Mankayan SLT Performs in PH International Dance Festival

The School of Living Tradition of this town performed in the recently concluded Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental alongside  with groups  from 13 countries.

The group called “Gambang Theater Guild” is composed of students of the Lepanto High School, said Eleazar Carias, acting head of the Provincial Tourism Office.

Other participating dance groups came from South Korea, the United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Japan, India, China, Bangladesh, Russia, Turkey and Poland.

The event was in celebration of the International Dance Day in accordance with Presidential Proclamation No. 154, declaring the last week of April as the “National Dance Week” with the theme “Cultural Connectivity through Dance.”

Tagged as Dance Xchange, it was basically aimed to enhance knowledge and skills of the dancers, dance teachers and choreographers on dances of the different countries as creative expression of their culture.

The event showcased the unique dances of each participating country to enhance cultural understanding, a venue to provide new ideas and inspiration which stimulates creativity of choreographers and dance directors, dancers and dance teachers and provide platform for discussion on the global trends on dance education and of dance as tool for global connectedness.

It also included forum, dance workshops conducted by dance directors from participating countries for teachers, festival and management workshops, festival of dance performances, outreach performances and cultural tour.

The Dance Xchange is a flagship project of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts National Committee, according to Heather Gate, Provincial Cluster Head. (ALT/SCA-PIA CAR, Benguet)