The fast pace of the modern times has been revolutionizing various aspects of the society.

Innovations of science and technology are incessantly altering peoples beliefs and lifestyles. Old traditions of the Filipino music and arts have been needlessly pushed towards the back stage. As the Filipino people set out through the world and become significantly influenced by diverse cultures and traditions, there arises the need for enlivening the Filipino identity. The UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe shows its love and respect for the Philippine culture, thus, bearing the word Filipiniana as its name. Filipiniana stands for the unique culture and tradition of the country especially its music and dances. It stands for the story behind every movement, the people behind every piece of costume and the traditions behind the music. In a deeper meaning, the dancers of the troupe are considered heirs and caretakers of the Filipino cultural heritage. The UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe is the resident folk dance troupe of the University of the Philippines Los Baos. Consisting of students from various colleges, the troupe aims to master, preserve, enrich and promote Filipino culture through the study and execution of various Philippine folk dances, as well as ballroom dance, contemporary dance, and Neo-Pinoy dance. This year, the troupe has also been recognized as a member of the UPLB Performing Artists Development Fund Project.

fi li fi ni= y n

Filipiniana stands for the story behind every movement, the people behind every piece of costume and the traditions behind the music.

Filipiniana has shown a number of well-applauded performances choreographed with passion and excellence in the university. To name some of its recent triumphs, the troupe had Historia Filipiniana: Kahubdan ng Kulturang Filipino in March 2006; Hugnay: Katutubong Sayaw, Modernistang Galaw in March and July 2008; Iskolar para sa Bayan: Isandaang Taong Lakbay-Sayaw in October 2009, and the recent Banyuhay: Katutubong Sayaw sa Makabagong Pananaw in March 2011.

The troupe has also already shown its capabilities and vigor when it represented the Philippines to Yokohama and Tokyo, Japan in 2006 for the celebration of the Philippines-Japan Friendship Day along with the countrys National Dance Company the Bayanihan. The troupe has also been chosen to represent UPLB in the annual Sari-saring Sayaw, Sama-samang Galaw in 2005 and Sayaw Pinoy: The First National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) National Dance Competition in 2009, both held at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) performing with other leading folk dance troupes in the country. The troupe never fails to take pride in being able to provide the university and the country with quality performances through its continued passion for the Filipino culture and the arts.

Heirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identity

profile UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe

UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe


KATU

Imagine yourself witnessing an astounding performance, then, suddenly realizing that youre actually in it that youre a part of that whole act, a character waiting to take your part in the show.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?

Troupe Dance iniana LB Filip UP

G SAYA TUBON
ER 5

SEPTEMB

Y HA YU AN
2011 | 3 P AND 6, 7 PM | U M AND
AL AKER H PLB B

DAK AG-IN NG P ONG U I MSALMAKABAG ANG W

Through the years, Filipino researchers have dedicated much of their time uncovering certain remnants of our fading culture and finally, having success by coming up with several volumes of folk dance notations. They extended their efforts by staging these dances showcased as a form of entertainment, hoping this would be a further step in attaining their goal which is to preserve and reintroduce an important part of the Filipino identity that has long been taken for granted. This attempt of repackaging folk dance as entertainment has already served its purpose but has also created a clear boundary between the culture and its people.

is s p o n y s

Admiring a house from the outside is different from appreciating it on the inside. Much like a performance, the audience takes it as an art and not as a reality as it should be; thus creating a need for a different approach. In 2008, the UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe executed an idea of merging folk dances and modern movements in a production entitled Hugnay: Katutubong Sayaw, Modernistang Galaw. This had the purpose of integrating folk dance in the modern society, rendering its relevance to the Filipino youth.

Moving deeper into the path towards cultural alleviation, the UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe takes on restaging with an eye-opening performance art entitled Banyuhay: Katutubong Sayaw sa Makabagong Pananaw (Ang Muling Pag-indak). Banyuhay, being a portmanteau of the phrase bagong anyo ng buhay, depicts the smooth metamorphosis from a previous concert Hugnay. Hugnay promotes the approach of the performers to the audience by the fusion of folk dances movements with the Neo-folk modern movements, whereas in Banyuhay, the audience approaches the performers via defying the typical stage set-up. This performance will elevate the elements of choreography and the sensory perceptions of the audience through the redefinition of the dimensions of the stage. The audience will be at an immediate proximity with the performers throughout the whole duration of the show. Therefore, they are given an opportunity to fully experience the performance as a reality. This time, folk movements inspired by Philippine rituals are presented from a modern perspective hence giving the audience a fresh take on folk dance. The stage is set on a circular formation, taking its roots from the elements of indigenous theatre. The performance will be more intimate, giving a greater impact on the audience. This performance art aims to demolish the boundary between the performance and its audience thus enticing the audience to believe that this should be a part of their reality. A view from one of the stages faces shows how proximate the audience is from the Banyuhay was conceptualized by Hazel Medrano and Luis Gabriel performers, satisfying Banyuhays aim to abolish the boundary between the two.
Catalan.

b n= yu h Y=

The stage of Banyuhay (March 2011) started from a circular mound of sawdust and soil to remind us of the beginnings of indigenous theatre.

gallery
Heirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identity

UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe

fi li fi ni= y n gallery
Heirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identity

UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe