Bravo Filipino

Dancers perform the Moriones, a traditional parade dance which depicts the search for Roman soldier Longinus who pierced the side of Jesus during crufixion from the island of Marinduque
Dancers perform the Moriones, a traditional parade dance which depicts the search for Roman soldier Longinus who pierced the side of Jesus during crufixion from the island of Marinduque

 

Dancers perform the Ragraksakan dance,which was created through the inspiration of Kalinga maidens balancing labba baskets placed on their heads as they carry things needed by the people during merrymaking.
Dancers perform the Ragraksakan dance,which was created through the inspiration of Kalinga maidens balancing labba baskets placed on their heads as they carry things needed by the people during merrymaking.

 

Dancers perform Maranaw Suite, a muslim inspired dance of the southern tribe from the island of Mindanao.
Dancers perform Maranaw Suite, a muslim inspired dance of the southern tribe from the island of Mindanao.

 

Dancers from the Far Eastern University (FEU) Dance Company pose with the Ambassador of Philippines H.H. Raul S. Hernandez at the Embassy Chancery's Multipurpose Hall on Oct.13.
Dancers from the Far Eastern University (FEU) Dance Company pose with the Ambassador of Philippines H.H. Raul S. Hernandez at the Embassy Chancery's Multipurpose Hall on Oct.13.

 

The Embassy of the Philippines held “Bravo Filipino!,” a free performance of Filipino folk dances by the renowned Far Eastern University (FEU) Dance Company at the Embassy Chancery's Multipurpose Hall on Kyungridan street on Tuesday, Oct. 13, 2015.

[[{"fid":"13102","view_mode":"body_image_right","type":"media","attributes":{"alt":"Dancers perform Karatong, a traditional dance using bamboo tubes in honor of Saint Augustine. Ladies' wear colorful ensemble 'bungamanga' which represent mango flowers.","height":"338","width":"450","class":"media-element file-body-image-right"},"link_text":null}]]With a history spanning almost 60 years, the FEU Dance Company (FDC) recently won the right to represent the Philippines at the Cheonan World Dance Festival, the largest event of its kind in Korea, by beating the best dance troupes in the country at the 2014 Folk Dance Competition sponsored by the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company in the Cultural Center of the Philippines.

Philippine Ambassador to Korea Raul S. Hernandez said, “It is a tremendous opportunity for the Embassy to get a chance to present the FEU Dance Company to the Korean public for free,” about the storied group, which placed third in the recently concluded Cheonan World Dance Festival on Oct. 11, 2015. 

The FDC's program at the Embassy presented the rich culture and traditions of the Philippine archipelago, its strategic location between the South China Sea and the Pacific Ocean bringing first Polynesian and Austronesian, followed by Arab, Indian, Chinese, and Japanese seafarers to the islands even before the arrival of the first Europeans in the early 16th century.

Its history can be traced back to its forerunner, the FEU Folk Dance Group, which was conceptualized in 1957 by none other than National Artist for Literature Alejandro Roces, then the Dean of the FEU Institute of Arts and Sciences, in response to an invitation for schools to present Philippine folk dances at the Brussels World Fair of 1958. 

Renamed and reorganized, the FEU Dance Company (FEUDC) continues to win awards and adeptly performs almost every dance genre possible, from folk, jazz, and ballet to ballroom and hip hop. Edward Malagkit, a former stalwart dancer of Ballet Philippines and the first ever male to dance the role of Peter Pan in the Philippines, is the group’s current artistic director.

Since arriving in Korea last week, the FEUDC has given several public performances: in Bucheon for the opening parade of the 2015 Cheonan World Dance Festival on Oct.3 and in Asan on Oct. 4, twice in Seoul (Wangsimni and Myeongdong) before the festival itself opened formally on the 7th.

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