Bayanihan's Teaching and Touching Lives program

MANILA, Philippines - Bayanihan Folk Arts Foundation in partnership with the Ambassador Alfonso Yuchengco Foundation brings its transformative program – Teaching and Touching Lives – to different provinces in the country, including Laguna, Marikina, Bohol, Ilocos Sur and Cavite.

The program aims to create and develop the country’s youth sector to have a sense of pride in their Filipino heritage, in themselves and in their capabilities to become bright and future leaders in their communities. The one-year curriculum includes the Building Confidence Module where value formation is taught to give one positive self-esteem; Values and Virtues; Filipino Folk Dances & Folk Songs; Filipino Arts and Crafts; among others, to culminate with an actual performance on stage. Aside from Suzie Benitez, the Bayanihan team is composed of Isabel Santos, artistic director, Ferdinand Jose, dance director, and Melito Vale Cruz, music director.

Bayanihan also conducts training program for trainers and a children’s dance and music workshop. 

A special feature is the creation of a dance suite by Bayanihan’s artistic team that conducts research and studies on the locality’s unique customs and tradition. Dances suites created in the program are featured in the season production of Bayanihan.

The implementation of the program includes the selection of a pilot site in the province or locality. Participants are drawn from public school students who undergo training with Bayanihan directors, musicians, dancers and alumni volunteers. A coordinator from the local government takes charge of running the program. After the culminating activity, another public school will be assigned to adopt the program.