PHL Embassy Congratulates Ballet Manila's Successful Tour In Ireland

Philippine Ambassador to Ireland Ariel Y. Abadilla congratulated the 19-member Ballet Manila and its prima ballerina Lisa Macuja-Elizalde For the group’s successful maiden tour in Ireland dubbed “Philippine Ballet Gala Concert - East Meets West”. 

“You are a great ambassador for Philippine culture and the arts,” Ambassador Abadilla told Ms. Macuja-Elizalde after the Dublin finale that drew a standing ovation from the audience which included two Irish cabinet ministers and several Irish government and business personalities.

The shows in Ireland were produced by Ms. Teresa Adaya-Meaney, a Filipina businesswoman in Dublin, and her Detail Design Production and were aimed at raising the profile of the Filipino community in Ireland by showcasing the talent and world-class artistry of Filipinos.

The Ambassador was very pleased with the media reviews and the reaction of the predominantly Irish audience who were all praise for the grace and skills of the dancers and the uniqueness of the show.

Filipinos in the audience were also visibly touched by the nationalistic elements in the repertoire.  “The show made us so proud to be Filipinos,” quipped a long-time Filipino resident in Ireland.

In his message, Irish Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport Leo Varadkar said that “…as well as giving Irish people the opportunity to see an innovative and famous ballet company, this is also an opportunity for Ireland to showcase some of our key concert halls with performances taking place in the National Convention Centre Dublin, the Cork Opera House, the University of Limerick Concert Hall.”

A fourth performance was held at the Millennium Forum in Derry in Northern Ireland.

The highlight of the tour was the performance at the new and iconic Convention Centre in Dublin which was attended by high-level Irish officials, including Minister for the Arts, Heritage and Gaeltacht Jimmy Deenihan, Minister for Children and Youth Affairs Frances Fitzgerald, members of Parliament Eric Byrne and Marcela Corcoran Kennedy, and Deputy Lord Mayor Maria Parodi. In his message, Ambassador Abadilla said that “the performances in the major cities of Dublin, Limerick, and Cork, assume greater significance as they dovetail with the celebration of the second anniversary of the opening of a Philippine resident Embassy in Ireland that adds to the further strengthening, among others, of Philippine-Irish cultural relations.

The scale and calibre of Ballet Manila’s Ireland tour is not only a pioneering showcase of the best in Philippine performing arts but it also did well in fostering goodwill between our two peoples.” he added. END