25 July 2018, Tel Aviv - Ballet Manila, one of the leading ballet groups in Asia, performed the classic Filipino folk tale “Ibong Adarna” during the Opening Night of the 31^st Karmiel Dance Festival in Israel on 24 July 2018 before an audience of about 500 Israelis and foreign guests.

The 35 members, in spectacular costumes and sweeping dance moves, entertained the audience in depicting the story “Ibong Adarna”. The story centers on a quest to capture the mythical bird that possesses magical healing powers. However, those who wish to catch the Adarna bird must prove themselves worthy and of pure heart, otherwise fall into its bitter spell.

The 3-day Karmiel Dance Festival includes dance performances, workshops, and open dance sessions attended by delegations from Israel and other international group. The festival began in 1987 as a celebration of Israeli folk dance, and now features many different dance troupes, attracting thousands of dancers and hundreds of thousands of spectators from Israel and overseas.

Ballet Manila was established in 1995 led by Ms. Lisa Macuja-Elizalde. Training and education are the foremost priorities of the group to “bring ballet to the people and people to the ballet.”

Ballet Manila is also set to perform “Ibong Adarna” on 28 July 2018 in at the Shmulik Shiloh Eshkol Auditorium in Eshkol Regional Council. – END

(Top & bottom photos) Scenes from Ballet Manila’s “Ibong Adarna” during its performance at the Opening of the 31^st Karmiel Dance Festival

Ambassador Neal Imperial (2^nd Row; 5^th from left) together with Vice Consul Judy Razon & Consul General Randy Arquiza (2^nd Row; 3^rd & 4^th from left), poses with Ballet Manila members after their performance.