Grandest int’l dance fest to be held in Puerto Princesa

MANILA, Philippines - The National Commission for Culture and the Arts-National Committee on Dance (NCCA-NCD), headed by Shirley Halili-Cruz, spearheads the implementation of Dance Xchange: The Philippine International Dance Workshop and Festival, from April 11 to 14, 2013.

It  will bring together the best dance companies and dance experts, both local and international, for a grand celebration of dance that includes activities such as artists’ forum, dance workshops to be conducted by dance directors/dancers from participating countries, masters classes, cultural tours, festival of dance performances and concerts at the Puerto Princesa City Coliseum.

Through the 4 years of its implementation, Dance Xchange has engaged many dance groups from different  countries, thus, making this event truly an international cultural destination every April. The Commission, headed by its Chairman Felipe de Leon, Jr., and Executive Director Emelita Almosara, CESO IV, supports the organization of this  country’s biggest dance spectacle in partnership with  the city government of Puerto Princesa led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn.

With the theme “Cultural Connectivity Through Dance,” the event aims to “strengthen network among dance groups in the ASEAN and beyond; enhance knowledge and skills of the dancers, dance teachers and choreographers on dances of the different countries; showcase the unique dances of each country to enhance cultural understanding; provide venue for interaction and facilitate learning among dancers, directors, dance teachers, choreographers; and harness the potential of the Philippines to be a cultural destination in Asia.”

Dance Xchange is also in celebration of International Dance Day, created under the auspices of UNESCO in Paris and held all over the world by the International Theater Institute (ITI) on April 29, and the Philippine National Dance Week, which is on the fourth week of April every year as declared by Proclamation No. 154 “to bring together dancers to demonstrate and realize the function of dance in the society and in the rest of the world.”

Expected to participate are dance companies from Japan, Hong Kong, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, England, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, Taiwan and Vietnam. They will be joined by 22 dance companies from all over the Philippines. Dance Xchange has been held for five years now—2009 in Dumaguete City, 2010 in Roxas City, Capiz, 2011 in Metro Manila and 2012 in Cebu City.

Hwa Yi Ethnic Performing Arts

Dance Horizon Troupe of Singapore

Kim Kyung Hoi Dance Troupe of Gangwon University from South Korea

All PEHM teachers, PE professors and instructors, dance teachers, dancers, choreographers, cultural officers, tourism officers and festival organizers of the different local government units are invited to take part in this spectacular event. Please find detailed information at the NCCA website.

For more details on the activities and schedules, contact  Shirley Halili-Cruz, at  527-2214,  09175296946 or shirleyhalilicruz@yahoo.com ; or NCCA Public Affairs and Information Office (PAIO) head, Rene Sanchez Napenas at (632) 527-2192 or 0928-5081057; or  log on to www.ncca.gov.ph or email us at ncca.paio@gmail.com.