Last February 6, 2015 the UP Filipiniana Dance Group was invited to
participate in UPLIFT 2: Building Bridges presented by the UPD Office of
Initiatives for Culture and the Arts which was held at the University of the
Philippines Theater. UPLIFT 2 showcased thirteen (13) of UP Diliman's acclaimed
and multi-awarded official performing groups including the UP Concert Chorus,
Dulaang UP, UP Dance Company, UP Filipiniana, UP Guitar Ensemble, UP Jazz
Ensemble, UP Kontra-Gapi, UP Orchestra, UP Repertory Company, UP Rondalla, UP
Singing Ambassadors, UP Streetdance Club and the UP Pep Squad that all came
together for an evening of world class music, dance, and theater performances.
This was also a special thanksgiving concert to celebrate the efforts and
triumphs of our performing groups and other UPD organizations and units in
building bridges and enabling communities. The UP Filipiniana collaborated with
two other performing groups namely the UP Rondalla, an official performing
group of the Music Education Department of the U.P. College of Music and the UP
Singing Ambassadors, one of the Philippines’ foremost choral groups today under
Conductor/Founder Ed Manguiat.
The UP Filipiniana Dance Group which is known as the official folk dance
group of the University showcased a traditional Philippine folk dance known as
the Tinikling. This was their first appearance of the night which was led by
the musical string instruments of the UP Rondalla while the UP Filipiniana
managed a full cast performance and together were applauded for their Grand
Tinikling. This was an appealing collaboration as the two groups engaged on
Philippine culture and a historic performance which everyone could appreciate
and relate to as the Tinikling is well known as an energizing skilled dance
accompanied by accelerating music.
For the group’s second appearance for UPLIFT 2, they moved the audience
with a modern contemporary piece choreographed by the Director himself Mr.
Peter Alcedo Jr. This piece was performed to the tune of “Tunay na Ligaya”
originally sung by Basil Valdez and composed by Ryan Cayabyab but again the UP
Filipiniana teamed up with one of the most acclaimed choral groups in Diliman,
the UP Singing Ambassadors (also known as UPSA ) as they sung their rendition
of “Tunay na Ligaya.” As the dancers gracefully moved to the live voices of
UPSA, it was a mesmerizing moment for everyone because it fed the souls not
only of the performers but the entire audience. Hosts of the event were
explicit and kept the vitality of the concert going from beginning to end. The
whole concert was filled with energy and exceptional performances as all of the
participating groups rendered their best efforts to entertain and serve their
co-iskolar’s especially the UP Officials who attended and supported the
event. Some of the VIP’s who were invited
were Dr. Benito M. Pacheco; Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs, Prof.
Virginia C. Yap; Vice Chancellor for Administration, Dr. Fidel R. Nemenzo; Vice
Chancellor for Research and Development, Dr. Neil Martial R. Santillan; Vice
Chancellor for Student Affairs, Dr. Nestor T. Castro; Vice Chancellor for
Community Affairs and UP Diliman’s Chancellor Dr. Michael Lim Tan.
UPLIFT 2: Building Bridges made a mark this Arts
Month as it summarized the talents of UP Diliman and uplifted the souls of
those who witnessed pure talent onstage. OICA promises to bring back more of
these showcased talents every year during Diliman Arts Month and the UP
Filipiniana Dance Group will certainly look forward to next year’s UPLIFT 3.
