PHL Ambassador Graces Luzviminda Gala Presentation at York University
Ambassador Garcia with Professor Patrick Alcedo and Consul General Rosalita Prospero
30 October 2017 TORONTO — In relation to the 33rd Biennial Conference of the Canadian Council for Southeast Asian Studies (CCSEAS), the Department of Dance of the York University hosted a Gala Presentation of “Luzviminda: The Philippines Dances for Canada” 150 at the Sandra Faire and Ivan Theatre on October 26.
Dr. Patrick Alcedo, Filipino national and Associate Professor of the Department of Dance of York University, conceptualized the program that brought together what he described as “Philippine folk and contemporary dance, jazz and break dancing – forms that Filipino-Canadians embody at once to express and shape their diasporic identities.”
Luzviminda acknowledges the presence of Filipinos as the fastest growing immigrant community in Canada and as one of the largest visible minority groups in Toronto.
Philippine Ambassador to Canada Petronila P. Garcia delivered the welcome remarks during the gala presentation. She mentioned the dessert halo-halo as a fitting description of Filipino identity – a confluence of different ingredients that is tasteful, complete and unique as a finished product. She congratulated CSEAS, the producers, dancers and York University directors for making possible an event that will showcase Filipino culture.
Among the Toronto-based Filipino dance groups that participated are the Culture Philippines of Ontario, Fiesta Filipina Dance Troupe, Folklorico Filipino Canada and Unknown Floor Force Crew.
The two-hour presentation did not only feature artists of Filipino descent but also of different ethnic backgrounds. In his message as the event’s Artistic Director, Professor Alcedo said that having Filipino artists dance and make music side by side with artists of various ethnicities is a response to the need for more intercultural dialogue in Canada, especially in the city of Toronto that has a robust multi-ethnic population. END
For more information, visit www.torontopcg.dfa.gov.ph/ www.philcongen-toronto.com or https://www.facebook.com/PHinToronto
Ambassador Garcia and Consul General Prospero with Alcedo brothers (from left): Peter the musician, Patrick the professor and Paolo the contemporary dance expert.
Ambassador Garcia and officers of the Philippine Consulate General in Toronto with artists and producers.