29 October 2013 – Bayanihan, the National Folk Dance Company of the Philippines, thrilled audiences with two back-to-back performances in the megacity of Chongqing in southwest China on October 19 and 20.
The first performance was held at the Chongqing Tiandi Amphitheater while the second performance was at Chongqing University, Chongqing’s premier university.
The performance in Chongqing Tiandi Amphitheater was attended by Chongqing government officials, members of Chongqing’s consular corps, members of the business, cultural and tourism sectors, members of the media and hundreds of excited citizens.
Welcome remarks were delivered by Philippine Consul General in Chongqing Ma. Amelita C. Aquino and Mr. Wen Tianping, Spokesman of the Chongqing Municipal People’s Government and Deputy Director General of Chongqing Information Office.
Bayanihan performed four dance suites which captivated the audience and gave a glimpse into Philippine history, culture and traditions. The repertoire featured dances that reflect the rituals and traditions of tribes from the mountain highlands, Spanish-influenced dances, dances with distinct Arabian and Indo-Malaysian influences while capturing Filipino Muslim culture and dances showing the joie de vivre of the Filipinos from the countryside. The dance troupe ended their performance with the singing of the Chinese song Molihua or “Jasmin flower” as a surprise number to the delight of the audience.
The following day, the Bayanihan again enthralled the audience at the Chongqing University Theater with a repeat of the previous night’s performance. This time, the Chongqing University Dance Troupe performed two dance numbers to open Bayanihan’s performance, showcasing the best of Chongqing University’s talent.
Consul General Aquino, Chongqing University Deputy Party Secretary Xiao Tieyan and Chongqing Education Commission Deputy Inspector Hu Bin delivered the opening remarks.
The performances of the Bayanihan National Folk Dance Company is one of the activities under the 2012-2013 Philippines-China Years of Friendly Exchanges (YFE) and the Consulate’s participation in the “Chongqing and the World 2013 Cultural Carnival” organized by the Chongqing Foreign Cultural Exchange Center. END