Late Pinay ballerina honored in US

MANILA, Philippines — Philippine officials in Washington D.C. joined the Washington Ballet in honoring Filipino ballerina Mary Saludares, who died in an accident last month.

The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said the memorial service, which it described as "moving," was held last Tuesday.

"An estimated 200 people gathered at The Washington Ballet’s England Studio Monday to hear testimonies about Saludares’ 'obvious talent,' her warm personality and her contributions to the dance company," the DFA said on its website (www.dfa.gov.ph).

It said that during the service, video footage of Saludares’ 2008 performance as Odette in the Company’s production of "Swan Lake" and in "Fallen Angels" were played to rousing applause from the audience.

The audience included members of Saludares’ relatives, colleagues and friends from The Washington Ballet, as well as representatives from the Philippine Embassy.

Saludares, 20, died last Feb. 20 after being hit by a vehicle along Route 24 in Maryland.

“No words can describe the pain of losing Mary. She was not only a beautiful dancer, but a radiant soul who emitted peace, and joy. The entire Washington Ballet family mourns her passing, and extends its thoughts and prayers to Mary’s family," Artistic Director Septime Webre said in a statement released by The Washington Ballet.

Philippine Ambassador to Washington Willy Gaa, in his personal letter to the Saludares family, described Saludares as a “true artist and a rare talent whom the Philippines could rightly be proud of."

Saludares received the Luva Adameit Award in the first NAMCYA Ballet Competition in the Philippines in 2004. She earned the Solo Seal, the highest award from the Royal Academy of Dance.

She was also the Philippines’ first entry in the 2006 Adeline Genée International Ballet Competition and gained further recognition by being selected to join The Washington Ballet Studio Company for its
2008 – 2009 season.

Her remains were returned to the Philippines with the assistance of the Philippine Embassy in Washington, D.C. - GMANews.TV

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