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The fast pace of the modern times has been revolutionizing various aspects of the society. Innovations of science and technology

are incessantly altering people’s beliefs and lifestyles. Old traditions of the Filipino music and arts have been needlessly pushed to-

wards 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 re-

spect for the Philippine culture,

thus, bearing the word

Filipiniana as its name. Filipiniana

stands for the unique culture

and tradition of the country es-

pecially 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 Baños. Consisting of students from various col-

leges, the troupe aims to master, preserve, enrich and promote Filipino culture through the study and execution of various Philip-

pine folk dances, as well as ballroom dance, contemporary dance, and Neo-Pinoy dance. This year, the troupe has also been recog-

nized as a member of the UPLB Performing Artists Development Fund Project.

Filipiniana has shown a number of well-applauded perform-

ances choreographed with passion and excellence in the uni-

versity. 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 coun-

try’s 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 coun-

try with quality perform-

ances through its con-

tinued passion for

the Filipino cul-

ture and the

arts.

Heirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identityHeirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identity UPLB Filipiniana Dance TroupeUPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe

Filipiniana stands for the story behind every movement, the people behind

every piece of costume and the traditions behind the music.

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profileprofile

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 vol-

umes 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 impor-

tant 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 cre-

ated a clear boundary between the culture and its people.

Admiring a house from the outside is different from appreciating it on the inside. Much like a per-

formance, 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 Fili-

pino 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 meta-

morphosis 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 ap-

proaches the performers via defying the typical stage set-up. This performance will elevate the elements of choreog-

raphy and the sensory per-

ceptions of the audience

through the redefinition of the

dimensions of the stage. The au-

dience 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 per-

formance 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 forma-

tion, taking its roots from the elements of in-

digenous 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 en-

ticing the audience to believe that this should be a part

of their reality.

Banyuhay was conceptualized by Hazel Medrano and Luis Gabriel

Catalan.

“ ” Imagine yourself witnessing an astounding performance, then, suddenly

realizing that you’re actually in it – that you’re a part of that whole

act, a character waiting to take your part in the show.

HOW WOULD YOU FEEL?

A view from one of the stage’s faces shows how proximate the audience is from the

performers, satisfying Banyuhay’s aim to abolish the boundary between the two.

AAANNNYYYUUUHHHAAAYYY AANGNG MMULINGULING PPAGAG--INDAKINDAK

KATUTUBONG SAYAW SA MAKABAGONG

SEPTEMBER 5 AND 6, 2011 | 3 PM AND 7 PM | UPLB BAKER HALL

UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe

UPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe

synopsis

synopsis

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The stage of Banyuhay (March 2011) started from a circular mound of saw-

dust and soil to remind us of the beginnings of indigenous theatre.

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UPLB Filipiniana Dance TroupeUPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe Heirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identityHeirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identity

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UPLB Filipiniana Dance TroupeUPLB Filipiniana Dance Troupe Heirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identityHeirs of our heritage, stewards of Filipino identity

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