Alice Reyes Dance Kicks Off Visayan Tour in Himamaylan
Through a partnership with the Cultural Center of the Philippines’ (CCP) Cultural Exchange Department, along with Local Governments of the Negros Islands and Leyte, they bring to the region artists from CCP’s Professional Artist Support Program (PASP), and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) for SAYAW TANAN!
The program consists of a series of workshops, technique classes, and performances. Artists from ARDP and the CCP’s PASP share the gift of dance with local students and audiences. Together with the local dance community, they present a special program celebrating Filipino talent, creativity, and artistry.
The tour kicked off in the city of Himamaylan. This historic event would be the city’s first attempt into hosting professional artists for cultural exchange and performances.
Behind the scenes
Alice Reyes, National Artist for Dance, commends the efforts of the city in promoting the Filipino culture and heritage. The national artist felt the determination of Mayor Tongson Jr. and Vice Mayor Gatuslao in bringing ARDP to their city
Reyes also credits Bundo Daemas, special assistant to the mayor’s office for special events, and Butch Gensaya, Director of Tourism. These officers took care of putting up needed wooden floors on the gym stage. They also introduced the crew to Laswa soup for breakfast and the best place for brewed coffee in the city.
ARDP give praise to the efforts CCP’s Cultural Exchange Dept. Manager Chinggay Bemardo for the success of opening the 2023 Visayan tour.
Sayaw Tanan Program
The Himamaylan SPA dancers led by their choreographer Eljay Brilliantes joined the evening programs with verve. They also participated in two dance workshops held by Ronelson Yadao, ARDP artistic director, and our young choreographer Erl Sorilla. They also featured local talents such as a violinist, an all male quartet and a unique Himamaylan bamboo band. Patik Kawayan, a Himamaylan bamboo band, awed the audiences as they fill the theater with scintillating rhythms.
The city pulled out all the stops and exceeded all expectations for the program. It certainly paid off as audiences filled the gymnasium, now transformed into a theater. They witnessed a program with professional artists sharing the stage to showcase their very own talents. Their talents and performances were well-received by the audience’s thunderous claps.
Other city tours
On the second leg of the tour, participants from the PASP’s Regional Dance Training Program attended the workshops in Silliman University, Dumaguete City. These dancers received online training from ARDP professional artists from the beginning of the pandemic which now culminates as they shared the stage with professional artists for the program at the Luce Auditorium.
SAYAW TANAN! is currently on its third leg in the City of Bacolod, organized with the support of Representative Kiko Benitez, City Mayor Alfredo “Albee” Benitez, Victorias Mayor Javier “Javi” Miguel Benitez, and Tanya Lopez, Program Director at the University of St. La Salle. ARDP will be holding CCP PASP Dance Workshops for an estimated 150 students in and around the area on July 8 at the Victorias City Coliseum. ARDP will then perform with local talents on July 9, at the University of St. La Salle Coliseum. It moves on to the City of Ormoc from July 10-11.
Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP) is the newest and most exciting addition to the Filipino dance scene. The company focuses on dance education, mentoring, and creating new generations of Filipino dancers and choreographers. It aims to showcase the breadth of Filipino Works by National Artists and top Filipino choreographers from 1969 to today.
