Ballet Manila shows mark 40 years of Phil-Viet ties
To celebrate 40 years of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and Vietnam, as well as to commemorate 118 years of Philippine independence, the Philippine Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City has invited Ballet Manila to hold special concert performances on June 14 at the Opera House in HCM City and on June 16 at Can Tho City.
According to Honorary Consul General Atty. Le Thi Phung: “Through 40 years of building and cultivating the friendship of the two countries, there have been great achievements in our economic, diplomatic and socio-cultural relations. In this celebration, we hope to showcase the participation of famous Philippine art groups through sensational and breathtaking performances.”
Led by co-artistic director Osias Barroso and Mrs. Susan Macuja, the 12-person Ballet Manila delegation will stage a repertoire of original Filipino choreographies that include Agnes Locsin’s Sayaw sa Pamlang, Aguila, and Arachnida; Ernest Mandap’s Reve, and Gerardo Francisco’s Morions.
“It is an honor for Ballet Manila to be invited to perform in celebration of these two significant and historic events,” says BM artistic director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. “We are also very proud to be able to perform in two key cities in Vietnam for the first time. Through these performances, the company gets to open its 21st season by fulfilling its mission of bringing ballet to the people on an international scale.”
Meanwhile, Ballet Manila will also actively participate in giving master classes and staging performances at the upcoming Dance.MNL — the first Philippine Dance Festival — scheduled from June 14 to 26 at the CCP, Aliw Theater and Star Theater.
