Menchu Macapagal of NewsWatch Now Sits Down with Repertory Philippines’ Mindy Perez Rubio, Manila Symphony Orchestra’s Maan Hontiveros, and Ballet Philippines’ Kathleen Liechtenstein for Historic Cultural Collaboration as BP Launches 56th Season with Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood Twin Bill.

NewsWatch Now recently sat down with three leading figures in Philippine arts and culture — Mindy Perez-Rubio of Repertory Philippines, Maan Hontiveros of the Manila Symphony Orchestra, and Kathleen Liechtenstein of Ballet Philippines — to uncover how their organizations joined forces for one extraordinary production: Peter and the Wolf and Little Red Riding Hood, the opening of Ballet Philippines’ 56th Season.
For the first time, three of the country’s premier cultural institutions are sharing one stage in a rare collaboration that blends theater, symphonic music, and ballet into a family-friendly double bill. Peter and the Wolf, presented by Repertory Philippines, introduces children to classical music through Prokofiev’s iconic score, where each character is represented by a different orchestral instrument. The Manila Symphony Orchestra brings the music to life under the leadership of Maan Hontiveros, offering audiences an immersive live performance.
Following this is Ballet Philippines’ Little Red Riding Hood, choreographed by Artistic Director Misha Martynyuk, which reimagines the classic fairy tale through the expressive language of dance, set to music by Saint-Saëns and Grieg.
In the NewsWatch Now interview, Perez-Rubio, Hontiveros, and Liechtenstein shared their excitement over the collaboration, noting how the fusion of their respective art forms creates an engaging cultural experience for all ages — especially young audiences. They also spoke about the shared vision of making the performing arts more accessible, inspiring, and relevant in today’s fast-paced world.
Running from August 1 to 3, 2025 at The Theatre at Solaire, this production promises to be a feast for the senses and a celebration of Philippine artistry at its finest.
Watch the NewsWatch Now segment here.
Tickets are available via TicketWorld and the Solaire Box Office and through REP channels.