Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines, successfully raised the Philippine flag in South America by winning the 1st Federation of International Dance Festivals (FIDAF) Brazil World Championship at the 15th edition of the Festival Internacional de Folclore de Nova Prata (Nova Prata IFF).
Bayanihan, the sole representative from the Philippines and Asia, bested other dance groups from Europe and Latin America to win the dance company’s 13th international recognition.
The Philippine dance troupe bagged overall first place after showcasing the beauty and diversity of Philippine culture through dance and music at the international dance competition held in Brazil from September 11 to 15.
During the festival, the Philippines’ premier folk dance company presented popular Filipino rural dances such as Tinikling, Subli, Binasuan, Pandanggo sa Ilaw, Maglalatik, and indigenous dances of the lumads from the Tboli and Bagobo in Mindanao.
The 15-strong performing artists of Bayanihan performed at the FIDAF Nova Prata IFF gala night with the colorful and sophisticated repertoire of Filipino Muslim dances from Mindanao such as Kazilimut, Kapa Malong Malong, Kuntao Silat, Asik, and their signature royal dance, Singkil.
With their recent award-winning perfomances in Brazil, Bayanihan took home a certificate and prize of US$ 3,000.00.
The Filipino dances have been making headlines and gaining the world’s attention through the efforts of Filipino cultural workers and advocates.
In 2018 Parangal Dance Company, a California-based group specializing in Filipino folk dances showcased the Philippine culture at the annual Folclórico Internacional de Barraquilla Estefania Caicedo in Colombia, South America. The group also represented the Philippines in World Music and Dance Festival in Hakodate, Japan.
St. Louis University Dance Troupe of Baguio City also showcased Filipino folk dances in the 2019 Jinju World Folk Arts Biennale in Jinju, South Korea.
WATCH this video declaring Bayanihan National Dance Company as the champion and SEND congratulations in the comments below!
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