PRESS RELEASE

Philippine Embassy, Canberra

1 Moonah Place, Yarralumla, ACT 2600
www.philembassy.org.au    *Tel. No. 02-6273-2535*

18 October 2025, CANBERRA – Philippine Ambassador to Australia Antonio A. Morales attended the premiere of Fortūna, a solo dance-theatre performance created and performed by Filipino-Australian artist Sugar Kaye Sañejo Grefaldeo at the Canberra Theatre Centre.

Blending Filipino folk dance, hip-hop, and spoken word, Fortūna explores the themes of luck, wealth, and destiny through the lens of the Filipino diaspora. The performance reflects the artist’s personal journey from Philippines to Australia and highlights the resilience, creativity, and enduring cultural spirit of Filipinos abroad. The performance also paid tribute to the artist’s mentor, dance teacher Raffy Fortuna, whose guidance helped shape her path as an artist and educator.

Ambassador Morales commended Ms. Grefaldeo for her artistic achievement and for bringing contemporary Filipino stories to Australian audiences.

Developed with collaborators Erika Jayne Goldsmith and Richu John Kung under the Canberra Theatre Centre’s New Works Program in partnership with Ausdance ACT, Fortūna presents a bold, deeply personal, and culturally rich performance that engages audiences with universal questions of destiny, perseverance, and mentorship. – END –