The Philippines to Display its Beauty through Dance and Music

(16-04-2013)

The ASEAN Secretariat and the Permanent Mission of the Philippines to ASEAN will jointly present “Philippinescape: Showcasing the Beauty of the Philippines through Dance and Music” on 19 April 2013 to over 450 invited guests, at Jakarta’s historical performance arts venue, Gedung Kesenian Jakarta.

The Philippines is the ninth ASEAN Member States to take the stage in a series of the Best of ASEAN Performing Arts. Renowned performers will come from the Philippines—bringing with them instruments and sceneries to transport Jakarta-based audience to their artistic world. The purpose of the series is to promote ASEAN awareness through the region's rich and diverse cultures, as well as to acknowledge the important role that Jakarta has played over the last 37 years as the host city of the ASEAN Secretariat.

The repertoire of the performance will include: 

TRADITIONS RENEWED
Dances that reinvigorate and breathe new life, meaning and feelings into ancient rituals and traditions in the highlands of Mindanao and in the Sulu archipelago.

INTRAMUROS OF MEMORY
The pervasive echo of four centuries of Spanish influence, augmented by Filipino style, defined by Filipino grace, is typified by this suite of dances.

MINDANAO MOSAIC
In southern Philippines, on the vast island of Mindanao and on the adjacent island of the Sulu archipelago, live Filipinos who embraced Islam as early as the 14th century.  Their music, dance and costumes reflect Arabian and Indo-Malayan influences while capturing Muslim Filipino culture.

PEOPLE UNDER THE SUN
The friendly sunny nature of Philippine country people is captured in sparkling dances of skill, frolic and delight.  This suite portrays bits of life in the Philippine countryside.

The previous Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series staged in Jakarta include “The Mosaic Archipelago” of Indonesia in May 2008; “Tapestry of Thai Beauty and Grace” in August 2008; “Singapore Showcase: Cultural Crossings” in April 2009; “The Royal Beauty of Golden Myanmar” in December 2009; “1Malaysia: Harmony in Cultural Diversity” in March 2010; “Charming Viet Nam” in December 2010; “Brunei’s Legacy” in March 2011, and “the Diversity of Intangible Cultural Heritage” of Cambodia in April 2011.

The tenth Best of ASEAN Performing Arts series will feature Lao PDR later this year.