Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group Promotes PH Culture through Dance in Pakistan

The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG) perform during the Diplomatic Reception at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad (top) and the Filipino Community Gala (bottom) in celebration of the 126^th Philippine National Day and 75^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Philippines and Pakistan. (Islamabad PE photo)

ISALAMABAD 10 July 2024 – The Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG), a resident cultural group at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) and a performing arts group founded by 2006 National Artist for Dance Mr. Ramon Arevalo Obusan, presented during the Philippine Embassy celebrations for the 126^th Philippine national day and 75^th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Philippines and Pakistan.

The ROFG performed a repertoire of Philippine dances including Ngilin- a tradional dance from the Kalinga province North of Luzon Philippines; Malagueña- western influenced dance from the Southern Luzon Province of Quezon, Pindulas- a Yakan muslim wedding dance from Mindanao, Binasuan and Kuratsa- fiesta dances from the Visayas region and Pangasinan Luzon.  Performances of the repertoire were done at the Philippine Embassy Chancery on 08 June during the FilCom Gala, on the 12^th June Diplomatic Reception at the Marriott Hotel Islamabad, on the 21^st June Cultural Show and Reception at Ali Institute of Education Lahore, and on the 23^rd June Cultural Show and Reception at Arts Council of Pakistan in Karachi. The repertoire was well-received and applauded across all cities in Paksitan by Filipinos and Pakistani audiences who recognized affinity with the dances and heritage presented by the ROFG. An estimate of 1,200 people attended the receptions.

During the 23^rd June show in Karachi, the Minister of Culture Sindh Syed Zulfikar Shah and President of Arts Council Ahmed Shah expressed their interest in renewing the cultural cooperation between Philippines and Pakistan and were glad to host the ROFG performance at the Pakistan Arts Council Auditorium. They also expressed interest in engaging the ROFG for future cultural activities that would facilitate cultural exchanges between the two countries.

Ms. Sharon Lira and Mr. Ronald Asuncion Jr. represented the ROFG for the tri-city cultural performance tour in Pakistan from 07 to 25 June 2024. END

Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG) performance during the cultural show and reception at the Ali Institute of Education Lahore, Pakistan on 21 June 2024. (Islamabad PE photo)

Philippine Honorary Consul Fahdel Shiekh (leftmost) and Ambassador Maria Agnes M. Cervantes (rightmost) award Certificates of Appreciation to Mr. Ronald Asuncion Jr. and Ms. Sharon Lira of the ROFG for their performance during the 126^th Philippine National Day and 75^th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Philippines and Pakistan celebrations at the Ali Institute of Education Lahore on 21 June 2024. (Islamabad PE photo)

Ramon Obusan Folkloric Group (ROFG) performance during the cultural show and reception at the Pakistan Arts Council Auditorium Karachi, Pakistan on 23^rd June 2024. (Islamabad PE photo)

Ms. Sharon Lira and Mr Ronald Asuncion of the ROFG were acknowledged by the Diplomatic Community in Karachi for their performance of Philippine dances during the cultural show and reception at the Pakistan Arts Council Auditorium Karachi, Pakistan on 23^rd June 2024. (Islamabad PE photo)

For more information, visit https://islamabadpe.dfa.gov.ph/ or http://www.isdpe.com.pk/.