This January 2018, was held the first Russian Ball in the Philippines, attended by the Ambassador of Russian Federation Igor Khovaev. The event was organized by Natalya Bronzova, who strives to promote Russian culture and art in the Philippines.

During the Ball, the Ambassador of the Russian Federation, Igor Khovaev handed out an award, the “Bronze Butterfly” to outstanding Filipinos, who helped promote and support Russian Art & Culture in the Philippines. The awardees are: the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives Hon. Cong. Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica, USEC of Tourism and Executive Director of NPF, Maria Fema Duterte, President of the CCP Nick Lizaso and Dr. Billy Chan, Founder of the Peace Post.

The event was also attended by many celebrities such as: Cory Quirino, Nonnie and Bert Basilio, Tam and Divine Austria, Eimee Cragun, Lolita E. Mirpuri, Atty Arlene Reazon, VP of BDO bank Maurice Lim, Ditas Posadas, Agile Zamora, Myrna Yao, Serla Russel, Mache Torres and David Ackerman.

Guests were entertained by a classical quartet which performed Russian compositors music and a video on Russian historical heritage of Moscow & St. Petersburg. Host Natalya Bronzova’s best art pieces were exposed along ballroom walls. Catering was of Russian and Filipino food and the atmosphere of the arriving New Happy filled the space with joy and friendship between Russians and Filipinos attending the event.

The “Bronze Butterfly” award was created as a symbol of the Russian Ball, by the artist Natalya Bronzova, and cast into bronze. The unique bronze sculpture represents snowflakes at the base and a butterfly at the top, with the initials of Russian Ball in between. Snowflakes represent Russia and the butterfly, the eternal summer of the Philippines; the country of artist’s origin and the country she choose to live in today.