Nation’s rep to children’s folklore fest is from Region 8

By Philippine Information Agency (PIA 8)
January 25, 2006

TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte – The Leyte Dance Theater’s junior dance company, the Kaliawan Performing Arts Group, has been invited to represent the Philippines in the 4th CIOFF Asian and Oceanian Children’s Folklore Festival on April 18-24 at the Municipality of Pendik, Istanbul, Turkey.

Mr. Jess de Paz, artistic director and head of Delegation, said that the Kaliawan Performing Art Group is composed of children from the grassroots who started their training with the Leyte Dance Theater through a scholarship given by Engr. Wilson Chan of the Leyte Park Hotel.

He said that it is a great honor for the group to represent the Region and the country to the prestigious activity. However, as the group will be responsible for its own international travel expenses and visas, benevolent sponsors and friends are currently being requested to pool their resources.

As a farewell concert, the Kaliaawan Performing Group and the Leyte Dance Theater will present “Karahibot” on February 24 2006, 5:00 o’clock in the afternoon at the LNHS Gym, Tacloban City. Tickets are available at P500.00 (good for 2), P100.00 and P50.00. The proceeds will be for the benefit of the children who will be participating in the Children’s Folklore Festival.

Ms. Corazon G. Iñigo, president of the Philippine National Counseil International des Organisations de Folklore et d’ Arts Traditionnel (CIOFF), said that the holding of the Children’s Festival in the different countries of the Asian and Oceanian Seactor is cognizant of the fundamental role that children perform and achieve in the conservation and dissemination of a country’s culture.

She added that the Philippine participation in festivals all over the world has always been highly praised and looked forward to. The participation in this festival of the Leyte Dance Theater’s junior dance company will bring into prominence the Philippines’ wealth of diverse and exceptional dances and songs.

It will provide a unique character-building for the child to be the performing artist. In addition, the children will be immersed in the Turkish way of life as they will stay with Turkish families. As festival participants, they will have the singular opportunity to forge strong bonds of lasting friendship with the other children of the world.