MOSCOW, Russia—The Philippines’ world-renowned cultural groups—the Bayanihan Dance Company and the Madrigal Singers—made well-received presentations here Friday night seen to further enhance the close ties between the Philippines and Russia.

President Rodrigo Roa Duterte watched the event together with the members of his delegation, the Russian audience, and the diplomatic community here.

Friday’s Philippine Cultural Gala Performance at the Four Seasons Hotel was a first for a Filipino community event outside the country, Philippine Ambassador to Russia Carlos Sorreta said in an interview.

It shows the President’s deep love for the Filipinos abroad, he said, adding the hosting of the gala was upon the instruction of the Chief Executive.

“He’s never host — brought this. My other surprise is we are hosting — he has ordered us to hold a gala featuring Bayanihan and Madrigal Singers and to invite the Russian people and the diplomatic community to watch,” Sorreta said.

Bayanihan, the Philippine National Folk Dance Company, is a multi-awarded dance group, and has made 14 major tours to Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, Middle East, and America.

The group has recently won first place at the first Federation of International Dance Festivals Brazil World Championship and the 15th International Folklore Festival of Nova Prata.

The University of the Philippines (UP) Madrigal Singers, also known as Philippine Madrigal Singers, was organized in 1963 by National Artist Prof. Andrea Veneracion.

The group is composed of students, faculty, and alumni from the different colleges of UP. It holds the distinction of being the first choir in the world to win the European Grand Prix for Choral Singing twice, in 1997 and in 2007. PND