At first glance, Juliana Gatapia exudes a quiet humility. With her soft-spoken nature and reserved demeanor, one might mistake her for someone who prefers to stay in the background. But the moment she steps onto the stage, everything changes. The shy young woman vanishes, replaced by an artist whose movements command attention—each step, turn, and leap infused with raw emotion, passion, and an unyielding drive for excellence.
I had the privilege of meeting Juliana personally, and I saw this transformation firsthand. Offstage, she is thoughtful and introspective, choosing her words with care. But when she dances, she speaks fluently through motion, conveying stories and emotions that words alone could never capture. It’s as if the stage is her second home, the one place where she is truly and utterly herself.
This is the story of Juliana Gatapia—a Filipina ballet dancer making her mark in Europe, breaking barriers, and redefining what it means to dream beyond borders.
Juliana’s journey in dance began in the Philippines, where her natural talent quickly set her apart. She trained on a full-tuition scholarship at ACTS Manila, a ballet institution under the direction of Chelo B. Gemina, ACBA, known for its strong classical training and values-based education. It was here that Juliana’s love for ballet transformed into an undeniable calling.
Her early achievements spoke of her potential—placing 6th in the 2016 Philippine Dance Cup and earning Distinction in the 2017 Australian Conservatoire of Ballet Exam—but behind each accolade was a deeper story of perseverance.
At just nine years old, Juliana faced the heartbreaking loss of her father. Losing a parent at such a young age can alter the course of a child’s life, and for Juliana, it became a defining moment. Rather than allowing grief to consume her, she used it as fuel to push forward.
“Losing my dad taught me to be strong and independent,” she shared. “It pushed me to explore and even make my own opportunities to further chase my dreams, especially when it’s difficult to do so.”
During her gap year before moving abroad, Juliana took on various online jobs in social media management and design—a stark contrast to the world of dance. But these experiences taught her invaluable skills in business and marketing, which she now sees as tools to help uplift the performing arts.
Today, at just 21, Juliana is breaking new ground as the first Filipino accepted into the Bottaini Ballet Academy in Turin, Italy. The academy, under the leadership of Alen Bottaini, is renowned for producing world-class dancers. Bottaini, a former principal dancer celebrated for his extraordinary career, is known for his unique and inspiring teaching methods, shaping the next generation of outstanding artists.
For Juliana, training under such an esteemed mentor is both an honor and a challenge. The academy demands excellence, pushing its dancers to their limits both physically and artistically. Yet, Juliana has proven that she belongs among the best—not just because of her technical precision, but because of the emotion and soul she brings to every performance.
Watching Juliana dance is an experience unlike any other. She doesn’t just execute movements; she embodies the music, making the audience feel every note. Her artistry is raw, honest, and deeply moving. She has the rare ability to turn pain into poetry, struggle into strength, and silence into symphony.
While many dancers focus solely on perfecting their craft, Juliana’s vision extends beyond performing. She dreams of building a platform to inspire others and to make ballet more accessible to people of all backgrounds.
Her experiences in dance research and arts administration have sparked an interest in the business side of the performing arts. She envisions a future where dance is not just a privilege for a select few but an art form that touches and transforms lives on a greater scale.
“I want to combine my passions of creating art to uplift the performing arts and make it impactful for all generations,” Juliana shares.
She understands that ballet is more than just technique—it is a language of expression, a bridge between cultures, and a powerful tool for storytelling. She hopes to one day merge her passions for ballet, business, and marketing to build something that leaves a lasting impact on the arts industry.
Juliana Gatapia is the kind of artist who defies expectations. Her reserved personality offstage makes her transformation under the spotlight all the more remarkable. She is living proof that art has the power to transcend words, to communicate what the heart cannot say, and to turn pain into something breathtakingly beautiful.
Meeting her was a privilege, but watching her dance was a revelation. Juliana’s story is not just about ballet—it’s about resilience, reinvention, and finding one’s voice in the most unexpected places.
As she continues her journey in Europe, Juliana is more than a rising star—she is an inspiration to Filipinos everywhere. She reminds us that dreams are not limited by geography, that talent knows no borders, and that even the shyest souls can command the world’s attention when they step into their power.
Let us celebrate Juliana, not only for her artistry but for the quiet courage that fuels her every move. She is living proof that the most profound transformations happen when we dare to dance through life’s challenges.
As Juliana continues to train under some of the world’s finest ballet mentors, she remains focused on refining her craft, building her platform, and inspiring the next generation of dancers. Whether on stage or behind the scenes, one thing is certain—her journey is only just beginning.
And if there’s one thing we know about Juliana Gatapia, it’s that when she dances, the world watches.
