The KALOOB Philippine Music and Dance Ministry joined the 2nd International Culture Festival from August 29 to September 2. Entitled “Earthdancers,” the festival was held at the Municipalities of Galatsi and Marathonos in Central Greece, a news release of the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said. Before the festival, Kaloob which was led by their founder — president and artistic director Eduardo Lapiz — met with Philippine Ambassador to Greece Meynardo Montealegre on August 28. Montealegre joined the opening ceremonies of the festival on August 29 upon the invitation of the Mayor of Galatsi, Kyriakos Tsiros. For their performances from August 30 to September 1, the group performed a number of traditional Filipino folk dances, including:
- Singkil
- Tinikling
- Binasua
- Pandanggo sa Ilaw
The group performed “Maglatik” with a twist, to the tune of the traditional Greek music "Zorba the Greek". Kaloob, which represents Philippines, a first-time participant in the “Earthdancers” festival performed with nine other countries: Argentina, Bulgaria, Egypt, France, Mexico, Palestine, Portugal, Turkey, and Venezuela.
Promoting Philippine culture, economy Earlier, Kaloob also joined the 50th Lefkas International Folklore Festival held from from August 19 to 26 in Lefkada, an island in the north western part of Greece. Their participation in both festivals was part of the embassy’s diplomacy program which promotes the Philippine Economy and Culture. Upon the group's meeting with Montealegre on August 28, the Ambassador congratulated the group for their excellent performances during the Lefkas and Earthdancers festival. In exchange, as a token of gratitude, Kaloob donated a kulintang set, a gong and bamboo poles for Tinikling to the Embassy and a set of T'boli costumes, a gong and bamboo sticks to the Museum of Lefkas.
- Andrei Medina, VVP, GMA News 
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