5 November 2015 - Ballet Philippines was warmly applauded by an appreciative Cantonese audience of 700 when it performed on October 31 at the Guangdong Cantonese Opera Theater Performance Center in Guangzhou.

The performance in Guangzhou was the final of its three performances in three cities in China, which were held as part of the country’s cultural diplomacy program and to mark the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the People’s Republic of China. The other two performances were in Chongqing and Xiamen. 

The event was attended by Guangdong government officials, led by Mr. Luo Jun, Deputy Director General of the province’s Foreign Affairs Office and Mr. Gu Minqiang, Deputy Director General of Guangdong’s Department of Culture. Also present during the event were members of the consular corps, the academe, business sector, students and teachers from different schools and universities, media and the Filipino community. 

For its repertoire, Ballet Philippines dazzled the audience with its wide range of classical, neo-classical, modern and contemporary dances, which included many of its own acclaimed works created and performed throughout its 46-year history.

Guests were most impressed with the neo-classical and contemporary pieces with uniquely Filipino themes set to Filipino music.  

In her remarks for the occasion, Philippine Consul General to Guangzhou Marie Charlotte Tang recognized the valuable contribution of Ballet Philippines to the development of Philippine arts and its role as one of the country’s top cultural ambassadors.  She also highlighted that the performance was a tribute to the centuries-long active people-to-people and cultural exchanges between the two countries and between the Philippines and Guangdong.

Ms. Tang also thanked the Guangdong Cultural Department and the Foreign Affairs Office for the assistance that both offices extended to the Philippine Consulate General in making the performance possible.

Ballet Philippines is the Philippines flagship company in ballet and modern dance.  For its China tour, the company was led by its President Margie Moran-Floirendo, Corporate Secretary Doreen Yu and BP Artistic Director Paul Alexander Morales.  

For the performance, the Consulate received valuable help from members of the Filipino community—the Filipino community GZ and FilKam. END.