MANILA, Philippines - Because the troupe has not performed in the Philippines, little is known about the Cloud Gate Dance Theater of Taiwan in this country, except perhaps for the specialists who follow developments abroad.

But Cloud Gate, the cultural media learned recently, has been making waves in the international scene because of its mature and distinct Chinese style of movement, and its fusion of dance techniques and theatrical concepts from East to West.

It has toured with great success in Europe, Australia, and the Americas.

The company was founded in 1973 by Lin Hwai-Min, Ramon Magsaysay Awardee for Creative Communication Arts in 1999.

And now, on the occasion of the Ramon Magsaysay Awards Foundation?s (RMAF) 50th anniversary, Cloud Gate will perform at the Cultural Center of the Philippines on Aug. 30-31, 8 p.m. This was announced during a recent press conference at the CCP. The performances are presented by the RMAF, the Taiwan Chamber of Commerce, and the Ayala Group of Companies.

At the press con, director Chris Millado of the CCP said that watching Cloud Gate ?is not merely watching dance. It?s some sort of meditation, an experience. They are inspired by their ancient philosophers and they merge it into the contemporary, present-day modern age.?

He added, ?They were sold out in New York. It was difficult to get tickets there.?

At the CCP, Cloud Gate, named after an ancient Chinese ritual dance, will present its signature work, ?Moon Water,? to the music of JS Bach?s ?Six Suites for Solo Cello.? Running time is one hour and ten minutes, with no interval.

The work is inspired by a Buddhist proverb (?flowers in a mirror and moon on the water are both illusory?), and by the ideal state of Tai Chi practitioners ("energy flows as water, while the spirit shines as the moon?).

?Moon Water? is a black and white production, the stage floor covered by black marley and the dancers clad in billowing white silk, moving as if in a trance; their arms appear to be floating. Eventually, the floor will be covered by water.

A 10-minute excerpt from the work was shown during the press con, and one could immediately sense the discipline and rigorous work entailed in the interpretation of the Lin creation. One fell under the spell of the work, although it was ?only? a brief video showing.

The training of the Cloud Gate dancers includes ballet, modern dance, and Beijing opera movements. They practice meditation and martial arts, with great emphasis on breathing.

As choreographer Lin (he is also a creative writer) poetically put it: ?We are waves rolling in the sea. We are mountains, strong yet silent. We are cranes spreading our wings. Our hands are our wheels, as we turn in circles, bending low.?

During the press con, RMAF president Carmencita Abello quipped: ?It took 50 years to bring Cloud Gate here. It might take another 50 years for the company to return.?