Ambassador Koji Haneda Hosts a Dinner Reception for Ballet Manila at his Residence

On April 30, 2019, Ambassador Koji Haneda welcomed guests from Ballet Manila for a dinner reception at his residence.
 

Leading the invitees were Ballet Manila Founder and Artistic Director Lisa Macuja-Elizalde and Ballet Manila Foundation - Project Ballet Futures Managing Director Sylvia Lichauco-De Leon. An estimated 30 guests from Ballet Manila and its affiliate organizations graced the small yet intimate gathering.
 

Mrs. Macuja-Elizalde, known as the Philippines’ most-celebrated prima ballerina, recognized the ties that bind Japan and the Philippines in the world of ballet through her opening message.  She mentioned that seeing the performance of Japanese prima ballerina Yoko Morishita as the Swan Queen in Swan Lake sparked her passion for ballet at a young age. Her entourage of young and talented ballet dancers included Japanese company members Nanami Hasegawa, Kotomi Narai, Akari Ida, Sayaka Ishibashi, and Hyuma Kiyosawa.

Ballet Manila is the Philippines’ premiere classical dance company, highly regarded for producing many of the country’s top ballet dancers with its adherence to rigorous training standards.
 
To read more about Ballet Manila, visit https://balletmanila.com.ph/profile/.