The best cultural experiences in Asia are led by these guardians of the arts

Artistic expression thrives throughout the region with ballets, symphonies, plays and other creative performances

The leading creatives on Asia’s Most Influential list ensure that artistic expression thrives everywhere in the region. As leaders of cultural institutions, they support and develop the region’s symphonies, ballets, plays and other forms of theatrical art, which not only provide entertainment to audiences but also inspire and challenge them. Often a mirror of reality and history, these creative performances reflect the values and traditions of society or comment on important issues such as inequality and injustice. It’s important to support artistic institutions so they can continue to nurture homegrown talents, including dancers, actors, writers and directors, and also preserve Asia’s cultural heritage.

Also read: Art Basel and beyond: Asia’s best museums, galleries and art shows—and the people behind them

Margarita ‘Margie’ Moran-Floirendo, president, Cultural Center of the Philippines (Philippines)

Above Margarita ‘Margie’ Moran-Floirendo, president, Cultural Center of the Philippines

Appointed president of the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) last year, Margie Moran-Floirendo took on the important undertaking of renovating the country’s premier institution for artistic and cultural experiences. Since she first rose to national prominence after being crowned Miss Universe in 1973, Moran-Floirendo has become an important pillar of the Philippine cultural landscape, and has previously served as president of Ballet Philippines and chairman of the CCP.

As head of the CCP, Moran-Floirendo expressed the need to upgrade acoustic systems, revamp dressing rooms and refurbish interiors to future-proof the institution. In March 2023, the president and the CCP hosted a fundraiser gala featuring tenor Arthur Espiritu, soprano Stefanie Quintin and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra Chamber Ensemble, to support the rehabilitation of the Tanghalang Pambansa, the main building within the CCP complex that had been designed by National Artist Leandro Locsin.

Despite ongoing renovations, the CCP maintains a full schedule at alternate venues, with the Ballet Philippines’ adaptation of Diyosa set for April 2023 and the Philippine Philharmonic Orchestra’s 50th-anniversary gala slated for May. “We hope to complete the rehabilitation by 2025, so we can open our venues again to the public in 2026. When we reopen the CCP Main Building, the public can expect a globally competitive performance venue and tourist destination,” said Moran-Floirendo.

Read Margarita ‘Margie’ Moran-Floirendo’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Septime Webre, artistic director, Hong Kong Ballet (Hong Kong)

Above Septime Webre, artistic director, Hong Kong Ballet

Septime Webre, the artistic director of the Hong Kong Ballet (HKB), draws inspiration from Hong Kong, which he describes in a HKB video as “a city that crackles with energy”, and from the company’s dancers, who are “simply explosive” and full of passion in all aspects of their work. For the renowned ballet choreographer, who was previously the artistic director of the Washington Ballet and the American Repertory Ballet in Princeton, HKB is about “living life with gusto… That’s how we dance, hopefully that’s how we live, and that’s certainly how we will be approaching our work at the Hong Kong Ballet going forward”.

Webre’s most recent productions with the Hong Kong Ballet include The Nutcracker, Carmina Burana and Romeo + Juliet, the last of which toured New York in January 2023. Of the ’60s mood infused in the modern staging of Shakespeare’s immortal love story, Webre said to Tatler: “The optimism in Hong Kong was boundless, but there was also a dark story behind some of the new wealth. All of these things are appealing and alluring, and the designs fascinating and beautiful. There’s a nostalgia that Hong Kong people have for this era.”

Read Septime Webre’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Jo Kukathas, co-founder, The Instant Café Theatre Company (Malaysia)

Above Jo Kukathas, co-founder, The Instant Café Theatre Company

“Theatre is a place to create something from nothing using bodies, words, movement music, sound, and light. It’s a place to share wonder with other people. If we lose our sense of wonder we will become cynical, grizzled, jaded, hardened,” said Jo Kukathas. In 1989, the award-winning writer, actor and director co-founded the Instant Café Theatre (ICT) to nurture performances that not only entertain but also comment on current events with the use of satirical humour. For three decades, ICT and its cast of progressive Malaysian talents have shared their perspective in Malaysia and the rest of the world, in Hong Kong, Singapore, Japan and Australia.

In 2022, the company collaborated with Afghan refugee theatre collective Parastoo Theatre to stage And Then Came Spring, co-written and co-directed by Jo and Saleh Sepas, which tells the story of Afghan child bride Nazanin and her sister Laily. In March 2023, Jo returned to satire, staging a one-night-only performance of her iconic characters, the politician YBeeee and the reality star Curry Spice, in Instant Cafe Night Live! EDISI X at the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre.

Read Jo Kukathas’ full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Tatler Asia's Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia's Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.

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Topics

Asia’s Most Influential Asia’s Most Influential 2022 Jo Kukathas Septime Webre Margarita ‘Margie’ Moran-Floirendo

Tatler Asia

The best cultural experiences in Asia are made possible by these guardians of the arts

Margarita ‘Margie’ Moran-Floirendo, president, Cultural Center of the Philippines (Philippines)

Septime Webre, artistic director, Hong Kong Ballet (Hong Kong)

Jo Kukathas, co-founder, The Instant Café Theatre Company (Malaysia)