The Poetry of Motion
A Hong Kong Ballet dancer reflects on the relentless quest for perfection and his move from the Philippines driven by a desire to grow both personally
“Are you sure?” asks Garry Corpuz’s father, seated around the table in the provincial mayor’s home, where they had been invited to reconsider the scholarship offer for his 13-year-old son. He had always wanted Garry to pursue an academic degree, but the mayor urged them to reconsider in light of the young teen’s natural talents. It would mean a full ride to the Philippine High School of the Arts, albeit located seven hours away from home, to study ballet, a discipline about which Garry knew little.
Whether it was his sense of ambition or the excitement of exploring new horizons, Corpuz said yes. “My parents’ attitude has always been, ‘If you really want it, do it, but work hard at it’,” he explains. Empowered with this spirit of progress and a can-do attitude, Corpuz embarked on a journey that, within a short decade, saw him achieve his dream of becoming a Principal Dancer, the highest rank in a professional dance company, at the prestigious Hong Kong Ballet.
Now in a different country from where he first started on his journey, Corpuz continues to connect with people through his craft—much like Cathay Pacific, Hong Kong’s flagship carrier known for connecting people across vast distances—proving that with dedication and determination, the sky’s the limit.
A Positive Mindset
Although it was on a whim that he auditioned for a spot at the Philippine High School of the Arts, Corpuz quickly fell in love with ballet, setting him on a journey marked with notable achievements, as well as its share of challenges. “Our bodies will never be perfect, so the performance will never be perfect, and that motivates me to never stop working at it,” he says. Sharing Cathay Pacific’s commitment to discover, explore, and grow, this instinct to keep moving forward has allowed Corpuz to reach greater heights than ever before.
After completing high school, Corpuz was awarded another scholarship from Manila’s De La Salle-College of Saint Benilde, whose dance course was affiliated with Ballet Philippines. “College was the toughest time of my dancing career,” says Corpuz, describing long days that started with attending school at 7 a.m. followed by rehearsals with the ballet company until 10 p.m. Following his fellow dancer Luis Cabrera’s suggestion, who was already with Hong Kong Ballet, Corpuz auditioned and was accepted into the company after graduating from college.
“Luis and I sometimes wonder how we got through those days,” laughs Corpuz. At times, he recounts, they would eat the same food for a week just to stretch out the budget.
Tough times taught me to embrace what’s happening, to push forward, and never give up.
Garry Corpuz, Principal Dancer, Hong Kong Ballet
Corpuz attributes part of this determination to his Filipino roots, where a nature of perseverance encourages people to stay positive amidst challenges. “Life is hard and serious,” says Corpuz, “but we can still laugh.”
Meaningful Connections
When Corpuz moved from the Philippines to Hong Kong, he had to navigate cultural differences between the professional dance companies and the broader social customs of the two countries, something he succeeded in doing by embracing the same thoughtful values championed by Cathay Pacific. Though he rarely encounters any problems—particularly within the supportive community of Hong Kong Ballet—Corpuz has learned to be observant when meeting new people, saying, “I first try to understand the situation and the people around me.”
Corpuz also incorporates this sense of thoughtful connection into his dance performances, explaining that if he is portraying a villain, he finds ways to convey this character to the audience. “If the audience connects with the performance, it means they feel you and understand the meaning or interpretation of your presence on the stage,” says Corpuz. “This interaction gives me energy, and I forget about being tired.” The same connection, he notes, applies to partnering, as every dancer is different, both physically and artistically. “I try to stay sensitive and open-minded, aware that anything can happen, especially on stage,” he says. “Even if there’s a mistake, you just keep moving forward.”
Moving Beyond the Stage
After just six years of joining Hong Kong Ballet, Corpuz was promoted to Principal Dancer in 2023, a role he initially doubted he deserved. After all, he says, the company has a lot of good dancers, but he accepted the challenge and took it as motivation to keep going. “I want to connect with younger dancers and serve as a role model for them.” Even though their techniques may be better, he was inspired to set an example of work ethic and maturity to elevate younger dancers to the next level. “To achieve this,” he says, “I need to continue to push myself and grow for them to look up to me.”
Now 30, Corpuz continues to move forward, eagerly looking towards the next chapter of his journey. Reflecting on a 17-year ballet career filled with triumphs, challenges, sweat, and tears, he acknowledges the inevitable. “Time won’t allow me to dance forever,” he admits. Nonetheless, his commitment to personal growth remains unwavering. “If you don’t know the feeling of failure, you won’t know the feeling of success,” he muses, “so embrace failure, stay true to what you’re doing, true to yourself, and love what you’re doing.” For now, every pirouette, jeté, and plié marks a step forward on Corpuz’s journey, highlighting the endless possibilities that arise from living with purpose and passion.
Performance photography by Mak Cheong Wai and Conrad Dy-Liacco, courtesy of Hong Kong Ballet.
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