AUTHENTICATIONRussians Learn from Great Filipino Artistes in One-Of-A-Kind Cultural Class
Students of Asian Studies from the Moscow State University (MSU) led by Professor Elena Frolova (standing row, 7th from right) as well as other Russian students of the arts who attended the “Master Class on Philippine Folk Music and Dances” hosted by Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta (standing row, 3rd from left) pose for a photo with the special guest speakers: (seated row, from leftmost) Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, CEO and Artistic Director of Ballet Manila; Ms. Bianca Camille Lopez, Soprano; Mr. Noli DO. Rodriguez, Maestro Conductor of the PWU-JASMS Rondalla; and, Mr. Osias G. Barroso, Jr., Choreographer of Ballet Manila
11 October 2017 MOSCOW — Russians and Filipinos alike were treated to a rare opportunity to deepen their appreciation of Philippine traditional music and dances from a unique combination of top Filipino artistes that were brought to Moscow by the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) to perform for the 2017 Days of Philippine Culture in Russia. The special event, entitled, “Master Class on Philippine Folk Music and Dances,” was hosted by the Philippine Embassy in Moscow on September 28. Some 40 participants, which included Russian students of the arts and international affairs as well as members of the Philippine Embassy, joined the class.
In his brief opening remarks, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos D. Sorreta stated, “I’m very honored to have here in the Embassy such talented masters as Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, Ms. Bianca Lopez, and Maestro Noli Rodriguez who have brought great pride to our country through a really amazing concert last night in the opening ceremony and gala performance of the Days of Philippine Culture in Russia. It’s such a rare privilege to have you all here with us. I’m thankful to you all for sharing your time to spread your passionate love for Philippine music and dance to our audience here today. I’m sure they’ll all be going home with a greater appreciation for Philippine culture.”
Both audience and guest speakers enthusiastically engaged in a 2-hour long interactive lecture delivered by the creative minds and talents that produced the concert program of the much-lauded Days of Philippine Culture in Russia. The lecture was headed off by Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde, CEO and Artistic Director of Ballet Manila and the Director of the 2017 Days of Philippine Culture in Russia, with the aid of Mr. Osias G. Barroso, Jr. and Mr. Rudy M. De Dios, as well as other members of Ballet Manila who gamely demonstrated basic ballet forms and its application in a fun exercise of the traditional Philippine dance, tinikling, prepared especially for the class.
Ms. Bianca Camille Lopez, soprano and alumnus of the world-renowned Philippine Madrigal Singers had the class participants engage in simple but fun exercises to demonstrate the daily routine maintained by “vocal athletes” such as herself. Meanwhile, Maestro Noli DO. Rodriguez, Conductor of the nationally-acclaimed Philippine Women’s University-Jose Abad Santos Memorial School (PWU-JASMS) Rondalla spoke passionately about the Philippines’ very own version of an “orchestra,” the Rondalla, which brings together string instruments such as the banduria, octavina, and contrabass traditionally used in Philippine music in a classic harmony familiar to all Filipinos and reminiscent of the music of the barrios or the countryside. Members of the PWU-JASMS Rondalla also treated the participants to a brief recital of one of the pieces performed during the Gala Evening to open the Days of Philippine Culture in Russia held at the Russkaya Pesnya Theater in Moscow last September 27.
The event was capped with a Filipino-style merienda prepared by the Embassy for all the guests. Both Filipino and Russian guests took the chance to speak with Ms. Macuja-Elizalde and Ms. Lopez about their craft. END
For more information, visit www.moscowpe.dfa.gov.ph.
OFFICE OF CONSULAR AFFAIRS 
