Patrick Alcedo

In Manila, a group of young Filipinos dream of making it big in the ballet world. Victor, who comes from a poor family, and Monica from a privileged background are among them. In this city that is one of the world’s most populated, the difference between those who have and those who have not is painfully extreme. Amidst Manila’s disparate social class structure, ballet teacher Luther hopes to lift his students out of poverty through artistic and life skills one learns from dancing.

A former ballet star in the Philippines, Luther Perez surrendered his US Green Card to teach dance to underprivileged children and youth in urban poor districts in Quezon City. He wanted to continue the heroic work started by his close friend, Eddie Elejar, and late domestic partner, Tony Fabella, of empowering the marginalized through ballet.

15-year-old Dorothy Echipare struggles to survive as a high-school student and ballet dancer while living alone in a poor urban district in Quezon City, Philippines.

A probe into the harsh realities of pursuing a passion in a setting that does not reward it.