The Philippines’ Nawan Cultural Dance Troupe from Zamboanga City raised the country’s flag in Bulgaria after winning the gold medal at the European Association of Folklore Festival, XI World Championship of Folklore “World Folk 2021.”
The multi-awarded folk dance troupe of Zamboanga Peninsula Polytechnic State University was hailed champion among dance groups from all over the world in the online dance competition of the festival held from August 23 to 28.
The group submitted the video of “Subanen Suite” which is composed of different dances and beliefs to the Subanen tribe of the Zamboanga peninsula.
Artistic Dance Director Mark Anthony Basilio told GoodNewsPilipinas.com that the judges might have appreciated their efforts in promoting and preserving indigenous culture and that must be translated well in their video presentation.
“Siguro po perseverance of traditional culture and scenery ng video presentation namin is the characterizing indigenous people,” Basilio shared.
“Siguro po ’yun ’yung edge po namin sa ibang sumali,” he continued. “Sa performance din po we just give our best work nothing to expect anything. We just dance and follow our passion and dreams, ’yung dedication po ’yung nagpanalo sa amin.”
The artistic director also added that their international achievement would serve as pride to their university and community. He also hopes their award would encourage other Filipino dance troupes to do well in representing the country on the global dance stage.
“‘Yung significance po ng pagkapanalo namin is part of promoting our school and organization,” Basilio explained.
“Luckily, also to give pride and honor to our school and to our country, the Philippines, and to motivate and inspire other dance group enthusiasts all over the Philippines na kaya natin makisabayan sa buong mundo,” he concluded.
Just last June 2021, Parangal Dance Company’s artistic director Eric Solano solely represented the Philippines in three various folklore festivals in Bulgaria.
In September 2019, the Bayanihan, the National Dance Company of the Philippines, won 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).
La Salle Filipiniana Dance Company and Cavite Institute Marilag Folkdance Troupe of Cavite dominated the International Dance Organization (IDO) World Folklore Festival held at the Yeongdong Complex Culture & Art Center in Yeongdong, South Korea last October 2019.
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