24 October 2016 –The Philippine Embassy in Moscow in cooperation with the National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA), organized a workshop on Philippine folkdances for the Filipino community in Moscow, including members of the Philippine Embassy Cultural Performing Group, October 16. It was conducted by Mr. Ronnie B. Mirabuena, Chief Culture and Arts Officer of the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

The workshop titled“The Filipino Character as Portrayed in Philippine Dances”started with a lecture on the history of Philippine dances followed by a demonstration of basic movements of various folkdances. 

Mr. Mirabuena is a teacher, performer, choreographer, artistic director, and cultural educator. In 2008, he won the best choreography award for his work “Panata” during the Douglas Nieras Choreography Clinic in Manila.  He is a member of the Philippine Folk Dance Society and was recently appointed as an ex-officio member of the NCCA Cultural Education Committee.

The Philippine Embassy Cultural Performing Group, composed of dedicated volunteers from the Filipino Community in Moscow, was founded this year as a cultural diplomacy partner.  The group has already performed in several Embassy-initiated activities, such as the 2016 Philippine Independence Day celebration with the Filipino community in June, Philippine Festival in Arbat in August, and Philippine Cultural Week at the State Darwin Museum this month. END