PH Showcases Resilience, Creativity at Chingay Parade 2019
The Philippine contingent during the Chingay Parade 2019 at the F1 Pit Building on 15 and 16 February 2019 with the theme “Dreams Funtasia (Bicentennial Edition). (Ton Garcia photo)
SINGAPORE 28 February 2019 – The Philippines proudly displayed its rich and colorful culture as well as its resilience amid adversity during the Chingay Parade 2019 held at F1 Pit Building in Singapore on 15 to 16 February 2019. The theme for this year’s parade is “Dreams Funtasia.”
The Philippine contingent, composed of 100 youngsters from the Eastern Visayas region aged between 14 and 25, performed the traditional Filipino war dance called “Dance of the Pintados.” Their performance was considered one of the highlights of Chingay and was well-applauded by Singapore government officials, diplomatic corps, foreign and local guests.
According to LEYTeam artistic director and founder Jan Kairel Guillermo, “their dance demonstrated how they rose above the tragedy to emerge stronger.” All the performers were survivors of Typhoon Haiyan which brought devastation to the Eastern Visayas region in November 2013. LEYTeam spearheaded the Philippine participation in the event.
“The Philippines’ participation in the Chingay this year coincided with the celebration of the 50th anniversary of bilateral relations between the Philippines and Singapore,” Ambassador to Singapore Joseph del Mar Yap said.
The performance of the Philippine contingent was also their way of conveying their gratitude to Singapore, which provided humanitarian assistance to the region affected by Typhoon Haiyan.
The Chingay Parade, Singapore's annual national event, is the largest street performance and float parade in Asia. Singapore President Halimah Yacob and Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong attended this year’s event. The street extravaganza showcased the dynamism of Singapore's multicultural society.
Aside from the Philippines, foreign contingents from China, Indonesia, Cambodia, South Korea and Japan also joined the parade.
After the weekend parade, the Philippine contingent again performed at Singapore’s Chinatown district on 17 February 2019 to mark the end of the Chinese New Year celebrations. END
The Philippine contingent performs a traditional war dance “Dance of the Pintados” during Chingay Parade 2019 (Ton Garcia photo)
Young street dancers from the Eastern Visayas compose the Philippine contingent to Chingay 2019. The performers were all survivors of Typhoon Haiyan which devastated the Visayan region in November 2013. (Singapore PE photo)
Prior to the Philippine contingent’s performance, the local officials of Barugo, Leyte headed by Mayor Ma. Rosario C. Avestruz (third from left), paid a courtesy call on Ambassador to Singapore Jose del Mar Yap (extreme right) at the Philippine Embassy in Singapore Chancery on 14 February 2019. The local officials of Barugo, Leyte served as the chaperones of the dance troupe who are also their constituents. Also in the photo are SK President Jake Andrian C. Gerona and LEYTEAM Chairman and Founder Jan Kairel C. Guillermo (extreme left and second to the left, respectively). (Singapore PE photo)
For more information, visit www.singaporepe.dfa.gov.ph, www.philippine-embassy.org.sg or https://www.facebook.com/PHinSingapore.