Margie Floirendo is the new president of Ballet Philippines

MANILA, Philippines - Ballet Philippines, the premier dance company in the country, welcomes its new president Margie Moran-Floirendo and artistic director Paul Morales to its leadership ranks.

Floirendo, who won the Miss Universe crown in 1973, has a masters of science in managing rural development from the University of London’s Imperial College & School of African and Asian Studies, to add to her business administration degree from Maryknoll College where she graduated cum laude.

She co-published two books — Mindanao, A Portrait and Mindanao on the Mend — and is involved in several other noteworthy organizations including Habitat Philippines, WWF Philippines, and the Southern Philippine Foundation for Arts, Culture and Ecology. 

Dancer, choreographer, theater director and independent filmmaker Paul Morales is a graduate of theater directing from the University of the Philippines Diliman and the CCP Dance School. With the support of Ballet Philippines, the CCP and the British Council, he became a scholar at the Laban Center in London where he was able to work with the top European choreographers.

Paul has created dance works for diverse companies, with his work having been featured at the British Arts Month as well as at the French Spring in Manila. For Ballet Philippines, his works include the Parol Suite from Noche Buena, Camille Ordinario’s News Dreams for Neo-Filipino and Stilletto from Shoes++.

The appointment of Floirendo and Morales coincides with Ballet Philippines’ 40th anniversary celebration. The renowned dance company is marking the occasion by bringing back its most popular and iconic works. These include Masterworks on Aug. 14 and 15 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Aug. 16 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Tales of the Manuvu on Oct. 23 and 24 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Oct. 25 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. at the CCP Main Theater.

Also included in the repertoire are The Nutcracker at the CCP Main Theater on Dec. 3, 6, 12, and 13 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m., and Dec. 4 and 5 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and Neo Filipino at the CCP Little Theater on March 5, 2010 at 8 p.m., March 6, 2010 at 3 p.m. and 8 p.m., and March 7, 2010 at 10 a.m. and 3 p.m.

This season’s opener is accomplished choreographer Alden Lugnasin’s Swimming the Ilog Pasig, a rousing performance inspired by the campaign to restore the Pasig River to its once-pristine condition.

Ballet Philippines has also come up with a special blowout. On Aug. 15, during the 3 p.m. Masterworks show, all tickets will be priced at only P99. Regular ticket prices for all other shows start at P200 and may be purchased at www.ticketworld.com.ph. For inquiries, call Caroll Odvina at 832-6011, SMS 0922-8135148, 0928-9824101 or e-mail carol.odvina@ balletphilippines.org.