By Nanette Guadalquiver/Philippine News Agency
BACOLOD CITY – Three acclaimed performing groups from the Visayas will be featured in a presentation at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP) on Thursday (July 25).
The show, dubbed “Pagsaulog: A Celebration of Visayan Culture”, will be held at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. at the Tanghalang Aurelio Tolentino.
Conceptualized and directed by Bacolod-based theater director Tanya Lopez, “Pagsaulog” will showcase the performances of the University of Visayas Chorale of Cebu City, Kabataang Silay Rondalla of Silay City, and Artes Bailes of the Iloilo National High School in Iloilo City.
“From individuals and performing groups — we became one company with a message to share. We are proud of our culture. We are proud of our heritage. We are proudly Visayans. We are proud of being Filipino. And we come together to share this pride with you,” Lopez said in her director’s notes.
Joining Lopez in the creative team are Ria Española of Iloilo, associate artistic direction and choreography; Ana Tabita Abelada-Pequiero of Cebu, chorale conductor; Jegger Anjao of Silay, rondalla conductor and arranger; Ezra Mae Divino of Bacolod, stage manager; and Doods Manzano and Orlan Absin of CPP, technical director and lighting designer, respectively.
The CCP will present “Pagsaulog” under its Cultural Exchange Department Ugnayan sa Sining program as part of its 50th anniversary celebration, and the 40th year of its outreach and exchange program.
The presentation will articulate the Visayan culture through dance and music, which are the core of every Filipino traditional celebration known as fiesta, a religious and cultural celebration where members of the community converge for thanksgiving in honor of a patron saint for intercession or for a good harvest. It will also be a journey of re-connection and rediscovery of the cultural roots, and the renewal of the identity of the Visayan people as Filipinos.
On July 26 to 29, “Pagsaulog” will move to Boac, Marinduque for an engagement which is part of the Kaisa sa Sining partnership between the CCP and the Marinduque State College. It will be presented in partnership with the Performance Laboratory Inc., which Lopez also heads, and the Negros Cultural Foundation Inc.
In the last quarter of the year, “Pagsaulog” will also be presented as a fund-raising performance for the foundation in Bacolod.
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