls as venue. The event was also co-sponsored by PANDORA.

STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

STEPS is 28 Years Old

Apart from Elwince Magbitang, and Vince Pelegrin there have been many STEPS Dance Studio alumni who’ve had success abroad and are in local productions. Sofia explains, “My school is 28 years old. Over the years we’ve had many young students. Who have gone on to local and international Ballet companies. They’ve just done very well. We’ve had many, many students graduate from the school and have done very well. I think that’s what it’s all about, my school gave them the best training that we can give. And we help them find their career path moving forward.”

Log on to
https://www.cebupacificair.com/

Katherine Nuñez (Sugar Plum Fairy) and Benedict Sabularse (Nutcracker Prince). STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Julio Laforteza in REP’s Carousel

The most recent STEPS Alum who has seen success is Julio Laforteza. He is in the hit musical CAROUSEL by Repertory Philippines with Karylle and Gian Magdangal in the lead roles. It was a modern take that incorporated several integral dance sequences which Julio performed with Gia Gequinto, formerly of Ballet Philippines.

Gia Gequinto (Louise) and Julio Laforteza (Timony/Barker); Watch hit show REP’s CAROUSEL at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Blackbox Theater), on its last weekend December 16, 17 and 18, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Sofia said, “Julio was with us many years. His father (James) works with STEPS actually. And Julio was a wonderful dancer. Now he has gone more to musical theater. That’s what actually happens with the school. Some go to Classical Ballet. Some go to become modern dancers. Julio, in particular, has gone more into contemporary dance and musical theater. I’m happy to hear he’s proud of his school. He’s very talented. It’s wonderful seeing many of our products from the school getting better. And finding their careers as artists. It’s really a joy for me to see.”

Julio Laforteza (Timony/Barker) and Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante (Carrie/Starkeeper). Watch hit show REP’s CAROUSEL at Tanghalang Ignacio Gimenez (Blackbox Theater), on its last weekend December 16, 17 and 18, 2022. Photo by Jude Bautista

Julio also underwent training in the U.S. at the Tisch School of the Arts. Where he learned from illustrious choreographers like Sean Curran, Pamela Pietro, Rashaun Mitchell and many more.

Jilliane Aquino (Clara); STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included Ayala Malls Manila Bay December 17, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Like My Children

In the middle of our interview, one parent couldn’t resist greeting her. Parent: We’re having fun just as much as they are. SZE: I’m glad you’re having fun because so am I. I love watching them getting better and better. Parent: I can’t wait for the next show whatever you’ve got planned. SZE: Hopefully, we’ll be doing something good. Merry Christmas to you and your family.

And then Sofia sees a young sibling of her student. There’s a twinkle in her eye and is already recruiting, “Agustina I might see you.. in tights. You have a bailarina’s body.”

Log on to
https://www.philippineairlines.com/

From left: STEPS Choreographer Instructor Jeff Espejo, Danier Laganzo, Kevin Cascaño, STEPS Founder Sofia Zobel Elizalde, Benedict Sabularse, Joshua Saagundo and STEPS Choreographer / Instructor Pamela Espejo. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center, December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Talking about the success of her students she adds, “I’m super proud. These are all like my children. It’s really nice working with these kids and allowing them to find their career path.”

During the meet and greet of the dancers with their young fans, there was one parent who also lined up: Dawn Zulueta. Her daughter Ayisha is also in STEPS but was not yet a part of this year’s edition of The Nutcracker. Sofia said, “Ayisha is a very talented dancer. (Referring to Dawn) Her daughter’s in my school. Hopefully she’s gonna be dancing more and more and very talented. We’ll see what’s in store for her.”

From left: Dawn Zulueta and STEPS Founder and Director Sofia Zobel Elizalde. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Magic Happens

STEPS is reaping the benefits of spreading the gospel of ballet at the grassroots level. Having tie ups with the Ayala Foundation’s Center for Excellence (CENTEX) where those who can’t afford to take up ballet are given scholarships, dance shoes and other support. Elwince Magbitang, who was named as one of the 25 DANCERS TO LOOK OUT FOR 2023, in the U.S. was a beneficiary of CENTEX.

Dawn Zulueta with daughter Ayisha Lagdameo; STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Sofia also made note that its not just in ballet but art in general, “Yes, well, you know the arts is for everybody. It doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s about the talent you have. I welcome everyone into my school. It’s all about, if you love it and if you have the talent. Doesn’t matter where you come from. It’s amazing how in life you can have a little bit of luck and hard work. If you give equal opportunities to kids magic happens.”

Log on to
https://smdc.com/

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

The Mandaluyong Children’s Choir; STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center, December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Log on to
https://www.cebupacificair.com/

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included Ayala Malls Manila Bay December 17, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

Samantha Garay; STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included Ayala Malls Manila Bay December 17, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista (18)

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

Log on to
https://www.philippineairlines.com/

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

Beanny Lanzona and Kevin Cascaño; STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

Mirlitons from left: Samantha Garay, Sam Uyboco and Francine Beltran. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included Ayala Malls Manila Bay December 17, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

Log on to
https://smdc.com/

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

From left: Choreographer Edna Vida Froilan and STEPS Founder and Director Sofia Zobel Elizalde. STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included the Glorietta Activity Center December 18, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

Log on to
https://www.cebupacificair.com/

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included Ayala Malls Manila Bay December 17, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista (28)

http://judebsports.wordpress.com/ , http://judebfood.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebphoto.wordpress.com/ , https://judebgallery.wordpress.com/ ,

http://judebautista.wordpress.com/

Stephanie Uyboco (Spanish Chocolate); STEPS’ The Nutcracker had a successful Ayala Malls Tour which included Ayala Malls Manila Bay December 17, 2022. The tour was co-sponsored by BPI, PANDORA and Ayala Malls. Photo by Jude Bautista