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VOLUME XXII No. 25
Tagbilaran City, Bohol, Philippines
December 30, 2007 issue
 

Jagna to host performance of world-class dance group

 

 

Jagna gymnasium will be the first Boholano venue of the performance of one of the country's national treasures- -the world-class Philippine National Dance Company at 7 p.m. of January 26, next year. The internationally acclaimed dance group will present their skill, grace, joi de vivre and their flawless transference of indigenous dance and music traditions in cooperation with ACL Productions managed by the talented Jagnaanon and former Bayanihan member himself, (Batch 1973), Antioco Chiong Lloren. The municipal government led by Mayor Exuperio Lloren and Fighter Wine also supports the event. Belying the common notion that the Bayanihan group only performs internationally as they demand a high price for their talent fee, the Municipality of Jagna firmly supports its noble intention of bringing their craft for the utmost satisfaction of the Boholanos waiving their talent fee to support the LGU's cultural projects. Tickets are available at the Office of the Mayor ranging from P2,000 for major sponsors, P1,000 for minor sponsors, P100 and P50 for general admission. Taking its name from the ancient Filipino tradition of “bayanihan” which manifested by working together in carrying out a big task, the company was originally conceived as the Bayanihan Folk Dance Group of the Philippine Women's University by Dr. Helena Z. Benitez in 1956.

The following year, it was formally organized as the Bayanihan Folk Arts Center with the Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company as its performing arm to preserve ethnic rites, tribal folklore and regional folk ways and to collect indigenous art forms. Since its formal organization, the company has mounted 14 major world tours (of six months to a year in duration) to Asia, Australia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas and over a hundred short tours to foreign countries. In half a century, Bayanihan has performed in six continents, 64 countries and 658 cities worldwide. As multi-awarded company- -both nationally and internationally, Bayanihan has awakened a new pride among Filipinos in their cultural heritage; added a new dimension to the country's dance tradition; and has built a rich reserve of international goodwill.

Adding to its numerous feats, the Bayanihan bagged the Absolute Winner award in the 12th World Folkdance Festival in Palma de Mallorca , Spain last April of this year besting the other 50 dance groups from all over world that joined in the international competition. During the eighth Buyukcekmece Arts and Culture Festival in Istanbul , Turkey the same group won Grand Prize Winner. In appreciation and recognition of their pioneering efforts and international success, the 10th Congress enacted Republic Act 8626 declaring Bayanihan Philippine Dance Company as The Philippines National Folk Dance Company. Subsequently, the President of the Philippines issued Proclamation 138 declaring May 27 of every year as National Day to commemorate and propagate the Bayanihan spirit as the unique way of working together as a people.

 
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