The late afternoon hour was the ideal time for intimate afternoon tea in one of Manila’s most stunning heritage house, MiraNila on Mariposa Street.

Ballet and a shared love for time-honored Christmas traditions was the reason for the cozy get together set inside property’s quaint cafe, Bizu Patisserie. Scones, cakes, and sandwiches were beautifully plated alongside English roses and garden blooms. Convivial conversation among guests was accompanied by warm cups of freshly brewed tea. Bizu’s Marketing Head, Audrey Uy, explained: “Today, we are serving our newest Afternoon High Tea menu.”

Closer to golden hour, flutes filled with bubbly were brought out. It was prelude to the afternoon’s main highlight, an excerpt to Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker. Before guests were ushered to the estates sprawling gardens for the preview, Ballet Philippines President Kathleen Liechtenstein shared: “It is not by accident that we are chose The Nutcracker as our second show for the 53rd Season of Ballet Philippines. A Christmas favorite, this performance promises to relive the magic of the season. Along with that, we also look forward sharing the magic with audiences as well as beneficiaries of our Share The Magic CSR program.”

As soon as guest filled outside to find their places on MiraNila’s storied grounds, familiar music from Pytor Tchaivoksky filled wafted through the open air. Dancers of the company soared across the garden in perfect unison with every rhythm and beat of the 130-year-old composition. Ballerinas were lifted into the air, bringing the Land of Sweets to the MiraNila grounds.

“Tickets have already sold our as early as now. The Nutcracker will also be the last performance to be shown at the CCP before its closure for renovation,” announced Liechtenstein. Having been told that and after watching a preview of Ballet Philippines’ The Nutcracker, guests were more determined than ever to spend the holidays at the ballet.