by Niña Kaye C. Catanus BA ELS 4 Intern

On March 2, 2023, the “Tumandok” sang Iloilo, the Central Philippine University Dance Company held an event showcasing their extraordinary talents as they feature the different festivities in the Philippines through dancing, with a theme, Saludo: Ikatlong Kabanata, “Ang makulay na pahina ng Kulturang Filipino”.

The event was held at the Rose Memorial Auditorium (RMA), and was attended by the university students, showing their full support to the talented artists and taking interest in the Philippine Culture.

They have shown first how eager the artists have prepared for their craft through the big stage. They have shown the different places and events they have exhibited their talents to. The group was introduced as renowned artists, composed of talented individuals, led by their Artistic Director, Prof. Randy A. Lero. They presented that the goal of this event is to show the glimpse of how beautiful and how colorful the Philippine Culture is.

The dances were composed by different stories of our past, of how they uniquely shaped us to become who we are today, and what we are today, it is all because of our cultural heritage. There was a part representing the group of ethnic tribes of Cordillera, a part where they have shown when the Spaniards came, spreading Christianity, and Filipinos became spiritual and communal. There was an exhibition of tribes in the island of Mindanao, how they mimic the life of animals, especially, birds, and presented Darangan, the Epic of Maranao.

It was totally entertaining because of the colorful, shiny, and well thought out costumes and props. The Barong Tagalog and the Filipinianas were the highlights, representing the Filipino Culture. There were big pots on women’s heads and hats for men. There were candles, lamps, books, and canes on other parts of the dances.

This event is not only to celebrate our cultural heritage but to also showcase how fearless and how we can unite as Filipinos. It symbolizes that despite of the difficulties we are facing right now, we are still standing together, we can still flaunt our cultural talents, game on, head strong!