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| (Image Source: Orange Magazine TV/Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe) |
It is with great excitement that the Philippine Baranggay Folk Dance Troupe (PB) announces the start of its UK Cultural Dream Tour with a delegation of 15 of its members embarking on a month-long tour starting with the participation in the Billingham International Folklore Festival of World Dance 2023 (BIFF2023) which will be held on August 12–20, 2023 at Stockton-on-Tees. The festival is headed by the International Council of Organizations of Folklore Festivals and Folk Arts (CIOFF), CIOFF Secretary General Olga Maloney, and her team. CIOFF is an Official Partner of UNESCO, accredited by the UNESCO ICH Committee.
This is the second time for Philippine Baranggay Dance Troupe to take part — following its 1st appearance at the festival three decades ago in 1993 — with the aim of providing the troupe’s young, new, and vibrant ensemble, made up of teachers and students from colleges in Manila, with the opportunity to be part of this long-established festival, helping them hone their skills in leading workshops, performing, and educating new audiences about our unique Philippine indigenous and traditional dance culture, whilst representing the Philippines on an international stage. The Philippine Baranggay Dance Troupe was formed in 1946 at the Philippine Normal College (now PNU) by its Founder and Creative Director, the late Dr. Paz Cielo Angeles-Belmonte (aka Mommy Bel). Mommy Bel’s vision and legacy are today carried forward by PB’s dedicated Creative and Development Teams, and a volunteer ensemble of dancers and musicians.
Following BIFF2023, PB will be hosted during a two week stay in London by its UK-based affiliate Lahing Kayumanggi Dance Company (LK), Europe’s foremost Philippine cultural ambassadors, with a busy schedule of workshops in support of the Philippine Embassy London and the Philippine community in the UK including performances and barrio fiestas, culminating with the show called TIBOK (Pulse) presented by LK. This will be on August 25–September 3, 2023. PB has a longstanding partnership with LK through which members of PB regularly have been invited to join LK for its annual programme of events across Europe over the past 30 years.
As a non-profit community group, PB relies entirely on the generous support from a network of families, friends, supporters, and sponsors who, as stakeholders, play a vital role in its ability to facilitate and deliver the troupe’s mission of promoting Philippine cultural heritage through music, song and dance. Moreover, with their ongoing program of activities, donations and sponsorship are essential to cover the troupe’s administrative and travel budgets and ongoing expenses in maintaining its extensive wardrobe of costumes, accessories, and props, along with a comprehensive musical instrument collection. It is therefore with deep gratitude that PB’s journey to the UK was gratefully supported by a network of supporters.
