ARDP in Erl Sorilla's Kasadya. (Photo by Ivan Castronuevo)
The Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP), in partnership with the local governments of the Negros Islands and Leyte, is bringing Filipino dance to the Visayas through 'Sayaw Tanan!' - a program that features artists from the CCP's Professional Artist Support Program (PASP) and Alice Reyes Dance Philippines (ARDP).
The program consists of a series of workshops, technique classes, and performances where 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.
National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, observing Himamaylan City Dance Students in a CCP PASP Dance Workshop.
The tour kicked off in the city of Himamaylan. This historic event would be the city's first attempt at hosting professional artists for cultural exchange and performances.
National Artist for Dance, Alice Reye, says, “Mayor Raymund Tongson Jr. and Vice Mayor Justin Gatuslao determined they would bring the ARDP to their city of Himamaylan in Negros Occidental and did everything to make it happen."
ARDP with National Artist for Dance, Alice Reyes, and Himamaylan city officials.
They were fortunate to have two men who knew what they were doing: Bundo Daemas, the mayor's special assistant for special events, and Butch Gensaya, the tourism director. These officers took care of all the details, from putting up wooden floors on the gym stage to introducing the dancers to Laswa soup for breakfast to the best place in Himamaylan to go for brewed coffee and city talk.
ARDP Artistic Director, Ronelson Yadao, and ARDP Artist and Choreographer, Erl Sorilla, teaches Himamaylan City Dance Students in a CCP PASP Dance Workshop.
The Himamaylan SPA dancers, led by their choreographer Eljay Brilliantes, joined the evening programs with verve after participating in two dance workshops led by ARDP artistic director Ronelson Yadao and young choreographer Erl Sorilla. Also featured were local talents, such as a violinist, an all-male quartet, and the unique Himamaylan bamboo band Patik Kawayan, whose scintillating rhythms filled the entire space as audiences came into the theater.
The city went all out for the program, exceeding all expectations. The gymnasium was transformed into a theater, and audiences filled the space to witness a program with professional artists sharing the stage with local talents. The audience responded with thunderous applause.
Guests at the Himamaylan City Gymnasium.
On the second leg of the tour, participants from the PASP's Regional Dance Training Program attended workshops at Silliman University in Dumaguete City. These dancers received online training from ARDP professional artists from the beginning of the pandemic, and their hard work culminated in a performance at the Luce Auditorium alongside professional artists.
"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.