By Robina Asido

A renowned Japanese ballet company presented "The Flames of Paris" in their first performance in the Philippines on Saturday.

In his welcome remarks, Japan Foundation Manila Director Ben Suzuki said it is also the first time K-Ballet Tokyo performed in Southeast Asia.

The performance of K-Ballet Tokyo at a theater in Makati City was witnessed by hundreds, including Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Kitagawa Katsuro, Netherlands Ambassador to the Philippines Roderick Wols, National Artists for Dance Alice Reyes and Nonoy Froilan.

In his speech, Kitagawa welcomed the members of K-Ballet Tokyo, who traveled from Japan to perform in the Philippines, marking this year's 70th anniversary of the diplomatic ties between the two countries.

"I'm confident that this shared passion or dance will bring us even closer, deepening the heart, to heart connection. between the people of Japan and the Philippines," he said.

In an interview with Philippines Shimbun, a 15 year-old ballerina from Laguna described the performance as "Magical" that she even shed tears while watching the show that lasted for an hour.

"It was so magical, I really shed tears while watching it, they're so graceful and the quality of their movement was really extraordinary," she said.

"It's very touching, their movements were very clean... and it's very emotional... it gives me passion, it fills my heart with joy because it gives me a reminder why I love ballet," she added.

The ballet performance which was created and choreographed by Shuntaro Miyao, artistic director of K-Ballet Tokyo, was set against the backdrop of the French Revolution which portrays human passion and hope, as well as the desire for freedom.

Miyao said the performance that was presented in Makati last Saturday was "just an excerpt from the flames of Paris."

"I hope that one day we will be able to present a full length production by K Ballet, Tokyo, here on the stage in the Philippines," he said.

"I sincerely hope that this encounter will become a new step towards the future of the arts, in Japan, the Philippines, and across Asia," he added. PHS