From a Manila slum emerges an unlikely ballerina

MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The ghetto called Aroma reeks of putrefying trash collected by its residents for recycling. Half-naked children with grimy faces play on muddy dirt roads lined by crumbling shanties of tarpaulin walls, cracked tin roofs and communal toilets.

From this Manila slum of garbage collectors emerged an unlikely Cinderella: ballerina Jessa Balote who at the age of 10 was plucked out of her grubby life by a ballet school to prepare her for a life on stage.

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  1. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote, 3rd from right, points her toes with other students during a class at Ballet Manila at the Philippine capital. Balote, who used t
  2. In this photo taken Dec. 4, 2012, the area where Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote lives at a place called Aroma in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Balote, who used to tag along with her family as they c
  3. In this photo taken Dec. 4, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote holds her hair outside her cramped home at a place called Aroma in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Balote, who used to tag along with h
  4. In this photo taken Dec. 4, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote uses her smartphone beside a wall filled with her ballet certificates and pictures inside her cramped home at a place called Aroma
  5. In this photo taken Dec. 4, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote arranges her things as she sits beside her sleeping niece inside their cramped home at a place called Aroma in Tondo, Manila, Phili
  6. In this photo taken Dec. 4, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote arranges her ballet shoes and clothes inside their cramped home at a place called Aroma in Tondo, Manila, Philippines. Balote, who
  7. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote rehearses during a class at Ballet Manila in the Philippine capital. Balote, who used to tag along with her family as they collect
  8. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote, right, talks with another student as she stretches before the start of classes at Ballet Manila in the Philippine capital. Balote
  9. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote, center, practices with other students during a class at Ballet Manila in the Philippine capital. Balote, who used to tag along wi
  10. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote, center, practices with other students during a class at Ballet Manila in the Philippine capital. Balote, who used to tag along wi
  11. In this photo taken Nov. 25 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jessa Balote, center, balances during a class at Ballet Manila at the Philippine capital. Balote, who used to tag along with her family as they
  12. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jamil Montebon, left, practices steps during a class at Ballet Manila in the Philippine capital. Montebon, a scholar at Ballet Manila
  13. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jamil Montebon, right, focuses during a class at Ballet Manila at the Philippine capital. Montebon, a scholar at Ballet Manila
  14. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dwellers Jessa Balote, center, and Jamil Montebon, top, practice with other students during a class at Ballet Manila at the Philippine capital. Aside f
  15. In this photo taken Nov. 25, 2012, Filipino slum dweller Jamil Montebon uses his worn-out ballet shoes as he practices steps during a class at Ballet Manila in the Philippine capital. Montebon, a scho
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