Ballet Philippines Thrills An Appreciative Audience in Chongqing

Ballet Philippines (BP) gave a rousing performance in Chongqing in the iconic Guo Tai Arts Center on the night of 26 October 2015.

Chongqing government officials, led by Mr. Long Zhou, Deputy Director-General of the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) and Mr. Kuang You Zhi, Vice Chairman of the Chongqing People’s Congress, attended the cocktail reception held before the performance.  Also in attendance were the Consuls General of Japan and Italy, other members of the consular corps, officials, faculty and students of the four major universities in Chongqing, businessmen, media people and members of the Filipino community who work in Chongqing as professionals.

In her Welcome Remarks, OUIER Undersecretary Laura Q. Del Rosario said that the night’s performance was a gift of the Philippine Government and people to the Chongqing people and government on the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and China this year, 2015.  She emphasized that even though our diplomatic relations were established only 40 years ago, as early as 400 years ago, there were already strong people-to-people exchanges between the Philippines and China.  Thus, in a sense, not only was this a celebration of 40 years of diplomatic relations, but also, of 400 years of friendship.  She also announced that Ballet Philippines, after Chongqing, will also be performing in the cities of Xiamen and Guangzhou, since these cities have also had traditionally very strong ties with the Philippines.

In his response, Mr. Long Zhou, Deputy Director General of the Chongqing Foreign Affairs Office, expressed how he was especially grateful for Usec Del Rosario’s presence in Chongqing despite her very busy schedule as Chair of the APEC Senior Officials’ Meetings.  He also acknowledged the 40 years of the establishment of diplomatic relations as a milestone, and expressed appreciation for the gift, referring to the BP performance.  He hoped for greater friendship between the Philippines and China.

After the cocktail reception, the guests filled the 677-seat theater.  The audience was thrilled, overwhelmed and overall impressed with the performance of Ballet Philippines, enthusiastically applauding after every dance number.  By the time of the last dance, “Tambol at Padyak,” the audience had fully warmed up to Ballet Philippines that they were clapping and stomping their feet all around.  Shouts of “Bravo!” could be heard repeatedly through the applause.  -  END  -