17 August 2016 — Philippine Ambassador to Mexico Eduardo Jose A. de Vega welcomed the Philippine cultural dance troupe “Hinugyaw” of Koronadal City from July 29 to August 15. The 30-member group performed at Folkloriada 2016 in Mexico.

Folkloriada 2016 is a flagship event of the International Council Organization of Folklore Festivals and Folk Art (CIOFF), an international non-governmental organization in official partnership with UNESCO.

It is accredited to provide advisory service to the Committee of the UNESCO Convention for the Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage.  It is an event held every four years, based on cultural exchange, respect, harmony and communication between peoples.

For 10 days, folk groups from CIOFF member countries work to preserve their cultural heritage through music, dance, arts, crafts, games and traditions.  This year’s event saw the participation of 54 countries.

The Philippine delegation was composed of students, B’laan performers and local government officials led by Koronadal City Mayor Dr. Peter Bascon Miguel. They travelled to Zacatecas, Puebla and other states in Mexico, to showcase the Filipino culture through dances, music and traditional costumes. 

In Mexico City, the delegation and other participating countries paraded on the streets of Zocalo, the historical center of the city.  Mayor Miguel also took this opportunity to promote the city of Koronadal by distributing brochures on tourism and investments to local officials and the public.

Hinugyaw’s performances highlighted the dances, songs, instruments, beliefs and practices of the B’laan people who comprise the largest indigenous population of the city of Koronadal.

Ambassador de Vega welcomed them to the Embassy by hosting a lunch in their honor on August 15. They presented to the Embassy an impromptu dance numbers from the Maguindanaoan tribe called “Silong sa Ganding” and “Pawakan”. END